The Princess' Man (2011)

I just want to add my two cents in here...this was certainly one of the best drama ever made and I watched this for a second time already.. I love the technicality of editing skills (especially on ending scenes), of the way the director emphasized the difference of life of royalties, gisaeng, as well as slaves.
The main point in this drama was revenge and it was brutally portrayed all throughout the series..from a simple petty misunderstandings to a bloody killing spree. All the artists in this drama were top class! they showed so much talents that I almost forgot this was only a pigment of fiction from a certain facts about King Suyang and General Kim Jongseo.


***FROM HERE ON: MILD SPOILERS CAN BE READ***
There's only one thing that's bugging on my mind though..the storyline was far-off from perfect for it had similarities between the two household rivals: Montague and Capulets. A tragic story in which two star-cross'd lovers were caught between crossfire of their own families. Likewise, the two protagonists of these series resembles them with only the throne as the sole motive of the riffraff of the two families: one ambitiously covet the throne, the other wants to uphold the throne to the rightful owner. From a marriage proposal to the death of the reigning King, all hell breaks loose. It was carefully written BUT the character of Shin Myun was the only thing I can't stand, not because he had no backbone to begin with but due to his lack of background.

Why did he hate Seung Yoo so much?
Did he really loved Se Ryung? OR he just loved her because she was her consort-to-be due to circumstances?
Was he really ambitious and selfish to begin with?

I emphatized with his loss, but his loyalty was so questionable that it became false to me. What really drove him mad? what'll be his gain after this war? Pardon me for ranting but I really want his character to be developed, for the viewers to see his side on why he allowed such heinous acts on his brethren.

All in all, this was a good drama to invests with. 24 episode was a good number to summarise and pack-up all the things that needed to be ended.

Leggi di Più

This absolutely amazing. I have watched it a total of two times and plan to watch it again. I absolutely loved it. But there was so much passion and chemistry and this is Storico romance that it kept me sucked in. The acting was on point. There are moments in this series that were so intense that you would hold your breath. I would say that this can be compared to the grand prince however this series has some actors that will knock your socks off. Yo get everything in the series from romance, action, politics, but trail, revenge, loyalty versus love. It is all in this.I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical romances with action and great chemistry.

Leggi di Più

I have seen countless dramas, but I have never seen one to surpass this one. I do have some favorites in my list, but this drama means perfection from start to end for me. I do not even know what I have liked best about it.. other than the story which was fantastic, I have to say I LOVED the main characters and mostly her. Hands down, probably the most powerful yet sensitive and just female character I have ever seen. The main actress Moon Chae Won was WOW!!!! I also loved Park Shi Hoo, he is one of the most talented Korean actors without doubt.The main pair's story was beautiful. There were challenges, dramatic events, tragedy surrounding them but they never gave up on each other. I rewatched it too many times and I never get bored. My number 1 all time drama, please see it, you won't regret it!

Leggi di Più

This is a great historical drama with an excellently developed plot that provides good action scenes, a very engaging and well synchronized OST, beautiful cinematography, relentless betrayal from the most conniving and immoral antagonists, fantastic chemistry among the cast, a sometimes heartbreaking but lovely romance for the leading couple that withstood everything that came its way, and solid performances that bring these characters to life. This drama is intense, full of raw emotions, shameless greed and sense of entitlement, but above all, there is the impressive portrayal a man that fought with all his might to seek justice for his loved ones and a woman that was not afraid to challenge her own family to keep him alive. Enjoy it!

Leggi di Più

The Princess’ Man (2011) - one of my best/fave kdramas and one of the best historical dramas up until now. Park Shi Hoo and Moon Chae Won are also one of the actors and actress that I really look forward to as actors in the Korean drama world. This drama is really good, not just in the love story aspect but also in the political aspect and all which is the usual in historical dramas. Though forbidden love is the main theme, I liked that they give the perspective on the storyline on what really happened to them. The acting was really great not just with the main leads but the side characters as well, and in fairness, the chemistry of the main leads is great, I felt the romance. I also like the ending though it was like that, it's fine with me. Still recommended and hoping to rewatch this soon.

Leggi di Più

this was an amazing drama for shi hoo as usual

BUT ... the end was a real chaos for me with lots and lots of flaws

i was really frustrated although it was a happy strange end

first of all
the writer and the director didn't find any one else during the whole drama to kill him lots and lots of times except the ML
he had many souls much more than any cat LOL
and many times he got dangerous injured and just 2 days and run like a horse LOL
the lunatic writer killed too many while he can rescues them but no,
he killed all the good guys and left for us a punch of bastards

the whole drama was amazing
although it was 24 eps. but i didn't feel bored at all

but there were huge faults in this drama for me at the last ep.
first one (Song Jong Ho) the ML's friend
i don't know why the writer during the whole drama tried so hard to make us feel sympathy with an envy enemy at the shape of friend like jong ho
he was adult enough to be responsible for his choices and decisions
he chose his own wrong path,
threw behind him all the principles and the friendship for no logical reason for me except grudge
so trying to make us feeling sympathy for him was extremely awkward

the 2nd one was the end of the ML
for no logical reason for me he surrendered about getting revenge for all those who got killed unfairly by (Yeong Cheol)
even for the sake of his family
and suddenly the writer also decided to punish the ML after all what he got through by getting him blind with no reason which really made me mad
as if the writer himself was getting revenge from the ML
and why the ML hides that he was still alive from (Roe Ha)
after all what they got through together ????
this was extremely weird

And most of us specially in dramas we need to see the villain one got punished
but in this drama i got boiled temper only

the writer didn't even punish that snake king's consultant till the end which made me mad really
i was waiting during the whole drama to see this person specially dies


And yeong choel still the king till the very end which was really unfair after all what he did >_<

and what about that he was the only one suddenly got old ?? LOL

after all that details during 23 ep. they come at the last ep. and make it in a rush and illogical way
and dropping many important details for the side stories


you may find my thoughts disarranged because i wrote what i remember without arranging LOL

but it was worth watching, away from that weak end

Leggi di Più

Annyong..
This is my first review ..
This drama is worth all the time u invest in the . A deep romance suspense action thriller seguk. i would recommend it to any one who love these themes.
The acting and music was really good. A strong female character, who is bold and flexible at the same time was really impressive for me...
Only criticism I can give is that I felt it little dragged.. a little only (the story wise)..  Also when it came to the  ending u might feel a little disappointed . But trying to stand in the writers shoes I think he wrote the ending much in the sense  of reality.
I really enjoyed it.

Leggi di Più

Be prepared to hold onto your horses and definitely don't close your eyes! Though this is a short Sageuk coming in at a measly 24 episodes (IKR!), it certainly has all the feels and annoyances and amazingness that makes up a typical Sageuk.



Story (9.0):

I'm literally writing this as the last episode is finishing and I'm watching this last scene and getting goosebumps and shivers; what an amazing way to close the drama! I've heard some negative comments about this ending, but honestly it was the best way it could have ended in my opinion. And it's not even your typical Sageuk ending where everyone both good and bad beside the main character seems to die (only kind of joking); instead we see a beautiful finale that ties in with the first antics of our main couple and leaves you to wonder why all those other dramas focus on closure by successful revenge and conquering.

But don't get me wrong: the whole last half of this drama is mostly about trying to get revenge, and there are PLENTY of sorrowful and tearjerking scenes especially leading on from the 1/4 mark. If the beginning of the drama didn't clue you in, I don't know what would. This is a Romeo and Juliet style story (don't worry, it doesn't end quite the same).

There were a number of romantic couples in this drama, and while Se Ryeong and Seung Yu's was very fun to watch, especially in the very beginning and as the story came to a close, I found the love story between the Princess Kyung Hye and Jung Jong to be just as enticing and especially around the half way mark, even more fun to watch. Honestly, the Princess Kyung Hye was more interesting at times than our main character Se Ryeung (I guess I could call her Princess as well), and I loved seeing Kyung Hye's relationship both with her cousin Se Ryeung and her husband Jong morph and change over the course of the story.

I've painted this story in a highly positive light so far, but there were some parts I found excruciatingly aggravating. However, as I go through and enumerate, you'll probably see that it isn't isolated to only this Sageuk.

First off, most of my frustration from this story happened from the 1/4 mark the 1/2 way mark. Seriously, I watched the first 6-7 episodes in great joy, then draaaggged through those next 6-7 and then flew through to the end.

BEGIN RANT:

My problem with these episodes were these stupid choices and mistakes and misunderstandings and mishaps and all this gooblety gook drama that I really didn't want to see that I realize needed to happen for the rest of the drama and I'll admit made Se Ryeung's later actions so cheerworthy but in reality made me really want to skip scenes and indeed I found myself reading recaps to find the scenes I wanted to watch so I could get to a place I really wanted to see and I've lost sight of where I was going with this rant, but seriously, WHY! AGH!

END RANT.

Heh, the last half was worth all the drama though, and yes the drama was the basis of the whole story, but still, meh, Se Ryung was a bit annoying in these portions.



Acting/Cast (9.5):

Ahhh! So many crying scenes! I think most of the time Princess Kyung Hye was on the screen, she was crying!

But wow, Princess Kyung Hye blew me away, especially in the scene where she and Jong are tearfully looking at each-other... Actually, that whole episode was amazing on her part. Whenever her chin wobbles came into play... Dagger to the heart! ;(

The rest of the cast was mostly very good, though I found Song Jong Ho's (Myeon's) acting to be a bit over the top at times. Especially... nvm that's a spoiler.

There was also one scene that stuck in my head where there was an army of soldiers cheering that was sooo fake.

Beyond that, our main characters definitely didn't disappoint, and all the conniving and scheming and backstabbing politicians and their incompetent rivals were pretty well cast; I thought Se Ryung's father was very well cast especially whenever his character had semi-redeeming (who are you kidding, he can't be completely redeemed) moments like the last part of the finale.

The main couple was well cast and were very good together, but they definitely don't top my favorite couples list. Maybe 5th place. It's not totally their fault though because I've got some really strong couples on my list. Props to Woon and his Orabeoni girl love...

Final person I really need to commend would be the young King Dan-jong played by Noh Tae Yeob. Those sorrowful eyes of his can really strike the heart and helps his excellent portrayal of a young desperate king who feels trapped and useless.

Oh but wait, I can't forget Seung Yu's niece A Gang! She's the cutest thing ever... Loved the scene of her painting on Suk Joo's face! Haha.



Music (9.0):

The music was very good and also very typical of the Sageuk's I've scene with the mix of full orchestral and then a few male sung ballads and maybe some female singing throw in... I times I felt the main theme was played waaay tooo muuuch, but there was also this one haunting orchestral song with female bg vocals that gave me the chills. A good soundtrack, but not on my list of downloads.



Rewatch Value (8.0):

I will most definitely NOT be rewatching episodes 8-13 unless forced to watch the whole thing with a sibling or friend and if you don't understand why, go read my rant up in the story section. But the first 5-6 episodes, where our character relationships are being established were a joy to watch and will probably be on the top of my rewatch list. The last half of the drama was completed by yours truly in a blink (a day or two okay, give me three) and were very well done, but it is at times tearjerking enough that I don't think I'll be able to rewatch it as much as I would that first quarter of the drama.



Overall ( 9.0):

I've had this on my watchlist for ages and now that I've finally got around to finishing it, I can honestly say it wasn't a waste of time and I fully enjoyed myself. What a powerful love story!

For anyone who's watched the first few episodes, I also hope you caught my reference in the very first sentence of the review. Shame on you if you didn't.

If you are not a fan of Sageuks, I don't know how well this will resonate with you, but I've got such dramas as Empress Ki under my belt so this was a fairly easy and very pleasing undertaking for me.

P.S. I don't want to go through and fix my name spelling inconsistencies so figure it out yourselves.

P.P.S. I don't want to discourage anyone from watching this, so this is post scriptum, but I do feel like I'm being optimistic with this drama mainly because I didn't love it as much as I thought I would after reading some really good reviews of it and it didn't leave me half as a mess or in love as some other dramas (Empress Ki, Queen In Hyun's Man, etc). But it still deserves the 9 I guess. Maybe 8.875...

P.P.P.S. Is this my longest review yet? Maybe. It's like over 1200, almost 1300 words long. Here's to watching dramas when I should be writing essays and then going and writing drama reviews that are longer than my essay needs to be!

Leggi di Più

This was an epic historical drama, the story was amazing and the actors were amazing yet I feel a bit let down.

The story was very long winded and very emotional, I found myself crying quite a bit in this drama, omg the feels. However the end, even though happy it was also tragic and I felt that all that suspense, all that drama led to nothing. If the writers wanted an ending like that they could have made it that happy ending a long time ago except without all the angst and blood.

I loved the main couple even as ill fated as they were, but they changed so much character wise, with all the pain they had to deal with throughout the story. I couldn't really reconcile them with the happy carefree couple they were before.

The OST was amazing, I'll definitely listen to it again.

This is a great drama with great actors and a great story, however, it is full of pain and angst and a part of the plot feels like it just gets dropped at the very end. This is a classic must watch for any kdrama fan.

Leggi di Più