The Tale of Nokdu (2019)

Ok, where do I begin? First of all, this is one of my favourite shows ever! The acting and chemistry between the characters was outstanding! The editing and the organization of the episodes was probably the best I’ve ever seen. I absolutely loved every aspect of the storyline and all of the plot twists and developments of the characters. The music was also so incredible and matched the situations perfectly. For some reason, this show also gave me Legend of Fuyao (also one of my favourites) vibes even though most of the plot is different. Overall the show was incredible and one of the very few that I wouldn’t mind rewatching. The only thing that kind of disappointed me was the ending. Although it was a good and happy ending, I didn’t feel the most satisfied. I believe that there was an even better ending that would’ve kept me even more satisfied. The whole plot was very good and never got boring therefore I expected more from the ending. Even with the ending they had, it was a bit rushed in my opinion as I wanted a bit more details on what exactly happened during and after the 9 years they skipped over. If they’re planning on making a second season, then this would be the perfect ending for season one. I just feel like there should be a bit more to it. That being said, I would definitely recommend it as it’s for sure one of my favourite shows out there.

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This is one the the kdramas that I really found it hard to wait for the next episode. It was so great! I love everything in it - the casts, the plot, and the execution of the script ??

The first two episodes made me so hooked in this drama, but the rest episodes are even more so. I have never felt bored, not even for 1 episode. It was very funny, very entertaining, and also exciting. I love the flow of the story, and the ending twist is unexpected.

Like Kim So Hyun (Dong Joo) said, Jang Dong Yoon (Nokdu) is very handsome and also very beautiful ??? That was actually the first time I saw him. His first appearance is a bit funny for me, it was like "Woooh! Does it really have to be like that?" However, it gave me an impression that it will be a fun drama. His action scenes are quite short but looked realistic. I loved it when he was at the vilage of the widows, especially his scenes with Go Geon Han (Vice Curator).

As expected from her, Kim So Hyun (Dong Joo) is really the best. Her acting skills improve more and more. I really love to watch more of her drama. Her eyes are very expressive, and she's so cute when she smiles. The long kissing scene was unexpected though, but it was good.

Kang Tae Oh (Yool Mu) is very appealing. He looked really passionate in his acting. I can feel his emotions. Villain role suited him, but I guess him as a leading man would make me excited too. He has a very strong sex appeal. In his role, I love the part that he has love for his assistant. In most of the dramas I've watched, villains never care even something would happen to their assistant, but not in this drama. Even with a greed to the throne, he had always cared for his assistant.

I really loved every scene of Go Geon Han (Vice Curator). Though some of his act is a bit exaggerated, it was still nicely done that I find them the most entertaining. I really laughed out loud. I love the part that he still can't move on from his feelings towards Nokdu even after finding that he's really a man, however, I loved it even more so when he was able to move on and find a new love.

Another best drama of Lee Moon Sik. You never failed to amaze me. Truly, every drama that you are in is very entertaining. I love that you were in this drama.

Though it seemed that I can grasped all the things that will happen in the last episode, I was still awed by how things turned out in the end. It was a good ending though - for all of the characters. This drama is great from beginning to ending, and the story is really great. One of the best drama of 2019.

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First of all I want to tell you guys that this series is worth to watch!

As I watched the first episode I know that this series will be worth of my time and I was right. Got hooked already since the first episode, but we all know that every dramas has some flaws and should be criticized. First one was the story of the king and it's officials. It was too late for me to understand who's with who. Who are the ally and what are their motives. Next was the women from Muwoldan Corps who got injured in her leg. What really happened to her and why did she suddenly disappeared? There were no clear story of her sudden disappearance from the series. I can say that there where some parts of the story that was skip and remained unclear for me. As for the ending, one of the MOST SATISFYING ENDING so far.

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So this review contains some very minor spoilers. Most of these you figure out after a couple of episode.s

I hate joseon dramas. I really do, I hate them with a burning passion. I feel like usually joseon dramas have two main leads and every one else acts as though they are satan themselves. It's annoying and repetitive. I LOVED this drama though. I loved it so much. This isn't just "good for a joseon drama" this drama is amazing by itself. I'm glad that the premise of jang dong yoon acting as a female and adorable bts scenes finally swayed me to give this drama a shot. I binge watched it in a week and I have no regrets. It was my treat myself after finals, and it was one of the best treats ever.

Here is what I loved the most:

The Relationship
Now some people complain that these leads don't communicate. I wholeheartedly disagree. We figure out early on that they are in some dangerous schemes. It's realistic and respectful to protect those you love when you're involved in something that could get you executed for treason. The female lead is hesitant to start a relationship, but it's shown that she's been denying herself happiness all her life. It's realistic for her character to act like that. Also if I was planning to assassinate the king, I wouldn't start a relationship either. I would be even more hesitant if I actually liked him, because I wouldn't want to hurt him. If you think about it from her perspective it makes sense why she acts the way she does. What's beautiful about their relationship though, is that even though they don't lay out their plans, they still give each other emotional support. They laugh with each other, they cry with each other, they cover for each other, listen to each other and they are always there for one another. It's beautiful and natural. They are definitely one of my favorite kdrama couples.

Nokdu and Jang Dong Yoon
I love Nokdu. His character was more comedic in the beginning and more serious at the end. This didn't jar me too much. In the beginning he didn't know who he was and that allowed him a more lighthearted nature. Towards the middle and end he found out who he was and let's just say it became more personal. It makes sense for his nature to become more serious and hurt. Whether he was being romantic, funny, or serious his acting was on point. I have never seen a man act like such a convincing woman. Lady Kim is more feminine than I am lol. His acting in more serious moment was of course on point. I already knew that he was good with serious characters though from Solomon's Perjury and School 2017. He also did fantastic in the romantic department. I don't usually like romantic dramas and I tend to stick to crime.s the Nokdu definitely made me swoon though and I found myself squeeling over him and his relationship with dong joo. Overall, the acting was great. I also loved Nokdu as a character. I found myself rooting for him since the very beginning. He is so kind and loyal to those he loves. When his heart broke my heart broke, I just love Nokdu so much.

Dong Joo and Kim Seo Hyun
Some people don't like her character, though I don't understand why. I thought her story of "happiness or revenge" was really poignant. The actress did a good job from the very first scene establishing the internal conflict in Dong Joo. I loved how human she felt. Sometimes characters are so bent on revenge that they feel less human. Dong Joo felt very well-rounded and real. I was always rooting for her character too, and hoping that she would find happiness.

Side Characters
The side characters were good people! I loved all of them and was rooting for their personal happiness too! I'm glad this drama added in side characters, instead of just focusing on our leads. I love our leads, but good side characters balance out the melodrama. I wish all joseon dramas had a healthy set of comedic and lovable side characters.

The Villains
They weren't just the spawn of satan. Perhaps the writing could've been a bit tighter on their characterization. I'll be forgiving though since it was different from just "he's evil." I enjoyed our villains and didn't get bored when they were on screen. This is enough for me, since usually I tune out when villains appear on screen in joseon dramas.

Overall, this drama was amazing. It is definitely my most favorite joseon drama. I recommend it to all, and hope you give it a chance like I did!

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This is the first time I have watched a sageuk drama (historical dramas bore me so much) but The Tale of Nokdu is something different.

Truthfully speaking, this was not on my list at all because as I have said, historical dramas bore me. But I came across Jang Dongyoon and Kim Sohyun's rain kiss bts on facebook and their chemistry was exploding! So I gave this drama a try and boy did I not regret watching it. This has become my FAVORITE KDRAMA OF ALL TIME!

From episode 1 up to episode 32, there were no boring scenes. Everything looked interesting. The plot twists were surprising. This drama made me laugh so much on the first episodes, it made me mad and cry on the other half. The actors/actresses did a good job portraying their roles. I have never seen such powerful casts that blended perfectly with each other. No one was better than the other or weaker than the rest. Every casts showed perfect performance. Not to mention how close they are off cam, that is why TTON family is one of the best. Their bond is more than just work, they are a family.

Jang Dongyoon and Kim Sohyun? I swear directors are making a big mistake on not casting them on another kdrama! These two are made for each other (on and off cam). Their chemistry is all over the place and have yall watched their bts vids? They're so comfortable with each other! I have seen comments about KSH being most comfortable with JDY than her other co-stars and I think that says a lot about their friendship. I really hope they'd end up together in real life but if they don't, I hope they'd remain friends forever.

The OST? This drama has got the best songs and I'm not even being biased here. The production team does know how to insert the right background music on a scene that it makes you feel twice the emotion you're feeling. I've been listening to the ost since the day I finished watching TTON and it just makes me miss this kdrama more.

The ending satisfied me. The writers gave us an ending that is a combination of reality (parts of this kdrama were based on actual history) and imagination, and I think that's what makes it perfect. No kdrama has ever given me peace after finishing it and TTON just gave me what I asked for.

I highly recommend that you give this drama a try. I really love this drama that I have rewatched it just days after finishing it. It's perfect in it's own way - the casts, the production team, the story, the ost, the cinematography (it was so lit, I tell you!) and a lot more were done perfectly. I'm not over TTON yet and I'm 100% sure that I will never move-on from this. It will be hard for me to watch another kdrama for weeks because TTON just owned my heart. I miss TTON family so much!

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At first, I started watching this drama because I was not able to hook up on any drama. But the drama didn't disappoint me at all. Because-

1. They didn't drag.
2. Unlike most of the historical k-dramas, it didn't slow down at 2nd half. I think it got more interesting at that time.
3. Nok du (Idk his real name) adapted his role really well! I really need to give a heads up here. Bc I personally think it's really hard to adapt this kind of role & it was so brave of him to take up this role!
4. And after watching this drama, I felt like "Yes! Everything is perfect!". Like everything was right at their place. I really loved the ending!

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I AM SO HOOKED IN THIS DRAMA. Even if it's over for like months now, I still rewatch some scenes and some behind the scene videos.

For the cast, Jang Dong Yoon and Kim So Hyun are perfect pair! I can't get over them that I am wishing they'll date in real life! I know Jang Dong Yoon is an amazing actor (and extra adorable and cute) as he did so well in Mr. Sunshine and Just Dance, but he is extra good in this drama. The way he projects as Nokdu and Lady Kim is so convincing that you'll head over heels for him. As for Kim So Hyun, no wonder why she's so persistent in this field. She is really a gem when it comes to acting. For, Yul Mu, I just wished it was done by another actor because JDY and KSH are young-looking and Tae Ho is mature-looking. I have no issue in his acting, just his looks. I just think he is not fit to be the third wheel. (He looks like KSH's older brother, haha!)

For the story, it's so cute. And I love the ending so much! I love that they didn't go to the ending that you know, the lead gets to be the king etc etc.

This will always be on my Top 5 if not Top 3 of my Best Kdrama list.

I am hoping they'll cast JDY and KSH together again! Oh please! Let them win couple of the year award!

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Has some laugh out loud funny moments, intrigue and romance

9/10 is my rating. This is a 2019 Josean era based historical romantic comedy with 32, 30 minute, episodes.

After assassins attempt to murder his family, Jeon Nok-du/Lady Kim Nok-soon/Yeon soo (Jang Dong-toon), sets out to find out who sent the assassins and why. He traces them back to a widows only village and disguises himself as widow Lady Kim, so he can remain undercover and investigate. He is provided a room to share with Dong Dong-joo/Yoo Eun-seo (Kim So-hyun) who is pretending to be in training as a courtesan but has her own mysterious reason to disguise herself in the widow town. Dong-joo’s goal is to secure a place in the palace were she will have access to the king. Nok-du’s investigation leads him to the palace as well. With a king, King Gwanghwamun (Jung Joon-ho) who is insane with the need to guard the throne at all costs, getting close to him is no small endeavor. Can the two succeed in their separate yet intertwined quests and manage their growing feelings for each other? Will what they each discover draw them closer or tear them apart?

spoiler alert**. The first part of this series had some laugh out loud moments where he is struggling with all the pitfalls of trying to be a woman. The mystery around both of their pasts is highly intriguing. I loved so many of the supporting characters. I really liked the character Nok-du and wanted to see good things happen for him. When he discovered the king was his father who attempted to kill him as an infant due to some prophesy, I hoped he would come around and be happy his son was alive and had grown to an exemplary person but he never did. Even after getting to know him as a close confident when he did not know he was his son, he wanted to kill him the moment he found out. There were moments when the king was almost a sympathetic character but then he would do something awful again. The ending was happy in terms of the romance but there were disappointing elements. Nok-du winds up back in exile and I would have liked to see him be Prince after all the struggle. He would have made a fine future king as he was kind, brave and loyal. Instead the evil cousin basically got his way and deposed the mad king. I wanted to see the king and perhaps the cousin come around. But both remained evil at their cores. The opening music did not fit with a historical drama and I would laugh at how silly it is. It was very good and extremely entertaining but those few elements kept it from being exceptional.

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The villain steals the show

So, when I looked at the initial cast I didn't really feel like watching it because of the previous dramas some of the actors were in and I just wasn't in the mood to watch them for 32 episodes. But after a long while I've been seeing stuff about this drama, and what finally got me to watch it was the presence of Hwang In Yeop, and the fact that the villain absolutely loves the heroine. Those are my main reasons really. The beginning was super funny, as most romantic historical dramas tend to be before the last half of the show where it gets serious. But what caught my attention was the total 180° the second male lead took. I had forgotten there was a villain in this story because it was overshadowed by other events, but boy did I look forward to the villain's scenes! I absolutely loved that he was so evil towards everyone else that got in his way of obtaining the throne, but come the love of his life into the scene and he turns into a beggar for her attentions and becomes a huge softy for her. I just loved it! I sort of wished he kind of got her in the end, but his methods of obtaining what he wanted caused so many deaths. He's a villain for a reason, granted, but I loved the complete contrast between his behaviour towards everyone else that wasn't his bodyguard or his love. As for the story, it reminded me a bit of Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden in the fact that a prophecy foretold that the son will surely seek the death of his father, but the only reason the son would even dream of killing his father is because he tried to kill his son in the first place. I get it, it's a prophecy, but it's a preventable one that this father refused to change, having the power to do so. Anyway, all of the stars that I give, was for that actor's phenomenal duality performance... Oh and the cheeky little girl who caught me by surprise!

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