Wow, this short drama is a hot mess!!! It looks like somebody trying to heat up a quick snack in the microwave…
This show tried to cram in as many tropes as it could in half an hour: there’s the jealous bitch, the mean parents, the CEO BF, the blackmailing, the backstabbing, the hidden identity, the nasty ex, and to top it all off – the demure damsel in distress turns to be a gifted healer, a kick-ass martial arts master, a demonic speed racer, an ingenious hacker – like I’m surprised that they didn’t include a long-lost brother and sister forbidden romance, coupled with an amnesia trope.
Wow, this short drama is a hot mess!!! It looks like somebody trying to heat up a quick snack in the microwave and it ended up exploding. This show tried to cram in as many tropes as it could in half an hour (in the spoiler below)
I guess the scriptwriters didn’t learn the lesson that usually, “less is more” in short-run dramas. In this case, more was actually too much.
interested to know which other drama that does the “segue between first n second life” better. because if…
I actually was thinking of The Romance Between Tiger and Rose when I wrote this. Also TTEOTM and The Eternal Love could be included. I think it's because I was caught off guard with the transition, while the transitions in the other dramas were a lot smoother. But this is only a very minor detail, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.
Review Summary:This show is one trope away from being a dumpster fire. And it’s not the uncle-GIRL-nephew love…
This show is one trope away from being a dumpster fire. And it’s not the uncle-GIRL-nephew love triangle we are talking about, but apparently, it’s a gaggle of geese falling for the girl that I’m amazed Li Chen had the stamina to swap all those pesky mosquitos away from his beloved.
First, what this show did wrong is to make stalking look cool. Even if you have a man as hot as KeChun “following” you around, showing up wherever you are, to save you. This ain’t it.
Second, what is the case with Ke Chun dramas and women cuffed in chains?? Is this a common occurrence or was beating somebody shitless not good enough for TV now??
Third, whatever happened to the safety protocols of the fire department, that they let people in a burning building, let them spend 10 minutes kissing while fumes are piling up everywhere?
Fourth, where the hell are the nurses when the Wan Zhi’s mother left the room? Nobody in the halls saw this lady limping her way up the stairs??? Apparently, the two nurses who saw her thought nothing of a crippled lady making her way out of the emergency exit. Did they assume she went out for a smoke? Back to common-sense training!
Fifth, racing a fancy car against a lunatic with your beloved inside is not the right way to de-escalate the situation. You are definitely just asking for a car accident, and pray to god that she doesn’t die, or at least get amnesia so you can throw in another trope and prolong the agony of spending years apart.
I could go on and on with all the inconsistencies in plot and execution of this drama, that not even Ke Chun’s pretty face could save it.
This show is one trope away from being a dumpster fire. And it’s not the uncle-GIRL-nephew love triangle we are talking about, but apparently it’s a gaggle of geese falling for the girl that I’m amazed Li Chen had the stamina to swap all those pesky mosquitos away from his beloved.
Review Summary:One of the earliest and most iconic stories of lookalikes switching places is Mark Twain’s The…
One of the earliest and most iconic stories of lookalikes switching places is Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, which inspired the movie Masquerade, which this show is based on. After a sluggish start, this drama picked up steam about 4 episodes in, when the real king Yi Heon disappears mostly from the screen. I almost dropped this drama, and deemed it listless, but Yeo Jin Goo’s performance as both the real and the faux ruler impressed me. While I don’t remember seeing him elsewhere, perhaps in smaller roles, his presence as Ha Seon was truly magnificent.
Having watched Lee Se Young in three projects this year, her performance as the queen is exactly what I expected. Not to be outdone is Kim Sang Kyung in his role as the Royal Secretary, a man who has done many questionable things in the name of king and country. He plays the role of Lee Gyu so magnificently that we can’t help but empathise with him, even when he makes decisions that are even against our own moral standards. From Eunuch Jo to the detestable Kwon Hae Hyo as Shin Chi Soo, the rest of the cast delivered exceptional performances; his actions were so loathsome, I wanted to maim him.
In terms of plot, the drama had captivating moments but also some slow parts. The drama progressed as far as it did only because of the character’s actions driving it forward. It’s true that comparing a melodrama to a light rom-com is like comparing apples and oranges; therefore, it’s not surprising I wasn’t in stitches watching it. Though it included some comedic elements, they were infrequent.
Though there was one character that I found extremely irritating. Most would probably guess it’s one of the villains, but they’d be wrong. It is Ha Seon’s sister, Dal Rae, who frustrated me to no end. A naive farm girl’s lack of worldly experience is understandable, yet her actions didn’t suggest a life on the streets with clowns. Let me be clear: I don’t blame her for being assaulted. Yes, that crime was the perpetrator’s sole responsibility. But it was her actions afterward, like how after being traumatized, I would have thought she’d learn her lesson and NOT go off on her own. Despite repeated warnings from her uncle to stay put (or at least stay close to him), morbid curiosity led her to the small hut where the real king was imprisoned. Though unsure of who he is, Dal Rae follows the real Yi Heon throughout the city streets, carries a knife that clearly isn’t hers, resulting in her arrest and risking her brother’s exposure. Why on earth does she continually endanger herself and cause others such worry?
Another thing that bothers me is the way Lee Gyu and Eunuch Jo discuss Ha Seon openly. They say his name so many times, at the risk of being eavesdropped. To avoid confusion, why not use a variation of the real king’s name when referring to him? Have they not learned at all that walls have ears? Can’t they be more covert? I suppose not; otherwise, the villains’ wicked plans would have been revealed sooner. It could just be my own particular issue, but a problem nonetheless.
My rant aside, this show is a decent watch for those who appreciate character-driven shows, a dash of romance, and a heavy dose of political intrigue. It's not the best historical K-drama out there, but it's neither the worst.
One of the earliest and most iconic stories of lookalikes switching places is Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, which inspired the movie Masquerade, which this show is based on.
"The Crowned Clown" is a decent watch for those who appreciate character-driven shows, a dash of romance, and a heavy dose of political intrigue. It's not the best historical K-drama out there, but it's neither the worst.
Just discovered this guy and he looks like a combination of Xu Kai and Chen Zhe Yuan. Oddly enough, I'm not a fan of either of them but I can get on board with Want Xuan!
Full disclosure: I wasn’t planning to pick this drama up, but positive word-of-mouth and its short runtime convinced me to watch it. But boy, I didn’t know it would be this heavy. I know dying was involved; it’s right there in the synopsis. Usually, when a drama begins with a dead character, I have already prepared my mind to accept this death as final. What I was not ready for was the avalanche of tears that accompanied me on this brief journey.
I have to commend Kim Min Ha as an actress. Despite not fitting the mold of a flashy romantic heroine, she delivered a standout performance in this drama, particularly in her portrayal of teenage Jung Hui Wan. She’s as brass and bold at school, and pretty much arm wrestles Ram U into an unconventional friendship that started out from a prank.
Not so shabby keeping up with the lead actress is Gong Myung, who played the introverted Ram U like a deer caught in the headlights when being steam-rolled by Hui Wan. As a Grim Reaper, Ram U surprisingly forsakes his responsibility of leading Hui Wan to the afterlife and instead convinces her to continue living. And it’s this message that is at the heart of this short drama.
The production team’s execution is superb; the muted tones, tranquil background, and somber music all contribute to the drama’s melancholic mood. The flashbacks intertwined seamlessly with the present moments, with both Hui Wan and Ram U reminiscing about their time spent, and about the loss of time not spent together.
Perhaps it’s because of the regrets of both main characters that lead them to this path. We can never know what would have happened if Hui Wan decided alternatively to join Ram U at that moment of his death, or what would have happened if Hui Wan went to the observatory instead of Ram U. Their running joke of exchanging their names since that fateful day seems to have backfired, if we are to believe Hui Wan’s insistence that it was her fault that Ram U died.
The drama makes us realize that there’s no rhyme or reason to anyone’s death. No matter how you turn it over your head, when it’s someone’s time to depart, it’s final. Mulling over what ifs would not bring them back to life. Though it’s easier said than done, the best way to honor their existence is to move on and live a fruitful life.
Despite its lackluster ratings, I quite enjoyed this drama. It’s reminiscent of “Business Proposal,” or WWWSK, but throw in a time loop and you have SBWTRE. I know it’s cliché and predictable, but watching the characters creatively and ridiculously escape the time warp each reset is genuinely fun. For a short web drama, do not expect that they bring out the big guns. Recognizing its resource, budget, and time constraints, this drama smartly avoids overstuffed plots, a frequent downfall of similar short dramas.
What I like about this drama is its simplicity, and how it does not take itself so seriously. The banter between the leads shows their natural chemistry. It’s a very bingeable, bite-sized drama that tickles the funny bone and might make you say “Awwww.”
Touted as the Chinese version of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” this drama delivers quite a punch. The characters are sassy and have mad skills at sword play. It was funny to watch Xiao Nian and Wu Ming make up excuses about their whereabouts when asked, and how they attempt to hide their secret identities from each other. Especially enjoyable is Xiao Nian’s antics in hiding her stash of wine jugs! These two together are so sweet!
Equally loveable is the second pairing of Wen Fang and Bao Er. I find Wen Fang’s cute, awkward moments with Bao Er, and her way of sniffing him out, very amusing. The production team deserves commendation for their creative and captivating interpretation of the source material, despite limited resources. A great effort for an ambitious task.
This drama would be the story of LI Tong Guang and Ren Ru Yi (from A Journey to Love) if Ruyi returned Tong Guang’s affections. But Chu Ning Yuan is not as obsessive as Li Tong Guang, which is a blessing. The willingness of the Seventh Prince to be subservient to a maid is unexpected in a historical Chinese drama, and this unusual dynamic encourages other maids to challenge traditional roles and speak their minds. Not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. To promote female empowerment, let’s assume that this is an improvement and that social class distinctions are solely based on positions.
Plotwise, it’s as straightforward as it gets. Shen Yan wants revenge and helps the Prince along the way. Female badassery at its finest for a short drama. Acting wise, they are both decent, but when paired together, their chemistry is chemistrying. Looking forward to their other works together!
This drama reminded me a lot of “Shining for One Thing,” and therefore, perhaps unjustifiably, I made a lot of comparisons to that show. In contrast to “SFOT”, this drama is mediocre, and it’s no fault of the actors. I’ve seen Zhang Miao Yi in other works, so I know where her capabilities lie. I don’t enjoy time-travel dramas unless they are well-made. Granted, this has a shorter runtime, it’s not surprising that there would be some kinks that still needed to be ironed out. Possibly, a bigger budget or production could allow for a more fully developed story and plot. As it stands, it’s passable.
2 
I guess the scriptwriters didn’t learn the lesson that usually, “less is more” in short-run dramas. In this case, more was actually too much.
Like I could skip any episode and I still wouldn't miss anything.
First, what this show did wrong is to make stalking look cool. Even if you have a man as hot as KeChun “following” you around, showing up wherever you are, to save you. This ain’t it.
Second, what is the case with Ke Chun dramas and women cuffed in chains?? Is this a common occurrence or was beating somebody shitless not good enough for TV now??
Third, whatever happened to the safety protocols of the fire department, that they let people in a burning building, let them spend 10 minutes kissing while fumes are piling up everywhere?
Fourth, where the hell are the nurses when the Wan Zhi’s mother left the room? Nobody in the halls saw this lady limping her way up the stairs??? Apparently, the two nurses who saw her thought nothing of a crippled lady making her way out of the emergency exit. Did they assume she went out for a smoke? Back to common-sense training!
Fifth, racing a fancy car against a lunatic with your beloved inside is not the right way to de-escalate the situation. You are definitely just asking for a car accident, and pray to god that she doesn’t die, or at least get amnesia so you can throw in another trope and prolong the agony of spending years apart.
I could go on and on with all the inconsistencies in plot and execution of this drama, that not even Ke Chun’s pretty face could save it.
This show is one trope away from being a dumpster fire. And it’s not the uncle-GIRL-nephew love triangle we are talking about, but apparently it’s a gaggle of geese falling for the girl that I’m amazed Li Chen had the stamina to swap all those pesky mosquitos away from his beloved.
Full review in reply below:
Top 5 Modern: Business Proposal; Extraordinary Attorney Woo; Sh**ting Stars; You're Beautiful; Crash Landing on You
Having watched Lee Se Young in three projects this year, her performance as the queen is exactly what I expected. Not to be outdone is Kim Sang Kyung in his role as the Royal Secretary, a man who has done many questionable things in the name of king and country. He plays the role of Lee Gyu so magnificently that we can’t help but empathise with him, even when he makes decisions that are even against our own moral standards. From Eunuch Jo to the detestable Kwon Hae Hyo as Shin Chi Soo, the rest of the cast delivered exceptional performances; his actions were so loathsome, I wanted to maim him.
In terms of plot, the drama had captivating moments but also some slow parts. The drama progressed as far as it did only because of the character’s actions driving it forward. It’s true that comparing a melodrama to a light rom-com is like comparing apples and oranges; therefore, it’s not surprising I wasn’t in stitches watching it. Though it included some comedic elements, they were infrequent.
Though there was one character that I found extremely irritating. Most would probably guess it’s one of the villains, but they’d be wrong. It is Ha Seon’s sister, Dal Rae, who frustrated me to no end. A naive farm girl’s lack of worldly experience is understandable, yet her actions didn’t suggest a life on the streets with clowns. Let me be clear: I don’t blame her for being assaulted. Yes, that crime was the perpetrator’s sole responsibility. But it was her actions afterward, like how after being traumatized, I would have thought she’d learn her lesson and NOT go off on her own. Despite repeated warnings from her uncle to stay put (or at least stay close to him), morbid curiosity led her to the small hut where the real king was imprisoned. Though unsure of who he is, Dal Rae follows the real Yi Heon throughout the city streets, carries a knife that clearly isn’t hers, resulting in her arrest and risking her brother’s exposure. Why on earth does she continually endanger herself and cause others such worry?
Another thing that bothers me is the way Lee Gyu and Eunuch Jo discuss Ha Seon openly. They say his name so many times, at the risk of being eavesdropped. To avoid confusion, why not use a variation of the real king’s name when referring to him? Have they not learned at all that walls have ears? Can’t they be more covert? I suppose not; otherwise, the villains’ wicked plans would have been revealed sooner. It could just be my own particular issue, but a problem nonetheless.
My rant aside, this show is a decent watch for those who appreciate character-driven shows, a dash of romance, and a heavy dose of political intrigue. It's not the best historical K-drama out there, but it's neither the worst.
One of the earliest and most iconic stories of lookalikes switching places is Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, which inspired the movie Masquerade, which this show is based on.
"The Crowned Clown" is a decent watch for those who appreciate character-driven shows, a dash of romance, and a heavy dose of political intrigue. It's not the best historical K-drama out there, but it's neither the worst.
Full Review in the Spoiler below:
I have to commend Kim Min Ha as an actress. Despite not fitting the mold of a flashy romantic heroine, she delivered a standout performance in this drama, particularly in her portrayal of teenage Jung Hui Wan. She’s as brass and bold at school, and pretty much arm wrestles Ram U into an unconventional friendship that started out from a prank.
Not so shabby keeping up with the lead actress is Gong Myung, who played the introverted Ram U like a deer caught in the headlights when being steam-rolled by Hui Wan. As a Grim Reaper, Ram U surprisingly forsakes his responsibility of leading Hui Wan to the afterlife and instead convinces her to continue living. And it’s this message that is at the heart of this short drama.
The production team’s execution is superb; the muted tones, tranquil background, and somber music all contribute to the drama’s melancholic mood. The flashbacks intertwined seamlessly with the present moments, with both Hui Wan and Ram U reminiscing about their time spent, and about the loss of time not spent together.
Perhaps it’s because of the regrets of both main characters that lead them to this path. We can never know what would have happened if Hui Wan decided alternatively to join Ram U at that moment of his death, or what would have happened if Hui Wan went to the observatory instead of Ram U. Their running joke of exchanging their names since that fateful day seems to have backfired, if we are to believe Hui Wan’s insistence that it was her fault that Ram U died.
The drama makes us realize that there’s no rhyme or reason to anyone’s death. No matter how you turn it over your head, when it’s someone’s time to depart, it’s final. Mulling over what ifs would not bring them back to life. Though it’s easier said than done, the best way to honor their existence is to move on and live a fruitful life.
What I like about this drama is its simplicity, and how it does not take itself so seriously. The banter between the leads shows their natural chemistry. It’s a very bingeable, bite-sized drama that tickles the funny bone and might make you say “Awwww.”
Equally loveable is the second pairing of Wen Fang and Bao Er. I find Wen Fang’s cute, awkward moments with Bao Er, and her way of sniffing him out, very amusing. The production team deserves commendation for their creative and captivating interpretation of the source material, despite limited resources. A great effort for an ambitious task.
Plotwise, it’s as straightforward as it gets. Shen Yan wants revenge and helps the Prince along the way. Female badassery at its finest for a short drama. Acting wise, they are both decent, but when paired together, their chemistry is chemistrying. Looking forward to their other works together!
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