tvN’s Mr. Queen is a sure way of getting your healthy dose of laughter and tears – a chaos that we did not expect, but we surely appreciate.
- Main Cast: Shin Hye Sun | Kim Jung Hyun | Choi Jin Hyuk (cameo)
- Supporting Cast: Bae Jong Ok | Kim Tae Woo | Seol In A | Na In Woo
- Streaming Site: Viu
- Thrill/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- Kdramas of Similar Vibe: Secret Garden | Love in the Moonlight | Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo |
hyorifeels watched Mr. Queen on Viu
Mr. Queen Quick Plot Recap
A life without women is Casanova’s worst nightmare. Except for Blue House Chef Jang Bong Hwan (Choi Jin Hyuk), the nightmare came in a different form.
After being involved in a work scandal, which led to a freak incident, he found himself waking up in the body of Kim So Yong (Shin Hye Sun), soon-to-be queen of King Cheoljong (Kim Jung Hyun).
There, he on the she-form started getting tangled up with the complicated world of courtly politics and some romance, while hilariously doing his utmost best to return to his original body and world.
Mr. Queen Peak Points *Spoilers Ahead
From Mr to Queen
Bong Hwan’s eccentric behaviors and slang language while on So Yong’s body are comical. What makes it even funnier is the mental breakdown that it brings to the rest of the characters, particularly to Court Lady Choi and to the Queen’s assigned palace maids.
Shin Hye Sun did a great job in establishing the difference between her portrayal of Jang Bong Hwan and of Kim So Yong, proving that she has a natural knack for comedy roles, too.
Multilayered King
King Cheoljong may seem like a typical Puppet King, except that he is more. It was satisfying to watch his journey and his growth, from being a laughingstock to a man who openly fights for his vision of a better Joseon.
Kim Jung Hyun was a spectacular fit for the role, if not the best. He has a dry wit style of acting on funny moments which is extremely endearing, and he can also switch to an intense and authoritative aura if that is what the scene requires.
Little Miss(ter) Queen’s Kitchen Adventures
Once a chef, always a chef. Every now and then, Bong Hwan’s cooking skills rise to the occasion. The iconic ‘MacDuNalDu’ meal that he (she) served on the royal banquet will always remain as one of my personal favorites in the K-Drama world.
Relationship Dynamics
Loyalty is a definite and consistent theme in the drama. Loyalty out of personal gain or motive, loyalty out of genuine support for a mutual cause, loyalty out of raw affection. You name it, the drama has it.
That being said, we cannot deny that the No Touching Couple shined more brightly because of the on-point performance of the supporting casts. From the new gem Na In Woo, to the seasoned actress Bae Jong Ok, to the rest of the drama cast lineup, each performance helped on producing a complete flavor for Mr. Queen.
Mr. Queen Series Musings
This is the part where you might start to wonder, why give 4 out of 5 stars for the thrill/addictive meter and overall ratings?
Despite the solid storyline, stable acting from the casts, and picturesque shooting locations, there is one thing that bothered me. Most historical dramas, when tinged with politics, can turn into drag, and that is the case here too.
Especially when it started to overshadow one of the initial story predicaments, which is how will Bong Hwan return to his original body ( or will he even be able to do so? ). This concern was neatly wrapped up at the end too, so, still, all is well.
Still, I highly recommend Mr. Queen, for it is a complete package. This is the type of drama that can give you resonating feels, especially at times where a little humor is needed to lighten up your day.
The OSTs are on a different level too! Ranging from catchy to heart-fluttering, each of the songs is worth listening to. Also, three special episodes were showcased in Mr Queen: The Bamboo Forest. Not behind the scenes, but snippets of the characters on their “normal palace life”.
Photos: tvN
Words on this review are written by hyorifeels.
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