Red Sleeve (2021)

Refreshing Entry in the Sageuk Genre

As an avid sageuk watcher, I found "The Red Sleeve" to be incredibly refreshing — though it's a dramatization, there was a heavy sense of honesty infused into its direction sensibility. I appreciated how the writers didn't shy away from themes of power just to create a swoon-worthy rom-com. The passion in this drama is not so explosive, but quiet and sustained throughout. Some viewers may not find the drama very satisfying, as its not composed in very western story structures that we are used to. The story "The Red Sleeve" tells is holds ambiguity, spans generations, takes a practical approach to characterization.
To reference Ursula K. Le Guin's carrier bag theory of fiction, while most modern dramas we see are tales of hero's journeys and triumphant struggles, "The Red Sleeve" instead of a receptacle of true human experience. At times it can seem messy and aimless, but that is a true reflection of life, especially from the female gaze.
The acting in this drama was fantastic, especially with a surprisingly knock-out performance from Jun-Ho! The scores was also amazing as well. The cutting and cinematography was some of the best I've seen for TV.
I'll be honest: this isn't a drama that changes my world or lingers in my heart, but it opened my eyes to the types of narratives that we are allowed to have— that WOMEN are allowed to tell. And that is an empowering feeling.

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AMAZINGLY GOOD!!!

As all good stories go, it all started long ago when a woman, a court maid was jilted and scorned by her lover- the king, who chose another woman instead of her. The king was treacherous- he killed anyone who got in his way. He is also quite a dumb and temperamental king who lashes out in anger when he doesn’t get what he wants. He’s dumb because when something goes wrong, he doesn’t even know how to investigate properly. Lol..

Then you have the Crown Prince, who I suppose is still young and naive; what wants to do good and help the people. But he does not yet have the power and authority, therefore he is trapped in his own prison having to succumb to the will of the palace.

The road to the throne develops quite interestingly with a good steady pace. It wasn’t as evil- deceitful-betraying as Scarlet Heart Ryeo, and our crown Prince turns out to be a very good King. But as Lady Court Seo points out to the ever-lovable Royal Head Guard- “A good king does not necessarily make a good husband”.

First one third of the series had its funny moments, we learn that the FL Sung Deok-Im is a free-spirited, bright, intelligent woman who knows how to earn her keep. She and the ML crown Prince Yi San cross paths when they’re young, and then meet again 10 years later. Initially he is taken aback by her arrogance and boldness (because she didn’t know he was the crown Prince) but soon he starts to fall in love with her. Towards the middle, the story focuses more on the evil plots to prevent the crown Prince from advancing to the throne. And there’s one great fight scene(only one!) in episode 7. Then the last 3 episodes are all about the love and relationship between FL and ML.

How do I start to describe their relationship? It was doomed from the beginning? Either one party would not be truly happy because both had different destinies and both wanted different lives. HE loved her so desperately.. wanted to keep her by his side. SHE rejected him many times because she wanted her freedom, she didn’t want to be confined to the palace and not having him all to herself. It was truly truly very sad... The chemistry between both leads were very very good though, some sweet and gentle PDA scenes.

I did wish we could see more of their happiness towards the end. The last episode was just tragedy after tragedy.. my gosh. My heart couldn’t take it sob sob. [SPOILER: It was unclear though how both of them succumbed to illness and died?? I’m still trying to figure that out. And to lose their son as well... heartbreaking. END SPOILER]

Definitely a highly recommended watch. A tad too melodramatic for me... too much crying. Maybe a few more fight scenes and conspiracies would have been better lol. Well done to all the actors- they did such a good job! The OST was not as memorable for me... it didn’t have that one or two particular songs that moved my emotions.

I will end my review with a quote from the Queen Dowager- “The palace is a dazzling..... prison”.

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Good Enough

Korean Historical Drama "The Red Sleeve" is a drama that chronographs the stories two dominant characters.

First of all, the story doesn't overdo it with the romance. It doesn't add any unnecessary love triangle, doesn't alter the historical aspect of the drama to feat the romance's needs, it doesn't get boring or has cheesy tropes. It is a sensitive, subtle, often chaotic, love story that helps to have the two characters move forward and prompts their actions when it is needed.

That is evident by Deok Im's (the female lead) way of thinking. She is an independent woman who loves her freedom and fears that the prince's love will alter her life and her own self as well. She is afraid to lose who she is, and, as she puts it "The prince's life is precious, but my life more precious (to me)". All these, along with her aloof personality, strong energy, reckless behavior, fearless actions, and clever thinking, set her apart from the rest of the silly female characters that lose their own footing when they fell in love with the male lead.

The rest of the characters were delightful as well. Strong and often tragic, they were all great elements to a masterfully created puzzle. The performances were all great as well, and all the actors and actresses had interesting dynamics that worked to the drama's advantage.

As for the cinematography, it was brilliant and feated the drama perfectly. The first part was lighter, with brighter color and many funny scenes. The second part, on the other hand, was darker, with dimmer lights, murkier color palettes and more dramatic events that focused more on the political aspect of the story. The final part, however, was the weaker. It was hasty and didn't present the story as smoothly as it should, though the ending was fitting the mood of the drama.

So, overall, 9 out of 10.

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THE historical romance for 2021

A great drama from the start to the end. I'm not a big fan of historical dramas, but I'm not ready to forget these characters...

History may be fictionalized, but the reality (I should say "the cruelty") of the life of the king, of life at court, is so well described.
- Living in comfort, but with a lot of duties, conspiracies and court intrigues that the crown prince of Joseon has to face.
- Protocols and multiple games of influence, super well described.
- Point of view of a court lady (servant), the "little hands" of the palace, without rights, only duties!
- etc

The deep love between this king and this court lady is poignant, and even I, who don't get emotional easily, cried over the final episodes.

The actors are just wonderful. I understand that they received the MBC Drama Awards 2021 "Best Couple".

Multi-award-winning drama, rightly so:
-Best New Actor: Kang Hoon
- Best Scriptwriter: Jung Hae Ri
- Golden Acting Award: Lee Deok Hwa
- Top Excellence Actor Award (Mini-Series): Lee Junho
- Top Excellence Actress Award (Mini-Series): Lee Se Young
- Drama of the Year: 'The Red Sleeve Cuff'

Well, I'll make it simple: WATCH IT!!

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Drama that make my tear flow like a river

Before i watch the drama, I've read their history first and to understand what happened between Yi-San and Deok-Im.
After i done read their story, im sure this drama will make me cry, and yes im cry like a kid. This drama shown the real situation in palace. Got some dialogue said "palace is a dazzling prison".

So my advice to who want to watch this drama, read their story first and then you can get feel when you watch the drama.

Like:
Cast, story, production and music was top notched. The drama so beautiful and emotional to watched.

Dislike:
This drama should be at least 20 episodes..

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Best Historical Drama I've ever watched!

Never liking any historical drama before unless the actors are all my top list or the story is solely romcom without political war (somehow impossible for saeguk drama), but yeah usually watched it only for my favorite actors. Usually drop any historical/saeguk drama after a few episodes, but this one is a total exception. Leaving you curious on how the love story will unfolds.

This was based on true story and previously released novel, and I can say this is the most beautiful historical drama in my opinion. The story is deep and the chemistry is on point. Not to mention the roller coaster emotional ride each episode brings you is on another level.

Lee Jun Ho and Lee Se Young absolutely aced this role perfectly. Chemistry is not something you need to ask, and how they portray each role is definitely gorgeous. There is also the famous Lee Deok Hwa to help the series boost and several new rookie stars such as Kang Hoon, that you will also enchanted to as the beautiful Hong Deok Ro.

The OST is beautiful as well, as I usually don't really like historical OST because of too historical, yet these music hits differently.


It's a must watch 2021 drama for me and I'm not regretting any single second I invest on them for both the series and the talk show they had as for having a high rating.

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Crouching Prince... Hidden Maiden

When I absolutely love a K-drama I wait before I write a review. The reason I do this is I know repeated viewings often change my opinion of the drama after the newness has worn off. For this reason, I waited a LONG time before writing my review for The Red Sleeve. I wanted to see if once the newness wore off I would feel the same, and I am happy to say after repeated viewings I still love "The Red Sleeve".

Seriously, there is just so much to like in this drama. The music is sublime The scenery is vivid and stirring. The acting takes you to another level, and the chemistry between the ML and FL is so potent you will feel it!!! Particularly, the scene where Jun Ho confronts Doek Im in a fit of jealous rage in the library. That scene set the internet on fire because it was 🔥🔥🔥 Seriously the chemistry between Jun Ho and See Young was so potent I frequently rewatch that scene for the buzz of their chemistry.

But... what makes this drama great is the addition of other fine actors who fill their roles capably and evoke presence and gravitas when they are on your screen. Lee Doek Hwa is a joy and terror to watch. Jang Hee Jin is powerful, while being understated in her role as Queen. Plus, the humorous presence of other side characters, like Doek Im's friends and the Prince's scheming aunt--who gets the shit slapped out of her--makes this a joy to watch on several levels.

One of the beauties of The Red Sleeve is it played up the dramatic politics of the women within that era while never overshadowing them with larger male-dominated political plots. You understand why every character does what they do because there are no villains or heroes. It's just people trying to live and love as best they could during a very turbulent period.

Is "The Red Sleeve" perfect? NO...it's not, but it's damn near perfect, and entertaining on so many levels that it is worth your time, and I highly recommend it.

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I wish they showed more of her reign after getting pregnant.

The chemistry in the first few episodes was really fluffy, I was surprised how dark it quickly went midway through. The middle arcs where they were trying to beat the opposing factions were a bit dragged. I wish they cut down those parts and instead prolonged the time when she was finally a concubine.

I also got a little annoyed at how much the FML kept refusing the ML's proposals. She's a court maid and it's part of her job to satisfy the needs of their king. not to mention they like each other anyway. She said she didn't wanna share her man's heart but she's a court maid and she's gonna be there forever anyway. might as well get a promotion and have a family.

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LE drama de l'année

Ce drama, tiré d'un roman et surtout relatant une histoire vraie, marquera longtemps mon esprit.
Tout était à la perfection, à mes yeux : déroulé, costumes, décors, extérieurs..
Et un jeu d'acteurs absolument merveilleux, pour tous.
Lee Jun Ho et Lee Se Young étaient hors concours, tellement ils se sont approprié leur rôle.
Je suis sûre que Yi San et Deok Im les marqueront longtemps; on ne sort pas indemne de tant d'émotions.
La première partie de l'histoire, racontant la rencontre de nos deux héros, enfants puis adultes, était émaillée de moments légers et drôles.
La forte personnalité de Deok Im nous est révélée très tôt, alors qu'elle n'est qu'une toute jeune court lady.
Yi San est encore un petit garçon sensible, bien que déjà très courageux.
La deuxième partie, plus tendue, m'a fait traverser toutes les émotions possibles et inimaginables.
Je me suis posée tant de questions, fait tant de réflexions...
Bien sûr, j'avais fait quelques recherches et connaissais, dans les grandes lignes, la vraie histoire. Je savais donc quelle tournure allaient prendre les évènements.
Mais il n'empêche...
J'ai compris les hésitations de Deok Im, son besoin de garder un semblant de contrôle sur sa vie , mais à un certain point, je me disais que finalement, même après qu'elle ait accepté d'être la concubine royale, ni elle, ni le roi, n'ont été véritablement heureux; elle, parce qu'elle se sentait piégée dans ce rôle; lui, parce qu'il souffrait de ne pas savoir si elle l'aimait vraiment... même un peu.
Par dessus tout cela, la mort du petit prince héritier a ouvert le bal, de chagrin en chagrin.
Ce n'est qu'au moment de s'éteindre que Deok Im dit enfin à son roi, qui lui demande encore une fois "m'as tu aimé, au moins un peu", que oui, elle l'aime ("pensez-vous que j'aurais accepté d'être avec vous si je ne vous aimais pas?")
J'avoue que, même en étant préparée, imaginer la solitude et la souffrance du roi après la mort de son seul amour, ma foi, c'était dur.
D'autant qu'elle venait de lui demander de l'ignorer et de lui laisser vivre sa vie s'ils se rencontraient dans une vie future. Avec ça, c'est le pompon.
Un autre grand moment qui mord le coeur, c'est lorsque le roi décide d'oublier Deok Im, pour pouvoir avancer.
On sait, bien sûr, qu'elle est toujours là, blottie au fond de lui, mais tout de même.
Etre le père d'une nation, ce n'est pas chose simple : à peine sa bien-aimée a t-elle disparue que le voilà tenu d'accepter une nouvelle concubine, raison d'état oblige.
La fin, que j'ai trouvée bien amenée, m'a cependant laissé un goût doux amer... il est évident que nos coeurs souhaitent les voir réunis dans l'après vie, mais je ne me sens pas sereine pour autant.
Avez-vous remarqué le rappel de ce moment où, alors qu'ils étaient au début de leur "relation de couple", il se réveille d'un somme qu'il a fait sur les genoux de Deok Im, avec une expression tourmentée, comme les prémices de ce qui arriverait par la suite ? On retrouve cette scène dans l'épisode final.
Je sais que beaucoup ont trouvé le roi égoïste; il le dit lui-même quand il est sur le point de perdre la femme qui a marqué sa vie, il regrette de l'avoir poursuivie et d'être la cause de son malheur; mais je préfère m'attarder sur le fait qu'il a fait d'elle son centre absolu et que elle seule pouvait se permettre de contester ses décisions.
J'ai, en outre, adoré le lien fort de Deok Im avec ses trois amies, toutes les quatre se protégeant et se soutenant, quoiqu'il arrive.
Le sort de l'une d'elle, mise à mort parce qu'elle avait eu une relation avec un homme dépeint bien cette merveilleuse époque (!), et surtout cet enfer que devait être le palais, avec ses règles rigides.
La reine douairière Kim exprime d'ailleurs ce sentiment d'extrême solitude, dans ce palais désagréable. Quel destin fut le sien, mariée à 15 ans à un homme beaucoup plus âgé qu'elle.
"Vous qui entrez ici, abandonnez toute espérance" (l'Enfer, de Dante Alighieri)

Pour moi, c'est la note maximale de 10, sans aucun doute, pour ce drama et ce, même si nous n'avons eu droit qu'à peu de moments heureux, le décès du prince héritier arrivant tellement vite, sans qu'on l'ait vu grandir. Mais je suppose que c'était une décision réfléchie, le drama se concentrant sur les étapes les plus marquantes de la vie du couple principal.

Au final, si la réincarnation existe, et bien que la Deok Im de la fiction ait souhaité le contraire, j'espère que les vrais personnages de cette histoire ont pu se retrouver et vivre une belle vie heureuse... ("Si je n'étais pas une dame de la cour et si vous n'étiez pas roi ?...)

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Too perfect that it hurts

The drop in 0.5 is my hate for this drama for it showed brute reality of patriarchy. I know it is a meaningless gesture, as meaningless as Sung Duk Im's perseverance of not confessing her true feelings till death. But that's what kept her going. That's how much I understand and empathize with this character.
The drama starts as romance and slowly shifts gear to political. It is like every other saeguk at this point. Star crossed love between crown prince of nation and bright court lady, after numerous trials and tribulations get to be together and live happily ever after. Well that's what I expected. Then melodrama has entered the conversation. The true brilliance of this drama lies ahead. Happily ever after has different meaning for everyone. As for Sung Duk Im, it is in transcribing books, reading stories to others, spending time with her friends and living a commoner life. She always feared change. All her fears came true when she was forced to be a concubine.
The perfect crown prince who everyone looks up to found solace in his loyal servant. Despite his continuous efforts and genuine feelings, he was rejected time and time again. I was growing impatient as to what's stopping her, do something, make her yours even by force. That's where it all went wrong. My patriarchal mindset got the better of me. The moment she was forced, I lost any hope for happy ending.
Marriage is shackles and palace, the safest place in the kingdom, is prison for women in patriarchal system.
Ending with my favourite dialogue by Sung Duk Im "His highness is dear, but myself is dearer. So I'll never drive myself into pain"

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Good beginning... Terrible ending...

The obviously overrated marks made me give this one an opportunity... And now I'm totally disappointed.

If this series had ended on ep 16, it would have a good ending... but no... they had to destroy it all along with my feelings.

Seriously, if it wasn't for the first half of the episodes this whole series would be a complete waste of time.

Starting with the childish, prideful and unreasonable FL. Her decisions don't make any sense, there are countless times when she behaved frustratingly selfish and puts everybody in danger. She makes the ML look like a fool in many occasions and I truly pitied him all the time.

There is an amount of pointless suffering and plot holes that makes you wonder if the script writer even cared about the audience.

IF YOU TRUST THE ALL THE HIGH RATINGS LIKE ME AND GIVE THIS ONE A TRY, JUST REMEMBER THAT I HAVE WARNED YOU FIRST!

You'll cry rivers, if you like suffering, great! But it doesn't mean every body does...

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Solid (and romantic) historical drama!

The RED SLEEVE
Every part of this show is working hard. The cinematography, lighting, costumes, acting, direction and script are all ranging from solid to great. The episodes are addictive. The characters feel real and three dimensional. Their relationship feels authentic and full of tension. They have great chemistry. Overall, I have to recommend it to people, and I think it probably is the best historical drama I've seen in years.

I think the show is doing two things simultaneously, and those things sometimes clash and sometimes work together to create really juicy layers for the story. On the one hand, this is a historical romance, plain and simple. Two beautiful people who have fallen in love. It's idealistic, satisfying for the audience, full of really romantic moments. But the show is also tackling the power imbalance inherent in their relationship, and how that shapes the story. Historical dramas love to have a 'spunky female lead' but what are the actual implications of that with regards to the time period, women's roles, love, and the palace? I think it's a very compelling and unrepresented question, but it doesn't always make for an entirely... satisfying viewing experience.

For the first 9 or 10 episodes this story is trucking along in full blown romantic drama territory. History, but with all the trappings, tropes and viewer expectations of a drama. They save each other, the female lead causes trouble and gets out of trouble with few consequences, the male lead is smitten with her but she isn't so easy to catch. It's very well executed, super entertaining, and the right mix of emotionally deep and satisfying fun. During this time, the female lead states that she doesn't want to be a concubine, and older court ladies warn against her future should she end up with the king, but we see it as the necessary cold feet that will eventually be resolved by love — a mere storytelling plot device. These very serious concerns of autonomy, purpose, freedom and sense of self will be magically soothed by the balm of true love. Right???

But that is not what the drama is interested in doing. Instead, we see that once he becomes king her refusal is in earnest. He loves her, but he won't force her; and she loves him but doesn't want to be trapped by him. And we see THAT situation, where nobody could ever really win, get played out to its full extent.

The ending was tough not so much because it was tragic, but because it showed the real life consequences of their love story. What would actually happen if this independent, free-spirited woman became the king's concubine? They love each other, but all along she has been worried that if she becomes his consort she will lose everything and be trapped. And guess what? She does lose everything. Herself, her friends, her purpose, her son, and her life. When they reunited in episode 15, I felt like somehow the problem was solved because they had reconciled and they loved each other. But the show doesn't give us that. Instead it shows us that their relationship was never going to be a balanced, loving relationship. How could it be? He is a king and she is a concubine, there to serve him. They can never escape it. She never even really truly tells him that she loves him.

After she becomes his concubine, she says that sometimes she wishes that they were just two ordinary people. She wonders what life would be like for them if they could just live normal lives together. He says that he can't imagine, that he's never thought about it. While I know it has always been on her mind. I think that is one of the most tragic moments in the drama, right at the end, when you realize that it can’t have a happy ending. They will forever be separated. The ending isn't some cheap tragic nonsense they tacked on at the end to make it seem significant, like she suddenly dies and that's the sad ending, or he goes crazy and kills her. No, you realize that all along, this romance that you've been rooting for has been inherently flawed. They can never be happy together in this life. The power of love will never make them equals. She is trapped forever, and she will never be free. And he loves her and cannot let her go.

It’s for this reason that I think the actual final scene of the drama is a cop-out. It ends with the King reuniting with her (is it reality? Is it a dream? Is it the afterlife?) and they hug each other. In this place — wherever it is — she is smiling happily, waiting for him. It frustrated me that the drama ends with this vision of her, rather than following her request that in another life, if he sees her he should pretend he doesn’t know her.

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