The Royal Tailor (2014)

There's something about saeguk movies that always feel rushed, and this movie was no exception. There was so much more they could have done with the story and the characters. The romance between the queen and Kong Jin was nothing great and neither was the king's sob story. What really made this movie great was the relationship that developed between Kong Jin and Dol Seok ( I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you! How dare you? ). Their friendship/rivalry was really what drove this movie, and it was interesting until the very end.
I honestly watched this movie for the clothes; I'm a history geek and I wanted to see the history behind Joseon fashion. So I didn't watch with very high expectation...thus I wasn't disappointed. As for the actors...I'm not a huge fan of Park Shin Hye's acting but wow, she did a great job in this movie. As for Go Soo, this was my first time seeing something by him. His character was extremely likable!

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I really enjoyed this movie. I loved the actors and felt that they were casted very well for this film. The story had me honestly crying and smiling. Go Soo acted his part very well, and it was quite easy to quickly fall in love with his easy going personality (Though it also helped that he is also attractive). The rivalry between Go Soo and the head tailor was cute and annoying at times. Though it seemed more like an one sided rivalry to be honest. Also I loved the clothes!!! They were so beautiful, especially the dresses the queen got to wear.
I would recommend this movie and I'll also rewatch this movie. There are scenes that are worth rewinding

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This is the first historical movie I've ever watched and I was happy with it. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a movie filled with beautiful scenes, melodrama, comedy, and suitable soundtracks. However, for someone who isn’t a fan of historical movies (or dramas), one may find this movie a bit dull since the movie is curtained around clothes making and fashion in Joseon era.
But when I think of cloth making, and sewing, and fabric - special effects and explosions are a bit far-fetched.
Point is, the movie sort of reflected on the delicateness of the main subject with its calm visuals.

Park Shin Hye and Lee Yu Bi together in a movie, especially after watching Pinocchio, heightened my curiosity. Would they be able to break away from my previous perception of them as interns at a news firm?
Yes! Park Shin Ye does a great job as portraying the innocent Queen. Lee Yu Bi as the ambitious pretentious mistress - frankly I was surprised - did an awesome job. Yoo Yeon Sook plays the horny and emotionally wounded king who portrays the side of being the king they only hint on in dramas (the ones I've seen anyways).

I had hoped that it would end differently. The ending left such a melancholy in my heart, that as I type this (in the car) I can’t shake the feeling away.

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This isn’t the first Korean period drama to depict a commoner with a particular set of skills gaining intimate access to the royal circle, only to become a pawn in a web of murderous court intrigue. But “The Royal Tailor” stands out with its attention to technical details, conveying beauty in an especially tactile way.

The first half to the story is light-hearted and plays fast and loose with history, devising sights gags to send up Joseon fashion crimes like shoulder pads, push-up bras and platform shoes, which are amusingly anachronistic. But the scenes also serve to paint commoner Kong-jin’s personality in vibrant strokes, such as his preference for the company of gisaeng, who model his provocative designs with sexual confidence, to his habit of hobnobbing with high-ranking snobs.

Meanwhile, Dol-suk is the hands-on artisan who excels at embroidery. He too is from humble origins but has managed through hard work to achieve the title of Royal Tailor, being in charge of making the clothes for the King and Queen, and some nobleman when their highnesses want to give them gifts. Dol-suk is also a few months away from becoming a nobleman himself, this is a very important point for what’s coming in the second half of the story.

Kong-jin, being able to work for commoners, is quickly recognized as the quintessential artist, experimenting with shapes and forms, and drawing inspiration from such mundance objects as a wine jar. His consciousness of style as an individualist statement is epitomized by his habit of burning his logo onto his costumes, the Joseon version of a fashion label.

And the rivalry between the two tailors is loaded with class implications; appalled by Kong-jin’s out-there designs, a nobleman proclaims, “A garment should reflect social status and rules,” echoing the law of the period that prescribes, legally, what each class can wear. While buttressing the hierarchical system, Dol-suk is ironically its victim, barred from donning any of the fancy clothes he makes.

A serie of events leads to Kong-jin entering the palace in order to repair his majesty’s clothes and he soon becomes enamored with the Queen, a breathtaking beauty rumored to be untouched by the king since their wedding night. Kong-jin’s intentions are pure: he wants the Queen to be happy, and she wants the King. So, he embarks in a Joseon make-over the turns more than one head and cuts some others because nothing it’s simple inside the Palace, and getting the attention of the King is of out most importance.

The complexity of the relationships between the four main characters, played effortlessly amazing by Han Suk Kyu, Go Soo, Park Shin hye and Yoo Yeon seok, is one of the many aspects of why this film is a must watch. The pretty clothes are breathtaking but the people wearing them do it in such a manner that’s impossible to take your eyes away. Each movement, color and embroidery has a meaning for the story.

I highly recommend it!

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Memorable

This a great casual watch with a unique take in the historical genre with a focus on how clothing impacts the palace dynamics. It's likely deserving of a higher score but unfortunately it's a story that really requires far more than movie-length time to blossom. This is the only reason for the lower score.

It's definitely one I'd recommend for those who enjoy this genre as the acting was great, the plot was straightforward but also not predictable, and of course, the costumes were gorgeous. It hits all the spots for minimal investment and I do hope they one day decide to create a series with a similar feel around royal tailors.

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T-T

Wow... this movie left me shocked. I honestly think that this is one of the best ancient Korean movies I have watched.

The story was immaculate. The development of the characters were done excellently. Though the movie was only two hours, I really liked it because it was like a condensed K-drama. The only problem I have with it is the ending. This whole time I was rooting for a particular guy (not the main character), so I knew I would get disappointed; however, the ending didn't really satisfy me. It was a different ending compared with other movies, so I'll give it credit for that.

Now onto the cast. I came for Park Shin Hye, but stayed for both her and Yoo Yeon Seok. I think they both played their roles perfectly as with everyone else in the cast. The only thing that stuck out like a sore thumb was the fact that I couldn't tell Mr. Head Tailor apart from all the old officials other than Pan Soo. And if you look at my drama lists, you should know that I have already watched many ancient korean and chinese dramas so I'm not an amateur when it comes to these things.

Overall, I would RECCOMEND this movie.

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