frommelbtoseoul
Melbourne
This review appears on: https://frommelbtoseoul.wordpress.com/2020/04/12/ja-myung-go-2009/
I have finally, after constant procrastination, finished the drama. Considering the time I put off between the first and second half of the drama, my memory might not be as fresh. However, the significant parts of the drama I have managed to retain.
The twist on the legendary myth made the plot of the drama much more interesting. If they had stuck to the original tale it would’ve been another Romeo & Juliet in a historical setting. A lot more than just romance comes out of the re-developed storyline. The drama explores the power tension between the neighbouring countries and the inner palace conflicts. The choice of survival and loyalty is threatened by emotions and morality and whilst watching, it was intriguing to see which characters chose what.
It is Ra Hee’s mother who stole the show. She was cunning and ambitious and I liked that she didn’t lose those qualities as the story progressed. Her character only had that one side pretty much but her strong and somewhat evil mind made her so much more exciting to watch. The other characters were actually great as well. Ja Myung was written in a way that digressed from the usual heroines. Usually heroines are backed by the heroes and they find their way towards a happy ending. Ja Myung stood on her own as a character. She didn’t need a hero as help and could easily live without one. Ho Dong was a great example of personal conflict. His choices were weighed by loyalty to his country and living by his heart. I enjoyed how Kyung Ho portrayed the character but my judgement doesn’t go without bias, considering how much I do like him as an actor.
The relationship between Ho Dong and his father’s second wife was most interesting to me. They both stood as obstacles in each other’s path, more so with Ho Dong being heir to the throne whilst she was only Queen by name. If not for the pressure from her father and her feeling of insecurity, I would guess that they’re relationship could have gone positively. Ho Dong was never against having a stepmother in the beginning and at the end the Queen did reveal a little of her regrets in not being the right mother for him.
The drama started out very strongly and I was hooked from the beginning. I think the political side of things did dry out the plot a little, after the emphasis on how the countries are neighbours but enemies as well was overused. I think I skipped a few of the council meetings and such only because they always ended up debating about how to gain power and what to give up yah yah. The setting, props and costumes were amazing. It’s set in the period for the Joseon Dynasty so the clothing is totally different. I would probably say it’s more fashionable and a little more extravagant but I enjoyed it. Especially what Ra Hee wore.
Ja Myung Go had so much potential and could’ve shown it if not for the cut. If it had the chance I think it would’ve made for an excellent drama. The ending was rushed and put together haphazardly so that whilst it did make sense, it also left me feeling empty. I did have fleeting moments of why I spent something like 39 episodes on a drama and had it finish the way it did. Yet, with the writers having to cram the cut episodes into the last couple of episodes, I think I do forgive them.
I have finally, after constant procrastination, finished the drama. Considering the time I put off between the first and second half of the drama, my memory might not be as fresh. However, the significant parts of the drama I have managed to retain.
The twist on the legendary myth made the plot of the drama much more interesting. If they had stuck to the original tale it would’ve been another Romeo & Juliet in a historical setting. A lot more than just romance comes out of the re-developed storyline. The drama explores the power tension between the neighbouring countries and the inner palace conflicts. The choice of survival and loyalty is threatened by emotions and morality and whilst watching, it was intriguing to see which characters chose what.
It is Ra Hee’s mother who stole the show. She was cunning and ambitious and I liked that she didn’t lose those qualities as the story progressed. Her character only had that one side pretty much but her strong and somewhat evil mind made her so much more exciting to watch. The other characters were actually great as well. Ja Myung was written in a way that digressed from the usual heroines. Usually heroines are backed by the heroes and they find their way towards a happy ending. Ja Myung stood on her own as a character. She didn’t need a hero as help and could easily live without one. Ho Dong was a great example of personal conflict. His choices were weighed by loyalty to his country and living by his heart. I enjoyed how Kyung Ho portrayed the character but my judgement doesn’t go without bias, considering how much I do like him as an actor.
The relationship between Ho Dong and his father’s second wife was most interesting to me. They both stood as obstacles in each other’s path, more so with Ho Dong being heir to the throne whilst she was only Queen by name. If not for the pressure from her father and her feeling of insecurity, I would guess that they’re relationship could have gone positively. Ho Dong was never against having a stepmother in the beginning and at the end the Queen did reveal a little of her regrets in not being the right mother for him.
The drama started out very strongly and I was hooked from the beginning. I think the political side of things did dry out the plot a little, after the emphasis on how the countries are neighbours but enemies as well was overused. I think I skipped a few of the council meetings and such only because they always ended up debating about how to gain power and what to give up yah yah. The setting, props and costumes were amazing. It’s set in the period for the Joseon Dynasty so the clothing is totally different. I would probably say it’s more fashionable and a little more extravagant but I enjoyed it. Especially what Ra Hee wore.
Ja Myung Go had so much potential and could’ve shown it if not for the cut. If it had the chance I think it would’ve made for an excellent drama. The ending was rushed and put together haphazardly so that whilst it did make sense, it also left me feeling empty. I did have fleeting moments of why I spent something like 39 episodes on a drama and had it finish the way it did. Yet, with the writers having to cram the cut episodes into the last couple of episodes, I think I do forgive them.
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