Reviews

A little bit of Crown Magic for Disney

Everything is based on the 12 episode series

Perfect Crown is a show to cater to general audiences with Disney's specialty
now we all know that the art that Disney makes to create happily ever after kind a lost its magic in the past couple of years

Enter Perfect Crown, Episode 1 (in the exact 19:45) Perfect Crown brought its magic back to Disney
Grand Prince I-AN introduction is where the magic happens entering the main hall. this scene alone brought me back to what Disney is capable of doing, last time i felt this emotion was wayback the live action Cinderella transitioning and slipping the glass slippers.

Story is typical Disney with K touch
but what brought the magic the magic to the series are the following scenes
Episode 1 (in the exact 19:45) - Grand Prince Entrance
Episode 2 (in the exact 40:41) - Grand Prince help his nephew (the child king) and stood across the stage signifying the crown
Episode 3 (in the exact 01:04) - Grand Prince and Seong Hijui entered the palace after agreeing on the contract and their biggest challenge is the whole nation because of status (this scene establishes the King and Queen entering the palace)
Episode 6 (in the exact 4:50) - Grand Prince and Seong Hijui entered the stage for the grand dance and proposal
the visual on IU is just perfect for the scene,
Episode 7 (in the exact 1:4:30) - the Grand parade, this reminds me of the celebration of the star wars episode 1 , a high energy scene can put a smile to anyone
Episode 7 (in the exact 1:7:50) - The king and queen enters the palace,
This is the scene of the entire series - It shows the power of the crown, it shows the world that South Korea is still in the top of the game in culture, This signifies to the world South Korea is a power house both traditions and modern world.
The FLASHES honors the history, the King and Queen entering the Council Hall with the FLASHES as the background
The OST brings emotional Magic to the scene, The haze smoke brings nostalgia to Joseon era, the Costume Design, this scene alone is the center of the series when it comes to cinematography, If there is a rating on production i will give the perfect crown the perfect 10.
Episode 10 (in the exact 1:2:05) - Min is entering as the villain of the happy story
kind reminded me of Scar entering the scene for the first time in Lion King

Everyone has their own magic scenes because we can't deny the I-AN, Hijui, Min, Iran, has strong chemistry, specially Iran (the Queen Dowager) she has one of the best portrayal of any supporting female lead, i'm not going to be surprise if she wins the blue dragon award, that how powerful her cast is. another character is Han Dayeong the wife of taeju, her cast is a breath of fresh air and works well with the sript and story.

For OST
just start it with My Pace and end it with Free
what can you ask more, I already bought the 10 OST tracks to support the composer and artists

Everyone has their own magical episode, such the ending of episode where they kiss over the palace wall, but for me
these are the magic scenes that was for me as a cinematographer

I gave it 8.5 because all of these magic scenes, the series still have challenges
the aides were gone (i don't know what happened)
they did not make use of the other maiden that was supposed to be set up to I-AN
Seong Hijui as a CEO was not given a background how powerful her position is as CEO of Castle Beauty
When there is a Council Meeting, the topic is always about I-AN not about the crown or people

so there are some but the bottom line

the Crown gave Disney a little bit of Magic

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An amazing story from start to finish!~

This drama is far from perfect, especially with it's storyline but it remained satisfying and captivating for me to continue till the very end. So with that said, I'll go ahead and break my review into two main parts!

PROS: When you get first introduced to the main leads, there's a certain narrative that's being told to the audience. But soon enough, the audience gets told the actual events being unfolded and I just want to give some highlight to this specific moment. These two contrasting scenes honestly gave me vibes of "history is written by the victors" statement and it couldn't have been any more true then in that moment. I really love how this was portrayed in the story and how much this echoed throughout the entire show!

Not only was the chemistry between the two main leads were really amazing, the other couples in the shows were also awesome with each other. One thing I want to also point out is that I really like how a lot of the other couples that were shown in the show weren't taking up too much screen time. They were there, yes, but the show never made them the focal point- giving the main characters the pure spotlight they deserved!

I also want to give a little bonus note about Su Yu. With such a twist of fate, I love how he goes from someone you, as the audience (and ofc myself), can find him likeable to someone you so painfully despise yet hold the faintest of sympathy despite it all. I really enjoyed the absolute insanity he ended up driving himself into yet making him still so human. He's genuinely the epitome of human greed, regret, and desperation.

CONS: Now I have two major icks with this show and that's towards two main characters, mainly our two main protagonists. Wei Jiu and Dun Tian.

Although Wei Jiu is more of a supportive protagonist (that ends up becoming an antagonist instead), his character is very..."one trick pony" type. His overall character just felt too shallow and his character development was horrendous. There were moments where the show hinted or even went in the direction of character development with him, it suddenly does a 180 and we're essentially back to square one with him. His sudden change of character occurs at the very last episode with a very convenient time jump/pass. I really wish his character development was built more developed instead of throwing a random character change at the last second of the show :/

And Dun Tian- oh man. He's the main protagonist and I just want to point out that he's probably the lamest protagonist I've seen in a while. Like every story with some form of a villain, there's always a reason why they became the way they did and his reason is as shallow as Wei Jiu's personality.

He claims and cries to the universe that he regrets giving up his wife and kids for immortality and ya know, for a little bit, I could completely see that. After all, he lived his life trying to be righteous and he was more or less in a tough position at the time which was take the chance to kill the demon lord from the world or save your family from the demon lord and potentially ruin your one chance to kill the demon lord.

But what completely shattered this perspective and his overall motivation is when he met his wife's resentment of him abandoning her and his kids. He went on a self righteous speech towards her and how killing the demon lord was more important than them. He not only refused to take accountability for his actions but back tracks? What's even more interesting is that we get a glimpse of his life as an immortal and how he had asked one of the immortals there about his wife and kids and potentially bringing them back. The immortal told him that he needed to let go because even if he wanted to bring them back, its been HUNDREDS OF YEARS. So not only did he do nothing or find a way to bring them back but instead pester someone else about it. I was left baffled guys-

What I find really funny is during peak fight with Dun Tian, Mu Qing Ge called him out saying his reason to destroy an entire realm over a regret he supposedly had was ridiculous and borderline childish. I couldn't help myself but let out a laugh when I heard her say that.

I think they had a solid enough reason for Dun Tian's motivation but completely butchered it to be honest. If they had just fueled his regrets and obsession correctly instead of having this back and forth narrative, I think it would have been a solid 10/10 villain for me.

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İ love those two

This is the only version that i watched for this story, because i like the leads tbh, and i do not think I need to check the rest anyway because the story is just not my cup of tea.

However, the two leads were so adorable, this is their third collaboration, I've seen just two but i plan to watch the third, I like them together, CTK as a dorky character is just so adorable, i think he can do funny, i believe the whole topless scenes in the beginning were a bit too much and unnecessary but he kinda does that in every single drama he acts in so i guess that's his signature lol LXY is just the cutest here, i believe the story is just draggy and so cliché but it was entertaining, i barely skipped scenes and i didn't drop it even when i felt bored so it's bot that bad, and I'm glad it's a little less than 2 hrs.

Will i suggest it or watch it again?
Maybe, if you like the leads and don't .ind the lame syory, go for it, i don't think I'll visit it again but necer say never.

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Not a fan!

I've heard so many things about this drama but, unfortunately, it really disappointed me.

I understand that it was not romantically centered and usually I don't mind as long as the tension is there but there was nothing. The chemistry was just not there. I felt myself rooting for the SML so many times that I was actually disappointed that she chose the MML in the end. It's one of the rare times that I would prefer an open-ending instead of that.

The plot was good with the whole 'second-chance' and travel back in time but I felt that it was lacking in so many things. First of all, while in the first two episodes appeared terrified of the MML, it was easily forgotten and she acted like nothing was going on. It was pointless. It could have so much depth and character-development but the chemistry, again, was just not there. Nothing. Nada. It was only for two episodes. After that, the whole he-killed-me-first didn't even matter to her, just mentioned briefly.

The MML was a red flag, for sure. But he never actually redeemed herself. He was still controlling, threatening to kill the FML in every chance he got, he grabbed her neck and arm so many times that I felt myself slapping him. I understand that he fell in love with her first but it felt more like obsession that love. It was a no for me and usually I really like the actor in every drama that I've seen with him. Here, it was bad. Very bad.

I liked the FML because she had definitely regretted past choices and actually did something about that. I liked her calm exterior when she was treatened and the fact that she managed to help as many as she could as soon as she got the chance. She couldn't save everyone but, at least, there was hope.

But for me, it didn't do justice.

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It's not as shimmering like a crown

Intimacy and cuteness alone are not enough to justify a good drama. It always works better when there’s a balance of romance, drama, thrill, and a focused storyline—and unfortunately, that’s where Perfect Crown fell short for me.

I did appreciate how the drama explored the parallel worlds of monarchy and the modern life. It gave viewers a glimpse of how both worlds mirrored each other without one completely surpassing the other. However, despite being marketed as a romance drama, I felt that the story struggled to fully establish and develop the emotional connection between the leads. There were moments when even the main characters failed to convincingly deliver the romance, making it hard for me to truly feel that they were in love.

Still, I can’t deny the charm of IU and Byeon Woo Seok, along with the impressive performances of Gong Seung Hyun and Noh Sang Hyun, because they were honestly the reason I stayed invested. Plus points as well for the soundtrack—it’s been a while since we had a drama with such a good set of songs.

Overall, it was just okay for me. Not particularly great, but not bad either.

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Watch it!

Ok now this is one drama worth watching! It is a really good Gumiho drama, mix of fantasy and modernity. Good casting, extremely hilarious and surely rewatch worthy.

The story follows Lee Dam, a college student who crosses path with the 999 year old Gumiho Shin Wooyeo and accidentally swallowing his energy source, the fox bead, thus entangling their lives.

The key highlight of the story is the humour and casting. When it's humour, who does it better than Hyeri? Every episode is just so funny, really unserious. Jang Kiyong as the straight faced fox also adds. Chemistry between the main leads? Not much but not odd. The side characters are really nice too. The second couple are cute. Especially Kim Dowan as Do Jaejin is so adorable and the entire English mess Yang Hyesun (played by Kang Hanna) gives a good laugh too 😂 Park Kyunghye and Bae Inhyuk do well too.

Yes, a fantasy comedy to the rescue if you're having a bad day. I'd surely recommend 👍🏻

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IU & Byeon Woo Seok. Period!

I genuinely enjoyed this show, especially in its early episodes, which were funnier, sharper, and more emotionally engaging than the later ones. IU was fantastic from the start, and her chemistry with Byeon Woo Seok was electric — the kind of pairing that makes a romance drama irresistible.

The first half delivered great humor, strong character moments, and some unforgettable lines, with Episode 5 standing out as my favorite thanks to its emotional depth and the Young King’s tenderness. As the show moved into heavier political territory, the plot became less compelling for me, with some frustrating choices and a few questionable story turns.

Still, the emotional beats landed, the character arcs paid off, and the performances remained strong. Even with a weaker back half, my overall enjoyment was high because the romance stayed captivating, the leads carried every scene, and the series delivered enough heart and chemistry to make the journey worthwhile.

5/17/26

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Boring

This Drama is Soooo Boring,
Flashy Costumes, verrry pale, beautiful looking cast and some slow burning not very good chemistry, I wasted my time watching this Drama
first of all, there is no story to it.
He is Faithful to Throne, he has Many advantages instead can't protect his Grand princess.
booring
EXCEPT FOR THE STAR CAST AND BIG BUDGET THERES NOTHING TO SEE IN THIS DRAMA.

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The kdrama that is built like a Wattpad story

(My review is extremely subjective and doesn't mean that you will have the same feelings as me)

Perfect Crown is build like a Wattpad story, and I'm going to need everyone to hear me out when I say this. It's like the director/screenwriter had very specific scenes that they wanted to show in their head, but they didn't have a proper framework for a drama, so it feels like they just pieced the plot together around those specific scenes. Very reminiscent to how most Wattpad stories are written, and unfortunately... I ate it up.

Yes there are a lot of plot holes and unanswered questions, but the plot was interesting enough for me to continue. I was watching this drama during peak finals season and desperately needed something that could shut my brain off and was entertaining. And that is exactly what this drama did for me, because you best believe I was waiting for the weekend to come rolling just so I could watch this drama.

The idea of South Korea still living under a monarchy was extremely captivating for me, the aesthetics are absolutely gorgeous especially the outfits the Byun Wooseok wore throughout the entire show. And I've always been a fan of mixing traditional and modern elements visually. And the OSTs are some of the best I've ever heard in a while, thank you to the person that gave us the master piece that "Already Free" is. And lets not forget that Byun Wooseok and IU are the main leads in this drama, they both just look so pretty and I loved their chemistry.

Like I said not everyone is going to have the same feelings as me about this drama, and there definitely are a lot of flaws. But this drama kept me entertained so give it a try if you're interested.

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Sageuk wears Prada™

There is a certain fascination about whether the Joseon Dynasty can survive into the 21st century. Variations of this theme pop up from time to time in the k-dramaverse.

Right from the start, this series goes all in. This alternative universe's Korea is a mishmash of Joseon tradition mingled with modernity. Some elements are straight out of historical series while others belong to contemporary idol dramas. This show doesn't so much as massage history but gave it whiplash!

Not only do you need to get your head around a constitutional monarchy with all the pomp and ceremonies dating back hundreds of years, but also a big dollop of classic palace intrigue, dynastic succession and the future of the monarchy itself. But wait, there is more! How about chaebol family powerplay and a love triangle. They are all played out under the severe gaze of modern social media. Mercy!

I would normally take a raincheck (aka run away screaming) upon reading that last paragraph, but this production has an ace up its sleeve. In fact, a pair of them.

Our leads are two of the hottest k-drama stars today. This is a dream pairing by all account. Just the hype surrounding them would be enough to guarantee traffic. Alas, all is not well in the modern Kingdom of Korea.

As I mentioned earlier, this drama is busy. There are so much going on. The show did well to cover the basics, but it can feel rushed and superficial. This is a trade-off of a 12 eps run. I would have expected 16 eps to maximise commercial returns and that would give the story a bit more breathing space.

Don't get me wrong, the series is complete. The show provided us with the required resolutions and redemptions, but they are just that. What we see is what we get. There are times when I thought the script could go deeper, but it already changed tack. The storylines are broad and many, but most are skin deep.

Of course, this doesn't mean it is a bad show. As an idol drama, it ticked all the boxes. There are intrigues, conflicts, romance and fan service. Whether you buy into the alternate timeline is a personal choice. For me, it is a mixed bag. When it is firing, it is something to behold and then it would leave me frustrated with some half baked subplot. One such example is the evolution of the Prime Minister. I wasn't surprised by the development, but it was hardly sophisticated writing.

It helps if we recalibrate our expectations. Any fans of our leads will rejoice. Their scenes are designed to make us swoon. The couture dresses, the lavish sets, the handsome close-ups and romantic interludes. They have been curated with consummate skill. For some, this is golden. Caveat emptor, chingu.

There is no doubt this is a top tier production and an easy watch. The star power alone guarantees commercial success. That is assuming the series does not stray off the beaten path. That won't be allowed to happen and that is its Achilles heel.

In the end, It delivered what the fans wanted. I doubt it will win a Baeksang, but that's not the point, is it? Peace.

P.S. Note to Korean Government. Install top-notch fire suppression systems in your historical palaces. Fool me twice . .

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The dialogues were written by chatgpt and the actors were underpaid.

I cant even bother to talk about how they just killed the essence of only friends, not even letting people kiss outside of their popular ships. When did we get so conservative lol. Also what were the actors doing in front of the camera, i can name only 3-4 people who could actually act in this series, best being Mix's character Dean. The dialogues are so plain it genuinely bores you. There's no spice or hair pulling level frustration portrayed as well. Everything is just....happening and its not that serious. I cant take the craahout of these people seriously neither can defend their acting. Storylone had great potential but I'd suggest giving the director a helping hand jn direction like they did in the first season because somethjng is clearly no sitting right with this one. Anyways overall i love Dean and Raffy.

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Strong Start, Questionable Ending.

Overall:
A worthy watch if you only care about romance, but if you even care just a little bit about the actual politics, then don't bother or you'll get annoyed. It really depends on your personal preference, at the end of the day. Some characters are better-written than others, the plot is overall average, but the music is arguably strong.

Plot:
With a considerably different concept to most dramas, 'Perfect Crown' had a strong start in engaging audiences. The concept of reimagining Korean history to have maintained monarchy even to our present day is the exact key point of intrigue which many viewers were pulled in by. What if x never happened, or what if y did? The curiosity and suspense only broadens the spread of the word. Such a hook did well in capturing our attention at the start, but whether this curiosity continues is up to the screenwriter – who ultimately did not succeed.

While it is different from most, the politics of an entire country cannot be well-written if the writers only wanted 12 short episodes with a focus on romance. As a result, the characters start contradicting themselves as the plot becomes insensible. However, it is worthy to mention that the romance aspect was well-written. Even if it did take the usual K-Drama formula of crushes back in high school or a couple of convenience, you cannot deny that it is so easy to root for the main couple. You WANT to see the poor prince succeed in getting together with the mistreated heiress.

Characters:
Seong Huiju is an appealing character. Her personality shines through and she almost has no faults; to be perfect is impossible. You understand her intentions well because of her simple yet impressionable backstory as the child of a mistress in a chaebol family. By contrast, Prince I-an is slightly more confusing. His intentions (other than to love Seong Huiju) are never clear in the sense that you simply don't understand what he is doing. He is sick of the royal life and the supposed prestige of it all, yet it feels that all of this is just a sad backstory for the ML instead of being something real or almost-tangible. Prince I-an as a character lacks depth; his only purpose seems to be for romance, or for Seong Huiju. Unfortunately, this is often the issue for many dramas where character depth is ignored to emphasis the romance between the leads.

Prime Minister Jeongwoo is similarly confusing. While you can argue that everything he does is for Seong Huiju, the motive is still unclear. Such excuse for his blatant disregard towards his duty as the prime minister of a country is deplorable. Even if he says that 'everything is done for the good of the country,' does anyone believe him? Does he even believe it himself? The PM has become such a caricature whose only purpose is to serve as a villain for and because of romance. His character would have been more interesting if they gave him more depth through backstory, e.g., what was his father (previous PM)'s impact on him? The scene of him laying his rosary at his grave was well-executed, with such symbolism of the PM leaving his morals even coming back in the episode 11/12 when Seong Huiju asks him where it went. It's a shame that this wasn't further explored.

Daebi Mama is my personal favourite. The stages of rage, grief, anger, humiliation, and finally acceptation that she goes through absolutely shine. Her understanding of the world shifts over and over again, with the abdication of the former King, his death, the instatement of her song as King, and her realisation of her father's evils. Hate her as you will, you cannot deny that she is the product of her environment. Arguably-so, her similarities with Seong Huiju are much more apparent than what comes to eye. They are both constricted by power, but contrastingly, Seong Huiju is able to rely on herself to create her empire, while Daebi Mama must ensure her son stays in power. From this perspective, Huiju even appears to have more freedom than her.

Acting/Cast:
IU and Byeon Woo-seok are beloved by the general audience. With both actors having well-received roles before this series, it is not doubt that everyone will have high expectations. IU's acting is the same as ever, as in she is able to assert her character and develop it convincingly, as to be expected from a veteran, though also thanks to Seong Huiju's strong character personality. By contrast, with Prince I-an lacking clarity in character dimension, Byeon Woo-seok has an arguably more difficult time in his portrayal. However, some scenes are much better than others, such as the emotions he present when Prince I-an is forced to live through the death of his mother, father, and brother.

Steve Noh (PM Jeongwoo) and Gong Seungyeon (Daebi Mama) really shone throughout the series. They were extremely convincing in their role, even if the PM's character is flawed, as both characters have somewhat of a clearer motive. In particular, Daebi Mama is able to pull the audience into the story as she shows her rage and despair towards the uncontrollable situation which unfolds in front of her. The contrast between her character at the start of the series and the end is quite distinct. Similarly, Steve Noh creates a clear division between the PM at the start who genuinely wishes to do well, versus the corrupt or colluded PM at the end, with the scene of his leaving his rosary as a division.

Music:
While I don't usually consider music as part of a review, it is no doubt that the OST for this series was strong. Many current top acts in the K-Pop scene such as RIIZE, BOYNEXTDOOR, and BIBI were included along with other token OST singers to create a solid yet hype-able OST album for the drama. It is not a stretch to say that many viewers watched the series specifically for that.

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The Emotional Depth of “Broken of Love”

Broken of Love is not another formulaic GL (Girls’ Love) series, but an exceptionally refined and multilayered Thai production that skillfully combines themes of revenge with psychological drama and emotional romance. From the very first minutes, the viewer is drawn into a world where the past is not merely a painful memory — it becomes a force that shapes the characters’ present and influences every decision they make. The screenplay deserves special recognition for avoiding cheap plot devices and unjustified twists. The story unfolds gradually, with great attention paid to emotional tension and character psychology. The creators deliberately choose a slower narrative pace, allowing the atmosphere to become increasingly heavy, suffocating, and filled with unspoken emotions. It is precisely this carefully built intensity that makes Broken of Love so deeply engaging.

At the same time, the series never turns into an overwhelmingly bleak drama focused solely on suffering. The production maintains an excellent balance between dramatic scenes, romance, moments of tension, and action. Because of this, the story feels alive, and the emotions never seem forced. There are conflicts, painful conversations, family disputes, and psychological burdens, yet everything is portrayed naturally, without excessive theatricality. It is evident that Faye Peraya Malisorn — both as an actress and producer — understood exactly how much emotion should be shown at any given moment so the audience would never feel emotionally exhausted. That balance makes the series incredibly immersive to watch.

The central figure of the story is Arisa (Faye Peraya Malisorn) — a mysterious, cold, and emotionally distant woman. She operates within a ruthless corporate world while hiding the trauma of her parents’ deaths beneath a mask of professionalism, along with a desire for revenge that drives her entire life. However, Arisa is far from one-dimensional. Beneath her silence, glances, and carefully controlled reactions lies an enormous emotional weight, which Faye portrays with remarkable subtlety.

Arisa’s path crosses with Lalin (Atom Pariya Piyapanopas), who is her complete opposite — open, spontaneous, and expressive, yet trapped within the expectations of her dominant and controlling mother, Welling. The relationship between Arisa and Lalin develops slowly, yet incredibly naturally. This is where the series reveals its greatest strength. The trope of seeking revenge against the enemy’s family has appeared countless times in Asian dramas, but here it gains a fresher and far more emotional dimension thanks to its placement within a complicated GL relationship. Their growing feelings gradually clash with family loyalty, duty, and the pain of the past.

+ Full review on our Instagram, X and Tik-Tok @SawadeeGL

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A must-watch

I am still completely blown away by how incredible this production is. It is rare to find a show where absolutely everything is top-tier, but this one delivers on every single level. The storytelling is gripping and unpredictable, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
The casting is nothing short of perfection; the actors brought so much nuance and raw emotion to their roles that it felt incredibly real. Combined with the stunning cinematography and a breathtaking soundtrack that perfectly captures the mood of every scene, it is a true work of art.
I was so deeply immersed in the world they created that the hours just flew by without me noticing. The production value is insane, and its rewatch value is incredibly high—I’m already planning to start it over again. If you haven't started watching this yet, you are seriously missing out. A well-deserved 10/10!

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Never underestimate Li Pei Yi

Others have written excellent, more extensive reviews so I'm not going to spend a lot of words talking about the wonderful acting, script and production values that make this a top-notch historical c-drama. I just want to lay the thought for new viewers: Do not ever underestimate Li Pei Yi. She is an unbelievably brilliant master of events and everything ultimately plays out according to her schemes. Just when you think she has lost hold of the reigns, things will turn and show how she was riding a completely different horse. What a great character and Bai Lu does a wonderful job portraying her.

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