The Last Empress

At first glance, the cast was stacked but that alone wasn't enough. The drama was obviously some kind of a parody on the genre but it didn't embrace its nature. It made me realized the complete lack of parodies in Kdrama in general which is really unfortunate. Hyper intense, extreme overreactions, deranged morals, illogical by design, fueled by insanity, and unhinged characters. However, for this formula to work, the drama needed one of two things, either add more self-awareness, commit to the theme and double down or create a structure amidst this entire madness. Both of which the drama didn't do. Which left us with a half-arsed attempt to what could have been a unique experience. It would have benefited greatly if it had been cut down to 12 episodes. Will remember it for the potentials it might have had.

Penthouse fans check this out! Entertaining and often very funny comedy and satire with a revenge melodrama thrown in. Some parts of this show reminds one of a certain real royal family.

For fans of Penthouse the same writer penned this outrageously over the top and very funny show. This is actually funnier than Penthouse especially the parts with the young princess.

The cast is good. Theatrical actor Shin Sung Rok is just right as the Emperor since it is a theatrical role with monstrous behavior and comedy side by side. Famous singer Jang Na Ra is sweet as the empress. Beautiful Elijah Lee is so stunning as the antagonist. Choi Jin Hyuk is quite good too as Na Wang Shik the man with a mission. The girl who plays the young princess has the funniest lines. The Empress Dowager is good too - not an easy role to play.

It's a fun and thrilling ride that makes the 26 episodes go by like a breeze.

First, the portrayal of a modern Royal Korea is pretty much what I could believe in. The mixture of women in Hanbok, with modern facilities. The scheming Dowagers still in existence and the bored spoilt princess - no change there! So yes 9/10 to the production for this portrayal.

The story is not half bad but then spread all over the place with way too many sub plots going on, that actually began to loose interest.

It is impossible to believe that the bodyguard was the same bumbling stumbling pathetic person in the first couple of episodes, who becomes the cool calm efficient slimline gorgeous man later.

The FL plays the same role always in every single drama she is in! Miss "wide eyed innocent cutesy plain but nice person" who finds inner strength later and everyone is rooting for her and she is sooooo NICE and ultimately boring.

The Emperor is gawd awful. Could think of at least a dozen other actors that could have done this role way better. He starts out loathsome and then personality switches over completely so that you are meant to be all empathetic towards him particularly once he sleeps with the FL.

Finally it was dragged out unnecessarily, 12 episodes could have wrapped this nicely.

Not particularly great but with popcorn you can pass a wet day indoors watching this.

I have to admit, I could only watch 3 episodes. Most other K-Dramas plots revolve around the uber rich in Korea, but this series has tried to take it to the next level of Korean high society. Even though it looks like it went for 52 episodes, so it must have been popular for the Korean market, but I think it must struggle with Westerners, especially Europeans, who have actually royal families to follow in real life. I've decided to choose another K-Drama to spend my viewing time on and not waste any more time on this one, but if you're new to K-Drama, you may find this watchable, because it does use all the formula for K-Dramas.

My opinion the acting was amazing. But the storyline around the last episodes need more time and explanation. There were many times that the actors chooses dumb ways bringing them back again in to the same problem. The ending was good but I hoped the emperor had the chance to explain better or choose better dialogue. This series is mix of everything action, drama, comedy...