Would You Rather Be a Crown Prince or a Grand Prince?

In Korean dramas, the Crown Prince carries the weight of the throne, while the Grand Prince enjoys the perks of royalty sans the weight. Both can get trapped in a power struggle.

In many historical Korean dramas, the Crown Prince and the Grand Prince both sit close to the throne, but their roles are very different. K-dramas love to play with this contrast: the Crown Prince burdened by duty, and the Grand Prince navigating ambition, loyalty, or the temptation to challenge the throne.

The Crown Prince is the officially designated heir, raised under intense scrutiny and political pressure as the kingdom’s future king. He can get “the boot” two ways. (1) He angers his father, the king, and gets replaced. (2) Ruthless nobles and court officials want somebody else to become king, so they start scheming and conniving to eliminate him. The crown prince could die before he ever gets to the throne. He could die as a child.

A Grand Prince, on the other hand, is a royal son who IS NOT first in line, and that can be a blessing or a curse. He often has more freedom than the Crown Prince and can enjoy life, usually by being a playboy and pretending he doesn't have a care in the world. He need not be ambitious for power or concern himself with the politics of the nation. However, in an instant, he can be put in danger, because one group of power-hungry people wants to force him onto the throne, while another group is opposed. Then the grand prince is faced with a moral conflict depending on the storyline. After all, he should love his country and be willing to sacrifice his freedom and frivolity for the sake of the people. Right? Question is: Will he be a good king OR a puppet king?

So which would you rather be?

TEAM Crown Prince is the main character, click here.


TEAM Grand Prince is the main character, click here.

What's my preference? NEITHER!

• If I were a Crown Prince or Grand Prince, I’d be on the first boat to China. Palace intrigue? Conspiracies? Assassination attempts? Constant death threats? Poison? Walking on “nails” trying to dodge power-hungry, jealous relatives and maniacal court officials and nobles? Uuuhh … No thank you.

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The Secret Romantic Guesthouse (2023) | A Delightful Viki Original Series Based on a Web Novel 

Old But Gold Binge-Worthy Korean Drama: The Lucifer (2007)

While patiently waiting for new releases of Korean dramas to reach the American audience, I continue combing through old Korean dramas and finding lots of hidden gems. It's the best treasure hunt ever! 

• The Lucifer (aka “The Devil”) is a 2007 Korean drama, 20 episodes, categorized as Legal drama, Police Procedural, Thriller, Suspense, Revenge, Action, Legal Drama, Police Procedural, Crime, Mystery, Romance, and Fantasy. Streaming on KOCOWA+.  

"The Lucifer" (aka “The Devil”) is the second installment in a revenge trilogy, following “Resurrection [aka Rebirth, Revenge, or Life Again ] (2005)” and preceding “Don’t Look Back: The Legend of Orpheus (2013)” (literal title “Shark”).

Where to Watch

• Memorable Quote: “'People of the Lie' by M. Scott Peck.” … “When the trumpet of judgment stops to play and the new day dawns, the Gates of Hell shall be closed.” (Episode 20)

SUMMARY: The lives of a detective, a psychic librarian, and a mysterious lawyer collide in a series of tarot card-linked murders.

• Read my detailed review on PopGeeks.com.

TRAILER/TEASER:  KBS WORLD TV. “[ENG Sub] The Lucifer (마왕) Trailer.” YouTube, 10 May 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81OiedBK4Jc.

Other K-Drama Trilogies:

• The Yi Sun-sin Trilogy
• The Vengeance Trilogy
• The Friend Trilogy
• The Lovers Trilogy: In Paris, In Prague, In China's Hainan Island

***

Korean Drama Review: The Three Musketeers (2014)

There is a Korean version of "The Three Musketeers" by Alexander Dumas. Spotlight on the 4th Swordsman, Park Dal-Hyang (played by Jung Yong-Hwa). My only criticism of this series is that there is no Season 2.  Season 1 left me filled with the hope that the next season would tie up loose ends.

This historical K-drama series is an excellent adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ novel of the same name, set in the Joseon Dynasty. It’s the story of one of Joseon’s military heroes.  In the novel by Alexandre Dumas, he would be the character named D’Artagnan, i.e., the 4th musketeer.

Park Dal-Hyang’s story begins with him preparing for his military examination. He traveled to the main city in Joseon, where the exams would be held, and paid for a room. Some ruffians broke into the room and beat up several of the people. He was told that if certain men had a good chance of passing the exam, people would hire thugs to injure them so they could not pass the exam.

Park Dal-Hyang chased after the ruffians and ran into three men on horses. He stopped them and asked if they would help him catch some criminals. At first, they were surprised and confused, but he did not give them a chance to think about whether they would help. He jumped on the horse with one of the men and prodded the horse to take off. So the other two joined the chase.

One of the men he stopped was Crown Prince Sohyeon (played by Lee Jin-Uk), and the other two were his two warrior bodyguards. They helped Park Dal-Hyang capture the criminals. He thanked them and asked their names. Rather than reveal his identity, the Crown Prince said that he should call them “The Three Musketeers”.

That was the beginning of the adventures of Park Dal-Hyang. WHOA! They were really exciting!

♦ There is a 5-Part Listing of Historical K-Dramas That Slipped Under the Radar published via PopGeeks. Click here to view the lists for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas (Wordsworth Classics)

Hulu Original Korean Drama ~ Tempest (2025)

Tempest (2025): Genre: Action, Romance, Political Thriller, Conspiracy Drama; No. of episodes: 9 

A high-stakes political thriller centered on a former UN Ambassador whose life spirals after her husband’s mysterious assassination.

Main Characters:

• Seo Mun-Ju (played by Gianna Jun)

• Chae Kyung-Sin (played by Kim Hae-Sook)

Seo Munju was a highly respected UN ambassador with a successful career and clear aspirations of her own. She probably could have run for president. But at her husband’s request, she stepped away from her post so she could support his plan to run for president. Though the sitting president warned her that her husband’s ideas—especially reunifying North and South Korea—were dangerous, she chose to be loyal to her husband.

Before the campaign could begin, her husband was assassinated during a speech at a church. Seo Munju tried to shield him from the shooter and nearly died herself. But a bystander, Baek San-ho, tackled the gunman and saved her life. Before committing suicide, the assassin claimed her husband was a spy. A spy? Clearly, a false accusation. There was no way that her husband was a spy. But how can she prove it? Her husband and the shooter are dead. Where does she begin?

It turns out that Baek San-ho, the man who saved her, is a former special agent. He saved her, but can he be trusted? Seo Munju decides to start with him. Or rather, he makes sure that she decides that she can trust him. As their relationship develops, he reveals evidence suggesting a larger conspiracy, including suspicious phone calls and footage linking the assassin to Seo Munju’s brother-in-law. Her own brother-in-law? He may have killed his own brother? Realizing she was in danger, Seo Munju agreed to work with Baek San-ho to uncover the truth behind her husband’s death.

OFFICIAL TRAILER: Hulu. “Tempest.” YouTube, 20 Aug. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEz4SuMI1-Q.

♦

K-Drama Review: L.U.C.A.: The Beginning (2021) | Make the World Better By Making Better Humans

L.U.C.A.: The Beginning is a Korean drama about a mad scientist who thinks he's good enough to be like God. In fact, he's convinced himself that he can make better humans than God.

This series is 12 episodes, released in 2021, currently streaming on Viki. As for the genre? It has elements of crime and mystery and elements of science that might have the viewer wondering if it's science fact or science fiction. 

January 2 is National Science Fiction Day.

• According to current science, the Last Universal Common Ancestor, L.U.C.A. Is the ancestor of all living things, and is estimated to have lived some four billion years ago, when Earth was a mere 560 million years old.

First, a woman supplied her ovum and a man supplied his sperm. You don't need to be a scientific genius to know that is the beginning of human life. But! Suppose after you joined the ovum and the sperm, you combined human DNA with DNA from jellyfish, fruit flies, electric eels, and other animals. Now! Is the baby a human? A monster? A half-human, half-monster?  

Ryu Joong-kwon (played by Ahn Nae-sang) is a scientist who thinks that ethics hinder the research and advancement of science. He found people who were willing to fund his unrestricted research, so he was able to perform numerous kinds of scientific experiments. Only one of his experiments was successful. He genetically engineered an artificially enhanced child who was named Ji Oh. 

• L.U.C.A. stands for Last Universal Common Ancestor. Ji Oh (played by Kim Rae Won) is L.U.C.A.  This is his beginning.

Hulu Original Korean Drama ~ Light Shop (2024)

Light Shop (2024): GENRE: Fantasy, Supernatural, Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense; No. of episodes: 8

This supernatural mystery explores a strange store that offers customers a chance to revisit moments from their past.

Main Characters:

• Jung Won-Young (played by Ju Ji-Hoon)

• Joo Hyun-Ju (played by Shin Eun-Soo)

• Lee Ji-Young (played by Seol Hyun)

A mysterious young woman appears human but may be something far more dangerous. No one knows her name or where she comes from, only that encounters with her rarely end well. A young man notices her sitting at the same bus stop every night with a suitcase, not moving. One rainy evening, he offers her help, unaware that her intentions may be far from innocent.

Nearby, Jung Won-young runs a small light shop at the end of a dark alley. He claims to see “strangers”—supernatural beings that move in darkness. A schoolgirl, Joo Hyun-ju, often stops by his shop, drawn to its safety and light. Jung Won-young warns her that if she ever encounters a stranger, she must pretend nothing is wrong to survive.

When Joo Hyun-ju finally faces one of the “strangers”, she escapes by reaching the light shop. It becomes clear that the light shop is protection, and darkness is danger. The light shop owner Jung Won-young is also mysterious. He may be guarding more than just the store. Maybe he's a “good stranger”???

OFFICIAL TRAILER: Hulu. “Light Shop.” YouTube, 2 Dec. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUTranui_uY.

♦

Korean Drama ~ Memories of the Alhambra | A Video Game That Causes Reality Glitches?

2018 K-Drama "Memories of the Alhambra" Only on Netflix

"Memories of the Alhambra" follows a genius CEO whose life spirals into danger after encountering a mysterious augmented reality game that blurs the line between the digital world and real life. As the game grows deadlier, love, loss, and unanswered questions intertwine in a story where reality itself seems broken.

January 2 is National Science Fiction Day.

Memorable Quotes:

• “If this isn’t reality, then what is?”

• “The game doesn’t end just because you want it to.”

• “Some memories refuse to disappear.”

• “You can’t log out of real life.”

Interesting Facts & Trivia:

1. Hyun Bin’s Tech-Savvy Role:  Hyun Bin personally studied startup culture and gaming terminology to make his CEO character feel authentic.
2. High-Budget Production:  The series was one of the most expensive Korean dramas at the time due to its heavy use of CGI and visual effects.
3. Filmed in Spain and Korea: Major scenes were shot in Granada, Spain, making the Alhambra Palace a symbolic and visual centerpiece of the story.
4. Park Shin-hye’s Musical Training: Park Shin-hye practiced guitar extensively for her role, even though her character’s music becomes more symbolic than central.
5. Divisive Ending:  The drama is especially known for its open-ended conclusion, which sparked intense fan debates and theories long after the finale aired. 

Without a doubt, the best sci-fi mystery series ever! A guy gets trapped in an AR video game. The mystery began when the game's creator disappeared. Then two (2) entrepreneurs wanted to purchase the rights to that game, and they do battle, playing/challenging each other in the video game. One of them was killed DURING the video game.

Meaning? It wasn’t a real death! The other player left the scene because … ??? It was just a game. But then he learned that the man he had left sitting on the bench had died. That’s not all. The video game keeps reactivating, and the guy who supposedly died keeps coming back to fight him! Will the game ever end? What about the game creator? Did he die too? (O.o)

This K-drama is set in a foreign country, Spain, and the soundtrack for this Netflix original series is haunting.

REFERENCE: Treathyl Fox aka cmoneyspinner. “Korean Dramas Only on Netflix [You’ll Want to Watch and Re-Watch).” Nothing But Love For Korean Drama ❤️, 30 Apr. 2025, https://medium.com/nothing-but-love-for-korean-drama/korean-dramas-only-on-netflix-youll-want-to-watch-and-re-watch-6008985823c7.

TRAILER:  Netflix. “Memories of the Alhambra.” YouTube, 22 Nov. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lcy3XUDd_A.

Nine (9) Must-Watch Historical Fantasy Korean Dramas (Part 3 of 3)

Part 3 of the 3-part list of nine (9) must-watch historical fantasy Korean dramas.

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(7) Kingdom (2019) & Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021)

A Joseon-era zombie thriller where political corruption, a deadly resurrection plant, and one woman’s revenge unleash a kingdom-ending plague.

Set in 17th-century Joseon, three years after the Imjin War, Kingdom reimagines the zombie genre through historical horror. A mysterious plague spreads across the land, turning the dead into flesh-eating monsters. The source is not demonic possession or alien parasites, but a deceptively beautiful “resurrection plant” capable of reanimating corpses. As the outbreak worsens, corrupt ministers conceal the truth because the king himself has been infected. The crown prince, isolated and unsure whom to trust, sets out to uncover the origin of the disease and save the kingdom.

The prequel, Kingdom: Ashin of the North, reveals how the horror began. Ashin, a young girl from a border village, loses her family after Joseon officials betray her father and massacre her people to appease the Jurchens. As the sole survivor, Ashin learns the truth and plots devastating revenge—using the resurrection plant that turns humans into monsters. Her tragedy becomes the catalyst for the kingdom’s collapse.

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(8) Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

A modern woman time-travels to the Goryeo era, where palace intrigue, tragic romance, and destiny shape a love that defies time.

In modern-day South Korea, Hae-Soo is questioning the value of her life when she impulsively jumps into a lake to save a drowning stranger. Instead of resurfacing in her own world, she awakens in the Goryeo era, surrounded by royal princes bathing in the palace. Disoriented and vulnerable, Hae-Soo must quickly adapt to a dangerous world governed by rigid hierarchies, political intrigue, and ruthless power struggles.

Her fate becomes intertwined with Prince Wang So, a feared and enigmatic royal who will later rise to the throne through bloodshed and betrayal. As Hae-Soo grows closer to him, she realizes that her knowledge of future events gives her insight—but not control. Though she foresees tragedy, changing history may be impossible. Love blossoms amid violence, betrayal, and forbidden desire, leading to irreversible consequences. The series asks whether fate can be rewritten or must be endured, and whether love can survive in a world where power always comes at a terrible cost.

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(9) The Haunted Palace (2025)

A Joseon fantasy where ghosts haunt the palace, a fallen dragon possesses a man’s body, and a reluctant shaman holds the key to salvation.

The Haunted Palace blends Joseon-era intrigue with supernatural fantasy. Yeo-Ri, a young woman born with the ability to see ghosts, is the granddaughter of a powerful shaman. Despite her gifts, she longs for a quiet life selling eyeglasses in the countryside. Her childhood friend Yoon Gab, now a palace official, seeks her help to cure the king’s tormented son—but deceives her about the true purpose of her visit.

Tragedy strikes when Yoon Gab is murdered in the forest, and a fallen dragon, Gang Cheol—an imugi who has followed Yeo-Ri for years—possesses his body. Unaware of the possession, Yeo-Ri awakens in the palace amid ghostly attacks and mounting danger. As spirits haunt the royal family, Yeo-Ri must confront her shamanic destiny while struggling with her feelings for Yoon Gab’s body and Gang Cheol’s presence within it. Trust, identity, and love blur as she fights to protect the palace from restless spirits.

Nine (9) Must-Watch Historical Fantasy Korean Dramas (Part 2 of 3)

Part 2 of the 3-part list of nine (9) must-watch historical fantasy Korean dramas.

(4) Our Blooming Youth (2023)

A Joseon-era mystery where a cursed crown prince and a fugitive noblewoman uncover conspiracies, false crimes, and a hidden truth from the past.

Set during the Joseon dynasty, Our Blooming Youth follows Crown Prince Lee Hwan, a man haunted by rumors and fear. Whispers claim he murdered his brother to secure his position, and when he receives a mysterious “ghost letter” predicting his downfall, he begins to believe he is truly cursed. A series of frightening incidents only deepens his paranoia and isolation.

Min Jae Yi, a noblewoman with a sharp mind, faces her own nightmare after being falsely accused of murdering her family. Hunted as a fugitive, she remembers her father’s dying words: “Protect the crown prince.” To reach him, she disguises herself as a eunuch named Go Soon Dol. Jae Yi convinces Lee Hwan that the curse and ghostly events are elaborate tricks rooted in science, not superstition. They form an alliance—he will help clear her name if she helps uncover the truth. Their investigation reveals a dark incident from a decade earlier that links both their fates.

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(5) The Forbidden Marriage (2022)

A Joseon romantic comedy where a grieving king bans all marriages and a bold con artist pretends to channel his dead queen’s spirit.

Set in the Joseon era, The Forbidden Marriage tells the story of King Lee Heon, who remains devastated seven years after the death of his beloved queen. Declared a suicide, her death left him so traumatized that he refused to remarry—effectively banning marriage throughout the kingdom. Each year, on the anniversary of her death, another young woman is found hanging, reopening the king’s wounds and worsening his fragile mental state.

Ye So-rang, a clever con artist imprisoned for fraud, sees an opportunity for survival. Claiming to be possessed by the spirit of the late crown princess, she convinces the desperate king that she can channel his beloved from the afterlife. In truth, it is all an act. Ye So-rang is a noblewoman presumed dead after her stepmother’s failed murder attempt, now living by her wits alone. Her plan is simple: deceive the king long enough to escape the palace. But as emotions deepen and secrets unravel, the line between deception and healing begins to blur.

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(6) Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead (2018)

A Joseon-era mystery comedy where a brilliant detective investigates vampire rumors, strange deaths, and a sinister quest for immortality.

In Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead, eccentric genius Detective Kim Min and his loyal assistant Seo-pil are summoned by the king to investigate a string of mysterious deaths in a remote village. The victims have been drained of blood, sparking rumors of a vampire—or “living dead”—terrorizing the countryside. As fear spreads, the unlikely duo encounters suspicious villagers and a mysterious woman with possible ties to the undead.

Though this is Detective K’s first brush with the supernatural, he remains firmly grounded in logic and reason. Refusing to believe in vampires, he searches for a scientific explanation behind the horrors. The investigation leads to a hidden laboratory where rogue scientists are experimenting with an immortality potion. As secrets surface, Detective K must determine whether the living dead truly exist—or whether fear itself is being used to disguise darker human crimes.

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Nine (9) Must-Watch Historical Fantasy Korean Dramas (Part 1 of 3)

Follow this 3-part list of nine (9) must-watch historical Korean dramas that weave fantasy and the supernatural into epic tales of love, power, and destiny.

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(1) Alchemy of Souls (2022, 2 Seasons)

A historical fantasy K-drama set in Daeho, where forbidden soul shifting, magic, political intrigue, and a dangerous romance collide.

Set in the fictional nation of Daeho, Alchemy of Souls revolves around soul shifting—an illegal form of black magic that nearly everyone secretly practices, including royalty and assassins. Naksu, a legendary and ruthless assassin, is hunted by powerful mages determined to eliminate her. To survive, she performs a last-minute soul shift into the body of a weak, blind servant girl, losing her powerful sword in the process. Though physically fragile, Naksu regains her sight and begins plotting her comeback.

She soon crosses paths with Jang Uk, a nobleman who recognizes her soul-shifted identity by the telltale blue in her eyes. When he realizes who she truly is, they strike a deal: Naksu will train him in her lethal skills, and he will help her recover her sword. As their partnership deepens, they become entangled in palace conspiracies, corrupt rulers, rival mages, and hidden powers tied to Naksu’s borrowed body. Amid political chaos and danger, Naksu and Jang Uk fall in love, complicating everything.

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(2) Arthdal Chronicles (2019; Season 2 – 2023)

An epic historical fantasy set in Bronze Age Arthdal, where prophecy, tribal conflict, and hidden identities shape the rise of a kingdom.

Set in the fictional land of Arthdal during the Bronze Age, Arthdal Chronicles draws inspiration from the legend of Dangun, Korea’s mythical founder. Before Arthdal became a kingdom, it was a land of rival tribes and brutal power struggles. Eunseom, a member of the Wahan Tribe, endures hardship from birth before discovering his true identity: he is a hybrid descended from a mystical race and the child of an ancient prophecy. His existence places him at the center of Arthdal’s fight for power.

Tanya, a noble-hearted priestess and successor of the Wahan Tribe, grows stronger through adversity and becomes a key leader devoted to her people. Together, Eunseom and Tanya oppose Tagon, a ruthless war hero who dreams of ruling Arthdal as king. Tagon claims to be the reincarnation of Aramun Haesulla, the god-like founder of Arthdal, while hiding his own half-breed origins. If his secret is revealed, the fearful populace would likely execute him, destroying his ambitions.

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(3) Lovers of the Red Sky (2021)

A mythological romance in the Dan Dynasty, blending divine art, demons, fate, and love amid royal politics and supernatural forces.

Set in the fictional Dan Dynasty, Lovers of the Red Sky blends romance, mythology, and political intrigue. Hong Cheong-Gi and Ha Ram meet as children but are separated by fate. As adults, they reunite and fall in love. Cheong-Gi, once blind, becomes a gifted “divine painter” chosen to restore a royal portrait that once sealed the god of death. When the painting was damaged by fire, the demon escaped, setting dark forces in motion.

Ha Ram, born with the power of water, was nearly sacrificed in a ritual meant to appease the gods. Instead, the demon partially possesses him, leaving him blind yet gifted as an astrologer able to read fate through the stars. On the same day, Cheong-Gi miraculously gains her sight. This exchange was orchestrated by protective spirits who intend to recapture the demon. As red skies signal supernatural upheaval, the lovers are trapped between deadly court politics and an ancient battle between good and evil.

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K-Drama Review: 100 Days My Prince (2018) ~ Season 2 Confirmed for 2024

UPDATE:  BUMMER!!  NO SEASON 2.

Disappointing verdict: 100 Days My Prince won't be back for Season 2 as tvN cancels the show | TV Next Season https://tvnextseason.com/show/16862-100-days-my-prince/

100 Days My Prince (2018) is a historical period K-drama, with 16 episodes, currently available on popular streaming sites such as Netflix, Viki, and Amazon Prime.  

"100 Days My Prince Series season 2nd not a secret now. We're expecting it to land on Saturday, May 11, 2024 almost same time as previous. Here's all we know about the upcoming part of the history."  (Source)

For those who have not watched Season 1, below is a recap.

Plot Summary

In the beginning episode, we meet the young boy who will become the prince and the young girl that he falls in love with and promises to marry.  Like typical historical Korean dramas, it is loaded with political power struggles between ruthless court officials and of course, there's a touching love story. 

Childhood Trauma

A young prince witnesses horrific bloodshed and commands that it be stopped. Since he is a small child, his command is disregarded and he is returned to his father; only to learn that it was his father who ordered the bloodshed. To add insult to injury, his mother is “accidentally” killed (really she was murdered). 

From that day forward, he not only hates his father, HE HATES EVERYBODY!

Everybody except his close friend from childhood.  Everybody should have at least one true friend in this world. 

Two Marriages of Convenience?

The prince is forced into a marriage of convenience.  His wife, the princess, becomes pregnant by another man. In an effort to cover up her infidelity, the father-in-law (the father of the princess) attempts to kill the prince. The assassination attempt fails. However, while trying to escape his assassins, the prince falls down a slope and hits his head. A poor man finds him and takes care of him as best he can while he is unconscious. 

When he regains his consciousness, he does not remember who he is. When he was the prince he had given an order that all spinsters get married.  The poor man's daughter has not yet obeyed this command and time is running out.  The poor man is desperate to save his daughter from being punished for disobeying the law.  She is in peril and could be flogged to dearth.  So he the prince that he is his daughter's husband-to-be and that they must marry immediately.  Another marriage of convenience? 

What Happened During 100 Days

For 100 days, he lives the simple life of a commoner and falls in love. He is found by his father-in-law and brought back to the palace. His memory has not returned. But slowly bits and pieces of incidents from his past, like puzzle pieces, begin to fit together. His story begins … AGAIN! 

Gradually he realizes who he is and what he needs to do, i.e. fight against those who want him dead.  But he also knows what he wants to do, i.e. marry the woman he fell in love with as a commoner.  Eventually, he'll discover that she is the little girl he met when he was a child and had promised he would marry anyway.  Sadly, along the timeline from their childhood to young adults, many many unhappy and tragic events have occurred.

Will the prince overcome his opponents and will he and the woman he loves be able to live happily ever after?

• Do Kyung Soo stars as Prince Yul; and
• Nam Ji Hyun plays Yi Seo, the woman he truly loves.

RATING

Most viewers gave this series 4.8 out of 5 stars or 9.5. out of stars.  I agree.  To date, 100 Days My Prince stands as "the 11th highest-rated drama in Korea" (Source); and fans are super excited for Season 2.

Original source

If you are a Do Kyung-Soo (D.O.) fan, while you're waiting for 2024 to arrive, check out these:

• Swing Kids (2018)

• Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018); AND Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds | Singwa Hamgge- Joewa Beol (2017)

• Bad Prosecutor (2022)

K-Drama Movie Gems to Watch Free on Pluto TV (Part 2 of 2)

The list below is 5 Korean movies I have already watched or are on my watchlist. The “H” means the film is historical.

1. Castaway on the Moon (2009)
2. I Saw the Devil (2010)
3. Swordbrothers: The Showdown (2011)-H
4. Nameless Gangster (2012)
5. Perfect Number (2012)

♦ 1) Castaway on the Moon (2009)

Kim Seung-Keun (played by Jung Jae-Young) goes to a bridge over the Han River because he is contemplating suicide. He jumps but instead of dying he ends up stranded on a deserted island in the middle of Seoul. Looks like it just wasn't his day to die. Once he gets adjusted to his new life, he decides living a solitary life is not so bad, even though he still wrote out a message in the sand “HELP”, just in case.

Kim Jung-Yeon (played by Jung Ryeo-Won) also lives a solitary life and never leaves her apartment. Her hobby is taking photos of the moon. But one night she happened to see “HELP” written in the sand and a figure of a man walking on the shore of the deserted island.

It's a very unusual way for two solitary people to connect.

♦ 2) I Saw the Devil (2010)

This K-drama is a gripping and suspenseful thriller. So-Hyun (played by Lee Byung-Hun, “Concrete Utopia”, “Mr. Sunshine”) is an agent for the NIS (National Intelligence Service). When his fiancée is murdered by a serial killer, he uses his KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) as a secret agent to relentlessly pursue the killer. If he catches the murderer alive, the right thing to do is turn him over to law enforcement for trial and conviction. However, since he is a covert agent, he might blur the lines between right and wrong, and misuse his “license to kill”.

♦ 3) Swordbrothers: The Showdown (2011)

This is a Korean historical period drama, and the setting is Manchuria, China, 1619. Heon-myung (played by Park Hee-soon, “The Bequeathed”), Do-young (played by Jin Goo, “Shadow Detective”), and Du-soo (played by Ko Chang-seok) are three swordsmen from Joseon who are forced to come to China by the Ming Dynasty. They tried to take refuge in a tavern but found themselves cornered by Manchu forces.

Do you love intense sword-fighting scenes in historical K-dramas? Then you'll love this movie.

♦ 4) Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (2012)

Set in the 1980s, this gritty crime drama follows a corrupt customs officer who rises to power in the criminal underworld. Choi Ik-Hyun (played by Choi Min-Sik, “In Our Prime”) is caught accepting bribes. He wasn't the only dirty officer, but he is the one who took the blame. One night, while still being employed as a customs officer, he discovers a stash of illegal drugs in a warehouse. Since he had to leave his honest job where he was dishonest, he made up his mind to become completely dishonest. It turns out he's related to a crime boss, Choi Hyung-Bae (played by Ha Jung-Woo, “Narco Saints”), so they become partners in crime and take over the Busan underworld.

♦ 5) Perfect Number (2012)

This film is a mystery thriller. Suk-Go (played by Ryoo Seung-Bum, “The Berlin File”) is a math genius. That's the highlight of his life. He's good with numbers, but not much else, and lives as a recluse. Hwa-Sun (played by Lee Yo-Won, “The Great Queen Seondeok”) is his neighbor. He makes no effort to establish any kind of neighborly bond. She moved there because she was trying to escape her abusive, violent boyfriend, only he found her.

Suk-Go hears sounds coming from his neighbor's house, which are obviously the noises made when people are having a violent fight. Hwa-Sun manages to kill her ex-boyfriend. Suk-Go knocked on the door to ask if there was a problem, and when he entered the house, he saw the dead body.

Hwa-Sun does not try to stop him from calling the police, but she asks him if he would listen to her side of the story before making the call. Suk-Go decides to help her cover up what happened.

Hwa-Sun accepts his help, but later she starts wondering, “What's his angle”? She starts adding things up in her mind. Why did he help her? Does he have dark secrets? Is he a psycho who is worse than her ex-boyfriend? I mean … she didn't even know him, and he volunteered to. Things don't seem to quite add up. It's not just math!

This movie is based on the 2005 novel "Yogisha X no Kenshin" ("The Devotion of Suspect X").

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