15 reviews
I really wanted to love it.
First of all, I have to say, this drama is so beautifully made I recommend anyone to watch it just to admire the details and work they put i to it.
The costumes are gorgeous, the props, hairstyles, locations, sets, the cinematography and its colors.
I have watched many historical korean dramas and I am telling you I have never seen one made with such care. There's even a few letters showing where they are trading with other countries and you can actually read the beautiful calligraphy in old dutch and portuguese)
This series has literally all the ingredients to be amazing and yet it didn't cut it to be so.
Even the characters are very unique , women are not just waiting for the men to save them and do the work there's many strong female characters and that is just awesome to watch. Love how many feminist kdramas they are creating lately.
For me the problem was the story and the pace, it is just not interesting enough and everything is so slow. I'm very sad because I was very looking forward for it and I really really wanted to love it.
I fell in love with the acting of Kim Hye-Yoon when I watched Extraordinary you and she didn't disappoint, she is just so fresh when she acts, but there's no depth in her dialogues and is just sad. Even when they ask her why she wants to get a divorce, I was expecting for her to actually tell something deeper.
First time watching Ok Taecyeon acting and left me cold, his comedy looks forced and I didn't feel any connection with the main lead, but might be the script's fault.
I am giving it a 7 because of how's amazingly this show is made.
First of all, I have to say, this drama is so beautifully made I recommend anyone to watch it just to admire the details and work they put i to it.
The costumes are gorgeous, the props, hairstyles, locations, sets, the cinematography and its colors.
I have watched many historical korean dramas and I am telling you I have never seen one made with such care. There's even a few letters showing where they are trading with other countries and you can actually read the beautiful calligraphy in old dutch and portuguese)
This series has literally all the ingredients to be amazing and yet it didn't cut it to be so.
Even the characters are very unique , women are not just waiting for the men to save them and do the work there's many strong female characters and that is just awesome to watch. Love how many feminist kdramas they are creating lately.
For me the problem was the story and the pace, it is just not interesting enough and everything is so slow. I'm very sad because I was very looking forward for it and I really really wanted to love it.
I fell in love with the acting of Kim Hye-Yoon when I watched Extraordinary you and she didn't disappoint, she is just so fresh when she acts, but there's no depth in her dialogues and is just sad. Even when they ask her why she wants to get a divorce, I was expecting for her to actually tell something deeper.
First time watching Ok Taecyeon acting and left me cold, his comedy looks forced and I didn't feel any connection with the main lead, but might be the script's fault.
I am giving it a 7 because of how's amazingly this show is made.
My rating is 8 only because if lee jae kyoon. Remove this guy's perfect acting from the series the drama drops to 5 or 6 for me.
Park tae soo kept me going. His eyes said it all.
An extremelyyy underrated actor. Desperate to see him in a lead role!
Other than that, story was a bit disconnected Starting episodes were funny up till 6th or so. Then drama lost all continuity and scenes didnt fit.
Chicken fake voice of female lead was the most annoying thing.
Romance of leads was just okay. No feeling there at all.
Bromance of male lead and his two servants was good Story: 7/10 Acting: 7/10 (exclusive rating for park tae soo: 10/10) Direction: 5/10 Script: 7/10 Makeup/clothes : 9/10.
Park tae soo kept me going. His eyes said it all.
An extremelyyy underrated actor. Desperate to see him in a lead role!
Other than that, story was a bit disconnected Starting episodes were funny up till 6th or so. Then drama lost all continuity and scenes didnt fit.
Chicken fake voice of female lead was the most annoying thing.
Romance of leads was just okay. No feeling there at all.
Bromance of male lead and his two servants was good Story: 7/10 Acting: 7/10 (exclusive rating for park tae soo: 10/10) Direction: 5/10 Script: 7/10 Makeup/clothes : 9/10.
A royal inspector Ra Ian, played by Ok Taec-yeon has more interest in cooking than carrying out his royal duties. He is despatched to investigate the disappearance of another royal inspector and along the way gets involved in a small town dispute where an independent woman Kim Joy played by Kim Hye-yoon is seeking a divorce. They end up becoming involved with each other and investigating various crimes, one of which goes to the very top of the royal court. It is an interesting story from the Joseon period with great sets and costumes. The acting from the entire cast is good but what lets it down is the failure in the writing. The storyline seems to lack cohesion and you never feel involved with any of the characters or their story lines.
- alaningle7
- Jan 9, 2024
- Permalink
What a wonderful comedy/drama!! Taecyeon is superb at comedy with wonderful facial expressions and a delightful smile. The scenes between his grandmother, who was perfect in her part, and Taecyeon had me laughing out loud. There was great chemistry between the main characters and all the supporting actors did a great job and were well casted. The women in the show, especially Kim Joy, were as strong as the men and I found that refreshing.
I seldom watch a show more than once but this is definitely worth watching again. We need more comedy/dramas like this one that make us laugh and feel good especially during these difficult times.
I seldom watch a show more than once but this is definitely worth watching again. We need more comedy/dramas like this one that make us laugh and feel good especially during these difficult times.
I came across this show and thought that title was interesting and started watching it. So glad that I did. This is one gem of a show. The comedy sprinkled in between and the funny moments are on-point. It's like they knew they were being goofy and funny and wanted us to know as well. It works for the show and makes it a good watch.
The lead actors have a great chemistry. Both Kim Hye-Yoon and Ok Taecyeon played their characters skillfully. Both portrayed all the aspects/emotions of their characters and did justice to them. Very believable in terms of chemistry and emotions. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and look forward to both the actors future work. The supporting cast is great as well. This series works and is a good happy watch.
The lead actors have a great chemistry. Both Kim Hye-Yoon and Ok Taecyeon played their characters skillfully. Both portrayed all the aspects/emotions of their characters and did justice to them. Very believable in terms of chemistry and emotions. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and look forward to both the actors future work. The supporting cast is great as well. This series works and is a good happy watch.
The first 7 episodes are fun like most people thought, couldn't agree more bout that. A literal no brainer, not tragic and complicated like most Sageuk drama. A perfect choice if You desire something light and bright after a heavy ones like crime-thriller drama. Or so You thought... Cause in fact it hides darkness behind. It's "secret royal inspector" similar to what us modern community have after all.
Lee Jae Kyoon (Park Tae Soo) acting, especially on the game-changer 8th episode and tearjerker 14th episode is exceptional! I watched the 8th episode at work, during lunch hour, my desk was a literal puddle of tears. His expression shows it all, it's heartbreaking. Meanwhile for the 14th one i watched it at home, on my lazy Sunday afternoon when i'm alone. Dude i bawled my eyes, crying out loud T. T Though I've been watch kDrama for 20 years (since 4th grade), it's a shame that i just recognized him in the Veil (his acting was excellent there as well), huhu. Hope he'll become much more famous and get more lead roles later!
Lee Jae Kyoon (Park Tae Soo) acting, especially on the game-changer 8th episode and tearjerker 14th episode is exceptional! I watched the 8th episode at work, during lunch hour, my desk was a literal puddle of tears. His expression shows it all, it's heartbreaking. Meanwhile for the 14th one i watched it at home, on my lazy Sunday afternoon when i'm alone. Dude i bawled my eyes, crying out loud T. T Though I've been watch kDrama for 20 years (since 4th grade), it's a shame that i just recognized him in the Veil (his acting was excellent there as well), huhu. Hope he'll become much more famous and get more lead roles later!
- pengenliatbayi
- Jan 8, 2022
- Permalink
Another Dragon Studio, TVn production.
Again, perfect!
All the caracters are incredible, And the story flows like a river.
Still amazed by the capacity of the seeenwriters.
Again, perfect!
All the caracters are incredible, And the story flows like a river.
Still amazed by the capacity of the seeenwriters.
Korean Drama " Secret Royal Inspector: Joy ", not to be confused with the other korean drama "Secret Royal Inspector" with the similar name and plot, is a period comedy drama.
The story is pretty basic, with some interesting cases here and there, that aided to the entertainment. There were some funny moments as well and a light-comical atmosphere overall throughout the drama. However, and apart from the main villain who was tragic and gave some depth to the story, the rest of the drama was silly and boring. The romance too was cheesy and lacked chemistry.
On the other hand, the performance were enjoyable and pretty great, especially from the main lead. The chemistry between the cast was smooth as well. However, the main girl was annoying.
So, overall, three out of ten.
The story is pretty basic, with some interesting cases here and there, that aided to the entertainment. There were some funny moments as well and a light-comical atmosphere overall throughout the drama. However, and apart from the main villain who was tragic and gave some depth to the story, the rest of the drama was silly and boring. The romance too was cheesy and lacked chemistry.
On the other hand, the performance were enjoyable and pretty great, especially from the main lead. The chemistry between the cast was smooth as well. However, the main girl was annoying.
So, overall, three out of ten.
- PennyReviews
- Nov 6, 2022
- Permalink
Secret Royal Inspector and Joy is a joy to watch! Kpop singer/rapper Taecyeon of 2PM is also a respected actor. I first became aware of him through his work on Vincenzo. His chemistry in this series with beautiful spunky actress Kim Hye Yoon is a winner! Together they are an unbeatable team solving mysteries and intrigue at the Royal court! 2021 is the comeback year for 2PM and another winner in the actor department!!
First of all, I like this storyline and characters (Riyon and joyi). Then I like the theme of Joyi character💜She is independent and fun loving girl💜 Therefore u cannot ignore other characters.
- mrahmank-31135
- Nov 22, 2021
- Permalink
I love the first episode of this drama i laugh out loud it has really interesting storyline and actors are so good looking forward for upcoming episode.
- amaanahmad-32653
- Nov 8, 2021
- Permalink
Was so traumatized by Taec-yeon's role in Vincenzo I wasn't sure I could watch him in another drama. So glad I did. This helped me acknowledge his acting skills can embrace a wide variety of roles.
This story helped explain the duties of a secret royal inspector and why it would be dangerous for the unwitting. The lead role layer by Taec-Yeon is at first silly but it's easy to grasp why no one likes him. He's a real goof off, smarty pants with no patience for anyone or anything outside his love for cooking and enjoying fine cuisine. Why he's like this will gradually come to light.
With this type of personality we know he will meet a woman that will frustrate him to the max, and fall for her. How this happens (with the back drop of being an inspector) is where this drama claims your attention and enjoyment.
When I first read the synopsis for this drama I felt no pull or inclination to watch it. Even apart from the discomfort of seeing Teac-Yeon so soon after watching him as a psychopath.
It was rewarding to watch this drama from start to finish. And I liked it had real balance between evil intentions (of the greedy & the corrupt) and the upright and pure living of those seeking the good of others. The romance was well done with lots of tension and growth between the leads.
Highly recommend this series. And it's good enough to rewatch!!
This story helped explain the duties of a secret royal inspector and why it would be dangerous for the unwitting. The lead role layer by Taec-Yeon is at first silly but it's easy to grasp why no one likes him. He's a real goof off, smarty pants with no patience for anyone or anything outside his love for cooking and enjoying fine cuisine. Why he's like this will gradually come to light.
With this type of personality we know he will meet a woman that will frustrate him to the max, and fall for her. How this happens (with the back drop of being an inspector) is where this drama claims your attention and enjoyment.
When I first read the synopsis for this drama I felt no pull or inclination to watch it. Even apart from the discomfort of seeing Teac-Yeon so soon after watching him as a psychopath.
It was rewarding to watch this drama from start to finish. And I liked it had real balance between evil intentions (of the greedy & the corrupt) and the upright and pure living of those seeking the good of others. The romance was well done with lots of tension and growth between the leads.
Highly recommend this series. And it's good enough to rewatch!!
- ElizabethO-104
- Jul 29, 2025
- Permalink
As dry as they could come, lacking creativity in the silliness and diversity in the cast. There was no appeal or whatsoever in both leads right from the very beginning. More often than not, it felt like a bunch of cosplayers fooling around the set. As dry as they could come, lacking creativity in the silliness and diversity in the cast. There was no appeal or whatsoever in both leads right from the very beginning. More often than not, it felt like a bunch of cosplayers fooling around the set. As dry as they could come, lacking creativity in the silliness and diversity in the cast. There was no appeal or whatsoever in both leads right from the very beginning. More often than not, it felt like a bunch of cosplayers fooling around the set.
This drama it's not bad, the actors put a lot of effort, however I wouldn't watch it again. I guess they filmed same location as 100-days-prince series. I am k-drama lover since 2010 so I watched hundreds of k-dramas. This one I had to skip many times, it just couldn't keep me up. I loved the character of Tae-So though (illegitimate son) played very well by actor, heart aching when he said his last words and their meaning. As well, mother of female lead, very talented actress, know her from many other shows, her voice is recognizable, without me looking at the screen I would recognize it right away. I guess for these two ones was worth watching it.
- loghinjulia
- Jan 12, 2024
- Permalink
I had to drop it after 20min. The crude comedy is just too much for my liking. The ML's pretend silliness and FL's over the board avant garde big woman acting and chicken voice just made me cringe. It's a pass for me.
- carollinho-73977
- Nov 12, 2021
- Permalink