Starting off on the wrong foot, a collaboration to marry off Joseon’s famous spinsters commences a hard-to-pull-off mission in The Matchmakers.
Trademark historical drama mainstays such as political faction and Royal Family problems decorate the introductory chapters of the new KBS2 series.
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Opening Week Rating:
The Matchmakers Opening Week Story
A promising scholar, Sim Jung-woo has mapped out his career. After topping the scholar exam, he is poised to fulfill his dream of becoming a premier. However, his manifested dream did not materialize. Instead, he becomes betrothed to the princess. Pushed by his father and the faction they belong to, he reluctantly obeyed.
In a twist of bad fate, the princess fainted while they were doing the wedding ceremony and later died. Because of that, he became a widowed son-in-law of the Royal Family, forbidden to get married again or have a concubine.
8 years later, Jung-woo who yearly submits an appeal for his marriage to be annulled is known to be Joseon’s “man of pent-up frustration. He was suggested by the queen to solve the problem concerning the left faction’s opposition to the marriage ban to prepare for the sickly crown prince’s marriage.
He encounters Lady Yeoju at a bookstore when they have an intelligent verbal spat about an erotic book.
Experiencing chronic chest pain almost all his life, it strangely goes up to a different level so he seeks help from a doctor.
Told that he is suffering from cognitive dissonance because his beliefs do not match his reality, he goes to see Lady Yeoju whom he calls a peddler.
Worried that the bookstore might be in trouble upon learning that Jung-woo is Joseon’s notorious petition maker who can cause a business to close or a person to lose job, she takes charge of appeasing him.
Surprisingly, once alone with her, Jung-woo blurts that he has fallen for Lady Yeoju. But when he realized what he just said he retracted it right away.
Knowing it’s a waste of time to lengthen the conversation, she apologizes so she can leave the situation. With his chest pain gone, he sets forth with his lackey O-bong. However, he was taken to a cryptic place.
“I’m the most talented man in Joseon. Matchmaking would be easy.”
When he wakes up, he chides the abductor of the Joseon laws he broke. To his surprise, the king arrives and confronts him of contempt of throne for the appeals he made and for suggesting a solution that caused the crown prince’s marriage to be halted.
Making a proposal to solve the spinster and bachelor problem, Jung-woo sees an opportunity to pursue his dream of holding a government position anew.
His assignment from the king is to marry off his old teachers’ three daughters who are past the marrying age.
But his quest is not as easy as it seems. In Cognito, the king summons him for the ruckus he has been making to achieve his goal.
The wise king also advises him to not be too overconfident in his mission. He also gets a tip to collaborate with Lady Yeoju. At the same moment, the youngest Maeng daughter who is actually the famed writer Hwa Rok asks Lady Yeoju to matchmaker her sisters.
She reveals her true identity. Interestingly, she is also the writer of the popular erotic novel which caught Jung-woo’s attention recently. Hoping to get married, she can’t do that unless her older sisters get married first.
Promising to find the perfect man for her and her sisters, Lady Yeoju meets Jung-woo declaring her intention to marry off the Maeng sisters.
The Matchmakers Opening Week Musings
It might take a while for The Matchmakers to settle comfortably in the viewers’ system. But the characterization of Rowoon and Cho Yi Hyun are so far engaging.
Since period dramas typically deal with political struggles, the series is shaping up to have it as one of the watching points in the series. Still, the bulk of the narrative revolves around the 2-month quest of Jung-woo and Lady Yeoju to marry off the spinsters and bachelors.
This action aids the king’s desire to move for the crown prince’s wedding which the opposing factions keep delaying. Jung-woo is in a precarious position, having a father who leads the Left Faction and a proud scholar who loves following Joseon’s rules.
There are apparent moments when the storytelling is a bit offbeat but the 2nd episode of the launch week made up for its messy takeoff.
Follow the journey of Jung-woo and Lady Yeoju as they become agents of love in The Matchmakers. International fans can watch it on Viu!
Photos: KBS Drama
