Mr. Queen -- Bold, Funny, and Immeasurably Pleasing
I was very hesitant to start this drama because I wasn't too keen on Shin Hye Sun, but boy, she completely and utterly won me over with her depiction of a Joseon queen trapped in a present-day man's spirit. She's funny, quick-witted, bold, and I dare say this may be her best performance yet. I am a fan. I like that Mr. Queen is bold in tackling some taboo issues in a very well-written script, with a great cast, director, and editor.
Of course, it didn't hurt to have Kim Jung Hyun as King Cheol Jong, who comes off as dense but is more receptive and feeling than everybody gives him credit. What kept me going other than the comedy was my need to find out where the real queen's spirit was and, more so, if Bong Hwan soul trapped in someone else's body was the end of him; would he forever be trapped, or was there more to the both of them, the Queen and Bong Hwan. And boy was there more, much more.
As much as I loved our Mr. Queen and King and excitedly waited for each episode to live vicariously through them as much as I couldn't get enough of Choi Jin Hyuk’s voiceover. I doubt the beginning of this drama would've worked as well as it did without him. He definitely made the drama that much more fun to watch. Every moment in this drama was precious. Excellent writing, directing, editing, and acting; this is one of those dramas where you can’t help but enjoy acting, even the villains (except the concubine, okay even her) to the extent that I wished it was a daily drama with as many episodes as a daily one is allowed. I'm not too keen on daily dramas, which tells you how great this drama truly is in its setup, delivery, directing, and production.
Many criticized Mr. Queen for depicting the kind of love it did between a King and Queen with a man's soul in a woman's body, but all I really saw were two people who in their struggle to make themselves known found in each other what they tried so hard to find in themselves, but couldn't unitl they met each other. A story about lost souls, betrayals, honor, loyalty, love, in the simplest yet beautifully complicated way. And I think what I really like about Mr. Queen is that even when it was serious, it didn't forget how to be funny and arrive at its point steadily yet graciously.
As far as I am concerned, Mr. Queen came to a great ending to a flawless drama. It was a blessing during a very trying time globally with a pandemic that left all of us fearful of what's to come. But, Mr. Queen, in its 16+ weeks, managed to give me and many of us immeasurable pleasure. For that, I am forever grateful to the writer, director, actors, and production team for allowing me to live vicariously through all its funny, happy, and, at times, not-so-happy moments. More so, I'm glad I decided to watch this drama that beautifully and so seamlessly showcased the many facets of our fantastic leads and their supporting cast that I may have otherwise missed had I decided not to watch it as I'd originally planned.
Kim Jung Hyun said he chose the role of King Cheoljong for its comedic possibilities; he wanted to do a project that would make people laugh and help them forget the pandemic, even if for an hour. He, our beautiful and gifted Shin Hye Sun, the incredibly talented cast, writer, director, production team, and especially Choi Jin Hyuk, have done that and much, much more. A long-standing ovation to anyone and everyone involved in the art that became Mr. Queen, this is one drama none of us will soon forget. Highly recommended!
Of course, it didn't hurt to have Kim Jung Hyun as King Cheol Jong, who comes off as dense but is more receptive and feeling than everybody gives him credit. What kept me going other than the comedy was my need to find out where the real queen's spirit was and, more so, if Bong Hwan soul trapped in someone else's body was the end of him; would he forever be trapped, or was there more to the both of them, the Queen and Bong Hwan. And boy was there more, much more.
As much as I loved our Mr. Queen and King and excitedly waited for each episode to live vicariously through them as much as I couldn't get enough of Choi Jin Hyuk’s voiceover. I doubt the beginning of this drama would've worked as well as it did without him. He definitely made the drama that much more fun to watch. Every moment in this drama was precious. Excellent writing, directing, editing, and acting; this is one of those dramas where you can’t help but enjoy acting, even the villains (except the concubine, okay even her) to the extent that I wished it was a daily drama with as many episodes as a daily one is allowed. I'm not too keen on daily dramas, which tells you how great this drama truly is in its setup, delivery, directing, and production.
Many criticized Mr. Queen for depicting the kind of love it did between a King and Queen with a man's soul in a woman's body, but all I really saw were two people who in their struggle to make themselves known found in each other what they tried so hard to find in themselves, but couldn't unitl they met each other. A story about lost souls, betrayals, honor, loyalty, love, in the simplest yet beautifully complicated way. And I think what I really like about Mr. Queen is that even when it was serious, it didn't forget how to be funny and arrive at its point steadily yet graciously.
As far as I am concerned, Mr. Queen came to a great ending to a flawless drama. It was a blessing during a very trying time globally with a pandemic that left all of us fearful of what's to come. But, Mr. Queen, in its 16+ weeks, managed to give me and many of us immeasurable pleasure. For that, I am forever grateful to the writer, director, actors, and production team for allowing me to live vicariously through all its funny, happy, and, at times, not-so-happy moments. More so, I'm glad I decided to watch this drama that beautifully and so seamlessly showcased the many facets of our fantastic leads and their supporting cast that I may have otherwise missed had I decided not to watch it as I'd originally planned.
Kim Jung Hyun said he chose the role of King Cheoljong for its comedic possibilities; he wanted to do a project that would make people laugh and help them forget the pandemic, even if for an hour. He, our beautiful and gifted Shin Hye Sun, the incredibly talented cast, writer, director, production team, and especially Choi Jin Hyuk, have done that and much, much more. A long-standing ovation to anyone and everyone involved in the art that became Mr. Queen, this is one drama none of us will soon forget. Highly recommended!
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