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Not Perfect, but Entertaining!
I’m going to share this review in a point-wise format so I can cover every aspect of this drama. I know it’s extremely popular, with ratings often around 9/10. While I respect those, I hope my views are also well received, because I’m on the other side. I liked the drama, but it wasn’t great for me, and my rating reflects that. I try to be as objective as possible, no matter how much bias or love I may carry for certain artists. With that in mind, here’s my take on "Perfect Crown".
[1] Expectations vs Reality
I had difficulty getting into this drama, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I expected a mix of serious politics and romance at equal levels. Very early on, I realized my expectations were mismatched. While politics and mystery were part of the story, the focus leaned more on visuals and entertainment. This isn’t a very serious drama - it should be seen as casual viewing.
[2] Non-Couple Chemistry That Surprised Me
For me, Ian and the Queen Mother had stronger chemistry than the main leads. There, I said it, and I won’t take it back. Their limited scenes, especially in Episode 11, were brilliant - their eyes spoke volumes, and the emotions swirling beneath were sheer acting brilliance. Even their casual meetup to buy a violin in Episode 12 was effortless, they truly looked like friends. I truly hope these actors reunite as leads someday. Since they’re from the same agency, I feel their kinship translated into authentic on-screen emotion.
[3] Huiju’s Character
I didn’t enjoy IU’s character, Huiju. This isn’t about IU’s acting - she portrayed it well - but I don’t like her in such roles. I felt similarly about her character in "Hotel Luna". On the other hand, I appreciated her acting in "My Mister" and "WLGYT" (from clips I’ve seen). It’s a matter of personal preference, but it did affect my overall experience of the drama.
[4] Supporting Cast Highlights
Huiju’s brother and sister-in-law were brilliant. I expected nothing less, especially from the brother. I had seen him in "Mr. Queen", where his comic timing was amazing, and here too his arc was engaging. They became my favorite duo.
The aides, Hyeon and Hye Jeong, were adorable together - I’d love to see them in more dramas. The other supporting roles from the royal household were also strong. Special mention goes to the young King: he was adorable, and his crying scenes were genuinely emotional. His moments with his uncle were endearing. He’s definitely a talent to watch for in the future.
[5] Underused Antagonists
The antagonists were under-utilized, and their arcs felt convoluted in a disappointing way - especially given the talents of Steve Noh and Jo Jae Yun.
Steve Noh, as Prime Minister Min, had a weak storyline. This was a shame, since I’ve seen him excel in both good and evil roles. In the final episodes, his sinister aura finally came through, but it felt disconnected and poorly justified. If his arc had been about long-standing feelings for Huiju, or plotting to abolish the Crown, it would have made sense. Instead, his storyline was too weakly written.
Jo Jae Yun, as the Queen Mother’s father, was predictably cast as an antagonist, but his role felt more like cameo appearances than a full-fledged villain. It was disheartening to see two brilliant artists not used to their full potential.
[6] Byeon Woo Seok as Prince Ian
This is the most difficult point to write. Those who know me - or have read my comments - know how much I love BWS. When he rose to fame with "Lovely Runner", I was over the moon, having followed him since his modeling days and supporting roles. Seeing an artist you’ve supported gain popularity feels amazing.
"Lovely Runner" was charming but felt a little short to me. I thought "Perfect Crown" would be similar, and it was, but I wanted the story to showcase his brilliance more fully. It did - but only in bits and pieces.
His eye acting is phenomenal. I’m a sucker for male actors who deliver crying or anguish scenes well, and BWS is one of them. His visuals and awkward antics make him both handsome and endearing.
That’s why I expected him to excel as a Prince. I had seen him do it in "Moonshine", where his royal presence and grace were convincing. In "Perfect Crown", however, that presence was missing. Even with background music effects, it didn’t feel authentic. The Queen Mother, by contrast, embodied effortless beauty and grace.
I know BWS can portray sinister and vulnerable roles - he proved that in "Strong Nam Soon", a drama I otherwise disliked but where he shone. I expected the same here, but it felt lacking. Part of this may be the script and direction, and partly the chemistry with IU, which felt forced. They looked good together and acted well, but I didn’t feel the butterflies. His scenes with the Queen Mother in Episode 11, however, were captivating.
It’s not about his acting - artists and directors bring out the best in each other. Here, it seemed the drama relied on visuals, a decent story, and cinematography, knowing hype would carry it. Less effort was made to deepen the narrative.
[7] Final Thoughts
This is my opinion, and I know it differs from most. My expectations were different, and even after trying to realign them, the drama didn’t meet them. At its core, "Perfect Crown" is pure entertainment, nothing more.
I’d love to see BWS in a non-romantic hero role - he would excel. I’ll continue supporting all his projects. Steve Noh already has a diverse range, and I hope to see him in stronger roles (this one I’d like to forget, except for his sharp jawline and aura). Gong Seung Yeon has been brilliant in everything I’ve seen ("Are You Human", "Karma", and now this), and I’m excited to see more of her - her face card is truly unmatched.
[1] Expectations vs Reality
I had difficulty getting into this drama, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I expected a mix of serious politics and romance at equal levels. Very early on, I realized my expectations were mismatched. While politics and mystery were part of the story, the focus leaned more on visuals and entertainment. This isn’t a very serious drama - it should be seen as casual viewing.
[2] Non-Couple Chemistry That Surprised Me
For me, Ian and the Queen Mother had stronger chemistry than the main leads. There, I said it, and I won’t take it back. Their limited scenes, especially in Episode 11, were brilliant - their eyes spoke volumes, and the emotions swirling beneath were sheer acting brilliance. Even their casual meetup to buy a violin in Episode 12 was effortless, they truly looked like friends. I truly hope these actors reunite as leads someday. Since they’re from the same agency, I feel their kinship translated into authentic on-screen emotion.
[3] Huiju’s Character
I didn’t enjoy IU’s character, Huiju. This isn’t about IU’s acting - she portrayed it well - but I don’t like her in such roles. I felt similarly about her character in "Hotel Luna". On the other hand, I appreciated her acting in "My Mister" and "WLGYT" (from clips I’ve seen). It’s a matter of personal preference, but it did affect my overall experience of the drama.
[4] Supporting Cast Highlights
Huiju’s brother and sister-in-law were brilliant. I expected nothing less, especially from the brother. I had seen him in "Mr. Queen", where his comic timing was amazing, and here too his arc was engaging. They became my favorite duo.
The aides, Hyeon and Hye Jeong, were adorable together - I’d love to see them in more dramas. The other supporting roles from the royal household were also strong. Special mention goes to the young King: he was adorable, and his crying scenes were genuinely emotional. His moments with his uncle were endearing. He’s definitely a talent to watch for in the future.
[5] Underused Antagonists
The antagonists were under-utilized, and their arcs felt convoluted in a disappointing way - especially given the talents of Steve Noh and Jo Jae Yun.
Steve Noh, as Prime Minister Min, had a weak storyline. This was a shame, since I’ve seen him excel in both good and evil roles. In the final episodes, his sinister aura finally came through, but it felt disconnected and poorly justified. If his arc had been about long-standing feelings for Huiju, or plotting to abolish the Crown, it would have made sense. Instead, his storyline was too weakly written.
Jo Jae Yun, as the Queen Mother’s father, was predictably cast as an antagonist, but his role felt more like cameo appearances than a full-fledged villain. It was disheartening to see two brilliant artists not used to their full potential.
[6] Byeon Woo Seok as Prince Ian
This is the most difficult point to write. Those who know me - or have read my comments - know how much I love BWS. When he rose to fame with "Lovely Runner", I was over the moon, having followed him since his modeling days and supporting roles. Seeing an artist you’ve supported gain popularity feels amazing.
"Lovely Runner" was charming but felt a little short to me. I thought "Perfect Crown" would be similar, and it was, but I wanted the story to showcase his brilliance more fully. It did - but only in bits and pieces.
His eye acting is phenomenal. I’m a sucker for male actors who deliver crying or anguish scenes well, and BWS is one of them. His visuals and awkward antics make him both handsome and endearing.
That’s why I expected him to excel as a Prince. I had seen him do it in "Moonshine", where his royal presence and grace were convincing. In "Perfect Crown", however, that presence was missing. Even with background music effects, it didn’t feel authentic. The Queen Mother, by contrast, embodied effortless beauty and grace.
I know BWS can portray sinister and vulnerable roles - he proved that in "Strong Nam Soon", a drama I otherwise disliked but where he shone. I expected the same here, but it felt lacking. Part of this may be the script and direction, and partly the chemistry with IU, which felt forced. They looked good together and acted well, but I didn’t feel the butterflies. His scenes with the Queen Mother in Episode 11, however, were captivating.
It’s not about his acting - artists and directors bring out the best in each other. Here, it seemed the drama relied on visuals, a decent story, and cinematography, knowing hype would carry it. Less effort was made to deepen the narrative.
[7] Final Thoughts
This is my opinion, and I know it differs from most. My expectations were different, and even after trying to realign them, the drama didn’t meet them. At its core, "Perfect Crown" is pure entertainment, nothing more.
I’d love to see BWS in a non-romantic hero role - he would excel. I’ll continue supporting all his projects. Steve Noh already has a diverse range, and I hope to see him in stronger roles (this one I’d like to forget, except for his sharp jawline and aura). Gong Seung Yeon has been brilliant in everything I’ve seen ("Are You Human", "Karma", and now this), and I’m excited to see more of her - her face card is truly unmatched.
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