And let's watch Historical Shall We! When you say Historical or Historical with Fiction it means this drama will slightly give you a glimpse that the ending wouldn't be as happily ever after like it is when it comes to romantic comedies.
Let's dive in!
Mr. Sunshine. When Mr. Sunshine first aired, I SKIPPED it, because of it's slow phasing (well historical dramas are really like that), I wasn't attracted to it at first so, I totally skipped it.
But quarantine happened. So I sat down with my mom and viewed the drama as if I was in history class. Flashback to Joseon 1871, the story started with a slave boy Yoo Jin, whose parents died in the hands of their master, was followed by slave hunters, went to a potter shop and met a potter who asked an American to bring the boy to America.
Yoojin, translated into his English name Eugene, suffered bullying as a child. But when he saw soldiers walking through the city he told himself that "this is how I will become an American"
Meanwhile, Joseon, it's a revolution between Koreans and Koreans being sold to the Japanese. A baby girl Ko Ae Shin was saved and grew up to be a curious young lady who wants to fight for democracy ever since the Japanese came to take over Joseon.
Story
It was quite confusing during the first few episodes that I needed to rewind or pause the subtitles to completely get a grasp of the story. During the first episode since it's an introductory episode, the story couldn't grasp my attention but as the series progress especially when they did a flashback during the 1871 Shimingayo event (United States Expedition in Korea or Western Disturbance), my historical brains just couldn't get off that gosh I needed more!
Characters
I love how each portrayal was created by the actors and the actresses. The series also engage in women's empowerment! Women making a stand not only for themselves but for the people that surround them. What I specifically love about the characters is their portrayal of different nationalities (Korean, Japanese and American). The characters started having a different path but ended up having the same agenda towards the end.
Eugene Choi - A Korean slave who witnesses the murder of his parents, managed to escape his motherland and become American only to return back from his old home as a captain of the US Marines
Ko Ae Shin - A noble lady who parents are a part of Korea's Righteous Army, who grew up to be very smart and secretly trained to become a sniper and just like her parents she became a part of the Korea's Righteous Army. She would do anything for the love of her country.
Goo Dong Mae - A son of a butcher who went to Japan after his mother told him to runaway from them. He was feared by the people in Joseon, as he was a part of Musin Society which is a part of the Yakuza group because of his great Samurai Skills.
Kim Hee Sung - A son of the Noble family who studied in Japan and was considered as the second wealthiest next to the emperor. He uses his pen as his weapon and proves to the viewers just like Jose Rizal used to say that the pen is mightier than the sword.
Kudo Hina - A beautiful lady who owns Western Glory Hotel who was sold to a Japanese by her father when she was younger.
Romance
I love how the romance was dwell in the series. Like you don't need some touchy feels, or intense love affair to say that it's romance. But with few gestures, from giggles to letters to sad goodbyes and to longingness from one another showed up one beautiful romantic story.
Of course when there's romance the bromance would totally be there as well. I just love the combination of Eugene CHoi, Go dong Mae and Kim Hee Sung, whenever the three men share the scene comedic chaos just happens naturally.
Verdict
STREAM IT! The drama gave me a huge twist like I knew it was coming but I didn't know it's going to be this Big! The story showed patriotism that made me remember this one line in a Filipino Historical Movie Heneral Luna that when you're in love with someone who fights for the country you become the mistress of that man or woman because his first love is the country and the second is you.
Beautifully Orchestrated Drama that gives you a slice of history, a little bit of romance, friendship, and love for the country.
Six Flying Dragons.
Another drama that pins from the soul of your heart. This time let's go back to the founding days of Joseon and the end of Goryeo.
I skipped this drama too before because HAHAHAHA, but now I stream it with endless love for history.
Story
Six Flying Dragon's is actually based on the story of Lee Bang Won and his Ambitious Journey to the throne as the third King of Joseon, but of course, before slipping through the episodes of the drama, I just did some reading here and there about the real history of Lee Bang Won.
Characters
The Six Flying Dragons.
Jeong Do Jeon/Sambong - 1st Dragon (Philosopher Dragon)
From his character introduction, you know that this man had bright ideas for the kingdom of Joseon. He wanted so much more for his country to live in a way where everyone is uniquely equal. He believed in a country without any corruption, social statuses, and a country for the people and it's people. There are just some episodes that I get confused with his own desires (is it really for the people? he was already inside the government by do the common people suffer? I thought it was for them) and wishes for the country but in the end, he really wants the best not for himself but for Joseon People.
Lee Bang Won - 2nd Dragon Scholar King Dragon
This kid actually grew up to be strong-willed and had a sense of justice and had the ambition towards power. From his bloodthirst when he was younger (act of revenge)to his fickle-minded and agitated decisions, you know that as the series push through his totally up to no good. It may be his story but his actually the main protagonist everywhere! From his obsession to power, his schemes, his selfishness everything he does is basically an Anti-Hero!
Lee Seong Gye - 3rd Dragon General Dragon
He is Lee Bang Won's father. The beloved general of Goryeo. He is actually the one that Jeong Do Jeon wants to be king. His principles and his commitment towards his troops make him the candidate Jeong Do Jeon Picture. He may not agree with Sambong's principles sometimes but in the end, their paths leads to one thing which is the betterment of the people of Goryeo and soon Joseon.
Boon Yi- 4th Dragon Peoples Dragon
Boon Yi is the perfect representation of the common people in Joseon. Despite the obstacles she had to endure, she remained strong inside and out and had shown kindness throughout the whole series. She was the light in every dark tunnel they have come across towards the "New Goryeo". She has the purity in her soul that every moment is precious and wonderful.
Ddang Sae/ Lee Bang Ji. 5th Dragon Ninja Dragon
He is Boon Yi's older brother, he started to be a shy yet sweet child during his younger years, and his source of strength is his younger sister. But his childhood years had changed him when he witnesses his first love brutally raped right before his very eyes and he couldn't do anything to save her because he was young and felt weak. Fast forward to his adulthood, to avenge what had happened to his young love, he was taken care of by an elder and was trained to become a swordsman and later he became Lee Bang Ji (his name was named after Lee Seong Gye's family) one of the greatest swordsmen in Goryeo.
Moo Hyul - 6th Dragon The Giant Warrior
He was introduced as the 6th dragon at the later part of the series. Moo Hyul was like joy to your TV screens. He brings laughter and so much love in the series. I kinda feel like Moo Hyul is like Lee Bang Won's Purity (the symbolism of Lee Bang Won's child like naiveness). It felt like whenever Lee Bang Won did something ridiculous, he was always reminded by Moo Hyul's words about finding the joy in making others happy. But when he followed Lee Bang Won's direction, he didn't expect that Politics is not just about succeeding people's heart but politics is treacherous, blood sickening and depths of selfishness and obsessions with power.
Romance
There are only subtle parts of romance throughout the series because it's plot was about politics and ambitions. Boon Yi and Lee Bang Won's Loveline is like the love between two different worlds. They love and liked each other but the two of them decided to pursue two different paths in their lifeline, that even if their moments together seem like to have an expiry date, those were the moments they truly cherish and will never be forgotten.
Another romantic tale in the series was Ddang Sae and Yeon Hee. I was rooting for the both of them ever since they had crossed each other's path in the field. Ddang Sae knew it was her, (his young love). He didn't care much about politics but when he finds out that Yeon Hee even her sister was a part of Sambong's supporters, he supported them and joined them as well. But then again, their happily ever after was cut short when they finally professed their love for one another.
Verdict
Again STREAM it! I enjoy every inch of the drama my emotions were wailing that I couldn't even understand if I'm happy about it or not! It was bloody mental! Especially during the last few episodes, why does it have to be that way! Why do people need to fight or kill just to prove to another that they are stronger, wiser,or even better than a person?
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung
From Sad Tragic Historical Dramas to Light Romantic and Comedy Drama, say hello to Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung. I remember dropping this drama after Episode 4 and I don't even know why! I really enjoyed the first four and my happiness couldn't be contained but yeah there are other dramas that came out so I dropped this. But here I am revisiting the memory of the rookie historian.
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung reminded of the Kdrama Tale of Nokdu. The series is very funny, that my laughter was consistent till the end of the drama.
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung is set in the 19 century of Joseon.
Cast
Shin Se Kyung as Goo Hae Ryung - One of the first female historian. Just like Kim So Hyun, Shin Se Kyung really shines in Saeguk Dramas! I really like her character from the start till the end! She always stood up on her own beliefs, opinions and she also stood up for others as well. She's very affectionate and would love to deal with things in earnestly and would explain matters as smoothly as possible and would accept things if she was wrong. Not just that! She's very funny too!
Cha Eun Woo as Prince Do Won Yi Rim - the secret writer of his own time (hihihi). Okay so one of the main reasons why I watched and rewatched the series was because of Cha Eun Woo. I really loved him on Gangnam Beauty and him being Yi Rim was a bit of a twist because he is on his goofy side but there are some instances in his delivery that I still don't think he had really delivered but Cha Eun Woo had given many ounces of sympathy in his character. He seems so lost in his role as a prince that he find joy in writing and escaping through the castle walls and of course falling for the girl he really love.
Park Ki Woong as the Crown Prince Jin - I started watching Cha Eun Woo but fell in love with the Prince hahaha hahaha.... The last time I have seen Park Ki Woong was in the Cheese in The Trap movie and he gave a different aura on this one. His character may seem intimidating, his gazes may taunt you like if he looks at you fiercely it means something is not going to be good but on the other side, he's a sweet older brother who loves his brother so much that his willingness to do anything for the sake of his younger brother.
Lee Ji Hoon as Officer Min Woo Woon - He's the second, second lead almost everywhere and I love watching him on Tv Screens. He became one of my favorites because of Cool Kiz! His character started to be a bit strict but as the drama progress, you'll get to see his character being peeled off and you get to understand his character bit by bit. You can also see his agony as a son of one of the heads in the Royal Court at the same time a well-mannered and man of dedication and resilience.
Romance
I like how cutesy their romance was, I really like their chemistry especially Shin Se Kyung! She's super cute in the way she confesses her feelings to the prince! ahhahahaha... From the moment I saw their posters I really felt like watching a fairytale OH GOSH THEIR EXTREME VISUALS! :)
Verdict
I also love how their friendship blooms and how they blended with their seniors and how they are one for all, all for one!
The only thing that I didn't like in the drama was that I felt like the drama was cut through especially when you didn't know what really happen to Officer Min (Min Woo's father), I was expecting that the Queen Dowager and the Crown Prince have some grandmother grandson heart to heart talk, because it felt like it was cut off (it's just me), or what happen to the king afterward (we all knew that the Crown Prince is taking over).
The Humor
Okay I would be lying if I didn't laugh out loud watching this drama. From start to finish I was laughing! I am really a laugher ahahhaha I laugh at the smallest funniest things, I never care if it was corny or super used as long it made my heart happy I am for laughs! And my favorite character would be this ahjussi! I watched him in Warrior Baek Dong Soo and he lights up the mood there too, but this time he was the fun in the drama including the two court ladies :)
STREAM IT GUYS! If you're into light dramas and historical, this one is for you!
