Just let some things go and you will enjoy.

Business proposal is a fun, yet frustrating rom-com. The writing is good but at times it gets in the way of the bright, entertaining cast.
In the entire series, main actress Se-Jeong (Shin-Hari) stands out. There were times in the story when her talents were underutilized at crucial moments. As a whole, the story was entertaining and fun, but halfway through it became repetitive and redundant. There was a feeling that they were trying to stretch 130% beyond the main theme. As the series went on, this improved towards the last three or four episodes. Yeong-Seo, the best friend of the main character Shin Hari, seemed to have more chemistry with her boyfriend than she did. Now I see why they shared the best couple award. Business Proposal provides some fun laugh out loud moments. So, I do recommend it. You just may have to try and not take it too seriously...

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I guess life is how you react to it.

Mr. Plankton was a great watch that started out with very questionable beginnings. Even the characters called out the things that made no sense. I began to understand more, and it became more clear. They were flawed people. 
The acting was pretty good, even though I could do without some of the wailing like a 4-year-old. (flawed) 
However, the execution was decent. I enjoyed the way the series opened the worlds of these characters. I felt bad for Eo Hueng as well as Hae Jo.  Despite some issues I just had to ignore, Mr. Plankton was a bittersweet and engaging ride. 

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So much fun

My favorite part of Mr Queen is that I repeatedly return to it in small scenes just to laugh my butt off. Its plot, premise, and incredible acting never get old. It's just that type of series.

As the series is set during King Cheoljong's reign, it takes place during the Joseon era. In this storyline, Jang Bong-hwan, a modern chef, finds his spirit or soul in Queen Kim So-yong. While maintaining his identity, (at least trying too) Jang navigates complicated and intricate court politics disguised as a Queen. In addition, the concept of the storyline makes it fascinating and hilarious at the same time.

It's a refreshing take on the historical drama genre. An element of surprise and unpredictability is added to the story by the premise of a man suddenly inhabiting the body of the queen. King Cheoljong and Jang's dynamic is fascinating as they build a friendship/tough romance (no toucheee!) and navigate their roles.

It is a well-crafted story with relatable characters. The story is spiced up by the side characters, mainly the head court lady Choi and maid Hong Yeon. The royal chef is also quite a character himself. It is also noteworthy to highlight King Cheoljong's growth and transformation, as he embraces a more modern approach and challenges traditional norms. Intertwined with the old ways, the new mindset brought on by the spirited queen brings a refreshing new concept. All of this works because of the good script, pacing and execution of the actors. But let's give credit where credit is due and praise Shin Hye Sun's performance as Queen Yong/with Jang Bong's soul. Just exceptional.

Among the themes explored by Mr Queen are gender, identity, power dynamics, societal expectations, and loyalty. Not only is the series hilarious, but there are also many serious moments, making it an engaging and entertaining watch. I find Mr Queen very entertaining and underrated. Yes, the show aired years ago, and there is no more promotion, just word-of-mouth, which is probably why some have passed on it. Even I did at first. Having finally tried it, I am glad I did. It is now among my top five favorite K series of all-time because of the solid story execution and performances, the pacing and the music. I see why this series has lasted for years on Netflix.

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Great series, despite the fact that it didn't take advantage of its much greater potential.

To begin this series, I waited until it was almost completed. It's definitely worth waiting to binge a little at a time. I give props to both the writer and the production team. I was really impressed with how well-made the show was. Every once and again, I feel we are treated to a series that rises above even the highest average show. 

IMO, what makes QOT work are the leads. The leads are excellent. For much of the show, they lock you into their world with their acting prowess. Kim Hyun and Kim Ji-woo pretty much carry the series. The solid writing and crisp direction blend with many of the smooth and kind of jazzy OSTs. 

I could go on and on. With that said, with all of the positive things, I did have some issues. I actually gave the show an 8.5, which for me is great! But it's more like an 8.7 or 8.8. So, I guess 9.0. There were a couple times in the 16 episodes I found myself thumbing through my phone. With all its great performances and moving episodes, there were small points of predictability and "convience" for the plot.

We can debate for the next 10 years about the happy vs. sad ending. But I will say that if he or she had died by episode 15, yes, it would have upset many, but it may have also, if done right, unleashed a floodgate of tears and emotions among fans. At no point in the series was I convinced or concerned that anyone could die. Especially after Baek Woo getting hit at 40 miles an hour by a car and ran away from the hospital, on foot...

Overall, the performances, the production, and most of the writing superseded the small issues. Anyone can nick pick, but some of the "pickyness" couldn't be ignored. 

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