Haechi (2019)

Well this is the first historical drama I have seen and I must say I wasn't disappointed. This is also the first drama that I watched that was airing at the time of viewing which was sometimes frustrating lol.

If I'm being perfectly honest I mostly watched because Go Ara was in it, I loved her character, she was easy to fall in love with. But wow, the rest of the cast floored me. The drama and intrigue was off the charts. Jung ll Woo was amazing, you really felt his burden and sincerity throughout. Kwan Yool was hilarious as well. I also have a soft spot for Nam Ki Ae as Queen Inwon, what a sweety and what a wonderful smile.

I actually really loved, especially toward the end, the relationship between Jung Moon Sung's character Prince Milpoong and Bae Jung Hwa's character Bok Dan. I know I was supposed to hate them but I just felt sorry for them, it just seemed so tragic.

The story was fantastic and you really were on the edge of your seat from week to week. I just loved the ending.

I definitely recommend this drama!

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I seldom watch historical drama, But definitely this one is worth watching . I've been watching K & C drama. and this one of the best. Jung Il woo is a great actor he definitely one of the best on his generation. I watched all Jung Il Woo's drama and this one he is more mature and acting is superb. The supporting cast are all great, Go Ara is just OK but tolerable unlike Hwarang

Don't hesitate just watch this great drama. You can feel that you are living in Joeson Era, You can feel the emotions specially when the king are talking to his people, you can feel the love and care for his countryman.

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Initially I didn't really have much interest in watching this drama, even when it's available on Netflix. But then since OneAsia had started reairing older dramas including Haechi, I ended up watching it anyway.

I had to say that I had no regrets for starting to watch this drama. As was common when it comes to sageuk or historical dramas, it's usually the political intrigues and conspiracies that tend to wear you down, especially when it involves the battles to gain control of the political powers and the throne. But strangely enough, I didn't have much difficulty while watching this drama. Because rather than allowing himself get swept by the palace intrigues, Lee Geum strive to overcome every obstacles by working together with his trusted comrades and subjects.

And I suppose it also had to do with the fact that there wasn't anyone in this drama who were truly black or white, or completely evil or righteous. Also, I like the fact that political elements in this drama were not written too depressing and the politicians weren't just scheming against each other but they do earnestly want to do what's best for their country, even when they might get swept easily by false rumours or lies. Or make decisions that don't often end up being a good one.

And I like the fact that the drama's core plot were mostly centred on Saheonbu and how in reality, it was very difficult to judge between right and wrong. Yet, even with that odds we ended up rooting for Lee Geum to gain the public approval as King and gain support from all of the political parties.

I really love the analogy using the legendary creature Haechi and how trying to judge between what's right or wrong may seem simple in theory yet hard to implement in reality. And I like how in the end, life and politics were shown to not always be either black or white and that making a slow progress might not really be such a bad thing.

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The storyline is really great. The political & moral issues presented has given me lots of heart ache & head ache but every scene & every episode is just too incredibly well-made to pass up. Though there were scenes that felt like it was prolonged/dragged & could've been shortened but it's well-made & well-acted & those scenes fits perfectly with the subject & the plot so I can't really complain about it. Truly great plot...got me hooked that I binged watch it. The casts are really amazing as well & as always, Jung Il Woo has taken over my heart again. He's really incredible. Directors/producers can never be wrong casting him in a historical drama...royalty suits him.

So worth the watch.

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Thoughtful and Princely Yi Geum/King Yeongjo

I really enjoyed watching "Haechi". It is showing realistic dramatization of history with so many intrigues and dirty politics. The Yi Geum/King Yeongjo character looks thoughtful and princely as well as noble and scholarly. The Yeo-ji character is so lovely as well. Both first leading characters, Yi Geum and Yeo-ji have a good on-screen chemistry. I do like watching "Haechi" as it is not about a king that already has an empress and many consorts and concubines but still falling in love with "a new girl in town" that have been portraying by so many historical K-drama series. I am hoping to see more of historical K-drama series that is realistic as this "Haechi".

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There are some notable moments from Haechi which means this one is still worth to watch. To be honest, Haechi’s story wasn’t that gripping at the beginning. Even the cliffhangers were lousy. But somehow it piqued my interest.
As an avid fan of historical drama, I could sit for hours to see politics around Joseon era.

The thing about Haechi is, there is this HUGE relief and true happiness when I saw the last episode because I’ve been 'following' a very tiring bumpy journey of the main character. He had been walking through the most awful road before he got to rule his kingdom. I think this is my first time watching how the main character suffered so much to get an ally and came from nothing to be one of the best kings. His scene was mostly ‘powerful’.

The bromance was kinda stealing. The jokes around them were done well. The best moment was in the last episode. I wish we got more hilarious scenes of them.

On the contrary, there are way too many things that hit me wrong.

First, it failed to make me ‘connected’ to each character except the King. I didn’t fully care or hate the other characters. When the scene was building up the situation to make the audience “sad” or “angry”, they cut the scene and change to another one. Like wtf. Was it because of the duration limit? Idk man but it happened way too many times. Comparing to the last episode, they could totally prolong some scenes so we can live into the characters’ world. But, nope. They decided to just make a series of events without putting so much heart into it. I came for the history (regardless of how accurate the story is). I came for Yi Geum. For Jung il woo! so I stayed.

Second, the romance was really difficult to watch, to the point that I wish it was removed from the storyline entirely. The female lead didn't help either. I don't dislike her but she mostly ruined the whole romantic arcs with her awkwardness. Sorry for her fans :(

Third, characters’ flashback came late. Lee Tan’s flashback (his terrible childhood story) which supposed to undermine his motives, failed to make me feel the empathy towards him cuz it felt too forced. Cz I just didn’t care much about him.

Forth, DALMOON DIDNT NEED ROMANCE! The woman didn’t have chemistry with Dal Moon or Lee Tan at all!!! I think it’s miscast. Or I just hate that romance should be an overdramatized arc there :/

But, I must admit that the drama had grown on me without me noticing it. MY heart was full when I saw The King finally being loved by many. So proud.

I love the final episode. It erased the dullness behind.

Haechi left a good note on me.

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really good Sageuk drama!

I have watched a number of korean historical drama but so far, I feel like this is the best one. The romance was ok only so don't expect much from there. Go Ara started out as a feisty character and halfway she sort of faded away and somehow "lost her voice".
Other than that, the main storyline was really good and it made me go read up on the main character in real life. Every episode kept me on my toes and I loved how the people around the king helped him. Jung Il Woo really does a good job here and his character is really likeable as he displays courage in the midst of adversity.

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Great historical drama

Likes:
1. Jung il woo was terrific at portraying Lee Geum's journey from a young, carefree lowborn prince to a decisive and compassionate King Yeongjo. He must have been an amazing king if the drama depicted him that way!
2. Park Munso was an amazing friend and supporter to the King. I'm used to seeing Kwon Yul as scary so it was refreshing to see him be a nice person.
3. Minister Min and Jo bugged me because they kept putting Lee Geun down when they dont even know him. That he was able to change their minds and became his strongest advisers says a lot. I also loved their 1:1 on politics and the king.
4. Dalmoon!! His messy hair and his team!
5. 24 hours of non stop intense drama showing some of the key highlights/events in King Yeongjo's early term. I think episodes 15-18 were the episodes that really got me so hooked.

Dislikes:
1. Prince Milpung wont die!! He was a great villain at the start but that he kept escaping and getting mentally deranged saying things over and over again that it got boring. I wanted someone to just stab him to death please. And Yeon young and Wi Byeong Ju were annoying characters that should have died earlier.
2. Maybe it was because Go Ara got injured but her character was a badass but became dull and lifeless after her accident and she became a court maid. I loved when she was fighting and being funny but she always has this awkward /pained expression during the serious and romantic scenes. And the romance story with the king was totally unnecessary.

Rating: 8.5/10

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A masterpiece... the story, cast and acting is top notch... I love historical dramas related to politics and so on... I like how they minimize the romance and gave more emphasis on the king’s struggle and success. And the bonus bromance between Jung Il Woo and Kwon Yool is just ????????☺️ that gave comedic touch to the drama.

And Kwon Yool acting as protagonist... carefree but righteous is just so new to me... I’m so used to see him as villain...

And the villain is very effective... I really hate him but I somehow understand him towards the end.

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This drama is a fantastic historical production. The entire cast did a wonderful job bringing their characters to life to bring about the story of Prince Yeoning from years before he became Crown Prince, under much controversy between political factions, to the time that he was enthroned as King Yeongjo and his great efforts to reform the taxation system of Joseon, improve peasant’s lives and education. This drama excels in depicting political struggles within the kingdom and the treacherous actions of some individuals; it has great action, some comedy, a slight but really nice romantic story, and stellar performances all over. There were many antagonists throughout the drama but the main one was Yi Tan/Prince Milpoong portrayed by Jung Moon Sung who excels as the tyrannical lunatic prince, a character that one loathes and, no matter his difficulties growing up, is difficult to empathize; but his performance on episode 46 is brilliant. If you like palace politics, intrigue, great camaraderie, and an incredible amount of twists, you will certainly like this drama. Enjoy it!

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Magnifico affresco, recitato benissimo

Haechi è una perla che non sapevo di perdermi. Non è per chi preferisce grandi storie d’amore e svolgimenti veloci con combattimenti iper coreografati. Chi, invece, ama un buon intrigo politico, superbamente recitato, troverà qui pane per i suoi denti. L'importante è non richiedere una gran storia d'amore, perché qui non c'è. Togliamoci subito il sassolino dalla scarpa: la coppia principe/damo non decolla, e non solo perché la protagonista, Go Ara, sì è infortunata durante le riprese ed è passata dall'essere un'ardita combattente ad una statica dama di corte. Il fatto è che di questa pseudo storia d'amore non si sentiva il bisogno e dà l'impressione di essere un ripensamento posticcio, messo lì per accontentare coloro che se non vedono due sdolcinatezze non ritengono di aver visto un drama. La seconda coppia, che si sviluppa fra gli antagonisti, formata dal principe Milpoong ed una avventuriera, non riesce a catturare il cuore a causa della malvagità dei protagonisti. Povero il Re dei pitocchi che è innamorato di questa donna, assolutamente indegna del suo amore.
Ciononostante, ho dato il massimo dei voti perché a queste escursioni romantiche viene fortunatamente dedicato poco schermo e tutto il resto è riuscito ad incollarmi alla sedia meglio dell’attak.
Le vicende che si raccontano, pur se probabilmente molto romanzate, sono quelle del principe Yeoning, che diverrà nel 1724 uno dei più grandi re del suo paese. Si narra quindi la lotta del giovane principe, avversato da tutti perché la madre era plebea, per conquistare il trono prima, e mantenerlo ed effettuare le necessarie riforme poi, e della contemporanea lotta contro lo psicopatico principe Milpoong.
L'attore che interpreta il protagonista, Jung Il Woo, ha saputo veramente rendere al meglio un personaggio tormentato, di altissimi ideali, ma troppo spesso schernito e osteggiato da una nobiltà chiusa nelle proprie arretrate convinzioni, più dedita a mantenere lo status quo che a pensare al bene del paese.
Ciononostante, la palma d'oro va a Jung Moon Sung, interprete del folle principe Milpoong, che per questa sua prova ha vinto anche un premio. La vena di sadica follia, le manie di grandezza, la determinazione, la paura, l’insicurezza e anche l'amore, cosa non è riuscito a trasmettere! L'abbiamo odiato tutti, nonostante in certi momenti non si sia potuto fare a meno di provare pietà per lui.
La povera Go Ara, come detto prima, si è infortunata durante le riprese e ha visto il suo personaggio declassato da guerriera a damigella… e di sicuro non ci ha guadagnato nel cambio. Ho avuto l’impressione che la sua interpretazione fosse migliore nelle scene movimentate, piuttosto che in quelle statiche.
Rimarchevoli anche le interpretazioni di Kwon Yool e Park Hoon, ma in realtà tutto il cast ha recitato ben sopra il minimo edittale. Al netto delle immancabili forzature, sicuramente imposte dalla regia, e comunque recitate al meglio, il comparto recitazione è promosso in generale col massimo dei voti.
Molti personaggi, complice la lunghezza del drama, vengono abbondantemente sviscerati e assistiamo a crescite e cambiamenti importanti. Il re riesce alla fine a conquistarsi rispetto e appoggio anche dagli avversari politici, e non può che essere vero, perché altrimenti non sarebbe restato sul trono per 52 anni. Anche questo è motivo di grande soddisfazione nella visione del drama.
E che dire di ambientazioni e costumi? E’ una serie ad alto budget, e si vede. Il cast è numeroso, anche le scene di combattimento sono ben popolate, ma i costumi sono bellissimi, una vera gioia per gli occhi! Ottimi anche il comparto trucco e parrucco e la sapiente cinematografia, insomma, una festa visiva molto appagante.
Contribuisce all’ottima riuscita anche il commento sonoro, forte di alcune canzoni commoventi e, soprattutto, di diversi pezzi strumentali che ben sottolineano i vari momenti topici, e ce ne sono tanti!
In definitiva, un drama molto ben realizzato, che sarà maggiormente apprezzato da chi non comincia a dire che si annoia al decimo minuto del primo episodio: non è una serie per tutti, ma solo per chi apprezza l’intrigo intelligente, la costruzione lenta e sicura, il crescere di rapporti e amicizie.

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Classic in the making

Haechi is drama intense drawing in viewers with never ending, intrigue, action and plot twists of fighting and backstabbing. Never a dull moment. "Political" views seen by these factions are still relevant in today's society. Haechi most certainly stands along side classics such as Nirvana in Fire, which is one of my fav's.

The hero - Jung Il-woo's versatility and acting chops shine throughout this drama. I've seen some of his other works but this drama brings him to forefront. He should play more of these.

Hats off to the director, writers and other cast members whom also contributed to this well played period piece that carries us into the Joeson Era.

Deliciously evil is Jung Moon Sung - whoa I've worked in the psych ward and he definitely fit the bill !! His character did everything to appease his deranged father of becoming king or king material at least. This actor did extremely well in portrayed such a frayed persona. Loved Moon-soo and Dal-moon!

So I highly recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys historical shows

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