King2Hearts (2012)

My Review: The King 2 Hearts

My favourite Korean actress Ha Ji Won/Kim Hang Ah is the lead actor. She is so awesome. Must watch this. Its on Netflix so quality of the pictures will be clear can’t wait. That Lee Seung-gi as Prince Lee Jae-ha (later King Jae-ha) is so annoying how dare he make a tear fall from her eye. No wonder he’s not married. I hope she trains him to the ground at the next training. This girl she knows how to fight back dirty. Just like he undermine her self esteem. She is doing the same back to him. Now she is going to deal to him physically for after all she is just a girl. He’s from South Korea and she’s from North Korea. She has trained for 10 years and he’s only trained for two years in the regular army. She trained in the special forces. I love her in these strong and stressful roles she suits it so much and especially when she is beating up men.

Such a mean and untrustworthy person who keeps changing his mind, no integrity. So full of guile. Now he’s King what he wrote on the window when he was a child turned out to be true. He wrote I am KING but he actually never ever wanted to be King. He’ll have to change his ways now. I just had clarification that it wasn’t him that wrote that but his nemesis Yoon Je-moon as Kim Bong-gu (John Mayer). Who had desires of grandeur from a young age.

Still he has the cutest sassiest fiancee. She makes me laugh. She’s got integrity. She doesn’t play the game its all fair in love and war. She trusted in her lover when he said to blow up the supply room. She remembered him saying we have got teamwork. So she did even though she thought she was blowing him up.

Yoon Je-moon as Kim Bong-gu (John Mayer) is a sly one. He was the one who stabbed him with a pen when they were children. His plan is to kill both brothers and become King but now I think his short term plan is to pin the murder of the previous King on to Ha Ji Won/Kim Hang Ah. I hope she and the king are too clever for him. His (the Kings) sister needs to get her memory back about what happen to her on that day. She didn’t just fall down the cliff.
Yoon Je-moon as Kim Bong-gu (John Mayer) thinks the King is stupid but he doesn’t know that he is very clever.

The Lee Yoon-ji as Princess Lee Jae-shin is falling in love with her faithful strong but silent type bodyguard who is frustrating, but kind and loyal but he is not ready to be involved with her even though I think he is.
I watched this movie because of the lead actress. She is so remarkable as and actress and she keeps you spellbound. Her martial arts fighting skills are incredible and spectacular. I never expected this drama to be so emotionally draining and intense but episode by episode I’ve been so tearful and pitiful with tears just running down my cheeks but I can’t stop watching and I have to carry on to the end.
Quote from a DramaLove: This drama should almost come with a warning: "Danger! You will lose all track of time and reality while watching this show!" There are moments of intrigue, tragedy, romance, fantasy, humour, even mysticism in this unique Korean drama.

Never have I ever wanted someone to shoot a woman villain so much. I was saying yeah! Shoot that girl. What she did was unforgivable. Shoot her - She hurt the mother, made the sister kill her brother, and made her jump over the cliff and paralyzed herself, hurt the bodyguard by torture, hurt the lead actress. They underestimated the King and his fiancee and the bodyguard. She got her. She shot her three times.

The bodyguard Jo Jung-suk as Eun Shi-kyung paid for the sins of his father with his death. That was sad.

I find it really sad when they are preparing for war. It reminds me of the reality of when Kim Jong-un was talking about bombing Palau an American Based Island. We (New Zealand) is thousands of miles away from both Korea and the United States but there was still a sense of fear that a world war could break out again. Wasn’t this in 2012??? This in Korea it is really a Civil War. Korea is one race and culture. Its quite upsetting to think about these things actually happening. So these two people, just two individuals trying to stop a war. Sometimes I think that men think war is just a game played online.

Have to stop the movie again tears are coming out of my eyes………….. Such a brave move by the King. So good the brothers dream for them to stop a war worked. That crazy man Yoon Je-moon as Kim Bong-gu (John Mayer) was trying to start a war. So peace has endured for nearly eight years so long may it reign. This is true in real life too.

This could be the best drama I ever watched just debating with myself but maybe “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo”still takes it. After all Lee Joon Gi is the best actor.

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I would probably give this a 9-9.5 rating if not for the main baddie and the non-Korean international interactions <_< >_> My husband calls John Mayer "comically evil", and I'd have to agree. The non-Korean international interactions undercuts the serious scenes, due to the acting.

Otherwise, the rest of the cast and their relationships are just wonderful. I'm glad Ha Ji Won's Kim Hang Ah doesn't end her badassery after the engagement, as could happen in other dramas. The growth of the other characters is touching. Lee Seung Gi shines as he showcases his growth as an actor. The older actors are always love. Lee Yoon Ji and Jo Jung Seok are heartbreakingly great. So much to say! But, I should stop for now...

Some plot points are far-fetched and can get repetitive, but I accept them as a driver for progressing the plot.

The OST is great and elevates the scenes.

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What an Epic Tale!

Short: An epic (in both senses of the word) tale, great characters realised by great actors. A story that moves at a strong pace throughout. A love story, an action story and a political story. This is not light and fluffy, but neither will the action overwhelm if that's not your thing, it's a great balance. Hooked from start to finish.

Detail:
I have not got the foggiest idea how I picked this one up. It wasn't on my plan-to-watch list.... but I am unbelievably glad I did!

Ha Ji Won, one of my favourite actresses is probably in one of the strongest roles i've seen her in so far (including many newer ones). Not just as a strong character, but a character and story that gives her room to shine as an actress.

Lee Seung Gi, another strong actor from the likes of Vagabond, in an earlier role (this drama is 2012) and he's consistent throughout. Starting out as the lazy playboy doing his best to avoid anything he doesn't want to do and then plausibly and through real challenge and hardship transforming into the man who would be King.

Jo Jung Suk, another strong actor, takes up a second lead role as friend and soldier with an interesting side story that he has with the Princess.

Yoon Je Moon is someone i've not seen before but his character and the way he brings it to life reminds me so much of the best classic James Bond villains. He's insane, but not so much that you'd immediately recognise it. He's battered in his mind by rage and jealousy, he feels insecure and insignificant, but is also extremely clever and manipulative, calculating and evil. There is no end to what he will do. It is so rare to see a character like this done well.

The story is set in a slightly altered version of reality where the monarchy still exists. It has a slightly different view of how North Korea is too compared to what you would have seen in the likes of Crash Landing on You, for example. At its heart this story is a love story between two people, but it's also at its core about the reunification of the Korean Peninsula, and all of the challenges set before them. It opens with the current King watching a news broadcast as the Berlin wall falls and there are powerful and obvious relevancies to the pains going on in Korea and the King's desire to repeat that unification on their peninsula.

The story goes beyond Korea, travelling to China and also involving the US and other nations. It's as far reaching as a story involving North and South Korea needs to be, with lots going on throughout.

The initial setup of the World Officers Championship is great, starting with the uneasy relationship between the South and North Korean officers unifying into one team to take part. Later in the story when they re-unite for the actual event it's great to see them in action again working together and playing to each others strengths.

Really enjoyed this one from start to finish and definitely recommend it :)

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Периодически в Корее снимают дорамы о том, что в стране реставрировали монархию. В разных вариантах, с разнополыми королями, но мечты прям прослеживаются Чем это объяснить я сказать не берусь, может потому что не сами свергали
И вот тут тоже - монархия, правда очень конституционная, но прибавили Север, да еще очень необычно - вроде бы и штампованно, но как-то по человечески. Да, там не так как здесь, но до чего же мы похожи - король и товарищ - суть одно если они любят друг друга, если одно сердце на двоих. И этой любовью они "заражают" всех вокруг, "родители нации" оказываются по-настоящему радетелями своей страны - единой Кореи. Конечно, до нее далеко, но как же все-таки хочется. Этот сериал делает реверанс в эту сторону, без всяких рецептов, просто эмоционально.
Приключенческая часть истории рассказана тоже отлично, противостояние с силой зла в лице экцентричного миллиардера к середине начинает пугать своей беспощадностью и правдивостью - деньги делают если не все, то многое. Однако любовь побеждает, по крайней мере здесь, и в это хочется верить. Трагичный момент тоже думаю правилен, хотя так обидно Но четко выдержали эту жертву - спасибо сценаристам.
По актерам - никаких претенцзий, все же Ха Чжи Вон это Ха Чжи Вон А остальных она всегда мотивирует по полной. Я так поняла, это одна из первых ролей Чо Джон Сока, дебютировать в 32 и так выстрелить, молодец

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Deserves a lot more recognition!

This is a great drama that I can't believe everyone is sleeping on! I love modern Korea royalty interpretations. The story - although it does have several clichés - is very original in the way it is put together. You constantly know where the story is going and it keeps you on you toes. I love that in dramas. The second I ask myself while watching a drama "Okay, where is all this going?" it's loosing me. But not here. The character development of ML was amazing. He was so unlikeable in the beginning but became my favourite character of the drama. Also FL being badass and being able to save herself was extremely satisfying to watch while not loosing her femininity.
I do have some mild criticism concerning the acting of the foreigners (still don't get why they couldn't get better actors), the villain acted like such a clown in the beginning, the "cute" acting of FL was not good and the portrayal of North Korea did seem quite unrealistic at times. But I can excuse some of these points due to the drama being from 2012 - dramas just weren't as sophisticated back then.
But please don't let these points stop you from watching the drama - it's great and deserves a lot more recognition!

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I'm writing this review as I re-watch this drama for the 4th (or 5th?) time. I guess that's enough to show how much I loved this.

This drama made me laugh, cry, think, and most of all, it made me FEEL. I cared for the lives of the characters and the decisions they made.

First of all, I loved how they flipped the roles here - with the FL being the brawns and the ML the brains in their relationship. They complement and bounce off each other's strengths and weaknesses, helping them both grow in the process. It was refreshing to see the ML, despite his status, not afraid or ashamed to lean on the FL - and show everybody how much in awe he was of her. That is not to say he didn't have his flaws, esp at the beginning, but he was quick to admit to his mistakes and tries to make up for them the best way he knows how.

And the FL was not afraid to voice out her opinions either, not letting the difference in their status make her feel inferior. She entered the relationship as an equal, and she made it clear everytime.

Even the side stories were very interesting and held me captive throughout each episode, each character drawing me into their own stories.

Aside from the main pair, I especially loved the king, and the relationship between the brothers. No intrigue or envy between them, which is unusual for a plot involving royalty. The royal family as a whole was very loving and supportive of each other.

I also loved Hang Ah's father - his love and care and the eat he protects her yet lets her make her own decisions hits me in all the right spots.

It's not perfect, and if you nitpick I'm sure you'll find something to complain about. Mine was the foreign actors playing minor roles, they could have had better. But the main cast carried the show well enough on their own.

Very refreshing, thrilling, romantic ride with bursts of comedy and melancholy from time to time.

Must watch!

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I love this drama, it made me want to watch Shining Inheritance and My Girlfriend is a Nine tail fox which I had avoided for over 10 months of watching these dramas. This is hands-down one of my all time favorites of the 100 or so Kdramas I've seen. I can barely wait until the next episode...the only down side since most of the dramas I watched in one sitting...16-3+ hours at a time. I have neglected work, husband, etc for these dramas... my family is threatening an intervention. I can't blame them. The female actress is one of my favorites.. the scene. This show has one of my all-time favorites of any action scene and as a person who has seen almost every martial arts movie ever made, that's saying a lot. Don't miss this show. Of course, it has the most despicable antagonist I've ever seen too..I can barely watch him on screen.

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Outstanding, marvellous, really engaging and sympathizing style of directing.

In addition, I don’t think I’ve ever warmed up to characters so quickly like I did here.
Even though the focus changed twice, my heart was always moved. I also started liking actors and actresses that I never did like before.

Although there were some cliches, they did manage to turn into surprising events.

The only downturn for me was the villains. Their part was so overdone. (Maybe it was 2012’s style.)
The foreigner’s acting was unpleasant, otherwise the main actors’ acting was 100/10! For example, Ha Ji Won’s acting has totally won me.

Anyways, I tend to stay away from fiction, but this one was too good to let go. Really good. It even gets really emotional. I loved it.

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SORPRENDIDA !!!

Quede realmente sorprendida con este drama , tengo que admitir que tarde mucho tiempo en darme la oportunidad de verlo , para empezar porque el protagonista no me termina de convencer en actuación , la segunda porque era un tema bélico , y por ultimo porque pensé que era de época . Y aquí es cuando hay que darnos cuenta que dicen
" no juzgues un libro por su portada".
Para mi los 20 capítulos fueron justos y necesarios , no creo que exista drama innecesario ni tampoco relleno .Se pueden apreciar las 4 etapas que lo emprenden:
1 -Cuando se conocen y empieza el entrenamiento
2 - cuando aceptan sus sentimientos
3- cuando van a la competencia
4- y por ultimo cuando enfrentan y concluyen con el villano
Como sigo diciendo , todo fue perfecto en flujo . Ahora las actuaciones , la protagonista 10/10 perooooo la princesa para mi se comió el drama , su papel destaca ante todos , sus emociones las reflejaba excelente , mas de una vez llore cuando ella lo hacia . Pero esto no quiere decir que los demás no lo hicieran bien . En general me lleve una agradable sorpresa que no dudaría en volverlo a ver nunca .

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Good cast, mediocre writing

The drama has an intriguing premise and a strong cast but sadly the execution is weak and unexpectedly
amateurish.
The most problematic part for me is that the drama fails to establish both the characters and the
relationships between them. The main leads are a South Korean prince (Lee Seung Gi) and a North
Korean special forces female officer (Ha Ji Won). It sounds promising but in fact not enough thought or
effort has been put into developing the characters and they come off as shallow and are really hard to
emphasize with. Especially the Fl faking the North Korean accent and acting cute and naïve look so lame to the
point it is impossible to take her seriously. I actually like the actress but the character she portrays here
is just not written well.
The prince is an equally underdeveloped character. When in the beginning he is spoilt and utterly
disrespectful to everybody else it looks convincing. Further on the supposed transformation into caring
and less selfish person is not explored enough and lacks subtlety. By the final episodes he does get
somewhat better and more defined but it is already too late. The romance line between the leads is no
better. Instead of showing how they gradually start to appreciate and fall for each other despite initial
distrust and differences the drama has two random people spending many weeks humiliating and
harming each other in all possible ways. Then suddenly she is deeply in love and ready to marry the guy
who did nothing but played cruel jokes on her. And what the prince feels is not even possible to
determine. They have almost zero scenes showing the growing affection or even mere attraction. They
even communicate smoothly only under influence of alcohol. Sure by the ending episodes there is some
glimpse of the feelings but not much. Besides the scriptwriter seems not to know how to use dialogues
because they all make little sense and add nothing to the characterization.
The second couple is definitely preferable to the main one though their relationship also is not given
enough time and effort. Nevertheless Jo Jung Suk does a truly great job portraying his character’s shy
but loyal and staunch personality. His quiet undemanding love for the beautiful, vulnerable and
impulsive princess (Lee Yoon Ji) is so endearing and sweet. Jo Jung Suk’s amazing performance is the
only really good thing the drama has to offer. If only more screen time and better dialogues would be
given to their story instead of the silly military tournament or the ridiculous antagonist. The couple’s
ending is a heavy blow and such an infuriatingly unnecessary drama for the sake of drama that my blood
still boils at the thought of it.
Now to the plot. It has little logic or sense. What is the reasoning behind marrying the only male heir of
the South Korean royal family to a random North Korean woman who is in the military on top of that? It
is never properly explained. And how dumb and careless the king can be to trespass into the North
Korea just to get his woman back after they had an argument? Or to make his engagement depend on
the success of the Korean team at the military tournament?
The antagonist is a joke and not threatening at all. What he is supposed to be with all his magical tricks
and sick humor? A Korean Joker or something? His “American” sidekicks are doubly cringe worthy. The
drama is evidently trying to show how an evil transnational corporation is gaining power over the
governments but it is done in extremely awkward and simplistic way.
I would hardly recommend the drama to anyone as it is mediocre in almost everything from script
to directing, even good acting (and good looks) of the cast can not redeem it.

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