First of all ,I need to remind you all that my review is incoherent at best and if you want a proper or perfect english grammar review you won't find it here. This is just me rambling in an unnecessarily long post so that one day I can look back and reminiscing on all the feeling I had for this drama. If you want a proper review I suggest you to read the-sapio-nerd 's review on top of drama's page which best captured every essence of what made The Red Sleeve a great historical kdrama of 2021.

Before going further I need to warn you all , there are spoilers ahead soyou may stop reading now if you intend to watch/ not finished watching this drama yet .

Let me start by saying TRS messed with my feelings and I am still reeling with the after effect this drama gave me post-watching. I can hardly sleep last night thinking about this drama.

TRS made me remember one of the reason why I don't like to watch historical drama especially based on real figures like this one. What is the point of watching if you know or can guess how it will turned out at the end? My real life is already sad enough and I don't need historical drama to add more misery into the mix. That is why I only watch historical drama WITH fantasy and comedic elements. I need some fluffy & humor in my drama to forget the chaos that is my rl at the moment. However, I did not regret watching TRS. For I learned alot from this drama .

I understand now why historical drama usually have more than 50 episodes but I am so thankful that The Red Sleeve have less than 20 episodes . Because I don't think I can handle TRS with 50 or 60 or 70 episodes. I don't think I will ever watch it no matter how good the drama is. God.. with only 17 episodes , I am completely wrecked,depressed and my eyes were puffy from all the crying from the pains the last 6 episodes gave me. I felt like I just lost the love of my life which did not even exist.

The strength of this drama IMO:

1) Spectacular acting from all casts and impressive development of their characters from beginning to end . My most favourite characters: Yi San , Sung Deok Im and King Yeongjo.

Lee Jun Ho. Wow he impressed me with his acting as Yi San. His acting really improved alot since Chief Kim days. I am sure now he will become one of sought after actor by many production in melodrama after TRS. I could feel all his agonies and trauma after losing his father and suffered by ill treatment from his grandfather for the sake of love. Tough love or cruel love you choose. I was surprised his mental was still intact after all that happened. Fortunately, after meeting FL ,our precious Crown Prince found the light of his life. I salute his relentless efforts in pursuing FL and never shy away from his feeling toward her.

Meanwhile, Lee Se Young was excelled in her performance as a court lady, Sung Deok Im . I think all woman would resonate well with her character. Definitely one of a strong FL in dramaland. She bravely turned down Yi San's proposal from time to time again and I was fascinated with her resolution each time. She understand deeply what she will lose by accepting Yi San. She shows that ''To love is not to possess, To own or imprison, Nor to lose one's self in another.'' -James Cavanaught. She shows we woman own ourselves, no one can own us . Not even the man that we love. She shows the true meaning of love yourself more than you love other.

Love usually associated with reckless/ irrational behaviour and full of lust but I loved the fact that in TRS , we can see love can be rational and full of chastity too. TRS had one of a refreshing romance I've seen in dramaland.

Surprisingly, I had a love-hate relationship with Lee Deok Hwa's character. I find myself understand the purpose of his action toward Yi San. Like it was needed to prepare Yi San for what were to come. But believe it, there are better ways to show love than what he did to YS... Nevertheless, he was beyond perfect in his role as King Yeongjo. Never doubt from a veteran actor like him.

I also could empathize with Court Lady Jo's reason for doing what she did. 'Hell has no fury like a woman scorned' -The Mourning Bride. I felt her pains too and I can't 100% fault her for doing what she thinks best for her. She was one pitiful woman.


2) Alluring storyline. Heartfelt script. Top notch cinematography. 1 hour 20++ minutes of each episode won't scared you here. I don't remember myself ever felt bored while watching this drama . Each scene regardless of their importance ,minute or big were needed to build depth in the story and better character development even if it was just a scene of our ML gazing deeply into the pond. And that ending. I could'nt find a better ending than what was shown in that last episode. It was well fitted the story.

My long, messy rambling review will conclude here. Let me cry under my blanket for the last time for Yi San and for Deok Im...