The Forbidden Marriage

The camera angles in the beginning are just mind-blowing. I've never seen anything aside from a music video filmed like that. The introduction to the show had me hooked immediately. A spunky female street-rat lead with her stand-in father-like figure who can often see the future are where this story starts. Alongside it is a king who cannot sleep or eat well after the death of his first and only wife. As others are known to say, 'misery enjoys company' and within this time an marriage ban is enacted. No physical contact, no flirting, no love letters, nothing to do with love is permitted. The people of this Joseon romp are in a quiet uproar, holding hands in secret, and asking for compatibility tests is hugely against the law.

However, not for the female lead, So Rang. After being thrown in prison for being an underground matchmaker, she pretends to be able to conjure up spirits of those passed away. The King keeps her by his side due to wanting to stay close to his deceased bride, but soon after -- love sparks between the two of them.

With hilarious AND serious side stories, and your typical second male lead falling head over heels for the female lead -- the comedic timing and filming are to be enjoyed. Think of it like the MacDonald's of kdramas. It may not be particularly healthy to binge watch an entire 12+ hour show, but I guarantee it's filling, enjoyable, and you may only feel a little sick afterward. Lol

The actors are great -- I truly think that the head eunuch, the old man psychic, and the lead bad guy stole the show at points, but the chemistry between the king and So Rang was good. The sets are stunning and the rooms, WOW, just beautiful. I loved the costuming, and it was the perfect length. Not too long, and just long enough to get the story out without ruining it.

I enjoyed the whole show and definitely would suggest it to anyone looking for a fun, not accurate-at-all kind of historical drama. Enjoy it for the modern speech, the jokes, the romance, the serious storyline that is easy to handle because it's obvious, and hilarious awkward moments. It has a happily ever after -- so enjoy to your hearts content.

Kim Young-dae is an amazing actor, expressive, with eyes that take you on a journey. In this series he gave it his all but it wasn't enough to show that his potential is greater..With a mediocre script, bad direction, silly humor, and a partner who had no chemistry, the result was ZERO!! For God's sake, who had the idea to cast Park Ju-hyun as (Ye So-rang?)Yes, she is a very good actress,but for a different type of partner and in a different style of series. I'm surprised that such a childish series has such high ratings. Unfortunately, a series is not judged on merit but on fanaticism. I personally saw the ratings and watched it,but I was so bored and tired that I couldn't believe that Kim Young-dae accepted such a childish role..The lead actress was more suited as a couple with the second male role.

A costume drama in which a king Lee Heon played by Kim Young-dae has introduced a countrywide marriage ban after the death of his wife by suicide, which he thinks could be murder and is still haunted by apparitions. Into his life comes Ye So-rang played by Park Ju-hyun who pretends to be a shaman to rid him of his nightmares so she can get the ban lifted after seven long years. Entertaining story which is vey well acted and is based on a webtoon which adds to its quirkiness and humour in the directors approach to translating the story onto film. I would rate it as 8.5 as the acting of Park Ju-hyun is superb particularly as the shaman.

I watched this for recommendations based on how funny it was. I do have to say that it still unfortunately falls into the slump of many similar Joseon dramas... once happy-go-lucky characters crying every other episode towards the latter half due to murder plots and class differences. Thankfully the ending was actually pretty happy with a minimal amount of death. However, I don't think it lived up to the hype I had for it. The first 3 episodes are the best of the series because of how lighthearted and comedic they are, and after episode 6 it slows down considerably in pacing and loses its charm. I just want one Joseon drama where there are no villains and it's pure happy-go-lucky cuteness and comedy!

Probably the most enjoyable show I've ever watched. It had a mix of everything I love in a story; fast paced, great character development, a happy ending but a good amount of angst throughout, sexy and intimate but also genuinely heartwarming and hilarious. You will fall in love with every character and it has a really nice lighthearted tone and wholesome vibe, and a modern sense of humour despite being having a historical setting. The acting is pretty great throughout (great eye candy too if you're into that) and the female character is a standout; a layered, flawed, and sassy woman. The final episode is a bit lukewarm but not in a big way and it was an excellent journey. One of the few Kdramas I have watched out of many that I would confidently recommend and rewatch as it's just a great time!