The main characters are pathetic—that you need to know first. If you're drawn to easily likable characters you can root for, this might not be the right choice. The lack of communication didn't annoy me as much as I expected, and overall, the drama was pretty easy to handle. Personally, I had a lot of fun with it (not that it was always a good mood), but your experience may vary.

From the start, it was obvious this was a melodrama—mixing picaresque, noir, comedy, dark humor, makjang, and romance (not your typical love square). The drama carries a sly, cunning flow that won’t appeal to everyone. While some may find it frustrating, I found it really entertaining overall. Then some people say it's a mess, but isn't it the point? Anyway, I also enjoyed how theatrical it was.

The beginning is straightforward, setting the tone perfectly. The story may drag at times, but if you're invested or ready to fully grasp its depth, you'll see why. Character development is key in this drama. At times, looking back, I found myself impressed—especially by the end.

Hands down, one of the best OSTs: a mix of old-school techno, classical music with a Spanish swing, and great songs.

The cinematography is surprisingly thoughtful. At first, the saturated colors sharply contrast the bright, beautiful world of the rich. However, as the narrative unfolds, the colors gradually soften, mirroring the drama's evolving tone.

All in all, loved the overall vibe—both fitting for its time and uniquely distinct. It remained firm and snob.

Shin Se Kyung is well-praised in Korea, though she has her share of critics here. Personally, I find her acting natural and sophisticated. While you don’t have to love her or her roles/dramas, she’s admired for her personality, intelligence, beauty, and subtle delivery. Her tone, nuanced expressions, and command of the Korean language are often deemed perfect. In fact, she’s even considered a Sageuk queen due to her voice and expertise in the genre. She's my second favorite actress, and I really appreciate how she sensibly portrays her characters in such a genuine way.

Kwon Yuri, as an idol making her acting debut, did a commendable job as the classy Choi Anna. I respect idols who venture into acting, and while her role may not have been the most challenging, she performed well. Some criticize her for a monotone, repetitive demeanor, but I found it fitting for the character she portrayed.

Unsurprisingly, Yoo Ah In and Lee Je Hoon faced no criticism. I think the casting was perfect for this drama. About the fashion, I also really appreciated how each of them were dressed, following closely the narrative once again.

Don't go into this drama expecting to cry your eyes out—you won't. I don’t think it’s meant to evoke that level of emotion. Maybe I teared up and shed a few tears, but to be honest, that’s coming from someone who cries easily when watching shows.

If you can’t handle ambiguity, I wouldn’t recommend it. Some people here prefer to criticize the female lead (as usual) because they don't get it. She doesn’t deserve the hate. As long as you understand the story and characters, you’ll be fine. What I can tell you is that, for the most part, it's primarily a struggle among the men.

In the end, Fashion King presents an unconventional story about humanity and society, ultimately conveying the hopelessness of class conflict and what capitalism can do to a person.

Reality, as we all know, can be even stranger and more wicked—more unfair—than the cruel and ugly scenarios depicted in the drama. Clearly, the fashion industry isn't an exception where everything has to be pretty. The conflict builds like a crescendo, intensifying until it reaches a boiling point.

Why did I watch it? I usually pick my shows based on the poster. Sure, the low rating piqued my curiosity, but if I didn't genuinely want to watch it, I wouldn’t have. What’s interesting is that, for once, it was actually considered a fun drama in Korea and had high viewership ratings. It’s not popular here, but I didn’t notice much hate either. In fact, I found more positive comments (not just on MDL) than I expected. Maybe that’s because it’s old and nobody talks about it.

Be sure to check out my comment under the review, where I dive into the ending. There's more I could say about how unique this drama is, but I'll leave it at that here.

Version of the opening that was not where I watched it : https://youtu.be/5GDVpO1bWoM - I also uploaded the one from Viki.

Teaser : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtNDnfaM8TA (If you're looking for a teaser with actual content from the drama, MDL has a high-quality one, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere else in the same quality.)

Thank you for reading !