Title: Queen Seon Deok
Genre: Historical drama
Episodes: 62
Network: MBC
Air date: May - December 2009
Cast:
Lee Yeo Won - as Deokman (later to become Queen Seon Deok) is one of the twin daughters of King Jinpyeong. There was a belief during those times that if a royal family give birth to twins, all male descendants will die, but because the King and his wife cannot bear to kill their daughter, she was sent off to hide with the Queen's maid and was asked not to return again. With the turn of events, she found her way back to the kingdom and fought her right to become Queen.
I'm not a big fan of Lee Yeo Won's acting here simply because she has a look too nice to become a queen. I think it's a big challenge for her to try being firm and strong against all the men surrounding her. I don't blame her though because she has soft features that call for sweetness and pureness.
Go Hyun Jung - as Mishil, a very powerful woman of the Kingdom that has served 3 Kings. She's intelligent and very good at making people follow her. But she got caught up with too much power that she didn't know when to stop anymore. She aimed to become the Queen when Deokman came and fought head on with her for the throne.
Go Hyun Jung won daesangs for her portrayal of Mishil and I think that speaks for itself. She used to play sweet roles but transformed into a totally hateful person in this drama. She played her role so well that viewers actually follow what she will do next. She made the character fully alive and carried the whole drama on her shoulders.
Uhm Tae Woong - as Kim Yoo Shin, a very loyal friend and love one of Deokman. He fell in love with Deokman and chose to stay by her side where ever she goes. He later became a general and pledged his full loyalty to Queen Seon Deok. He played a big role in Deokman's success. He's a very disciplined man that is very righteous and only fight for what he believes to be right.
I always admired Uhm Tae Woong as an actor. He plays his roles with so much passion that you can't help but praise his acting. In this drama, he did the same, but he wasn't able to shine as much because Yushin himself has a pretty boring personality unless he's plotting a way to fight the enemies. Though Yushin is actually a very important part of history, sadly he wasn't able to shine as much because of the other quite unique characters in the drama.
Kim Nam Gil - as Bidam, the son of Mishil and the ousted King Jinji. He was left behind by Mishil when he was still a baby when she realized that she has no use for him anymore. He was raised by a previous general from the Kingdom, Munno. Because he grew up as a free spirited person, he doesn't follow any decorum just his own. A skilled fighter that later also became a high ranking official in Queen Seon Deok's reign. He and Deokman fell in love but was separated by too much deceit by other people surrounding them.
This is the first time I saw Kim Nam Gil's work and he's amazing! I now know what's all the fuzz about him when the drama was airing. He has other works before but this drama sure is his break through acting role that shoot him to fame. The role is vibrant and he played it so well that you can't help but love him. I tried looking up old pictures of him but he sure looks his best in this drama. He's simply gorgeous! I don't think there would be any woman that will not fall for his rough but playful character match it with such good looks, wow! (Sorry I know I'm spazzing, but I just can't help it, I'm so in love with Bidam!!! LOL! XD)
Park Ye Jin - as Princess Chun Myung, the other twin daughter of the King. She is set to take the throne but was unexpectedly killed which made Deokman go back to the Kingdom to take her rightful place. She's in love with Kim Yushin who has always been there for her since her childhood.
I've always seen Yejin as savage Yejin in Family Outing. Seeing her here as a princess is totally new to me. She's not exceptional in her portrayal but did quite okay for me. I miss savage lady Yejin and hope to see more of her in the future.
Yoo Seung Ho - as Kim Chun Chu, the son of Princess Chun Myung. He grew up outside the Kingdom but brought back when his mother died. He is perceived to be weak and not worthy of becoming a King, but is very intelligent and fought to get the throne. He later chose to side with Deokman and shared with her victory.
Yoo Seung Ho played younger versions of Kings before, but this time, he's actually playing a King's successor and not just a younger version of them. I was looking forward to watching him and he didn't disappoint. I know he can still do better, but for now, I'm happy with what he can give. He's still young and I still believe that he will become one of the biggest actors in Korea in the future. Surely the next Jang Dong Gun, Song Seung Hun, So Ji Sub on the rise.
Summary:
The drama is set in the Silla dynasty before the 3 great kingdoms of Korea was united. The great King Jin Heung died which shook the whole Kingdom that caused the shift in power. King Jin Heung knew that Mishil is very intelligent but no one can control her when he's gone so he prepared an order to her to be killed. But it didn't happen after his death, instead, Mishil was able to manipulate the whole Kingdom and put a new King of her choosing. Her power reigned until another King was seated and his wife bore a twin, Princess Chun Myung and Deokman.
Deokman was raised by a palace maid and was not aware that she's from a royal family. But fate brought her back to the Kingdom where she met her sister and real parents. She wanted to continue living a normal life until her sister got killed and she chose to fight for her rightful place in the throne to avenge her sister's death.
During her struggle for power with Mishil, she's lucky to have 3 very loyal friends, Kim Yushin, Alcheon and Bidam with her that brought her to victory. But with this power comes the consequence of not finding love. She fell in love twice but has to abandon both for the love of her country. She was first loved by Yushin and she also fell in love with him. They both chose not to pursue their love for the sake of their people and country. She fell in love the 2nd time with Bidam, but with Bidam's complicated life, he was unstable and didn't know who to believe. They ended up fighting with each other resulting to a tragic ending to their love story.
I love the drama! I really did, because with 62 episodes, I watched each episode religiously everyday and that says much. I usually like short dramas better (that's why I love watching Japanese dramas) because they're fast paced and direct to the point. What made me watch all 62 episodes of Queen Seon Deok is because of it's interesting ups and downs and great acting by the cast.
From episode1 up to the middle of the series, no dull moment at all. It has gotten a bit slow in the middle when most of the talking were done to explain different plots and strategies but it's okay. You still will get moments of excitement in every episode that will make you want to continue watching. It's just sad that it has to have a tragic love story ending that makes me so sad. I can't understand why a Queen can't fall in love. =S Though I'm for Deokman-Yushin pairing from the very start, I was also happy when Queen Seon Deok chose to marry Bidam just so she can be happy. But I guess matters of the heart comes second to being a Queen. Anyways, it's still a good drama that is worthy to be watched. =)
Watch online >> Queen Seon Deok w/ English subtitles
Rating: 9/10
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