The most unnerving part of this show which is quite frankly frustrating is the fact that it’s set in the modern world but they are showing the royals live by archaic traditions. In saeguks it’s digestible. In a modern monarchy genre, it’s like watching a fish riding a bike.
Let me also say this (and this is me just purely speculating), I do have a feeling while we’re all getting those warm and fuzzies right now watching the romcom aspect of this show, something tells me, we might see Prince Yi-an’s ascent to the throne or him leave royal life and that’s the underlying drama lurking in the shadows, and not the “will they marry or not?”.
That’s exactly what I am t trying to say - the aesthetic can be achieved as professionals in the wardrobe, styling, H&MU department work on the looks of each character for a year in pre-production before the project hits the mat. But when the cameras start rolling you need an actor.
I can see Jang Ki Young, or Park Hyung Sik or Nam Joo Hyuk all occupy this role while not having a dead face. I think the casting director wanted someone who looked regal, elegant in the sartorially imperial aesthetic. Who could occupy the majestic spaces and aura of such a character while capturing the complexities of the role without getting drowned. So why cast a coat hanger then? Whose only trick in the book is something you will see in all the roles he’s ever played. BWS of Record of Youth, Lovely Runner, Strong Girl is now in Perfect Crown wearing a hanbok from time to time.
I am gonna write this sh** cos it keeps bugging me and it’s my problem and burden only and I say this not because I want people to agree or disagree with me. I write it cos it’s an opinion. (So you, yes you! Who’s about to comment underneath my opinion. Stop and move on. Write paragraphs of hagiographic comments of your own separately. 🤡) …But I wish it was anyone but BWS.
Hey wait! Can someone please confirm if the King’s mother has a thing for the Uncle? 😳 Is she really jealous? Am I the only one picking on this ? 😟 how did I miss this 😕
Dull, uninspiring, safe, commercial choices over and over and over again. The mothers of now some 14-16 year olds probably find his work still amusing. But if you are interested in brave, complex, artistic choices, where an actor is literally shape shifting or giving new avatars, then you won’t find it in his filmography. All you get is LMH. (Shrugs)
I don’t know, I love WDH, but personally I think he shines more in complex roles than in predictable romance…
He is absolutely memorable in My Country: New Age. I usually forget the characters names in Korean dramas and I end up recalling them with their profession or relation to the male lead or FL/ML (I admit it’s not a good thing to not remember names but I am not from South East Asia. So it’s harder for me to remember Korean/Japanese/Chinese/Vietnamese/Taiwanese etc, names). But I still remember his character’s name. It’s an unforgettable and criminally underrated performance. And in my opinion, just his best performance till date. He hasn’t topped Nam Seon Ho in terms of performance, nuance, depth, range and complexity. You go on a ride watching his performance, you are wary of him, you are disgusted by him, you pity him, you get mad at him, you root for him, you fear him, you are miserable for him. That character and his performance is just unforgettable. I agree 100% with what you said, he is more suited for complex roles. But here’s the thing, Hae Jo was a complex character. But the story was so half-baked and digressed so far away from the origin that it fell through. I don’t blame him. He nailed his part. The writer effing gassed it.
Also I do see his character in MIK has potential but it’s a Hyun Bin show. There’s no way the director is gonna give him center stage. Although I must admit,WDH ate that one as well. And left no crumbs. With very little screen time.
How come the dad knows how his friend’s son was rejected and insulted but doesn’t know what his son has been up to and who he has been up against. Weird
This show has that kitschy early Hallyu wave type k-drama feel. The era of dramas that made Lee Min Ho and Goon Yoo and the other present-day 40 something actors a thing.
- The male lead has a goffer who is more like an announcer for the unique charm of the ML. He is written to bring (bad) comic relief while he does the bidding of the male lead. - The female lead is a caricature of a go-getter, headstrong girl who somehow woos our male lead. She also has her side piece, whom we consider SFL or maybe not. - Stylistically it’s cheap and blasé. The writing juvenile and unpolished. We have just been given that gratuitous intro scene of BWS where the director probably thought since the guy can’t act to save his life, let’s thirst trap him. But then we get another scene where we get beauty shots of him to create mystique as he makes his way fashionably late to the King’s birthday banquet. Airbrushed to perfection, a lot of beauty filters, CGI trickery, beauty shots after beauty shots. - There is so much emphasis on nobility, royalty and class but here we have the royals from the get-go bickering like rubes in front of the country’s invited elites 😂 - Main takeaways: bad writing, over produced, predictable.
Criminally underrated. Excellent dramatic and action actor. Has more range in his pinky than a lot of his peer bench combined. Is confident enough to play diverse characters even those that are unlikeable and is not stuck up about playing the safe and recycled green forest romantic hero trope. Conducts himself like a high performance athlete which is remarkable and speaks of his work ethic and discipline
And I won’t be mad at it, you know.
Anyone but him!!! 😏😕
Girl, bye.
She is mother. And mother is she. She is so fun in this show.
Also I do see his character in MIK has potential but it’s a Hyun Bin show. There’s no way the director is gonna give him center stage. Although I must admit,WDH ate that one as well. And left no crumbs. With very little screen time.
- The male lead has a goffer who is more like an announcer for the unique charm of the ML. He is written to bring (bad) comic relief while he does the bidding of the male lead.
- The female lead is a caricature of a go-getter, headstrong girl who somehow woos our male lead. She also has her side piece, whom we consider SFL or maybe not.
- Stylistically it’s cheap and blasé. The writing juvenile and unpolished. We have just been given that gratuitous intro scene of BWS where the director probably thought since the guy can’t act to save his life, let’s thirst trap him. But then we get another scene where we get beauty shots of him to create mystique as he makes his way fashionably late to the King’s birthday banquet. Airbrushed to perfection, a lot of beauty filters, CGI trickery, beauty shots after beauty shots.
- There is so much emphasis on nobility, royalty and class but here we have the royals from the get-go bickering like rubes in front of the country’s invited elites 😂
- Main takeaways: bad writing, over produced, predictable.
If you want to watch a serious medical drama then watch The Pitt and don’t come here.