The Crowned Clown (2019)

"I have fallen for His Majesty "

The Crowned Clown is a portfolio piece for Yeo Jin Goo. He carries the story with an electric energy held up by an excellent cast of staid supporting actors.

The drama feels like a theatre piece, as a viewer you are looking into a diorama. I really loved the costume of the clown, and how as a prop it also becomes a doppelganger.

The lasting message of the drama is a really powerful one- that despite having a generous and kind King everyone is still operating within a feudal system, that in itself is corrupt. So Ha Sun's dilemma about coveting the post is valid. His constant back and forth about wanting to be king- these monologues are performed really well. I don't think I have ever seen a British drama about Royal Family that looks at monarchy in a critical way like this- the dramas are usually about characters and their flaws rather than the system which influence them.

Yeo Jin Geo as King Yi Heon is so convincing as a gaslighter and menace that when I saw Yeo Jin Geo as Ha Sun I almost doubted his sincerity and innocence as a viewer. The actor moves between these extremes with such ease.
The arc with the queen is shown in a very sympathetic way. The journey of building trust is a slow one, Yoo So Woon is vulnerable but also holds her ground. She is no pushover and her quiet and dignified strength is complimented by Ha Sun's admiration for her.

I sometimes wonder if Yeo Jin Geo and Kim Min Jae should have acted in this because their vibes feel very similar and they almost look alike!

I love the running sound for the drama Before Fall Down, it's on my 2021 playlist.

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A clown rulling Joseon.

As the synopsis states, the drama flawlessly executes its plot with superb acting. The viewers' questions are thoroughly answered by the director. No coincidents are plotted here, and no cliches can be seen. What would happen if a commoner took the throne and what challenges he would face is something worth watching. I find this drama more accurate in its Joseon era genre. You will enjoy and be satisfied by Joseon era politics and romance between the king and queen.

The cast is worth appreciating. Yeo Jin Goo has done phenomenal acting. The twin roles are perfectly displayed. The acting style is enough to say how much effort he has given to his character. Lee Se Young (from the red sleeve) also perfectly played her character. And thanks to the plot here, she survived till the end, with a happy ending with the king.

Jang Young Nam is worth mentioning because the verstile actor has potrayed herself as the best anyagonist ever. She never fails to impress the people who watch her role. Surely an intriguing actress she is. Kwon Hae Hyo is also worth praising. Thanks to Enuch Cho (Jang Gwang) for giving us some laughs. 

Jump to the romance. It is up to the mark with a satisfying ending. No betrayals or bridge of lies have been built into the relationship. Until the very end, the romance plot and the political plot perfectly coincide.

The drama may come with some flaws, which I will not discuss because I want viewers to watch it for themselves and then decide. Viewers of Historical K Drama, on the other hand, should add this drama to their collection.

I have never felt this good after watching it. More Joseon era dramas are out there, but this one will be the best. 

The OST is well worth listening to.

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too much for the faint at heart

This is one series I cannot binge watch, it is just too heavy on the heart. The respite from all the intrigues and betrayal is just too short, the characters are tragic, even the protagonists didn't get to wallow in a much-deserved happy ending. Other side couple was given just as tragic an ending you'd wonder if life was really this cruel in that era. But the acting, direction and story were superb you'd invest heavily on the characters only to be dashed in the end.

Watch it because it is one story that has nuggets of wisdom despite it's grim perspective of the world reality. it may be set in some distant past but it lessons are as contemporary as today's headline.

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TRAGIC END OF A KING

He's a young ambitious King of mid-era Jeseon who went ballistic and over the edge from intense power struggle at the palace especially over the guilt for killing the rightful young heir brother. His dark mood, violence drive, and hatred made him enemies from all sides - he died from poison given by his most loyal and trusted minister. Such a tragic ending from a young King, there's no farewell, just died sad, scare, betrayed, in the beach alone. Warrant he's mentally sick and murderous he's still a King that demand utmost respect. Meanwhile a clown brought in to cover the absent King from duty, his job was to be poisoned and killed by the King's enemies - he's to become a substitute of King while the real one hide for his mental health. Not just he strives but also win the trust of many especially the queen as she started to fall in love to...the fake King - the Clown. He's constantly need advise from Chief Secretary, as an uneducated clown he knew nothing about politic, intrigue, people surround him, or read Hanja. He survive the ordeal intrigue around the palace, his heart is for the people, he makes right decisions with the advise from Chief Secretary.
The Dowager Queen wants him die for vengeance of her killed-young son (legitimate heir who's being killed by the real King), the Left State Counselor also wants him die because of greed and power.

While the King is vibrant and full of vitality, the Queen is kind of slow. The romance isn't appealing, I think the Queen spoiled it by acting too gloomy - she has to be forced to smile by a wish. If she's in love,her eyes says otherwise...her sad face isn't radiant like someone in love and she loves to be woo. She's 'cold' according to the real King (rightful husband)...but since the clown is good in wooing her...she felt for it. Well, when she finally find out about the secret, she's pissed.

I love Yeo Jin-Goo's acting. He can act as crazy maniac King and also as a tender heart-sweet gentle fake King. The loyal Chief Secretary is the main instigator of all...he loyalty to his King...he wants the King to love the people. He's the one who kills the young heir future King and kills the legitimate King..to choose fake King clown to ascent the throne. How twisted is his mind; he's wise, kind, considerate, but he also has 2 royal blood in his hand. I love Eunuch Jo - he's a good man - he tries to separate two lovebirds as morally they aren't truly husband & wife or love affair between a low born clown with high born noble Queen. Beside the Queen, I don't like Dal-lae character, sister of the clown, she'd be the dead of him.

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Good show

The show was well paced with a very well developed plot centered around political intrigue. All the male characters were interesting, and, thankfully there weren't any convoluted plotlines and cliche tropes. My favorite relationships were between Ha Seon and the Chief Royal Secretary, Eunuch Jo, Guard Jang, and the villains. However, the show should've gone without the romance.

This was probably the first drama where I couldn't care less about the romance. It felt like an afterthought. Nothing against the actors. Everyone did a great job portraying their characters. Big props to Yeo Jin Goo being so young but already so talented. He did a fantastic job playing two completely different characters. However, the romance was lacking. Yeo Jin Goo next to Lee Se Young looked like a younger brother rather than a romantic partner. Their relationship was completely uninteresting and the chemistry was bland.

The ending was odd. Ha Seon was "killed" by a bunch of thugs who supposedly wanted to avenge the queen dowager, following by a two year time skip just for him to return and reunite with the queen. Why? That was a stupid writing choice that contributed nothing to the plot but dragged the final episode and killed off some cool side characters, making it all about the boring romance story between Ha Seon and So Woon, which wasn't that much of a plotline to start with. The bromance between Ha Seon and the chief royal secretary was way more interesting.

Overall, the show had a few crappy writing choices, but other than that it was good. The story was about friendship, duty, country. If you are watching it for romance, you will be disappointed. The show would've been exponentially better without it, the messy ending, and unnecessary deaths of some really cool characters.

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I haven't watched Historical dramas before this one. I thought they would be more sophisticated so I can't relate with them. But, this is the first drama I have finished and loved it.

The main lead Yeo Jin Goo really did a great job in differentiating the characters. Even, while acting as clown, he made sure the emotions of clown in front of King is different.

Every supporting roles did great in acting. It makes you support them, miss them and also get angry on them.

I guess the OST in the whole drama increased the effect of scenes.

Getting revenge as well as taking care of problem by being responsible and making immediate decisions ... Clown proved that he can be King.

Just the ending of the drama feels like dragging.

It's a must watch.

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WOW I have to say, this show is an absolute MASTERPIECE.

After the explosive introduction in episodes 1 through to 4, the show was almost impossible to leave even when my daily routine wanted to interfere, and with some difficulty I have managed not to binge-watch the show overnight so far (even though I REALLY want to).

So when things seemed to go right, they suddenly spiral wildly out of control again after the 6th and 7th episodes, and in the best (worst) way possible.
Just a few minutes earlier, the Mad King seemed hopefully on at least a path to some sort of recovery or at least acceptance of his treatment to prevent his self-harm, the Clown King and the Chief Royal Secretary seemed to trust each other and take decisions based on a mutual understanding and vision. the Clown King had properly fallen for the Queen, who in turn seemed to have noticed a change of heart in the 'King' and fallen for him once again,

BUT even after I DESPISED the Clown King's sister when she made the foolish mistake of acting on her own and freed the Mad King from his confinement, as I reach episode 8 I have started thinking that maybe she unknowingly did the Palace heroes/conspirators a favour, because FINALLY now I think I can hope that the Clown King and the Royal Secretary can work together again into weeding out the real villains in the Palace.

This show has made me feel so damn empathetic towards each of our main characters, making me feel aggressive and drunk on power as the Mad King, helpless and frustrated as the Royal Secretary, and trapped and strong and willful and just as the Clown King.

I am so happy to see such a beautiful RANGE of characters from Yeo Jin Goo, absolutely SPLENDID as the sexy Mad King, and the cute yet strong Clown King.
Also REALLY enjoying Eunuch Jo and Chief Royal Secretary's performances, loving their building relationship and understanding with each other.

HOWEVER I am not a fan at all of the Queen's character/actress yet, which worries me as I am yet to see the much awaited 'Red Sleeve', and being a huge Lee Jun Ho fan I want to thoroughly enjoy it. But I hope I won't have to ignore the actress in it because I want to enjoy the romance T-T. This actress is NOT my cup of tea, in terms of acting skills and beauty both.

Anyway, I loved The Crowned Clown.

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What makes a man grow into a king

It was a glory to watch the journey of one man who owned nothing gradually turn into a King who makes one feel empowered.

To say the least, this one was one of the best dramas I've watched.

There were several drawbacks, unnecessary cliches, characters, and dare I say, unnecessary ends, but that will not stop me from standing by my previous statement. All because of how the story was told and the lead actor, who was phenomenal. (and only 20 at the time of filming. A shocker)

I felt the romance was nothing but a tiny trigger to the plot. Still, the most incredible relationship this show offers is one of trust and loyalty between the lead and their 'subjects.' There were times when I laughed because of the said 'relationships,' but they made me sob more.

I am glad I watched this, and it'll be a loss to pass it on without giving it a shot, so I urge anyone who reads this review to give it a go, and you will not regret it.

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Heavy in all the right places

This drama would make you keep on anticipating the next episode/s because of how heavy and intense the scenes are. I would always need time to pause before watching because it keeps me at the edge of my seat. Every episode has its own twist and when you thought it was over, another bomb would drop! It's just very well-written!

I can say, with full confidence, that this drama is a masterpiece! It will make you feel like you're reading a book with the amount of detail it gives you. The flow is truly astounding, you can feel how much care and thought the writer and director have given to produce this amazingly intricate and solid feast of a story. Everything is just beautifully laid out, the storyline is well put together and the production effectively executed! I am by no means despising how this drama played with my heart (with all its heart-stopping scenes), it's just such a beautiful experience!

Honestly, the journey towards the ending was a bit worrying and all the more excruciating as the story progresses even more profoundly...I kept on thinking how they would plan to end such a powerful story, but my worries were proven to be in vain, for this drama didn’t even give me any time to breathe! I could think of only one scene to make the ending better (for my preference) but other than that, I could say no more. One of the best storytelling done on screen!

P.s. I really think both the king and queen died in the end...the ending part was a bit of an open-ended one with how they played with bits of “dream-like” features for that last scene which suggested how it is possible that both have died and met each other at the after life (I prefer this though, making this drama an utterly beautiful tragedy)

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To start off the credit given to the whole team for this masterpiece is not enough. This drama centers around a man who is a clown given an opportunity to take the throne of an ailing king who looks exactly like him. The storyline of this drama is something that would be expected to be common or of normality but the way it was delivered and shaped in such a way to bring forth a masterpiece. To the screen writers who have thought and time to the drama, every word was perfect and in line with each moment, the cinematography in this drama is unbelievable has to be the best I’ve ever had the privilege of watching. The music intensified everything in such a way that every single scene is a breath holder, I held my breath 90% of this drama. And to Yeo Jin Goo who gave a phenomenal performance he has to be one of the best if not the best actors I have ever watched in a drama, the way he mastered dual personalities in the beginning of this artwork being able to bring to life the importance of the scenes to the audience has me lost for words. Why isn’t he in Hollywood? I don’t know but he should be though he’s so talented and I just don’t say that to anyone. This drama was to moving that I couldn’t bring out tears to justify my satisfaction and euphoria for it. If you want to watch this drama don’t even contemplate of stay to read this long ass review go watch it!!! Like NOW i swear you won’t regret any minute or second of these performances. I can’t believe this drama didn’t win anything how? Only God knows????

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Flawless drama

What a drama. Everything about it was flawless.

Plot is interesting from the very beginning; you don't even notice time passing considering almost all episodes have 75 minutes. Every episode ending was unexpected, I couldn't guess at all what was going to happen.

No complaints about the acting: Yeo Jin Goo played absolutely amazing; you could totally see from his look and intonation when he was playing Ha Seon or the king. Never saw a drama with Kim Sang Kyung before; he portrayed a great character but with flaws. Every character was memorable because of the hard work the actors put!

The OST was so beautiful.

I would rewatch this drama for sure, everything was on point.

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