KyrelFierce
Philippines
I had to admit that I put this drama on hold for a very long time. Reason behind is the serious lack of chemistry between the leads (IU & LJG).
They may have had some good times during the series but it was OKAY at best. I am a big fan of LJG and I am always blown away by his character in this drama. It is however had to suffer drastically with IU's serious lack in acting prowess. She was miserably overshadowed by almost all of the cast that even the Support Roles delivered better.
My Journey with this drama nonetheless is enjoyable. It is not something that I will definitely rewatch within the next few weeks but it delivered well enough to be highly recommended especially to Shakepearean trashes like myself.
The Bad
1. Mismatch - I couldn't say enough of how incompatible the pairing was. Not that IU is totally bad, its just that LJG's work deserved better, LJG was great in his craft and whenever the camera takes its turn into IU it all goes dark and gloomy. Luckily, LJG was enough to keep me from dropping this series entirely.
The Good
1. Music - OST is "G.O.L.D.".
2. Support - Talk about a villain who is indeed a villain and character you'd love to hate and love altogether, that is what this Drama promises, the support casts were perfect for their roles and regardless of which side they were in, you gotta love 'em. The Princes and their stories were incredible. It was delivered well and is a great twist from the main line of events without stealing the show entirely.
3. Bromance - Lee Joon Gi & Kang Ha Neul, Lee Joon Gi & Nam Joo Hyuk, Nam Joo Hyuk and Ji Soo. Bromance was sbutle and just the right amount given that the drama is a historical adaptation. But nonetheless they were beautiful.
The Great
1. THE ENDING.
A lot an be said by how almost all of Korean Dramas end in a unflattering manner regardless of how it was midway most end in "Meh". Even the 'Greats' were not an exclusion to BLAND endings (Goblin, My Love from Another Star, Warrior Baek Dong Soo, Secret Garden to name a few) while others are OKAY (DOTS, IRIS, Jewel In the Palace, Queen Seon Deok, Love Rain, Chicago Typewriter) and on my limited experience, some were closed GREAT (Six Flying Dragons, Jumong) and This drama falls among those that ended GREAT.
I love tragedies. and this show it may not have ended tragically as how Shakespeare would've done it but it ended with all the right things in the right time. It feels like a the final pieces of the puzzle were put into there rightful place without trying so hard. I hate having loopholes in the story and this drama leaving a gaping wide hole in the end is incredibly forgivable.
Recommendation:
It is known that historical adaptations are with blood. So if you are one who hates seeing blood or seeing innocent people or good looking princes being stabbed to death, tied, maimed and drowned, You might want to hold it in and watch it still. This drama will not disappoint given the right expectations.
Do not dream of the usually cliche among Korean Drama endings which is all bubblegum and honey sweet because it won't deliver that to you.
Now if you loved Leonardo Di Caprio in Romeo and Juliet, Titanic and The Revenant, then you should get on board and you'll definitely be up for a wonderful treat.
They may have had some good times during the series but it was OKAY at best. I am a big fan of LJG and I am always blown away by his character in this drama. It is however had to suffer drastically with IU's serious lack in acting prowess. She was miserably overshadowed by almost all of the cast that even the Support Roles delivered better.
My Journey with this drama nonetheless is enjoyable. It is not something that I will definitely rewatch within the next few weeks but it delivered well enough to be highly recommended especially to Shakepearean trashes like myself.
The Bad
1. Mismatch - I couldn't say enough of how incompatible the pairing was. Not that IU is totally bad, its just that LJG's work deserved better, LJG was great in his craft and whenever the camera takes its turn into IU it all goes dark and gloomy. Luckily, LJG was enough to keep me from dropping this series entirely.
The Good
1. Music - OST is "G.O.L.D.".
2. Support - Talk about a villain who is indeed a villain and character you'd love to hate and love altogether, that is what this Drama promises, the support casts were perfect for their roles and regardless of which side they were in, you gotta love 'em. The Princes and their stories were incredible. It was delivered well and is a great twist from the main line of events without stealing the show entirely.
3. Bromance - Lee Joon Gi & Kang Ha Neul, Lee Joon Gi & Nam Joo Hyuk, Nam Joo Hyuk and Ji Soo. Bromance was sbutle and just the right amount given that the drama is a historical adaptation. But nonetheless they were beautiful.
The Great
1. THE ENDING.
A lot an be said by how almost all of Korean Dramas end in a unflattering manner regardless of how it was midway most end in "Meh". Even the 'Greats' were not an exclusion to BLAND endings (Goblin, My Love from Another Star, Warrior Baek Dong Soo, Secret Garden to name a few) while others are OKAY (DOTS, IRIS, Jewel In the Palace, Queen Seon Deok, Love Rain, Chicago Typewriter) and on my limited experience, some were closed GREAT (Six Flying Dragons, Jumong) and This drama falls among those that ended GREAT.
I love tragedies. and this show it may not have ended tragically as how Shakespeare would've done it but it ended with all the right things in the right time. It feels like a the final pieces of the puzzle were put into there rightful place without trying so hard. I hate having loopholes in the story and this drama leaving a gaping wide hole in the end is incredibly forgivable.
Recommendation:
It is known that historical adaptations are with blood. So if you are one who hates seeing blood or seeing innocent people or good looking princes being stabbed to death, tied, maimed and drowned, You might want to hold it in and watch it still. This drama will not disappoint given the right expectations.
Do not dream of the usually cliche among Korean Drama endings which is all bubblegum and honey sweet because it won't deliver that to you.
Now if you loved Leonardo Di Caprio in Romeo and Juliet, Titanic and The Revenant, then you should get on board and you'll definitely be up for a wonderful treat.
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