Jump to content
OneHallyu Will Be Closing End Of 2023 ×
OneHallyu

[MBC Drama] "The King Loves" / Siwan, Yoona & Hong Jonghyun


Konjo

  

101 members have voted

  1. 1. Which team are you on?

    • Team Won x San (WonSan)
      29
    • Team Rin x San (RinSan)
      63
    • Can't decide!
      9


Recommended Posts

 

WARNING! While this post is spoiler free, I wrote it thinking everyone here has at least read the brief synopsis that was released with the initial press release. If you haven’t, please go to dramabeans and read it first.
 

So after having read the books and stewing over them for a while, here are my thoughts. The book isn’t your traditional romance story, there’s much more to it than just that. While San and Rin are both fictional characters, many of the supporting cast and events that push the story forward are based on historical facts. Won, in particular, is very accurately portrayed so you can expect there will be a fair share of political talk in it as well. I expect the drama to pull back on some of the political aspects of the novel and pursue the romance and friendship aspect between our three main protagonist more, but I still expect it to have a bit more politics than say... "Moon Embracing the Sun" and it's honestly pretty interesting. With Goryeo (Korea) being ruled over by Mongolia (Yuan) at the time, this is a pretty touchy period of history for many Koreans so adhering to historical facts will be imperative to how well this drama is received. I remember "Empress Ki" receiving a huge backlash in Korea for how much it distorted history. Luckily for us, one of the books major selling points is it's historical accuracy so I don't expect that to become an issue here.

 

Our three main protagonist Won, San, and Rin are all very well fleshed out characters. But I think Siwan and Yoona fans in particular will be very happy with the range of emotions their characters will be able to play. It’s honestly a little crazy. On the other hand, Rin’s character is much more of a stoic character so I think even bringing on a more novice actor would be an okay choice there too. I should also mention that Rin is NOT a “third wheel†in this story. He is just as important to the story as Won and San are.

 

All in all, it was a very impressive book to read. From a fanboy standpoint, there were moments I was getting giddy just imagining Yoona acting some of the scenes out. From a literary standpoint, the sheer scope of the writing impressed me. The characters travel all over the Yuan Empire and while I'm not sure how much of it will be translated into the drama, one of the pro's of being a pre-produced drama is that we actually have the time to go overseas and film some of these scenes (I know for a fact that “Empress Kiâ€, another MBC drama, filmed a few scenes in China as well so I know that it’s possible).

 

A few users have been asking me to explain the relationship between Won, Rin and San a bit more so I decided to also post what I shared with them here in spoiler tags. And while I do foreshadow a few events, as a whole, I think it’s pretty spoiler free.

 

1. Won and Rin

So Won definitely wears the pants in this relationship. He's constantly nagging on Rin for being so stiff around him and pressures him to speak informally when it's just the two of them, often to no avail. Rin is described almost as an extension of Won himself, always standing by his side and willing to do anything the prince asks of him. Rin and Won share the same dream of making Goryeo a better place to live, for the people, and both help each other towards that goal.

 

2. Won and San

Won instantly falls for San, not romantically I mind you, but because a) her looks and b) her selfless nature. San, unlike Rin, is more than willing to talk down to Won, and Won loves her even more for that. At one point in the novel, he mentions that San was the only person he's ever met that didn't treat him as royalty.

 

3. Rin and San

Initially, Rin is very wary of San because she refuses to tell him her true identity. They constantly butt heads with each other and if it weren’t for Won they’d never get along. Nevertheless, Rin is very protective of San and is often the one to save her when she bites off more than she can chew.

 

 

And last but not least, if you want to be added to the group PM, where I'll be sharing a small summary of each chapter, add your name to the list below.

 

1. eMopRiNc3ss69x

2. mikiangel

3. flowerlover

4. burningsoul

5. Konjo

6. thedownfall

7. black phoenix

8. mayshy
9. shutupihateyou
10. Sweety You

 

 

Please add me too. Thank you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

The previews are turning out way better than i thought especially the 1st episode preview, the chemistry between the 3 is looking way stronger than at the press conference.

Edited by JonBoy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

so i just finished watching the latest eps but im a bit confused, can someone explain to me the deal with the crown prince like who are his parents??

 

why does his father hate him? and why did they call him a half breed? i thought maybe because his mum was a concubine but then his mum is the queen so i just dont get it - who are his parents?!

 

The mother is a Yuan Mongol princess so he is a half breed. The politics of 2 countries made him an unwelcome son. He was not what his father wants as a son but under the influence/control of the Yuan Mongol, he has no choice.

 

From Wiki about his father

 

Chungnyeol was the first Goryeo ruler to be remembered by the title wang (王), meaning "king". Previous rulers had received temple names with the suffix jo (祖) or jong (å®—), meaning "revered ancestor" and a title typically reserved for emperors. After Goryeo became a vassal of the Mongol Yuan dynasty, Yuan emperor Kublai Khan perceived this practice as lowering his own power and ordered that the Goryeo rulers could not receive such names henceforth.

King Chungnyeol, as Crown Prince Sim, proposed to marry a daughter of Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan agreed and for more than 80 years, Goryeo kings married members of Mongol royalty. Heirs to the throne were given Mongol names and were sent to Daduwhere they were raised until they reached adulthood.

Chungnyeol is also known as the fixer who instigated Mongol Emperor to invade Japan with voluntary and overall naval aid to invade Japan together with Mongol Empire.

 

I think in the book, Won was raised in Daduwhere. 

 

From Wiki, the real Wang Won

Chungseon of Goryeo (20 October 1275 – 23 June 1325) (r. 1298 and 1308–1313) was the 26th king of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He is sometimes known by his Mongolian name, Iǰirbuqa (益知禮普花, means 'small ox'). Adept at calligraphy and painting, rather than politics, he generally preferred the life of the Yuan capital Beijing to that of the Goryeo capital Kaesong. He was the eldest son of King Chungryeol; his mother was a Yuan royal, Queen Jangmok, a daughter of Khublai Khan also known by her Mongolian name/title Qutlugh-kelmysh.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chungseon_of_Goryeo

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

At the moment, I ship San and meat buns.

 

I think what is interesting is that San has not shown any particular emotion that would indicate more than a liking preference for either man.. With Won, though she is cautious and constantly bickering but in pauses you can see that she does not dislike him. With Rin, she seems more please with his manners but again shows no preference beyond mere courtesy.

 

I'm sure the writer isn't following the book based on the media interviews and promos. But I'm curious about the following

 

1. Official relationship chart does not show who San loves

2. Official push of San Won otp but yet chart does not clearly show that.

3. One poster shows more Won hugging or trying to capture San but her expression isn't so much of one in love. I mean if they love each other, she probably should be facing him?

4. The statement of Won saying this is the story of me who loves you more than myself. Now this came out at the scene that he met San so I take it that he meant San. so it means sacrifice to come?

 

If they publicize this as drama a triangle and has no promo of San Rin, then why not make the chart clear. Would it not then be clear that Rin is the standard 3rd wheel that the female lead does not love. The promos also did not make it seem like she can't decide between 2 men.

 

I need to run, will continue this later. I have my theory of what may come.

Edited by JonBoy
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@shutupihateyou

I won't say what i think the ending will be but i don't think this will be a typical triangle love story.

But
 

You were right. I think Won married Dan which is the same as the book i heard.


 
The making of the BRIDGE SCENE
 


 
 
http://tv.naver.com/v/1882217 USE HOLA TO WATCH

Edited by JonBoy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was gonna stop watching this show because wonsan does nothing for me and i felt like they would go the cliché route. Plus i liked rin a whole lot more but if theirs a chance of rin x san im going to still watch it lol. Wonsan bores me to death already and its only been 2 eps.

 

What the cliche route ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Weird but I noticed in the first couple of episodes, Siwan had bangs and now he doesn't...and I feel sad lol I really liked the look

 

I think the bangs are when he is out of the palace.

Edited by JonBoy
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Vlive is cute

 

I think you can watch the replay here. there are spoilers in the interview when they ask them questions so thread carefully.

 

http://www.vlive.tv/video/36250

 

For those who want to watch live today 

 

 

 

 

added one more live stream

Edited by JonBoy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ummm so is the Viki version different from the MBC version, because I got the file and the subtitle separately and they don't match...

 

Yes MBC moved the opening scene to later in the episodes in the ONAIR version. 2 scenes are missing. One was introduction of the seductress and another is San talking to Biyeon about marrying Wang jeon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Somehow I missed Jong Hyun and Yoona's vlive, is it true they gave away some hints?

 

If giffing weren't so time consuming I would've already made gifsets on tumblr :(

 

you can still find it on vlive reply

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm aware that there are some different scenes between the one aired in mbc and viki but why is that so?

 

 

To me same, it is just the order of some scenes are different. I think MBC gives all the other live broadcasters the content in advance so that they can sub. In Korea, they may have done some late editing to suit the feedback from audiences. So in fact, Korea's version was in fact shorter. So there was the scene of San and Biyeon drinking scene part 2 that was only shown in Korea in the ending credits. I have been watching both and no differences just one or two scenes play in the different timing of the episodes.

 

I don't think the changes affected the story as in it does not alter the story but just the flow of the story.

 

 

Okay so I'm going to start watching the drama, I've been watching some slips on Instagram of the episodes. But which one would you guys suggest I watch the movie version or the regular version?

 

Sent from my SM-G935P using OneHallyu mobile app

 

Movie version just means condensed. I don't think anyone sub that or is it available. The ones you can see are the full drama version.

Edited by JonBoy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So I think a lot of the changes that were made to the drama addressed common complaints people had with the book. One of my big issues with the book is that San, Won, and Lin's early friendship was more implied than actually explained. In the drama, we've literally spent the past four weeks developing their friendships. You know the whole adventure they go on to the mountains to get the jar of alcohol or Won stalking San while she's eating her dumpling? None of that happens in the book. Of course this comes with some cost since the drama is moving along a little slower than in the novel, but I think it's worth it.

 

Based off of stills, directors comment, and what Yoona and Jonghyun said, during the vlive, I think there will be more significant plot changes waiting for us in the future, but it's all just speculation on my part for now.

Thanks for the pov. I read somewhere that Song Jina didn't read the book and was writing off the synopsis written by her team. I'm guessing that they will cut out a lot of the politics and side character stories. But my gut feel is that she followed the book in terms of the overall direction. So far, friendship is the theme rather than romance but hints of Won's dark side is showing through his cage idea. Though the promo and clips are hinting towards a Won-San pairing, the writers have resisted creating or hinting San's feelings. That scene with the hot tea to me was a hint of how she has started to treat the boys as friends and not so much as love preference. San Rin in the vlive said or actually didn't really say when asked about a love scene that they could have and also can be said they could not.

 

I like how this story is developing right now that it's not the typical triangle love where the third wheel is only for the lead. In this case, all three have feelings for ach other in different ways. So far, the direction, acting and flow has been fun, so I hope it continues this standard throughout.

 

Anyway, please do continue to share with us interesting differences as the story develops.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seems like a lot of the Drama watchers are on the other forum. There are some really good insights there. If you want to be involved in more discussion, go to the other forum.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Back to Top