Queenmaker

I liked the sound of the plot and the series had some very good reviews so I decided to give it a go. After a slowish start, with the scene being set, the drama, skulduggery, Intrigue, mayhem and more began. The story depicts a rich and powerful Korean corporation and the lengths they would go to to broker deals and gain power. To help them with this, they employ a Fixer. Hang Do Hee, who is adept at manipulating anything to the corporation's advantage. She has been a loyal servant for ten years. Something happens to make her question her loyalty and the story begins in earnest. The acting is excellent throughout, with really nasty baddies and really good goodies. The plot has more twists and turns than the Nurburgring! It depicts a world of politics where trickery, corruption and bribery are rife, with the media and the police all in the pocket of the wealthy corporation - nothing like real politics then! 😁.

My wife and I enjoyed it enormously and 11 episodes was just the right length. There is some talk of a second season and there are certainly more avenues that could be explored. Well worth a watch if not a binge watch! A 9 from me.

Completely addictive and riveting political drama, with some very solid humorous moments that balance the darker themes.

I don't think I've ever seen a more sincere and powerful portrayal of female friendships and relationships. Korean writers are by far the best at building complex, interesting, and strong, female characters. Television shows rarely centre female bonds like this. The characters don't sit around talking about men or their insecurities. Their relationships show depth and authenticity.

The performances by Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri and Kim Sun-Young were outstanding. The scene where Oh Kyung Sook and Hwa Soo break down together was so well acted, and genuinely heartfelt.

Another great Korean show.

Queenmaker is an exception to Netflix Originals. It is a great series with a clean ending; you don't have to wait for season 2. It has no foul language, no f words, no drugs, no explicit sex of any kind. House of Cards, Money heist, Delhi Crime, Queen's Gambit, and Marcella are good examples of what Netflix should focus on. It also licensed excellent tv series like Revenge so that we could watch them without commercials. That was the biggest value proposition for us. Many of the Netflix originals are pretty bad, full of explicit sex, drugs, and f words. The Night Agent is another exception, excellent story, well produced and directed. Many of the originals have actors who do not belong in the script but are there to satisfy diversity. We love the Korean, Northern European, some other foreign shows.

Kim Hee-ah plays Hwang Do-Hee who is a fixer for the Eunsung group and is labelled as an attack dog with the lengths she will go to defending the family behind the company. In carrying out her role a young girl seems to commit suicide and then the companies employees go after Oh Kyung-Sook (Moon So-Ri) an activist lawyer who is causing the company embarrassment. Do-Hee realises she has been lied to and to honour the young girls memory she encourages Kyung-Sook to run as mayor of Seoul against against the husband of the daughter of the Eunsung group played by Ryu Soo-young. It is a predictable drama with pantomime villains but does enough to keep you interested in the drama. My favourite characters were the daughter and adopted daughter of the Chaebol family who were completely messed up but because of this the most entertaining.

Simply amazing roles by the two main female characters. A fixer for a conglomerate family who is affected after a young aide is suspected of suicide after allegations of sexual assault by the son in law of the wealthy, powerful Eunsung group. She joins hands with the unglamorous but strong willed labor rights lawyer and defender of the people to get her running for Mayor of Seoul.

Plot twists and turns, roller coaster rides throughout this political drama reveals the heights of corruption which large conglomerates embroiled in. Their greed for power, control & greater wealth with no consideration nor gratitude to their staff who contribute to their status.

The two female protagonists are superb in their rules, pouring out their emotions during intense moments of anger, terror, disbelief, as they deal with the arrogant Eunsung Head of the family.

I am not much of a women power drama supporter, but decided to try and watch this one and got carried away by their performance of the whole cast in this series. 11 episodes in 2 amd a half days ! Perfect weekend!