The King's Affection (2021)

Just, read the history, people

This was an adorable gender bender drama within an ACTUAL historical setting. As in, I knew from the 2nd episode (when I looked up the king, and discovered who was who), that our dimpled 2nd prince would end up on the throne.
The WRITERS didn't kill off anyone, HISTORY did. That poor brother of our lead girl, for instance. Sad but true.
It's like The Prince & the Pauper. Since we've been hit over the head with a gazillion retellings of said Prince's DADDY (that would be King Henry VIIII), we know what happens to our cute prince (just, go read it - Twain's awesome).
Anyway, I just loved this drama for the most part. It had it's angsty moments, it's WTF stuff, it's political intrigue (I mean, yeah, necessary, but not my fav stuff), but overall I enjoyed watching this - I mean, SF9's Rowoon & Victon's Byung Chan were VERY easy on the eyes plus gave good performances, and Nam Yoon Soo, oh my my my!!
I thought our leading lady did a credible job of acting like a boy - the real prince was 18 when he ascended the throne.
The supporting cast did their usual phenomenal task as well.
My biggest beef is that the writers didn't let the Queen Mother just hush it all up. I mean, NO, that girl would not have survived revealing that she became king! Under any circumstances!

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Drags on and on

The concept is fresh and the first few episodes were quite fast-paced, with lots of plot twists happening. However, once we get to the middle part, the whole story just drags and drags.

1) the political intrigue was the strongest point of the series. Lee Hwi's grandfather gave some superb acting. He is soo evil and sinister and I was super invested in finding out what was happening with the court. I also liked Lee Hwi's father for his really great performance as a father

2) romance was so cringey. I started skipping all the scenes of the main couple. So cringe. The encounters all felt forced and their intimacy felt contrived. There was zero chemistry. I wish the story focused on the political intrigue instead

3) very repetitive. Episodes would pass and nothing has changed. Ji-woon is still angsting about his love, Lee Hwi is still trying to hide her feelings for him while pretending to be a prince/king, the grandfather is still threatening people... Also, it has got to be a joke how many people secretly knew Lee Hwi is a woman. It's like an open secret. Second of all, it's ridiculous how many characters were actually there at supposedly 'private' meetings and eavesdropping. And these eavesdroppers weren't even properly hidden! They would just be standing in the open and somehow nobody sees them.

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It started of well, got lost in middle

First of all I want to say, if you are looking for politics? Skip this one. For romance? Watch on your own account, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this.

I had started this drama even if historical isn't my go to because everyone was talking about it, praising it and plot sounded interesting enough. Drama had so much potential in the beginning with switching twins, the king being secretly a woman storyline. The beginning was paced well and you get sucked into this drama pretty quickly, just enough events to keep you interested, but not too much to leave "how will they execute 20 eps?". Yes it had cliché storyline in the beginning but it was well executed, you will likely not mind it at all. However, if you don't like first few episodes and wondering if it gets better? Do not continue.

Most storylines of characters were presented well right off and it just makes you care and wonder about everyone, not only the two leads. Lee Hwi and the male trio were done well (well, Hyun was more later on rather than the beginning), but issue was with the female duo, So Eun and Ha Kyung. They were supposted to be important characters, even have main role listed on here, but they lacked depth, motivation. It is kinda like the writer got lazy writing their characters. Actress did well with their roles, kudos especially to idol turned actress, Chae Yeon, but they just didn't have space to do anything more noticeable, they were just used as plot devices rather than them influencing the plot. Even what was supposted to be So Eun's growth as chatacter wasn't well done, it felt forced and unnatural. Sadly, for those two it didn't change until the end.

My issue considering writing is great with Ji Woon's and Ga On's characters. Ji Woon went from brave, admirable and interesting character to just Lee Hwi's loyal puppy. He lost all dimensions he had on the start and just became bland character, his father in the end had more depth and dimensions. Ga On had amazing potential, his storyline was great, I would say even the best one of the show, but it was badly executed. His, what was supposted to be great revelation, was underwhelming and after it, he was just there, for eye candy I guess. However, both Rowoon and Choi Byung Chan did well in their roles, their blandness in second half is writer's fault, not lack of their acting skills.

Chemistry of leads was great in first half, you care for them and their relationship so much, you root for them. Even tho Ji Woon's sexuality could have been dealt with better, it didn't impact the main couple. And just like everything else, it was also ruined in second half, to the point I didn't feel anything for them anymore, I didn't care if they end up together, all I felt was annoyance with their storyline.

My another great issue is pacing. It was well done for almost entirety of first half of the drama, and second half was just marked with unnecessary and out of place events that didn't serve the plot nothing but to drag it to 20 episodes. It could have easily been 16 eps drama, if even that much.

Last few episodes I was just annoyed watching it and often skipped through some scenes. I hoped the ending will make up for some of this drama, but it left bitter taste, to put it nicely. It was NOT well done and it was so unrealistic. Kinda like they created a whole mess with everyone included, and they just ended it with everything solved but with a million questions of how.

Rewatch is definitely not in my plans.

Lastly, I want to say a few good things to justify an 6 rather than lower number. As I said, first half was just well done. Outside of it, actors did great job, from mains to supports, all were good or outstanding in their roles, especially Park Eun Bin and Bae Soo Bin, and even new actor Kim Taek whose first role is this one, what a start! Also, some support characters like Grand Queen Dowager, Jil Geum, Eunuch Cho and Court Lady Kim just made the drama better. Even tho I skipped some scenes, I still watched an episode as soon as it airs, so it was interesting enough, or I am a masochist.

Overall the drama is just badly executed cliché after a cliché with many known and respectable faces. So if you are expecting great story, great historical drama? You will likely be disappointed. But if you can make through pointed minuses of drama, you can give it a try, to waste your time, to bless your eyes, an easy time passing drama (if you give up on expectations) with great names and great visuals with OSTs worthy of your library.

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DRAG QUEEN

The King's Affection started explosively but soon declined in terms of entertaining, probably due to the fact it is 20 episodes long. However, I am glad everyone got what they deserved. I also expected more from Rowoon, heavy chemistry with the fl but you don't always get what you want. The bodyguard was so good-looking, he and the King carried the show for me. Good show, but I wouldn't watch it again. The King's Affection started explosively but soon declined in terms of entertaining, probably due to the fact it is 20 episodes long. However, I am glad everyone got what they deserved. I also expected more from Rowoon, heavy chemistry with the fl but you don't always get what you want. The bodyguard was so good-looking, he and the King carried the show for me. Good show, but I wouldn't watch it again.

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Exceeded expectations, loved it

I started watching this assuming it was going to be another mediocre or boring show, but I was very wrong. There is so much suspense in every episode, I couldn't stop watching because I was desperate to see what happened next. The story is interesting and well written except for maybe a couple of plot twists that felt odd or out of place or didn't fit (like when they kidnapped hwi back to the palace) and a maybe a couple plot holes, but other than that it was very well done. The comedy is good too and it made me laugh. This is definitely one of the better dramas I have watched.

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Seemed innovative but it just didn't work

So the start of the drama was so good it sucked me in immediately. Why? Well, first the child actress did so well, like she seriously made this really good she cobveyed the right feelings everytime and just did an outstanding job. Second, the storyline in itself was pretty interesting, it is certainly something new. You may say it is not a new concept since there are many other dramas in which a girl or a boy disguises as the other gender. Yes i agree, however never have i seen it with ancient times dramas. So i thought oh wow pretty interesting. And it really sucks you in. In the start you start wondering hiw everything will play out. Like lets be honest how the hell will you hide the real gender of a king? They are expected to marry and have children at a young age and how would no one notice. OK, now lets go to the problem. Well don't get me wrong but honestly not many of them knew how to act like, some of their acting was sloppy they did not make me feel like i am living with the characters, like i feel what they feel, that was very very lacking. This, could be because of two reasons or they really didnt know how to act, or the script was written poorly. Honestly, I believe it was both. And that brings me to the fact that the storyline just became uninteresting, just so unclever, and unrealistic. Like, why the hell is the grandpa so fixated in making him king, he has no legitimate reason and when he gets asked why and you expect this elaborate answer he just answers with its my desire like bro wtf. also the amount of times they bring flashback scenes is just not it like bro i know already you have showed the same flashback like a million times, this made the acting feel so poor like legit it downgraded the whole thing. Also, why the hell did everyone start becoming so helpless. Like legit they drag the crown prince away and the dude be seeing how people be fighting for him/her and he/she just stands there like bro you also know how to fight pick up a damned sword and fight with him. Just everything makes no sense the story is just a bunch of cliches badly excecuted like dont get me wrong oh how i love a good cliche. Again GOOD cliché. This was just poor writting and editing like i am also dissapointed about the osts. The songs are legitimately good, its just they play them overand over again to make scenes more dramatic but it doesnt because they overplay them so it just makes the scenes less captivating. And ma man you cant tell me you broke a leg and was fine and then you legit get a scratch on your arm from an arrow and you almost be dying. Also that part is really a mess they be looking for you and then wait a whole day to start looking again and then miraculously start finding blood traces like no no no . And after that you carelesly go to the market and enjoy the day then the crown prince is left alone and gets kidnapped they didnt even show how the hell they found his whereabouts just out of nowhere they know where everyone is hidding and bruh i really am about to drop this show. The only thing stopping me from dropping this show is because i want to see how they bring down the grandpa. Also i mean you can watch the show it just isnt that great. Watch it for the repeating love scenes. Which get boring after some time and the good visuals. They all pretty faces.

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Lots of wasted time

I'm not normally a fan of historicals. I feel like there is one script that they use for every historical, just changing the names and the actors - someone in the family trying to kill the monarch, evil people in power (especially high-ranking officials), scraggly beards and moustaches, beautiful costumes, ridiculous hats, sword fighting, kidnapping, bloodshed, mistaken identity, ginormous cast with multiple storylines. This drama kept popping up in my face, so I figured I'd give it a try. If you are die-hard fan of historicals, you'll probably like this. There is no doubt that it was well done, but there was so much filler that the fast forward button and I became very close.
There were many positive things about this drama for me:
The cast, especially -
Rowoon as Jung Ji Woon - do I even need to explain why? I find him to be very charismatic and his acting is understated. I can feel his emotions, and he tends to have very good chemistry with his leading ladies.
Park Eun Bin as Yeon Seon/Lee Hwi/Dam Yi - for me, she was the standout of this drama. I do not like the gender bender genre, because every single one that I have seen has a woman that is so beautiful that there is no way that anyone that can see at all would confuse her with a man. Her features are always soft, and they have her perfectly made up. Park Eun Bin was terrific in this role! First, her stature and her face are such that you could conceivably believe that she was a man. Don't get me wrong, she is absolutely gorgeous, but she was made up so that her face was all hard angles, strong jawline, no puffy cheeks. Add to that, she did a great job of keeping her voice deep, and she had that cold, aloof demeanor down pat. Her movements were very masculine when she was playing the man, as well.
Nam Yoon Su as Lee Hyun - I loved his characterization of unswerving loyalty in the face of having to deny his feelings.
Go Gyu Pil as Hong Bok Dong - He brought a little comedy/lightness to an otherwise heavy show. When I saw the child actor playing this part, I just knew Go Gyu Pil would be playing the adult!

Excellent chemistry between the lead actors. Honestly, if I were to re-watch this, it would be to fast forward through all the intrigues just to watch their love story.

Bottom line - I think that if historical dramas are what you gravitate to, you will probably really like this one.

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easy to binge and not take so seriously

I think if you stop wishing for this to be something it's not (an 80 episode political sageuk epic or a fully comedic fusion where bad things don't happen to any character and no one dies... it's neither) and just accept it for what it is which is a somewhat lighthearted somewhat serious sageuk with a romantic focus, interesting character interactions, a constant looming danger of discovery, and some bloody consequences... it's a lot more fun... and if the actors had been less talented it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable as it is (Park Eun Bin in particular is great)

this drama also taught me to never raise my sword to slash at someone because someone will stop me with an arrow or by coming out of thin air 95% of the time lol

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Not enough story for 20 episodes

At the beginning, this drama actually made me look forward to Mondays so much. On my watchlist, I had this drama at a perfect 10/10 star rating for about ten episodes until it started getting ridiculously repetitive and the plot felt very dragged out. Overall, the story was great with amazing characters, cinematography (those color palettes!), and romance. Unlike Lovers of the Red Sky, their love story felt very organic and well-paced. As the drama progressed, the focus naturally shifted away from romance and became more about court politics and family drama (in typical sageuk fashion) and while this was not as interesting to me (as someone who lives and breathes rom com), I saw it coming and expected something like that from a historical, anyway. It was fine. Until the love line also got needlessly angsty. These two literally spent the better two thirds of the drama trying to figure out if they should or shouldn’t be together. The same problems kept arising over and over again but were dressed up as slightly different issues. The political story also got quite stale and followed the format “let’s go investigate something, have lots of fruitless dialogue about that thing, and kill a bunch of people.” This is the main reason why I dislike anything action, but I digress. In the last couple episodes, I also became an avid hater of Dami, something I never thought would happen. Her hero complex and suicidal tendencies disguised as selflessness got incredibly out of control, and it was hard to root for a character who was so hopelessly throwing herself at danger and calling it self-sacrifice that I just wanted her to die at the end and have the drama be a tragedy. The lie she told Jun Ji Un (that I won’t spoil) before doing something unforgivable (at least in my opinion) was something that I wished he would hold against her. It was such a majorly fucked up thing to do that I completely stopped rooting for her at the end. Despite my hundreds of complaints, this drama did bring many good things to the table, and I absolutely adored the male lead from beginning to the end. I’d still recommend the drama to anyone that has some spare time, but just be prepared to use that speed-up button if you’re impatient like me.

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