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Conspiracy in the court
May. 31st, 2010 09:19 pmSummary: The drama is set during turbulent times following the death of Prince Sado who was murdered by his own father (sealed alive in a large rice chest where he died within eight days). Prince Sado's son has become the King Jeongjo of Joseon, a ruler known for his passion for political reforms.
Lee Na Young is a young heiress turned slave turned high-level assassin, who is very proficient in medicine (and poisoning). Lee Na Young lives for one aim only, to avenge her father, a government minister convicted of treason by the King, his own best friend. After several years spent in various hardships, Lee Na Young becomes the King's physician and meets her childhood love Lee Na Young. She also meets her childhood friend Yang Man Oh , a guy who has ascended from rags to riches and has become the leader of the market merchants.
My thoughts
This drama is a curios case with me – I have double feelings. On one side, there are clearly so many things that put this drama apart and above the rest: innovativeness, excellent cinematography, thought-provoking story, exquisite music and strong acting work. But at the same time, the drama wasn't able to engage my attention and emotions, especially in the latest episodes. I was really struggling in the second half, fidgeting and waiting for this to be over and at the same time thinking "wow! this is great!".
May be my main problem was that I wasn't able to bond too well with the main characters, young lovers separated by cruel fate and political battles, Park Sang Kyu and Lee Na Young. Sang Kyu has always seemed a bit of a wet blanket to me, he didn't seem to know what he wanted and he didn't seem to want anything strongly enough. There were moments when I though Sang Kyu is changing, but these were just passing moments, he had no will no power to make any real change.
In the similar fashion, I didn't feel too much for Lee Na Young, she seemed to be "I live to suffer" type, something I always find hard to understand.
However, I loved the third corner of the love triangle, the Chief Merchant Yang Man Oh (with his gorgeous bodyguard) and I liked Sang Kyu's friendGeneral Choi Seo Joo Pil. Their scenes kept me going through the drama.
But most unexpectedly, the strongest and most powerful moments and the best acting work belonged to the King ( by Ahn Nae Sang ) and the Dowager Queen Mother ( by Jung Ae Ri). These two were absolutely amazing as the two main powers of the drama: the power of new and the power of old. I have always been a fan of Jung Ae Ri, she has has played few wonderfully evil mothers, but Ahn Nae Sang came as a surprise for me. The last time I saw him was in "Three Brothers", and I despised his character in this drama.
( There were many wonderfully filmed fighting scenes, like this one: )
( A couple of the caps of the best duo, the King and the Queen Mother: )
My ratings: 7/10
Lee Na Young is a young heiress turned slave turned high-level assassin, who is very proficient in medicine (and poisoning). Lee Na Young lives for one aim only, to avenge her father, a government minister convicted of treason by the King, his own best friend. After several years spent in various hardships, Lee Na Young becomes the King's physician and meets her childhood love Lee Na Young. She also meets her childhood friend Yang Man Oh , a guy who has ascended from rags to riches and has become the leader of the market merchants.
My thoughts
This drama is a curios case with me – I have double feelings. On one side, there are clearly so many things that put this drama apart and above the rest: innovativeness, excellent cinematography, thought-provoking story, exquisite music and strong acting work. But at the same time, the drama wasn't able to engage my attention and emotions, especially in the latest episodes. I was really struggling in the second half, fidgeting and waiting for this to be over and at the same time thinking "wow! this is great!".
May be my main problem was that I wasn't able to bond too well with the main characters, young lovers separated by cruel fate and political battles, Park Sang Kyu and Lee Na Young. Sang Kyu has always seemed a bit of a wet blanket to me, he didn't seem to know what he wanted and he didn't seem to want anything strongly enough. There were moments when I though Sang Kyu is changing, but these were just passing moments, he had no will no power to make any real change.
In the similar fashion, I didn't feel too much for Lee Na Young, she seemed to be "I live to suffer" type, something I always find hard to understand.
However, I loved the third corner of the love triangle, the Chief Merchant Yang Man Oh (with his gorgeous bodyguard) and I liked Sang Kyu's friend
But most unexpectedly, the strongest and most powerful moments and the best acting work belonged to the King ( by Ahn Nae Sang ) and the Dowager Queen Mother ( by Jung Ae Ri). These two were absolutely amazing as the two main powers of the drama: the power of new and the power of old. I have always been a fan of Jung Ae Ri, she has has played few wonderfully evil mothers, but Ahn Nae Sang came as a surprise for me. The last time I saw him was in "Three Brothers", and I despised his character in this drama.
( There were many wonderfully filmed fighting scenes, like this one: )
( A couple of the caps of the best duo, the King and the Queen Mother: )
My ratings: 7/10
