The Red Sleeve (2021)

For the love of a nation, a court, a people....and for the love of a woman

King Jeongjo starts off as a prince of a kingdom in peril and is the wrathful recipient of a grandfather's love through punishment. During it all, there is Deok Im, the court lady who loves at a distance and protects the prince with every moment she can.

Deok Im turns down the prince's multiple attempts at making her his concubine because she values freedom from the court and dislikes the thought of sharing a husband with a nation. Ultimately, she chooses to become his and lives a life that is far from the sparkling princess narrative. Her trepidation to share the love of a husband is human and all too well understood; from the historical point of view, the King lamented her passing and recorded a pained narrative about missing the only woman he loved.

This drama is based on an extremely rich historical story but the drama's narration, directing and acting are flawless. I didn't understand Lee Se Young's portrayal of Deok Im in the first couple of episodes and I'm not sure if she was slowly embodying the character or if it was me getting used to her in the part, but by episode 3, I could not imagine another actress's portrayal. Lee Jun Ho in the role of King Jeongjo, allowed him to display a kaleidoscope of emotions as the prince who endures, as the man and king who must put a nation before any one person. The entire main cast is riveting onscreen but a special shout-out to the secondary character portrayals by Lee Deok Hwa (King Yeongjo) and Kang Hoon (Hong Deok Ro). I felt as if I visually accompanied lives unfolding and cried like a three year old at the end.

This has to be one of the best historical dramas I've witnessed and definitely will be re-watched multiple times. It's just that good and the story is that hard to let go of.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this drama.

Wow! That ending though.
I thoroughly enjoyed this drama.
The last episode has left me in tears. Although we'll never know if the ending was the reality or just a nightmare, I was satisfied with it. It left room for interpretation for the viewers.
This is probably one of the best historical dramas I've seen and I loved San's (Lee Jun-ho) acting, he made me cry and smile.
I can understand why Duk-Im would want to choose freedom over San and why she said to him "Even if you encounter me in the next life, please pass by, I want to live the way I want in the next life". This really haunted San but he still tried to carry out his duties as a King.

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This drama feels like something fragile in the hand, much like the relationship of the main couple

I just finished watching this show and I am blown away. I love the way it explores the different ways people deal with grief and trauma, as well as the complicated aspect of loving a king who you can never have.

I'll get the first part out of the way; the different manifestations of trauma. Trauma is a huge part of the show, it shaped the people's personalities, it's the root of their goals and ambitions. An important thing that wasn't shown much in the show was Crown Prince Sado, whose death is the reason why most of these people came to be. Crown Prince Sado was someone who was severely mentally troubled due to the pressures on him by his father, Yeongjo. This anxiety caused him to lash out often, making him unstable. This is why he raped and murdered much of the palace staff. And this is why King Yeongjo ultimately executes him.

This trauma is what shaped San as a person and as a king. His father was killed so easily by his grandfather, and his grandfather routinely abused him as he was growing up.

San decided that he had to be the perfect prince and be the person his country needed to be, to not be like Sado and to also escape the wrath of Yeongjo. This is why he acts the way he does, he obeyed much of the rules of the palace, and he became a person who is strict and a little pompous about rules. Because he knows what happens when you don't follow them.

Palace life is difficult for a prince whose life is easily taken away by the ultimate decision of one man.

Deokim becomes his saviour, both physically and emotionally. She is a breath of fresh air, smart, kind and someone San has never known in the palace because of the fragility of close relationships. Deokim has suffered trauma too; her father was executed because she was the late Crown Prince Sado's guard. Her life was also ruined by Yeongjo, and yet she doesn't bear any resentments towards him because of that.

With San, she is someone who is brave enough to argue with him, and to tell him that while his life is important, hers is too. Which is why she rejects him, time and time again, but not because she doesn't love him; but because she does.

Being in love with the King means that you will have to share him. He will never be yours even if you are his. The life of the palace is unfair and Deokim knows that. But when given the choice of becoming his concubine or never seeing him again (at the palace), she chooses the former. It's because she does love him dearly, despite what many viewers might think, and what San himself might think. Everything she did was by her own choice. And that's what made Deokim such a powerful person.

I enjoyed this so much because I've been waiting for a sageuk that's a little more serious than what we've been getting lately. I love how complicated the story was, about a court lady who loved a king, but it was also simple. It was about a man and a woman who loved each other dearly, even if they couldn't or wouldn't show it.

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First Real Historical K-Drama

So I randomly decided to watch this drama because I liked the summary, but I wasn't sure how I would like a historical K-drama. The closest thing I've watched was Kingdom and obviously that had more of a fantasy aspect.

But I am so happy I decided to watch it. I was hooked with the first couple of episodes. The main leads acting was amazing. I could feel their emotions. I loved how the FL was loyal to her friends right to the end. It was just as refreshing to see that each one of her friends were just as loyal and there wasn't one that became jealous or petty.

I was so conflicted about how I felt about how they end up. I reaallly wanted them to have a happy ending, but a little glad that they didn't because it was a bit more realistic. Back in those days, King's affections were fickle and they had multiple concubines etc. Its nice to think that a King can have his one true love and live happily after but it doesn't always work that way. Honestly, though I did like the King , he was definitely selfish and just dumb to think she didn't truly love him at all. He wanted her and got her, but at the cost of everything she had -as she mentioned in the drama. She made that sacrifice because she really loved him and unfortunately she did have to shoulder things that came along with being a concubine/ having the kings love. Its sad because if you really think about it, this all stemmed from the Senior Court Lady's Plans. If she didn't purposely have the FL meet up with the Prince who knows. She may have not have fallen in love with him and just continued to live her life happily as a normal maid (but then this wouldn't have been a drama lol). I think that's the saddest part of it all-that she didn't want any of that in the first place.

This drama was truly a great story and to have it done within 17 episodes is great lol. Usually with Kdramas I find the emotional connection slightly lacking because I wish there were a bit more episodes to really delve into the characters/stories more but this was not the case with this drama for me (like cdramas-although cdramas sometimes have wayy too many episodes lol buutt you know when you see a c-drama have 40+ episodes and its a wuxia drama you know your emotions are going to be all over the place).

The only thing I didn't like too much was the character of Hong Deok Ro. It could be because I wanted a little more of a love triangle (i'm guilty-I love them, when done right), but I just didn't get his character. like was he bad? not bad? did he like her? not like her? it was a bit weird to me. Like the things he said to her were mad harsh but he never gave any positive comments to clear the air or anything. His character threw me off a bit. He kind of reminded me of a watered down Tuo Ba Yu from Princess Wei Young. But Tuo Ba Yu's character you knew he grew to love the princess in his own way.

All in all, I literally just finished this drama and had to come here and write a review because it was just that good. In my opinion, if you are like me , thinking of watching your first historical drama definitely watch this one. You will fall in love with the stories and main characters without feeling too depressed afterwards because its still a light 17 episodes lol.

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Lonely Prince and Smart Lady

Who doesn't love plot about a lonely prince. Lee Jun Ho's acting is fenomenal. I cried so much that my eyes became puffy because of his acting.

Not to forget how good Lee Se Young bring her acting to this drama. Her eyes acting is very powerful, it doesn't need much words.

This drama production is also quite fresh. The way the events unfold is different from any historical dramas I've watched. They didn't complicated plot by adding small details that need to much concentration.

I already watched the drama twice this year lol.

10/10 very recommended.

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One of the best

I’m just deeply in love with this drama. The cast & picture was just so powerful and beautiful. This drama felt so sincere and filled with love just like a masterpiece. Every detail seemed to have been fully thought out. Im always awed by how much the writers and directors can extract so much life and beauty in mundane daily events. If you observe carefully or click ‘pause’ for a while, you will be amazed how delicate each scene is - they can literally pass as postcards!

When I think about it, this drama actually has a simple storyline, and without the actors, I think it would have been just a typical passing drama. But I became so connected to Yisan and Deok im’s relationship, that whenever I replay their scenes together, I still felt exactly the same emotions when I first watched it. They were exploding with chemistry, I came to a point doubting if are they still just acting or are they already in love for real haha.

Lee Junho’s performance was outstanding. I actually initially clicked on this show because of him. I first saw his work in Good Manager and his character was very memorable. He just seems so dedicated as if he becomes the character he portrays, from his gestures to reactions, you can tell he’s very intellectual and a sensitive actor - im so impressed, for me he’s one of the best actors out there.


Im still trying to move on from this drama, don’t know how and when..but fure sure it will take some time :)

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This drama is a diamond

A wonderful story. With twisted plots, where you laugh, get annoyed, cry sometimes at the same time.
I jumped into this drama, but firstly I wasn’t expecting a lot about it. I thought that it was going to be a nice moment and it appeared to be a true diamond. It’s so warm, beautiful, strong…
Also, i think the rythme is quite realistic (which means that it can seem a bit slow sometimes) but the script can play around several stories, and all of them are strong and interesting (and usefull considering the main story).
The chemistry between main leads is obvious and so strong… I like Junho and think he is a good actor but he surprised me with his acting. To me, he holds this drama, with the FL of course, and all supporting roles are equally well played. This drama is really a top drama and will, for sure, become a reference in the future…
If you like Joseon political stories and its suspense, relationships between the members in the royal family, between friends, court life, a strong young woman who wants to live her own life (and not the life people wants to force her to have)… and if, of course, you like romance, just go for this drama. You won’t be desappointed.
I really loved this one and will remember it for long, for sure !
The Red Sleeve is, to me, one of the best drama is this category.

Une histoire magnifique. Avec des rebondissements, on rit, s’agace, pleure et aime tour à tour.
J’ai plongé la tête la première dans ce drama sans avoir beaucoup d’attentes. Je pensais passer un bon moment et je suis tombée sur une pépite. C’est si beau, si fort…
Le rythme est réaliste, donc il peut-être lent mais l’intrigue sait jouer sur plusieurs tableaux tout en restant crédible.
Vous aimez les intrigues politiques de l’ère Joseon, le suspense qui en découle, les relations entre membres de la famille royale (mais pas que !), la vie de la cour, une jeune fille intrépide qui veut vivre sa vie et pas celle qu’on veut lui imposer… et bien sûr vous aimez la romance ? Alors allez-y, n’hésitez pas. Je n’ai pas la larme facile et il m’en faut beaucoup pour apprécier autant un drama. Celui-ci est au-dessus du lot.
Foncez, vous ne serez pas déçus !

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A magnificent drama. A truly masterpiece, that brings your feelings out of your body.

How can I say better things of this drama?

It was sad, made me laugh, I did fall in love with the characters, made me feel anger too. Like I said, it brings emotions out.

The Comedy, was well done. For me,  was 4 characters that make me laugh and felt happy. The Captain, that was amazing, always giving hope and happiness when he opened his mouth ? And the 3 friends of Deok Im, always with her making fun and being cheerful. For sure, you'll be liking those.

The Love Line, San/King Jeongjo and Deok Im / NC. Uibin was one of the best chemistry I'VE SEEN IN A DRAMA (and I've watched soooo many).
(Shout out, to the love scene because it was incredible, so beautiful. The acting, the cinematography was on point. Even better.)

Bad characters, was on point too. I really hated while watching and that's make me realize that they are really good actors. (SPOILER: Because when they died, I CRIED. Like... the acting was so good, that I even cried.)

I have to mention how good the action of Junho and Seyoung was. All the feels, the face structure when they pass for something not to good. The feels while watching them was another level.

I would love to see them acting in the modern world, with another story. I think their chemistry would make a incredible hit drama. No kidding.

Episode 17? Was a masterpiece. People can say no because it was sad, but this made the drama so good. Following the history (because this is based in a real story) and showing how deep was the losses and everything made the drama beautiful to watch.

I saw many people saying bad things because of the final, but that was the things that made the drama enjoyable and fun to watch. In my opinion, if they did changed the final would not be good and even bad for the drama.

And the final is good, sorry for the Spoiler. But it is. You have to suffer to understand all the things that did happened.  Did you guys think that the history was going to change the thing that happened in real life in the 1700? he'll no.

This drama shows how much woman did suffer being a woman with name in the palace. How they have to be attached to the palace till the death. Giving up their freedom. That is one of the most SAD things is the drama. Saying goodbye to your freedom, to yourself.

There is so much good points to comment about this drama, but I can say all of them. Hope if you read this review, you can enjoy as much as I did!

And congratulations to all the actors and team that did get awards because of the drama. Truly deserved! ??????

Have a nice 2022 to! ??
RJ - 10:22 (BR)

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Beautiful and bittersweet

Loved this drama and I usually don’t enjoy sageuk. It’s incredibly forward thinking and honestly highlights real issues women faced during an extremely difficult time. I loved the messages of the importance of choice and being your own authority, even when you’re the most powerless.

The most women centric, feminist drama I’ve ever seen in all my Korean drama land watching.

I loved Junho and his acting too but the true star of this drama was the overall message it meant to convey.

And if you’re paying attention it is chock full of symbolism. Another highlight is the gorgeous but also thoughtfully planned cinematography.

Beautiful and bittersweet but worth the journey!

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A bit depressing

Going into this drama and knowing there would be no happy ending was not a deterrent; nevertheless, it was a huge waste of the viewer's time to have to go through 80% of the show before our main leads finally got together and then the FL died but not before we went through the tragedy of her losing her babies.

The only bright spot was, Lee Jun Ho, our male lead, whose face alone made the heartaches somewhat worthwhile.



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Beautiful and tragic

I rarely post on here.
I have to say, this is one of the best I’ve seen. It’s been over a week since finishing it and I feel a little empty. The father was incredible and his final scene was quite a performance. I’ve just came to pieces a couple times. The cinematography was next level. Every frame could be a thought provoking painting. There were a few times I caught myself bellowing with laughter (early on) sadly, they could not be immortals. The villains were easy to despise and the friends easy to love. This was artfully done and it will be difficult to find one that is this touching. I’m watching other shows with Junho because of this.

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