Thanks so much for this lovely article. I am a die hard fan of historical dramas because of all the reasons you mentioned and also because, mostly with Korean saeguks, I get to learn a lot about the history of Korea. For what concerns Chinese dramas I prefer pure historicals rather than those with fantasy/wuxia however on the whole they have a very high standard of performances, costumes and settings.
I have to say that I am finding this drama mediocre and not as good as I had hoped for especially because of the presence of Seo Kang Joon. Of course he is doing a good job and so is the remainder of the cast but I am not particularly involved in the story even if I agree that it is very realistic. I am holding on only because I am curious to see how the last part of their story develops but I wish the writers had put more effort in this drama.
This is the first and last harem fight drama I will ever watch. I understand this drama wanted to portray a historical past but watching 87 episodes revolving mainly around the emperor and his moods and lusts was truly overwhelming for me. If it wasn't for Ruyi (Zhou Xun did a wonderful job with this character) and her wonderful personality so loving and patient I certainly would not have reached the end although I would have personally behaved differently on the whole. I did not rate it lower than 5 only because the visuals here were beautiful so I want to give credit to costumes and settings (and of course the cast although I expected much more from Wallace Huo). The writers here deserved a 2. Double cheer for the palace guard whose character was truly unforgettable.
Wow, such a comprehensive list!! Thanks very much for this as it makes it easier for us to choose what to watch each month. I started Terius, Beauty Inside and the Third Charm and I plan to watch a few more like Where Stars Land and The smile has left your eyes.
A true masterpiece and definitely drama of the year for me. This is the second punch in the stomach drama that deals with the Japanese occupation period (the first one was Bridal Mask) and I have to say that it gave a perfect picture of all the suffering that the Korean population went through in that time period. Everything was perfect from photography to directing to OST to cast performace. All I can say to future watchers is be prepared for a wonderful and heartbreaking ride which will be very hard to forget.
The empress coronation was beautiful...I still find her too docile and kind. After all she has been through, I…
I also don't like the emperor and I am sure Ruyi will soon have great difficulties as an empress and he won't be on her side...I just wish she would run away, marry the guard and live for good outside the palace just like her lovely servant did.
I'm up to ep 21 and haven't seen any romance. Just a selfish emperor who will boink anyone - anyone at all, even…
I understand this is what really happened in the past however I totally agree with Laura that the Emperor is totally selfish and awful even if he pretends to be in love with Ruyi (reached episode 44 of the coronation and I still don't believe he is really in love with her) whereas all he cares about it his own reputation and power.
This drama started really terribly for me and I had dropped it at Episode 10 because I couldn't stand the main lead who was extremely arrogant and bullying. Later on I decided to give it another try to see how things would change throughout the story and indeed there was some kind of growth which made the story more bearable for me. However this is a romcom full of old clichès such a leads keeping important information from each other and typical jealous second leads who get away with all sorts of mischief. Although I managed to finish it I can't rate it with more than a 6 and I hope to see the leads in better projects in the future.
I have to admit that I had a few problems with this drama at the beginning. I didn't enjoy the overacting and the plot which seemed quite flat. However as the story progressed it became more interesting and involving (although remaining quite unrealistic) mainly owing to the sweetness and humbleness of the female lead. Yoon Shi Yoon had a difficult task in playing such totally different characters and he did a good job overall even though I would have toned down some personality features of one of the two brothers. I refuse to believe that such high levels of corruption exist in Korea in real life so I can't rate it with more than a 7.
Great drama based on a subject that could have been boring if treated poorly. On the contrary the writers here managed to create great dialogues and interactions between all the hospital personnel. There were many great leads here and the whole cast did a really good job in showing emotions sometimes even without speaking (in particular Jo Seung Woo who spoke very little throughout the drama but his feelings showed clearly on his face). Romance here was very much between the lines but the little the writers gave us was sweet and warming. I am very pleased with it and I highly recommend it.
What a great article. I have seen all the dramas you listed and I agree that they are great revenge dramas. I agree that the recent Money Flower is another great story . I would also list History of the Salaryman and the two classics Giant and East of Eden.
This was a lighthearted and pleasant watch on the whole. I agree with everyone who wrote that towards the end the story went downhill and for me it resembled very much Korean romcoms where the baddies get away with a lot of unnecessary bullying. In any case the acting of the whole cast was good and the comedy parts were fun.
I dropped this drama halfway through episode 10, what a mean way to portray women (either weak and stupid or calculating and cruel)! Not to mention the horrible male lead...I hope someone will kick his behind in the other episodes.
I decided to watch this drama mainly for my interest in androids and on the whole I was satisfied with it. I agree with those who wrote that the second half of the story wasn't as good and convincing as the first but the underlying message within the whole plot made it worthwhile. I was impressed with Seo Kang Joon's great acting skills, and also with the remainder of the cast and in particular I was glad to finally see Lee Joon Hyuk playing such a great role. For me robots won't be the same after seeing this drama.
Thanks for writing this article. I hope there will be many, many more dramas in the future about strong female friendship which is just as enriching and pleasing to see as bromance.
Interesting article, thanks for writing it. I have to admit that I am a little old fashioned towards this issue. Personally I think that in many Asian dramas women pursuing men are far too insisting and pushy and many times really exaggerate in ignoring their pride/self-esteem. As far as I am concerned I can accept a woman who confesses once (although I consider it much more romantic when it's the man who confesses first) but if/when she is rejected I can't stand the fact that she goes on and on pursuing her prey no matter how many times she is rejected until he finally accepts her. It's probably owing to the way I was brought up but this behaviour really makes me cringe whereas I find it more acceptable if it's the man who insists as long as he doesn't overdo it and becomes a stalker.
Well, what a ride!! I have to admit that after seeing this amazing Korean adaptation I am really curious now to see the British original. I hope I won't be disappointed as I generally enjoy the feelings Koreans put into their dramas a little more than our Western fiction but it will be interesting for me in any case. I enjoyed every minute of this drama. It was an intriguing story (even if a little confusing especially at the end), very well acted with a beautiful vintage feeling of living in the year 1988 (although to me it felt more like late 70ies). I really hope there will be a season 2.
I understand this drama wanted to portray a historical past but watching 87 episodes revolving mainly around the emperor and his moods and lusts was truly overwhelming for me.
If it wasn't for Ruyi (Zhou Xun did a wonderful job with this character) and her wonderful personality so loving and patient I certainly would not have reached the end although I would have personally behaved differently on the whole.
I did not rate it lower than 5 only because the visuals here were beautiful so I want to give credit to costumes and settings (and of course the cast although I expected much more from Wallace Huo). The writers here deserved a 2. Double cheer for the palace guard whose character was truly unforgettable.
This is the second punch in the stomach drama that deals with the Japanese occupation period (the first one was Bridal Mask) and I have to say that it gave a perfect picture of all the suffering that the Korean population went through in that time period.
Everything was perfect from photography to directing to OST to cast performace.
All I can say to future watchers is be prepared for a wonderful and heartbreaking ride which will be very hard to forget.
Later on I decided to give it another try to see how things would change throughout the story and indeed there was some kind of growth which made the story more bearable for me.
However this is a romcom full of old clichès such a leads keeping important information from each other and typical jealous second leads who get away with all sorts of mischief. Although I managed to finish it I can't rate it with more than a 6 and I hope to see the leads in better projects in the future.
I didn't enjoy the overacting and the plot which seemed quite flat. However as the story progressed it became more interesting and involving (although remaining quite unrealistic) mainly owing to the sweetness and humbleness of the female lead.
Yoon Shi Yoon had a difficult task in playing such totally different characters and he did a good job overall even though I would have toned down some personality features of one of the two brothers.
I refuse to believe that such high levels of corruption exist in Korea in real life so I can't rate it with more than a 7.
On the contrary the writers here managed to create great dialogues and interactions between all the hospital personnel.
There were many great leads here and the whole cast did a really good job in showing emotions sometimes even without speaking (in particular Jo Seung Woo who spoke very little throughout the drama but his feelings showed clearly on his face).
Romance here was very much between the lines but the little the writers gave us was sweet and warming. I am very pleased with it and I highly recommend it.
I agree with everyone who wrote that towards the end the story went downhill and for me it resembled very much Korean romcoms where the baddies get away with a lot of unnecessary bullying. In any case the acting of the whole cast was good and the comedy parts were fun.
I agree with those who wrote that the second half of the story wasn't as good and convincing as the first but the underlying message within the whole plot made it worthwhile.
I was impressed with Seo Kang Joon's great acting skills, and also with the remainder of the cast and in particular I was glad to finally see Lee Joon Hyuk playing such a great role.
For me robots won't be the same after seeing this drama.
Personally I think that in many Asian dramas women pursuing men are far too insisting and pushy and many times really exaggerate in ignoring their pride/self-esteem.
As far as I am concerned I can accept a woman who confesses once (although I consider it much more romantic when it's the man who confesses first) but if/when she is rejected I can't stand the fact that she goes on and on pursuing her prey no matter how many times she is rejected until he finally accepts her.
It's probably owing to the way I was brought up but this behaviour really makes me cringe whereas I find it more acceptable if it's the man who insists as long as he doesn't overdo it and becomes a stalker.
I enjoyed every minute of this drama. It was an intriguing story (even if a little confusing especially at the end), very well acted with a beautiful vintage feeling of living in the year 1988 (although to me it felt more like late 70ies).
I really hope there will be a season 2.