shunakke
This review may contain spoilers
How to turn your government internship into a main character moment and achieve justice
Have you ever asked yourself, what would it be like to be a scribe interning in the royal palace of 1700s Korea? Most certainly, I had not. But I’m so glad I randomly came across this drama, because it’s probably my favorite that I’ve ever watched so far.
First of all, to be clear, Rookie Historian is an elaborate and dynamic political drama far before it is a romance. Rather, it is an intricate exploration of duty, integrity, and ethics that continues to escalate in a narrative filled with twists and turns. There are indeed some pleasant comedic hijinks (just skirting the lines of ridiculousness in a way that works), and a delectable but absurdly petite romance plot between the female and male lead (don’t be mislead by the romance novelist antics of the pilot); as well as often feeling slightly like an office dramedy, but the at the end of the day, you’re in for a ride of court politics that will keep you binging until the intense finale. Just remember to savor the happy and silly times, because they will be over by the third act!
Setting: I found this drama to be a deeply interesting cultural exploration as an American who knows very little of Korean history, let alone palace culture. If you like western governmental political dramas like me, this will hit the spot in a way you would never see coming.
Theme: I was not expecting this drama to be so rich thematically! Clashing of ideals, tradition versus change, power versus equity, loyalty and ambition, justice and truth, and the importance of history, literacy, and free expression. A great recipe with a surprisingly satisfying result.
Characters: The protagonist Hae-Ryung is likable and fierce, and among many characters that you will find yourself rooting for, even as you witness them make humanizing mistakes. Yi Rim is totally adorable, that’s about all I have to say on that.
Romance: I am the tiniest bit irked that we got edged on the romance, of course–the kisses were barely more than chaste! At the same time, I would have been completely happy for GHR and YR to just be platonic partners in crime, but since they decided to include catching feelings, I wanted that to actually go somewhere..oh well. They got an ending that suited their desires.
I’m already concerned that I may not be able to find other dramas that engage me like this one.
First of all, to be clear, Rookie Historian is an elaborate and dynamic political drama far before it is a romance. Rather, it is an intricate exploration of duty, integrity, and ethics that continues to escalate in a narrative filled with twists and turns. There are indeed some pleasant comedic hijinks (just skirting the lines of ridiculousness in a way that works), and a delectable but absurdly petite romance plot between the female and male lead (don’t be mislead by the romance novelist antics of the pilot); as well as often feeling slightly like an office dramedy, but the at the end of the day, you’re in for a ride of court politics that will keep you binging until the intense finale. Just remember to savor the happy and silly times, because they will be over by the third act!
Setting: I found this drama to be a deeply interesting cultural exploration as an American who knows very little of Korean history, let alone palace culture. If you like western governmental political dramas like me, this will hit the spot in a way you would never see coming.
Theme: I was not expecting this drama to be so rich thematically! Clashing of ideals, tradition versus change, power versus equity, loyalty and ambition, justice and truth, and the importance of history, literacy, and free expression. A great recipe with a surprisingly satisfying result.
Characters: The protagonist Hae-Ryung is likable and fierce, and among many characters that you will find yourself rooting for, even as you witness them make humanizing mistakes. Yi Rim is totally adorable, that’s about all I have to say on that.
Romance: I am the tiniest bit irked that we got edged on the romance, of course–the kisses were barely more than chaste! At the same time, I would have been completely happy for GHR and YR to just be platonic partners in crime, but since they decided to include catching feelings, I wanted that to actually go somewhere..oh well. They got an ending that suited their desires.
I’m already concerned that I may not be able to find other dramas that engage me like this one.
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