Beginning its plot earnestly, The Red Sleeve amuses viewers with its portrayal of a perfectionist prince and a free-spirited court lady.
Lee Jun Ho and Lee Se Young bravely define a captivating start to their embrace of exceptional synergy and a blissful ambiance in a historical palace romance drama.
Opening Week Rating:
ms. sunshine watched The Red Sleeve on Viu.
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 – 06 | 7 & 8 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 & 15 | Finale Week + Review |
The Red Sleeve Opening Week Story
A young Sung Deok-im tells a frightening story to her fellow maids in order to earn money. However, she was apprehended with her friends by Court Lady Cho for violating palace rules. As a punishment, she was entrusted with visiting the pavilion where the Royal Noble Consort’s mourning is held.
While walking to the consort’s funeral, Deok-im became disoriented and began to feel apprehensive. Surprisingly, she encountered a young boy her age who is also afraid, but they eventually became companions on their journey to the same place.
On the other hand, after learning of his grandmother’s untimely death, Prince Lee San flees to see her one last time. The king forbade him from seeing his grandmother because he had borne a criminal son.
Consequently, he was consoled when he encountered Sung Deok-im, and the king surprisingly paid a visit to the late Consort Yeong.
Lee San escapes once more before the king reaches the room, but Deok-im is unable to go.
Interestingly, the king was pleased to meet Deok-im and, as a token of appreciation for her admiration for the late consort, he presented her with a book titled Moral Education for Women, which was penned by Consort Yeong herself.
Saving Prince Lee San From Dethronement
Upon learning that if the Crown Prince leaves the palace, she must also depart as his court maid, that is why Deok-im makes every effort to save the prince’s life. Unfortunately, she overhears someone saying that the prince read a forbidden book which will lead to his dethronement.
She immediately proceeds to the Prince’s library in pursuit of the book, and as the search team arrived, Deok-im tore the page containing the prohibited phrase and tossed it to Hong Deok-ro.
Sung Deok-im’s deed averted Lee San from being punished and dethroned. When the prince inquires about his friend Deok-ro, he simply informs him that he tore the page to save his life.
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A Bittersweet Fateful Reunion of Lee San and Sung Deok-im
Years later, Sung Deok-im (Lee Se Young) and Prince Lee San (Lee Jun Ho) both grew profoundly and met again in such an unfortunate circumstance. Considering a court maid is not allowed to see the prince’s face, Deok-im apologizes for accidentally pushing the prince and for his fall in the pond.
Meanwhile, Lee San has instructed Deok-im to compose an apology letter and deliver it to him within three days.
Lee San continues to decline her apology letter despite numerous efforts.
Furthermore, Sung Deok-im manages the Crown Prince’s library, where she meets Lee San, who poses as the prince’s lecturer.
The two did not have a favorable image of one another. Likewise, as they begin to spend more time together, the not-so-good impression of each other gradually fades away as the prince finds help from Sung Deok-im in resolving a palace crisis.
The Red Sleeve Opening Week Musings
The Red Sleeve encapsulates a historical palace romance drama centered on the poignant narrative between a prince who prioritizes the kingdom’s welfare and a court maid who wishes to protect her chosen life and has concisely laid the basis for the plot’s progress.
Notably, Lee Se Young, who has effortlessly dazzled and consistently stood up for her values, has added a great deal of grit to the series’ opening two episodes.
It’s difficult not to be impressed by Lee Jun Ho’s arrogant and cold portrayal of the prince, especially when he manages to demonstrate the fun side of Lee San, which makes the series more enjoyable to watch.
Moreover, having the “waist grasp scene” in the first episode serves as a sweet tease for the more heart-fluttering moments to come in the romantic sequences between Prince Lee San and Sung Deok-im.
Catch up on the latest episodes of The Red Sleeve on MBC!
Photos: MBC
