Based
on a five-part series novel of the same name and with the time period set in
the 19th century during the Joseon Dynasty, this drama tells a coming-of-age
story between a young Crown Prince and a girl who disguised as a young man due
to her family matters involving the nation's politics.
19-year-old Crown Prince Lee Yeong (starring Park Bo-gum) has never been
interested in the nation's affairs and what's happening in the palace; his cold
and aloof attitude is most commonly known to all minister officials and court
servants especially after the passing of his mother, the late Queen Yoon.
Hong Ra-on (starring Kim Yoo-jung) is a 18-year-old girl who earns her living
by doing some street performing and writing love letters on behalf of her
mostly men clients. Her mother has abandoned her since young for her security
purposes (this issue will come to light as the story progresses) and she has
little memories of her father who had left home years ago.
A
chance encounter with the Crown Prince has set her heart race for a different
reason, for she has mistook him as the lover of one of her male clients, in
which is a misunderstanding as from the other end the Crown Prince is trying to
find out who is fervently writing love letters to his younger sister, Princess
Myung-eun. The next time when Ra-on encounters the Crown Prince, she has became
one of the eunuchs in the palace due to an unfortunate incident and their
destiny begins from there.
This
drama appealed to me on many levels and the main attraction to me is the
differences between the Crown Prince and Ra-on not only of their positions but
also the disguised gender when Ra-on first met him. Since this is also a story
about power and greed, needless to say there are lots of conspiracies and
backstabbing in the foreground but I have to say the highlights of this drama
is the friendship and sacrifices of the two friends surrounding the Crown
Prince and then of course, the forbidden love between the Crown Prince and
Ra-on.
I
found myself warmed up to the character of the Crown Prince rather quickly
despite his arrogance in the beginning; and of course it doesn't hurt to say he
was very charismatic and an eye candy so to speak. Ra-on amazed me with her
optimism and her outlooks in life despite several unfavourable circumstances
but in the end she always managed to overcome them. I loved the ending but left
me wondering about her (ambiguous) position.
(My novel box-set, which I have yet to read)
（作者：尹梨修，译者：莊曼淳）
（作者：尹梨修，译者：莊曼淳）
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I haven't finished this drama, but love the characters. :) Thanks for the recommendation, Melody!
I don't know what it is about disguised gender stories, but they really appeal to me. This sounds like a wonderful series, Melody.
Jenclair - Yes, me too! Hope you enjoy the rest of the drama. :)
Wendy - I'm always drawn to disguised gender stories and am always curious of the intentions behind them. I just hope I'll make some time for the Chinese translation of this series; I've been occupied with books I want to read badly lately. :)