Hwanghooui Poomkyeok

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.

I don't understand why it has such a low rating. It is very entertaining. Its more like a soap drama and honestly I enjoyed it so much. It has the exact type of drama that keeps you on the edge even though in hindsight it has many plot holes. Jang Nara was awesome in it. Sung rok's acting is insane,his character development was so good. I hope there was a happy ending but welp as the title suggests it was supposed to be like this.

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.

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.

I am surprised to see such low rating of this show. I think it was very well balanced and brilliantly executed. The character arc was beautifully developed. Even though longer than the normal Korean dramas, it didn't lose its charm. Also loved the way they didn't try to needlessly glamorise everything.