Seondeok yeowang

I love a mini-series as a melodrama that tells a story in the long movie format, as opposed to those that tell different stories in the same setting (like Grey's Anatomy, Mad Men and to a lesser extent Damages, Breaking Bad, and Revenge that change the story at times while keeping to a general story). In this regard, I have discovered some gems in the South Korean TV mini-series of recent years.

The basic melodrama is the oft repeated formula: Boy meets Girl, Boy loses Girl, Boy gets Girl Back. This me recur in the same story. Human relations can be complex even if only the boy and girl are involved, but this complexity increases as more people are involved. If personality dynamics are properly depicted in a valid manner, and if the production is skillful, powerful emotions can be evoked in the viewer. In this way we can live many lifetimes through movies, in our one lifetime - greatly enriching our incarnate experience. These South Korean productions (seen on Netflix streaming) are first class with excellent production and direction, some terrific casting and acting (particularly from some of the females who give some matchless world class performances), brilliant musical accompaniment, and staging. What makes these so good is the way they skillfully evoke deep emotion in the viewer. South Korean movie making is superb - world class.

However, the following caveats must be considered by the USA viewer. They are subtitled and some people hate this. The South Korean cultural norms, values and sanctions may sometimes seems silly or old fashioned to the USA viewer. The families are close knit and decisions by an individual may be subject to family approval. Social distance is maintained where formal speech is used, and personal speech forms are reserved for close friends or family. There is a strong work ethic and community cooperation/unity - sometimes reminiscence of a old Frank Capra film.

Most importantly, in order for the sometimes complicated sub-plots to work, people fail to communicate with each other as might be expected, keeping many in the dark as to what others are doing, and this leads to misunderstandings and error judgments of some people, that sometimes seem to be unlikely by USA cultural standards. The viewer may wonder at times why good but trusting people are so easily manipulated and deceived by bad and selfish people, but con artists do often succeed (just look at politicians for example). However this poetic license of improbability is needed to develop the story - just accept it as occurring even though unlikely at times. Taking these factors into account Will help you become involved and emotionally engrossed. It was hard t for me to quit watching at times so I binged watched.

I would rank these as follows but tastes differ and your rankings might not agree: 1 - 4 (hard to say which is best)

Shining Inheritance

When a Man Loves

That Winter, The Wind Blows

Secret garden

5. Five Fingers

6. The Scent of a Woman

7. The Great Queen Seondeok

8. A Hundred Years Inheritance

9. Lie To me

10. Roof Top Prince

11. Dr. Jin

12. The Great Doctor

The Great Queen Seondeok is mainly a historical/political melodrama depicting the struggle of opposing (good vs. evil) factions. One faction is lead by a ruthless Machivellian leader (Mishil) representing government control both of government officials and citizens, based on manipulating them with fear. The other faction has a good leader who wants power and freedom to shift from government to the people (control by their choice instead of governmental dictates, ownership of land by farmers instead of tenant farmers working for the rich), and who appeals to the hope and good nature of others. Another theme is women's rights in a male dominated world. There is action, comedy relief, love, hate, revenge, subversion - all the elements of a good historical melodrama.

Mishal is the evil leader and features a stunning performance. The most colorful character is Bidam, who like Mishal, is a complex character and brilliantly portrayed. Bidam is introduced after the series has gone on for some time, as a country bumpkin who is easily underestimated by others. In one scene he picks his nose and then puts it in his mouth, which tainted his image in my mind. This series at times offers some brilliant psychological insights, such as Mishil saying "Humans can not live without believing in fantasy", as in liberal idealism (world peace, income equality without degrading the economy, big government that works efficiently, etc.) that can never be achieved. The ending is quite powerful, emphasizing the loneliness of a ruler of a nation.

It is more realistic, about the great power of evil like Coup d'etat, declaring martial law, justification of bad action done, deception and etc.

This is more mind battle than any other dramas. A battle in everyday real life struggle.

The actors have better and more realistic performance of acting

It is also not about politics, government and military but also I see some portion of battle on economy in the market crises. Which is real happening around the world about those hoarding of goods, abuse of less intellect people and slavery because cannot pay of the taxes.

The military battle has better performance not only in tactical combat but also in planning and strategy

There is also battle between Knowledge of Science that was used in politics during Eclipse and Mandate of Heaven mystery

You learn a lot like values, military, political tactics, governance, laws, science and etc.

It is a very deep context of stories and the characters are deep and complex in nature which is a more realistic.

The story,is to say so,captivating.Two twin royal girls born under a sign of stars,sign with a meaning for their country subjects:prosperity or ruin.But there it must have been a boy,no way for a girl and yet another one.So at last one must to vanish -the little Deokman,who will be haunted for years,will endure a lot of privations and hurdles,to become after years the Queen of Shilla.At first,the hunter is not a lovable character;after many episodes he will be more valuable,especially for his terrible presence and act on screen.He is a counterbalance for,maybe,some things to soft.I think the director of this drama managed to show us a good story. Only a couple of stuffs I find to be bad presented:to many pots with flowers every were(for that time);not enough dirt and rift on armors of soldiers and ,,hwarangs''(the princess's guards).So shiny they are for dozens of episodes.

Seondeok (actress Lee Yo-Won) really can be appreciated and loved. In her stage as ,,hwarang'' is lovely;when triumphs she's shiny,when cries she breaks hearts,is beautiful and a very human person.The character Sohwa (actress Seo Young Hee) who cares of Deokman,has a gentle and lovely presence.No wonder for Chilsook to cherish her.This Chilsook is the hunter send by Mishil to cut Deokman's life.Mishil (actress Ho Hyun-Jung) is the bad person in plot; even so she prove to be a wonderful character.She's the finest presence along episodes.That meeting of her with Seondeok for a truce,on the grasslands,that meeting is a masterpiece of image.I have watched that scene a lot;amazing scene.Or,how I can forget that retreat of hand from Mishil's hands embrace_when Seondeok shows her status?!There is a hands conversation!!! Kim Yushin (Uhm Tae Woong),the comrade of Deokman is like a little then a big block-stone in this story.That is his role,because he will be a great general,the most trustworthy person for the Queen and their people.Nice that we have a lot of funny moments with Jukbang (actor Lee Moon-Sik) and Godo (actor Ryu Dam);the scene when Godo hide and unintended swallow some animal stuff,at an group inspection,is very funny.

The battle scenes are more or less convincing.Anyway Seondeok's political history and love,go on,with her star above.The plot make Seondeok to die to early.Until to that moment we have part of gorgeous scenes:views of Korea in sunset,Mishil's comrades caught by soldiers near her tomb (with a great act of Misaeng_actor Jung Woong In) in a golden shower sunrise;wonderful view of the carved stones.

My appreciation and rating are ,in first place,for great personages still others besides those already mentioned:Prince Chunchu (Yoo Seung-Ho),noble Hajong (Kim Jung-Hyun),lord Cheolwon (Jeon No Min),Bidam (Kim Nam-Gil) / the ,,hwarangs'' :Alcheon (Lee Seung Hyo),Santak (Kang Sung Pil),Sukpoom (Hong Kyung-In),Bojong (Baek Do-Bin) and so on.In the second place I appreciated that immense lot of costumes and accessories.And never in the last place,the traditional buildings (the studios).

It is one of most intelligent movies. Delicate, profound, labyrinth with walls from Borges world, lush, silky, sharp, hidden, full of light, wise, nuances of good and evil, map for power force, seductive, mixture of romance and fight, hope and crumbs of desire.Dictionary of strange definitions for common words. Sea of gold and night. Scene for gorgeous Hyun-jung Go in the role of Misil.She is the axis, heart and soul of entire movie. As picture of evil and its masks. As ambiguous limit between victim and killer. As a kind of haiku. A unique film for its beauty and subtle recipes of life as shadow collection. A parable about present in skin of past facts. A play in which the public is just actor. A smoke column in a late autumn evening.

This story focuses more on Deokman's struggle to become queen and fight against Mishil. And it's spiced up with a little bit of romance where the female lead ends up falling in love with the second male lead. Very rare. I love Bidam, he's the most complex character I've ever seen in a drama and he makes this story more interesting, he's my all time favorite character. Overall, this story is awesome and really unforgettable with great casts.