This was the second sageuk drama I've watched, and I'm very unfamiliar with Korean history, so I wasn't sure if I should take it up or not, but I couldn't resist after reading the synopsis. Let's just say that it was a VERY good choice.
TPM is the best drama I have seen this year (a year that has seen many good dramas), and probably of all time. It does not lack in anything. The acting was amazingly good. The story was exceptional, and had me hooked from early in the drama. Each character was so very well written and developed as well as believable that, unlike many other dramas, I never had the urge to skip over any part of any episode, even all the political filled scenes. The OST was also very good and fitting of the story. Watching this drama has been a wonderful journey and I'm very saddened now that it's over.
In short, if you are looking for a drama that is extremely well made all around; will make you smile at times, cry at others (maybe more of the latter than the former), and actually feel for the OTP throughout the entire series, then TPM is a drama you can't miss!
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Once, my friend and I were talking about which drama we preferred. And she said "One that would make me cry."
Well if i had the chance i would definitely would suggest her to watch this.
I have to say the acting was simply great. Those characters that I despised in the beginning changed my thoughts in the end. I was actually crying for them. It turned out to be a lesson for them.
I loved the romance. This is a great remake of Romeo and Juliet!!!!
As for the story of revenge. I thought about what the writer was thinking. In my mind the writer wanted to create a story line - "life isn't perfect. We fail. We succeed. But in the end we learn." From some of the scenes I thought about "when you don't think things through, you simply fail." Therefore, I have to say this drama teaches you a lot of powerful lessons.
Unfortunately, the meaning of revenge in this drama is quite different from what I have in mind. In my opinion, I prefer City Hunter's, Iljimae's, etc. ways.
Remember everyone has a different opinion.
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The acting was beautiful I cried at happy times and sad times, the romance was out of this world. The script and lines they said were beautiful. The rush I felt while watching this drama, after like 5 episodes in I couldn't stop. All these words can't explain it all...Did I mention all the amazing twist in the plot? at the end of each episode making me watch more!
The cast: I loved everyone in this. Every episode I would say to myself wow such amazing acting! This is a pretty long drama and for me to watch 24 episodes in 3 days non stop was incredible and the little girl who played Ah Gang is so cute!
The music: I loved the song by Baek Ji Young and One Day Of Love :) The other song called destino is so catchy too!
Rewatch: Yes! I loved it soooo much....i don't re watch things the only thin i've re watch is city hunter to be honest :P
OVERALL: 1000000000000000
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This review may contain spoilers
I watch this drama knowing it would be good, but it never crossed my mind that the story will totally blow my mind away. I love almost everything the drama has to offer; the mesmerizing leads, excellent written script, brilliant directing, beautiful cinematography, heart-wrenching soundtracks, deep and angsty storyline, mind-blowing on-screen chemistry, and most of all the moving and pure love story of the lead characters.Park Shi Hoo and Moon Chae Won shine brilliantly in their award-winning performance as the star-crossed lovers. Who thought that they will be such a beautiful and unforgettable couple to watch? Park Shi Hoo portrayal as Kim Seung Yoo totally take my breath away. He left me in awe for his amazing portrayal of Seung Yoo: from a happy and full of life noble man with witty personality, he changed into a bitter and revengeful young man after his family was killed and later into a charismatic leader with big responsibility on his shoulder. This is no doubt the best performance Shi Hoo has to offer to date – he is the gem in this drama and his character is the drive that carried the drama forward. While Moon Chae Won is dazzling as Se Ryung. Who can hate this character when it is full of love, courage, honesty and justice? It’s actually painful to see her dilemma of wanting to protect the one that she loves in the expense of going against her beloved father. But I don’t know how she does this, but she remained innocent and noble right until the end. She never makes one single questionable action that can question her loyalty to his family and the man she loves. The rest of the cast also played all their characters excellently. Hong Soo Hyun as Princess Kyung Hye unexpectedly gives a very good performance as a bitter princess and both of the second male leads; Song Jong Ho and Lee Min Woo done their part to give the drama overall good performance. 8 of the drama’s main and supporting characters were nominated for acting awards and 3 of them ended up winning so you basically can know how this drama is backed up with unprecedented quality of good acting from all the actors involved.
The main reason that makes the drama special is the pure & innocent love story between Seung Yoo and Se Ryung. Honestly, I have watched tons of K-dramas love stories before but I have to say that this one is one of the very best ever written. It is so well developed right from the start; their sweet and beautiful courtship, misunderstanding, reunion, betrayal, and their heartbreaking sad fate and longing to each other is just painful and agonizing to watch. You can truly see why they fall in love and remain devoted to each other no matter how cruel the circumstances between their families. It is so well told and beautifully portrayed by both of the leads -- their exceptional and explosive chemistry is absolutely compelling with unparalleled eminence that for the first time in my life, I actually feel heartache watching a love story. No matter whether it is happy or sad scenes, watching the two of them just breaks my heart. Kudos to the writer for writing such a memorable love story, I’m expecting it to be good but I got more than what I asked for. There’re plenty of romantic unforgettable scenes between the two of them. I find myself watching them over and over again since they are beautifully shot; be it their first meeting, the date at the market and river, the horse ridings, the sudden confession, the hug scene in the shack, the kidnapping scene, the romantic scenes at the forest (honestly, the most romantic scene in Kdramas history ever ♥) nor the marriage scene in the hut (I can’t believe they pulled a Cold Mountain here XD). The two of them really look like they are deeply in love with each other just by the look in their eyes or how they touched -- it is just simply beautiful yet heartbreaking to watch at the same time.
- Childhood story: It is usual for period piece dramas to start the story from the leads’ childhood years. While it is important for us to understand the background story, I always find it is a struggle to finish the childhood parts. But here in this drama, it went straightly to their adult years which is a very refreshing and revitalizing change.
- Mortality aspect: It always annoyed me to no end how the bad guys in historical dramas always seemed to have 9 lives while the good guys always die just by one strike. And it also annoyed me how the good guys will never have the balls to kill the bad guys, which resulted with more blood spills because of the hesitation of the good guys to do what is right. But in this drama, you going to be surprised how there are no such elements making the storyline more justified and believable between the good and the evil people.
- Extreme actions: Usually in Kdramas, good guys have always known to have this reputation of not taking things to the extreme. They are known to always forgive, let go or given light punishment to the bad guys -- they basically are known for not taking things to the max. But the drama surprised me on how often the good guys took matters on their own hand. Seung Yoo startled me on how far he can go as far as kidnapping Se Ryung, shoot Soo Yang and Myun with arrows, murdered the bad guys one by one, go to the dangerous enemy den to save his friends and Se Ryung and etc... It’s nice to see that for once, good guys actually do all these kind of extreme things and gave good fights to the bad guys that actually satisfy the viewers.
- Promises: Another one aspect that extinguished this drama from its counterparts is the promises made between the characters. Usually in Kdramas, it is almost certain that once a character made promises, they almost never fulfilled it -- they either die or decided to break it. But in this drama, all the 3 promises that Seung Yoo made to Se Ryung, he fulfilled them; one by one. I was being skeptical at first, but the writer surprised me since Seung Yoo stick to his words right until the end.
- Blood aspect: It is known that Korean people have strong value and emphasis on their blood line. No matter how evil their fathers/relatives, just because they are related by blood, they will stand by them although they know it is wrong. In this drama, I love the fact that Se Ryung never attempt to go against his father nor decided to go against Seung Yoo. She just did what she thinks is right -- what her heart told her and remain loyal to both of them. She always asks her father repeatedly to repent while supporting Seung Yoo from the back at the same time. And I’m expecting that she going to choose one of them in the end but she never did. She also never ask Seung Yoo to choose her or her father or asking him to forgive her father’s sins but instead, she let him to choose what he wants to do without subjecting her opinion like what other Kdramas like to do.
- The ending: Korean historical piece are known to have bad and unsatisfactory ending. Hell, most of them have crappy endings to be honest. But this drama actually different and managed to give us a good and very satisfactory endings to all the characters. Most of people already predicted from the start how the story gonna end. Both of the main leads’ families are enemies to each other, no matter what happened in the end, there’s no way the story going to end happily since it is too tragic to begin with. For all the responsibilities that people put on Seung Yoo’s shoulder, it is almost certain that either him or Soo Yang will live, and of course luck doesn’t seemed to be on Seung Yoo’s side. But I was proven wrong! Ending Soo Yang’s life is seemed to be only a light punishment to him for all the sins that he has done. Leave him living his life seemed to be more cruel since he will never be happy and ridden with guilt for all the blood that he has spilled -- his only son died, his daughter left him, his wife hates him, he will forever feel afraid of the day someone going to take the throne away from him, and he also suffered from incurable disease and spending his life regretfully.
I will forever grateful for the clever and brilliant ending the writer has to offer. I come expecting they both will die in the end but the writer instead give us a very surprising happy ending and a justified one too. I never being so nervous in my life watching the last episode of a drama since I pray hard that the production team will give me a good and happy ending since I really feel attached to both of the main characters. Although I know it will probably end tragically right from the start, there’s a tiny little hope in my heart that wish it will end up differently. In the last episode, when Se Ryung figured out that she is pregnant, I know for sure that Seung Yoo will die since it is typical for a story to end one life with the gift of life to another. My expectation on how the drama going to end were in motion right until the last moments of the drama, however, the writers surprised me with a twist they have in store for the drama’s ending.
A great Korean drama will never be complete without an awesome OST. What the drama surely promised us is the heart-wrenching soundtracks. Queen of K-OST; Baek Ji Young provides us with the title track; ‘I’m Loving You Today’. Everytime the song is played at the background, my heart ache because of the song’s yearning and sad melody. While Seung Yoo theme song was sung by Park Wan Kyu which heart-breaking lyrics portray his longing for Se Ryung which he can no longer see. This drama great OSTs also provide an amazing duet between Ha Dong Kyun & Lee Jung which gives us a very powerful ballade that totally took me my storm when it is played in the drama -- who can overlook those powerful vocals which is full of passion and emotion? And Yoon Hwa Jae In provides us the theme song for Se Ryung character titled ‘Longing’ which was superbly sung by her to reflect the dilemma that Se Ryung is feeling inside. Overall, the soundtracks basically make the drama more alive and vivid -- it is simply exceptional in bringing the drama tragic atmosphere feel more real.
In the end, what hold the drama together are the strong value about life and death, doing what is right, fight for right reasons and remain true to your hearts. The drama got many other reasons to make it stay high in my list but the glorious ending makes it even more memorable. It’s no doubt this piece has become one of my very personal favorites. Seung Yoo once said that forgetting everything and living happily faraway with Se Ryung is only a dream for him. I’m glad in the end, he’s living in the dream life he yearned and desired.
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Reasons why i liked this drama:
This drama has many qualities i look for for one it has great actors whom i admire, park shi ho's performance is just captivating and moon chae wan fulfilled my every expectations of how a great actress must portray a rule.
Reason number two:
The story line was just amazing the director has so much potential i can tell that they put a lot thought and hard work towards this wonderful drama it was filled with emotions, both happiness and sadness ( although some say its more sadness but i did see happy moments) it really changed they way i look at drama's.
Reason three:
This drama is the most lovable and highly addictive drama i have ever seen and i mean ever, it is like a peace of art work it just sucks you in, this drama is hard to top. other dramas cant stand up to this drama.
In conclusion this drama has many good qualities doesn't have any flaw's except that it had to end.i cannot compare any drama to this it is unforgettable drama that leaves you wanting more. THIS IS A MUST WATCH.
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This review may contain spoilers
OVERALLGreat drama. Watch if 1) You're looking for a historical where the love story complements the political intrigue (usually the romance is secondary and/or disconnected from the main plot), 2) You like strong female leads, 3) You're up for something truly dramatic. Don't watch if 1) You have low tolerance for deaths, 2) You can't stand when the guy's mean to the girl, 3) You don't like when things don't go the way they should (but I won't say more).
THE STORY
From the beginning, you know the story's not going to be a comedy, because it's meant to be a Korean Romeo and Juliet. Also, if you google the part of Korean history the drama focuses on, you know it's not going to be a fun ride. Indeed, the story is sad, depressing and frustrating. But it's just SO good. The beginning focuses on the love story while the intrigue gradually grows from background to front line, then from the turning point to the end the intrigue remains constant. The love stories are either passionate or touching (or both); the characters, coherent and well-written, are the ones leading all story elements with their decisions and personality. There's a few characters you can't help but like, and not one character that you can only hate, even though I can tell you there's at least one you'll wish dead most of the time. Everything feels real and is executed flawlessly. The ending is surprisingly satisfying, at least for me it was.
THE ACTING
Fab, fab, fab. But I was expecting it. Moon Chaewon and Park Shihoo are not part of my list of favorite actors for nothing. Their chemistry was no joke. I saw Hong Soohyun here for the first time, and she left a good impression. Song Jong Ho was great too. But seriously, I think all cast did an excellent job. The selection was very well done, because not only do they play their roles perfectly well, but their interactions seem so real.
THE MUSIC
Innovative and addicting. Innovative because in addition to very nice instrumental tracks, there's two-three songs in Italian (I think), which is very uncommon in Korean dramas, and they're dramatic enough to fit perfectly well with the show. Addicting because the soundtrack stays stuck in your head, and you end up humming it at the randomest times.
REWATCH VALUE
Rewatched. Twice. But I can't give it a 10, because the drama's so heavy that a part of me never wants to rewatch it, even if it's so good. Of course, that part of me always loses against the one that is dying to watch it again, but...
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Story: Richly-eventful.If there is an aspect here that is really outstanding, it's the story. The story was crafted in such a way that the audience will feel in somewhat roller-coaster ride while watching this show. There are a lot of unexpected twist and turns, I was captivated by the show's concepts of survival, betrayal, success, failure, devotion, love, patience, friendship, family and political hierarchy. A lot of events really shocked me but those kept me interested throughout. As I saw every episode, I want to go on, not to see what will happen or how it will end but because I want to answer a lot of questions on my mind. Conflicts within conflicts- that was the story was made in my opinion. Maybe complicated for some but that's what a really substantial story is about; that is for me. Plot-wise, this is an eye-opener, for most of the events did occur in the korean history. The romance was so great--it has the feeling of "love against all odds". A love story wherein the guy fell in love with the girl and the girl loved him too but the family doesn't approve-- I tell you, it's not only that. The ending was as I said earlier, really surprising, but it's happy okay? So watch it! :))
Acting/ Cast: Park Shi Hoo has always been my favorite but his performance here was amazing. This was the first drama I've seen him in historicals and he looked so dashing--as a member of royal clan or as a revolutionist survivor, he looked good! His portrayal as a main cast was done at its best, a lot of emotions had to be used, he showed them all splendidly. This was first drama that I've seen Moon Chae Won, and I can say that she's in great chemistry with the main guy. Her acting skills were also good,no complaints she's the main girl lead as her role portrayal had the same level as PSH. Don't belittle the supporting cast because a lot of my emotions were highly used to them, mostly was hate, there are a lot of antagonists here. I was mostly sad for PSH and MCW. Omo! Again, this is a happy ending,okie okie? hehe:)
Music: Powerful. Watch the first episode and you'll know. The story and the music- a perfect match, it's so good.
Rewatch value: Most of the time I don't rewatch but maybe sometime I'll try to do so.. :)
Overall: A great show which will leave you a really strong impression, if you haven't watched, you can try this one now. :)
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I'm glad I found this drama. It's one of the drama series that's hard to forget. The kind of story that sticks with you. It's a Romeo and Juliet type of story with a lot of twist and turns. I can also say that among the dramas I already completed watching, this one is among the best when to story flow and best of all, a well-ended one. I don't have to wish for a part 2. The ending is just as is.
ACTING/CAST:
For me, the characters are all well played by the actors. They're really into their characters. You can feel every emotions each of the character projects.
MUSIC/OST
Music for me has a big role to any dramas because it heightens the impact of every scene it will be played. This dramas' overall music is in tune with the drama scenes. It levels up the dramatic scenes appropriately.
REWATCH VALUE:
I don't know if I'll re-watch it again soon but there's a possibility. I say this not because it's not good, in fact, it's a very satisfactory drama. It's just because I'm well satisfied with the ending and the story itself sticks to my mind that it will take me a long time to forget it.
OVERALL:
I definitely recommend this drama as to watch for. It's among the list of excellent historical dramas I've had seen. I'm sure anyone who watch this will be feeling satisfied as I am overall.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama was good and in every aspect solid. But it was not brilliant.You have a nice story arch and character development. Especially the hero undergoes a believable transformation. There is a lot of tragedy in this drama, but the ending was surprising - in a good way.
Whilst it all starts off as a Romeo and Juliet scenario, it soon changes to a story of revenge. The romantic aspect stays throughout, but it never departs from its tragic circumstances.
Although I did like this drama, it did not blow me away, though. And these are the reasons:
1) The script had some flaws. If you watch carefully, you will recognize every 3 episodes or so that someone did not behave logically or the time-setting wouldn't fit, so the plot could be bent the right way.
2) More accurately you can observe this in the actions of the heroine, especially in the first 10 episodes, when she just does not do the logical thing to do (I cannot tell you what without spoilers), although it does not fit her level of intelligence.
3) This drama lacks some comic relief - it has NONE. It is very unusual, even for sobber historic dramas, to not have at least one funny character to counterbalance the heavy. It wouldn't have to be something goofy, because that wouldn't fit the general mood, but at least some joke here or there. Unusual. I, for one, missed that a lot.
4) For a historical drama, set around the powerstruggle at court, there is close to none, scratch that, there is NONE strategic plot. Seriously, the scheming of the villains and the good guys is basically killing each other off. One could argue, that it is just not the emphasize of this drama, but really, it should be part of it, it is the reason for the story and keeps happening all the way till the end.
5) So yeah - in the end, it is somehow about the suffering and death of lots of people who fall victim to a bad and cruel ruler, and the suffering of two lovers, especially because one is the daughter of the villain. But there is hardly more.
Gosh. I am quite sure, that I have never smiled LESS whilst watching a drama. HOWEVER, it did not make me sad, at the same time. I did not cry and the ending was maybe the long sought counterbalance for all the tragedies happening.
So why did I give this an 8? Because it is still a very well directed and detailed drama, and the lovers' fate keeps you watching, although it is not the usual kind of romance you are used to. In many ways it is more realistic than any other historical drama, because it is nowhere over the top and portrays the bitterness of life in a believable way.
You should watch it, if you like dramas that are realistic and portray the endurance of people as they struggle, fall and get up. It is a historical setting, but it does not employ any historical events, thus it is not necessary something for lovers of historical dramas by itself.
You should not watch it, if you want a well-rounded drama, with either humor, sweetness or a strategic plot. You won't find them here.
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This review may contain spoilers
First of all, I love sageuk dramas, whether it is Joseon/Goryeo era. I enjoy a good sageuk that portrays all the political drama of those times, the gorgeous outfits and love stories. When it comes to the Princess' Man, I feel like the plot was weak, very much so, and it failed to engage me.First I will go through the main characters. Moon Chae Won does a good job for me in the first stretch of the story, but afterwards her character loses all purpose (she is just a love interest) and all charm. There is one point in the story when Seungyu asks her "where has the girl that used a man's back to get on a horse gone?" and I couldn't agree more. Of course some would say her character went through so many ordeals that she had to change from her more innocent and playful self, but change into something else than a clingy block of wood pls.
Seungyu played by Park Shihoo is complete eye candy, which helps until some point. When he stubbornly tries to keep torturing emotionally a girl that had taken an arrow for him and told him she knew where his sister-in-law and niece were, he lost me. There can be a push and pull, it is necessary for a series running for 24 episodes, but his character seemed to lack reasoning and a backbone.
Shinmyeon, the man that was supposed to act as the third member of this love triangle, was doing fine at the beginning, and I saw some potential in how the relationship with Seryung could develop and make everyone even root for him. Actually, his initial betrayal could have been justified better (like him being forced and coerced by his father more strongly, or the threat of his father being killed if he didn't obey), but like many other characters in this story he lacked any depth. He soon became just annoying and I couldn't wait for him to get off screen. His dialogues were monotonous and repetitive. A potential bromance with Seungyu that could bring tears to anyone's eyes also failed miserably.
The remaining characters were (to my opinion) very uninteresting. The original princess and her husband (who doesn't stop plotting treason and gets surprised when they want to kill him for it), Seryung's family (her siblings are terribly underused in the story), the bunch from the Gisaeng house (they never grew in me), the servants around the main cast (specially Seryung's) were used as tools for the story but had no personality or intimate relationships with their masters, and ultimately Seryung's father (who also didn't display properly the duality of his greed for the throne vs his loving side for his family).
The story focused heavily on the political plots which lacked lots of imagination. Every dodgy and badly planned coup to remove Seryung's dad from the throne was easily squashed and was very basic. For a series centering so much around this, I would expect better twists, but there were barely any. I found myself not caring which side would win.
The action scenes were badly shot and choreographed. A very important part of sageuk dramas is the martial arts, and who doesn't enjoy handsome leads going head to head with swords? In this drama, the scenes felt long and meaningless, they could have just written "action scene" and kept the screen black for 5 minutes and it would have had the same effect for me.
One of the things that bothered me the most of this drama was the selection of the scenes that made it into the episodes. Why did we have to spend a long time seeing Shimyeon burying his underling after he sacrificed his life to safe him (when we barely saw him and could not care for him) but for characters like Jeong Jong we just got to see a short clip of his pregnant wife crying? Why were all executions left out? And I would appreciate less flashbacks and less repetitive conversations and having 16 episodes instead of 24.
Lastly, the love story. I did feel it at first, but then it degenerated quickly into something too unpleasant to come back from. Like I said earlier, characters can have misunderstandings, but eventually love does make them want to believe in each other. It wasn't this way here. Seryung basically had to become clingy and lose all her pride, act cute with his niece, safe his life, and be a complete masochist to win him back. Still, the love story was the best thing in the drama and they should have focused more on that and have less basic political plots and coups.
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