Title: 궁 | Goong | Princess Hours
Genre: Romance | Drama
Episodes: 24
Broadcast Network: MBC
Broadcast Period: January 11 – March 30, 2006
Synopsis:
A 19 year old, Shin Chae-Kyeong, a simple girl who wants to be a designer someday, and considered a commoner ends up being in an arranged marriage to the Crown Prince Lee Shin of Korea. Because of a promised made between their grandfathers, Crown Prince Lee Shin needs to marry Shin Chae-Kyeong. While Shin Chae-Kyeong ends up agreeing to the arrangement because of the financial difficulties of her family. However, Prince Lee Shin is in love with Min Hyo-Rin, a ballerina who chose her passion for ballet instead of marrying the Prince. It may look like a Cinderella story for Shin Chae-Kyeong but she has to faced a lot of challenges to become a royalty and a Crown Princess notwithstanding falling in love with her Prince who has feelings for someone else.
Characters:
- Yoon Eun-Hye as Shin Chae-Kyeong
- Ju Ji-Hoon as Crown Prince Lee Shin
- Kim Jeong-Hoon as Prince Yul | Hwi-Sung Dae Goon
- Song Ji-Hyo as Min Hyo-Rin
- Shim Hye-Jin as Lady Hwa-Young
- Kim Hye-Ja as the Dowager Empress
- Park Chan-Hwan as Emperor Lee Hyeon of Korea
- Yoon Yoo-Sun as the Empress Consort of Korea
- Lee Yoon-Ji as Princess Hye-Myung
- Kang Nam-Gil as Chae-Kyeong’s Father
- Im Ye-Jin as Chae-Kyeong’s Mother
- Kim Seok as Shin Chae-Joon
- Jeon Ji Ae as Lee Kang-Hyun
- Nah Eun-Kyeong as Kim Soon-Young
- Dan Ji as Yoon Hee-Soong
- Choi Seong-Joon as Kang-In
- Lee Yong-Joo as Jang-Kyung
- Uhm Seong-Mo as Ryu-Hwan
- Lee Ho-Jae as Gong Nae-Kwan
- Jeon Su-Yeon as Choi Sang Gung
- Jeon Su-Yeon as Choi Sang Gung
- Choi Bool-Am as Emperor Seongjo
My Review:
I’ve seen this K-Drama a few months after it was aired in 2006. It has received a lot of good reviews, so, I got curious at that time. I can remember my good feelings about this K-Drama but I can’t seem to remember the particulars. I just remember bits and pieces of it. Thus, I re-watched it again this weekend, so, I can give a decent review. My previous good feelings about it were right, it is indeed a feel good romcom. I did a marathon and it speaks volume of how enjoyable this K-Drama is for me because nothing seems to be good after DOTS (Descendants of the Sun) ended.
So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?
(1) I enjoyed a lot the character of the grandmother, Queen Mother Park, played by Kim Hye-Ja. Such a likeable and enjoyable character. Even she’s Royal, her character shown what we all imagine an ideal grandmother should be. Kim Hye-Ja delivered her character with a perfect pitch. She’s quite beautiful too for her age. The character indeed suits her.
(2) Even if some of the elements of this K-Drama are mostly passé and its premise are a dime a dozen, what makes this unique is that the director successfully enabled to present each characters to its audience an understanding of why they are the way they are. Their actions and reactions is something one can fully understand.
(3) The actors and actresses delivered stellar performances, nothing over the top and just in spectre of their characters.
(4) It is very light and truly provides an entertainment that won’t be heavy in your heart and mind.
(5) I like most of the OST and even their MTV scenes which is quite amusing to watch.
What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?
There’s not much to dislike on this K-Drama but I have a few commentaries, though:
(1) What’s with the fashion style of Shin Chae-Kyung? Even in 2006 I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing those clothes or done in some of her silly hairstyles. Given she’s only 19 but, still she’s supposed to be artistic and wants to be a designer, isn’t she?
(2) Although, Kim Jeong-Hoon is likeable as the third party wheeler on the royal couple and I do feel bad about his fate especially that he is trapped with the vengeful and ambitious scheming ways of his mother, but, why does he cry as if he’s smiling?
(3) Do Koreans really love to gossip? It seems in all K-Dramas I watched most of the problems came about because of gossiping.
Would I recommend this K-Drama? Yes, something good to watch if you are feeling down and in need to be amused.
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 4/5 Stars
OST:
01. Perhaps Love – HowL feat. J
Play Me:
02. With You…I’m a Fool – Stay
Play Me:
03. Two Words – Jung Jae-wook feat. The One
Play Me:
04. Always – Geon Hwi
Play Me:
05. Dah Ji Mot Han Ma Eum (닿지 못한 마음) (Acoustic Version) – 2nd Moon
Play Me:
06. 1993 광화 49년 – Various Artists
07. 宮 – Various Artists
08. 복장 불량! – Various Artists
09. 우주 정복 #1 – Various Artists
10. Crystal Flower – Various Artists
11. A Dancing Teddy – Various Artists
12. 내가 선택한 길이야! – Various Artists
13. 닿지 못한 마음 – Various Artists
14. 꽃잎이 내린다 – Various Artists
15. 우주 정복 #2 – Various Artists
16. 그대를 사랑합니다 – Various Artists
17. Falling in Love – HowL feat. Luna
18. I Would Sing This Song – Sorea
19. Give Me a Little Try – Seo Hyun-Jin
20. Piano – 2nd Moon
21. 꽃잎이 내리다 – 2nd Moon
22. 惡緣 – 2nd Moon
23. Home – 2nd Moon
24. 난 널 사랑해 너만 사랑해Ⅱ – Shim Tae-yoon
25. 말할 수 없어도 – 2nd Moon
26. Blow By Wind – Sorea
27. 너를 보면… – Words by the Crown Princess
28. 내 맘속의 너 – Words by the Crown Princess
30. 별처럼… – Words by the Crown Princess
For Lyrics in English, Romanization and Hangul, CLICK HERE