Anyone who maintains that Park Shi-Hoo cannot act,. clearly has not seen this drama! Seeing him cry was a mind-altering sight. And he played nasty a little too well. Be prepared to have your cortisol levels spike and remain elevated as this drama is INTENSE! What I particularly liked about it was that I could not predict the script as I have with other sageuks. There were enough surprise elements to keep me on my toes.
I particularly enjoy the interplay between councillors who rival for personal interest and self serving end goals. This grouping did not disappoint. I liked the fact that the gaesengs were actually involved in the goings on as were the attendants to all those who aspired to princess status, The.chidre,n were all adorable. It was positive to see men engaged in nurturing roles with them. The youngster who played the niece will be one to keep an eye on in the future,You just cannot help but fall in love with her!
i found the musical score to be aptly matched up with the action on screen. Not that we needed help in how to feel. The costumes were typical sageuk fare ( I say that after being spoiled with those of Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung’s) although PSH did look dashing in his all black ensemble and long tresses.
The leads all put in fine performances. The roles of the princess’s husband, the prefect and the disenfranchised daughter were all innovative. Each came with a fresh take on what it meant to be caught up in the machinations of others. The husband, albeit no heart-throb proved his worth a million times over. The prefect did experience moral dilemma while trying to stay true to values at odds within himself. And our fearless heroine was badass from square one and remained there. She knew just how to push her father’s buttons. These three were not typical characters and kudos to the writers for that ! My only complaints were that the tyrant king’s wife was so clued out to her husband’s doings; there was precious little comic relief with a drama so intense; there were lost opportunities for conflict between the two sisters finally, not enough romance per square inch. Oh and PSH did not smile nearly often enough! ? I may be biased on that last one.
I don’t re-watch any dramas no matter how brilliant, but if I did, I would choose this one. Definitely not a drama to be missed.
Just a note about ratings-I have great difficulty putting a numeric value on pieces of art!