Peridot83
This review may contain spoilers
Excellent cast, fast-paced, and achingly sad...yet doesn't quite know what to say
Deok Im is a high spirited, clever girl who is firm in her values. She stands up for her friends, and she wants to live a simple life full of every day joy and helping those around her.
It's Deok Im's misfortune to be born into palace intrigue, and the nail in the coffin is catching the eye of the Crown Prince. As hard as she tries to break free, she keeps on being pulled in for the sake of her country, for the sake of her friends, and ultimately for the sake of the Crown Prince himself. She tries to resent him, she tries to demonize him, but the truth is he will be a great king, and is a decent man, and who is she to deny him?
It's an excellent premise, but it's clear the show wasn't sure which way to end it or what themes it is trying to promote. In the end, the show essentially shows 'multiple endings' in a string of could be final scenes. But unfortunately, in each and every end-ish scene, Deok Im's voice is muted, her feelings ambivalent, and in the very last scene, it's almost like she doesn't exist.
Also minor points off for not really knowing what to do with Hong Deok Ro.
The cast is superb, I really cared deeply for the two main characters and thought both the two main characters and all the side characters showed distinct personalities and a range of emotion. The music was moving but rather standard, scenes from the show will definitely linger on.
Themes: 6.5
The strongest theme is basically a warning "you wouldn't actually want to be a court lady centuries ago." Also 'lonely is the head that wears the crown.' Otherwise, the show is quite lost on whether it wanted to truly go with the feminist message lurking in the background, or whether it approves of Deok Im sacrificing herself to the Crown Prince.
Complex characters/character growth: 7.0
It's hard to not confuse the excellent acting, with character growth. I wish they had grown! Deok Im essentially gets quieter and more subdued as she feels the walls are closing in. The Crown Prince doesn't really waver in temperament or character until the tacked on last episode. They show lots of range of emotion, but no real transformation.
Complex women/interactions between women: 9.0
So great! Deok Im and her three friends stick together through thick and thin, and Deok Im recognizes and values how female companionship and community has made her life worth living. She also has great female mentors in the Queen/Queen Dowager and the senior ladies. One point off for the bizarre conspiracy of court lady spies. Instead of being an intriguing take on women coming together to defend themselves from powerful men, the whole thing is treated like a bunch of bitter, ridiculous women who would of course fail.
Cinematography/Production Values: 8.5
Production values are high, costumes and scenery are extremely pretty with a marked effort to change seasons and try different color combinations. It still stuck to somewhat standard scenes in terms of what the palace looks like, how the servants follow the important people around, how fight scenes are conducted etc.
Deok Im is a high spirited, clever girl who is firm in her values. She stands up for her friends, and she wants to live a simple life full of every day joy and helping those around her.
It's Deok Im's misfortune to be born into palace intrigue, and the nail in the coffin is catching the eye of the Crown Prince. As hard as she tries to break free, she keeps on being pulled in for the sake of her country, for the sake of her friends, and ultimately for the sake of the Crown Prince himself. She tries to resent him, she tries to demonize him, but the truth is he will be a great king, and is a decent man, and who is she to deny him?
It's an excellent premise, but it's clear the show wasn't sure which way to end it or what themes it is trying to promote. In the end, the show essentially shows 'multiple endings' in a string of could be final scenes. But unfortunately, in each and every end-ish scene, Deok Im's voice is muted, her feelings ambivalent, and in the very last scene, it's almost like she doesn't exist.
Also minor points off for not really knowing what to do with Hong Deok Ro.
The cast is superb, I really cared deeply for the two main characters and thought both the two main characters and all the side characters showed distinct personalities and a range of emotion. The music was moving but rather standard, scenes from the show will definitely linger on.
Themes: 6.5
The strongest theme is basically a warning "you wouldn't actually want to be a court lady centuries ago." Also 'lonely is the head that wears the crown.' Otherwise, the show is quite lost on whether it wanted to truly go with the feminist message lurking in the background, or whether it approves of Deok Im sacrificing herself to the Crown Prince.
Complex characters/character growth: 7.0
It's hard to not confuse the excellent acting, with character growth. I wish they had grown! Deok Im essentially gets quieter and more subdued as she feels the walls are closing in. The Crown Prince doesn't really waver in temperament or character until the tacked on last episode. They show lots of range of emotion, but no real transformation.
Complex women/interactions between women: 9.0
So great! Deok Im and her three friends stick together through thick and thin, and Deok Im recognizes and values how female companionship and community has made her life worth living. She also has great female mentors in the Queen/Queen Dowager and the senior ladies. One point off for the bizarre conspiracy of court lady spies. Instead of being an intriguing take on women coming together to defend themselves from powerful men, the whole thing is treated like a bunch of bitter, ridiculous women who would of course fail.
Cinematography/Production Values: 8.5
Production values are high, costumes and scenery are extremely pretty with a marked effort to change seasons and try different color combinations. It still stuck to somewhat standard scenes in terms of what the palace looks like, how the servants follow the important people around, how fight scenes are conducted etc.
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