User reviews

Don't judge this series by the strange title. It's a suprisingly involving historical drama and the setting and costumes are quite beautiful. The first episode might seem a little trite but stick with it, things get better as the series progresses. The love story is charming enough but isn't the main part of the show. There is an epic royal conspiracy and political intrigue, an epidemic, and some insights about the role of historians in recording the truth independently. Shin Se Kyung as the title character is sweet and intelligent looking which is right for the role and her character comes across as endearing and likable without being self righteous. Che Eun Woo is prettier than her. The supporting actors are convincing and serious as a balance including the crown prince and the historian Min. I liked the tone of this series - not too heavy - a good balance of romance drama light comedy and historical context.

Very nice korean series. Warm feelings and particurarly interesting to get to know korean culture. Good for Netflix to share this type of entertainment. The actress and main character is wonderful.

I really like the story about the historians. I didn't know how powerful a historian can be. They have to be objective in writing to describe people and events. They cannot be persuaded to change the history because future generations will depend on it. Characters are great actors. Eunwoo and Se Kyung has great chemistry. I can't wait to see Eunwoo in more adult roles.

I loved everything about this show. For me it was perfect. Beautiful scenery, thoughtful plot, adorable leads. I know little of the culture, but I was transported into another world. A lovely historical fairytale.

Although it started in a very light and romantic way, it evolved to a great historical drama!

Episode after episode it became even better and better!

It showed the transition from highly traditional to more modern ways of living of that time period.

The characters of the story were great and the 2 lead actors, besides their immense beauty, they were EXCELLENT in their performance!!! But even more, all the supporting roles were amazingly played by the relevant actors! Congratulations to all of them!!!

Another thing that I found fantastic was the small technical sound effects that sometimes were played while the actors were moving, in order to give more emphasis and a funny tone to these movements. When you hear them you feel about to laugh. They gave to this drama a funny and playful aspect. Really good job there!

I really enjoyed it! It worth to see it! :)

Another Netflix recommendation that wowed me. The cast is lovable. The story is well crafted, with romance, mystery, history and palace intrigues in just the right servings. I'm impressed with how ably Shin Se-kyung as Goo Hae-ryung and Cha Eun Woo as Prince Lee Rim/Dowon led this spectacular production.

If the Joseon royal court really had historians as dedicated as the ones depicted in this drama, they are unsung heroes of Korea, for upholding virtues in the highest places, for making sure the king and his court did not abuse their powers.

Great show I wish it came on every day I hope that Netflix will continue to carry it and if there is a season 2 I looked forward to seeing it!

A nice kdrama with many funny moments ,cute romance and very interesting script. Excellent performances from all the cast. Every episode was great and never get boring. The finale was also good enough. Recommended to everyone!

Good plot, great characters, lovely romance, beautiful sets and costumes. 1000 times better than any historic Korean drama of the past.

" Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryu " started strongly, but lacked intensity.

The main character was interesting, first of all, and probably the highlight of the drama. Her story was entertaining and original, until they added that cliche twist in the end. The romance was kind of weak too, as the two didn't have much chemistry and the love story didn't have a smooth pace. They just had a moment and that was it? Still, this was Eun woo's best performance to date. He was confident and he handled the dramatic scenes better than his other drama's. The other performances were good too.

So, overall, six out of ten, because the drama got boring and predictable.

Good quality soap. I havn't got the knowledge to see how accurate the period setting is, but still wonderful to look at. Prefer this South Korean tv-plays before those from example USA. They do know their romance, you will get carried away but its never vulgar. The political stuff gives an extra edge to it.

Watched this because of the hgh ratings but there were just too many stories of the side characters in here. The debate about historians was interesting. It whiled away my covid quarantine but it would have been better to break this up into 3 series. I think the researchers got too bogged down in getting in as much detail as possible. If you are looking for light and fluffy then try The Kings Affection, the male romantic lead was better.

The first couple episodes were good but it just ended and i lost interest, Se-Kyung Shin has done some of my favorite KD movies but actually I'm asking myself can se really act.

I'm surprised that not many people have commented how funny the show is, especially the romantic naivety of the Prince and the clownish ensemble of Historians. Some really hilarious moments - I'd definitely call it a comedy-drama.

I do hope Netflix will get this season 2 because its one of best kdramas I've seen, and the historic setting is incredible. I loved to learn the same time as well cry, because damn if this show wasnt emotional roller coaster as well! But loved every moment of it. Also the love story was cute and well done. 100000/10

The introduction to the show's plot, all the background information and getting to know the characters makes up 25% of the series. Getting through that wasn't easy in my opinion. But when the actual story finally started (as in the prince and the historian meeting for the first time), I was HOOKED. The characters are great and really funny most of the time, yet it didn't feel ridiculous in any way because they were still dealing with some serious topics. I'm not sure how accurate the historical side of the story is, but it didn't seem implausible to me.

The ending was kind of rushed in my opinion, but see for yourself.

In conclusion: don't stop watching if you're struggling with the first few episodes and definitely don't let the somewhat ridiculous title of the show fool you. It's such a good series that deserves to be watched.

I was at Changdeokgung palace and the secret garden in Seoul a week ago, and started watching this when i got home to Australia a few days back as it is on my to-watch list. Along with a few squeals of "I've been there!", and "the pond has more lotus plants now", and "oooh they hid the fire hydrant & lighting well" i've been pleasantly surprised by the storyline and acting (Cha Eun-Woo isn't hard to watch either), but the storyline is a bit slow. I'm only a few episodes in but i'm going to keep watching as it's nice to see some empowered females in a storyline for a change, fighting against sexist gendered stereotypes with low expectations of women's abilities other than to breed and keep house. It's a nice pleasant watch.

I think this is a good story well told but with so many series available from Asia which are better or far better I think 7 is a fair score. It is a love story involving a prince and a female historian, which is entertaining but not gripping. Worth a watch though and at 20 episodes not too long.

First of all just treat it as fantasy. There were no female history writers of this time and an unmarried 26 year old woman would not have been allowed. Just enjoy the great sets and costumes, a story that zips along over 20 episodes and some really great comedy, Shin Se-Kyung is lovely and plays her self rather than acts as such. Cha Eun-Woo has the right sense of nievteand wonder. The comedy is spot on and laugh out loud. The story is preposterous but fun with a good ending. Enjoyed this a lot.

📜This show documents the beginning of sharp-witted Goo Hae Ryung's career as a historian at the Royal Joseon Court. Historians had exclusively been male. When women are permitted to take the post, the usual hazing, intimidation, and other bullying by the species accustomed to power (in this case men) takes place.

📖We'll turn the page from her rocky start. The next chapter finds Goo Hae Ryung assigned to Prince Gowan for record keeping. The prince is housed in the most remote portion of the palace grounds. Not uncommonly, several people have forgotten all about him. Why he is austerely isolated, so. He's been marking his time secretly reading and writing °fiction° (scandalous!).

📚As the word count multiplies and the story takes shape, she finds herself bound in palace intrigues, a mystery from the past, a literary - strike that - a *literal hunt for a lost manuscript, and her first personal romamce story. The tone of the show is mostly lite, though there are some serious moments in the mix.

🏰The inner palace intriguers are 24-hr false-news reporters. The machinations of the court as a whole are excellent. Here's the broad-strokes flow chart: The king is at the top, then the ministers, next are officials - level-1 all the way down to the 9th level editions - further down are the lowly but strangely powerful clerks, and down it goes: etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Know thy place.

🤼‍♀️The rivalries between the territorial, often corrupt, and always bureaucratic agencies is Pulitzer worthy. They even penned a moment that is reminiscent of Ron Burgandy's Anchorman. I kid you not. That scene is a bestseller. Goo Hae Ryung's boss seems like a thoroughly non-serious person, but at times he enscribes a line that he won't permit anyone to brush away. Those moments are downright inspiring.

🤚🏽Though a very pleasant series, RH is not without blots. Some plot points and what characters say, or fail to say, or at times their actions, seem like misprints due to the lack of cohesion. The epilogue style ending doesn't augment RH either. (Here's another Kdrama that suffers from MSS, or Mandatory Separation Syndrome). While it was easy to predict the ending, at least in part, it is like an unfinished tome: It's not fully resolved. They weren't going for a serious historical drama, but one could almost pen a thesis on the way the show wrapped up compared to historical accuracy, ironically. Prince Gowan is not a roundly developed character. He definitely didn't get out of his mini compound enough, so he's almost child-like at times. Goo Hae Ryung is a little too independent to imagine in a give-and-take relationship. In fact, actress Shin Se-kyung is a force of perfect timing & snappy on-the-spot jibes. Her presence is strong to the point that she embodies the mother/lover type, not only in RH, but also in other productions like Run On. One has to wonder if the couple's diverse interests will be a strain that leads to reorganization later on. Even the life they are living at the series' end, which appears carefree, isn't true to their characters.

🍻It's up to the individual to decide if this lexicon of detractions mar the finished work. I easily edited it all out and was able to enjoy the show. Some of these unintelligible scribbles do affect the overall quality a tad. Perhaps they were hung over when they did the final editing.

📰Before I send this to the presses, I would like to post a petition of my own: If you like this show, you will love My Sassy Girl. (I know, the name is strange. For now, overlook its IMDB rating as not many people have weighed in on it yet). My Sassy Girl precedes this show by two years. It was a big hit in South Korea and opened the door for dramas like RH and 💯 Days My Prince. RH borrows heavily from MSG - it's inspiration, not plagiarism. MSG, is every bit as good as this show; don't let its outrageous opening sway you. In my book it's even better (it comes down to the male protagonists), not that we have to compare everything - they're both worthy of watching once-twice-even-thrice.

📁This will conclude the record of Prince Gowan and Goo Hae Ryung.

Signing off,

🔚

〰IMHO✏

🎬8 📝7 🎭8 🤔7 ⚡6 💓7 🦋5 Suggested Age 12& up.

🐦

This is the only reason for me to pay any netflix bill at the moment. The show is still airing and Netflix has been adding 2 episodes per week.

I think you will need to like period pieces, at times quirky comedy, and subtitles if you do not speak korean to really enjoy this. The setting takes place during the Joseon Dynasty and follows primarily one of the first ever female Joseon historians as well as the second prince and the royal family.

Triumph of smart writing and feminism within the realm of Korean dramas. This series not only offers a refreshing take on historical narratives but also presents strong and empowered female characters that challenge societal norms.

The drama's approach to feminism is commendable, as it not only highlights the struggles faced by women in a historically patriarchal society but also celebrates their determination to break free from restrictive roles. The titular character, Goo Hae-Ryung, is a shining example of resilience, intelligence, and the power of self-discovery.

The show skillfully weaves together themes of romance, friendship, and societal change against the backdrop of historical context. It strikes a balance between providing moments of heartwarming connection and shedding light on the complexities of gender dynamics.

Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung is also notable for its thought-provoking commentary on the importance of recording history accurately and the role of historians in shaping the narrative. The drama's emphasis on the power of knowledge and its potential to challenge the status quo adds an intellectual depth to the storyline.

The series' feminist undertones extend to its male characters as well, as they evolve beyond traditional archetypes and learn to respect and support the aspirations of the women around them.

In a landscape where gender dynamics are often taken for granted, this drama is a breath of fresh air. Its empowering themes, well-drawn characters, and smart storytelling make it a standout drama that resonates with those who appreciate narratives that challenge conventions and celebrate the strength of women.

This series tries to be all things to all viewers-and fails.

THE TITLE

This is pretty nitpicky, but it would be nice if someone who understands English a little better reviewed the titles of Korean movies and series before they get translated. The word "Rookie" comes from American sports culture and means a whole lot of things in English that make it a problem here-mostly because this is a drama where women are trying to be treated seriously as professionals.

HISTORICAL DRAMA

This series, like Frankenstein's monster, is made up of a whole lot of pieces stitched together into a mishmash. Is it a historical drama? A romance? A mystery? A social commentary? Or a farce?

Let's start with the good. Shin Se Kyung (female lead) is sweet, spunky, and believable. She's age appropriate, and doesn't look like a twelve year old. Officer Min (the younger Min) is played by an impressive actor. And a few others are OK.

True historical accounts were being written in the late Joseon era, but we don't get any of that here. Instead the focus is on the "historians" of the "Office of Records whose job was to record the literal facts and words spoken in official transactions--with no bothersome interpretation. For example: "The prince turned the page." "The king took a dump" But it's confusing because, nowadays, this is what a stenographer does-not a historian.

FARCE

The antics and slapstick humor indulged in by the male historians are just plain tedious. I fast-forwarded through a lot of the hijinks.

But I really liked the klutzy doofus Prince Dowon, especially when he first fell in love. Haven't we all known someone like that? (Some of us have even been someone like that.) I thought he was pretty funny-but most of the other secondary characters, not so much.

Prince D., can't you take that headband off? At least when you go to bed?

SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Real historical controversies--immunization and book burning--are plopped into the fictional story in a way that doesn't feel natural. The audience never gets to see the mayhem, torture-or real brutality and suffering of the era. We get a lot of poorly rendered violence. For example, a character gets stabbed and dies--sort of. But it's pretty clear that the blade went under the victim's arm, not through his body.

A frenchman wanders in out of the blue, and the writers make up a far-fetched reason for him to be there-apparently so they can show how most of the citizenry hatred of strangers. But racism is never shown in its full ugliness. Disease, inhumanity and death are hinted at-or happen offstage. Even the arrows shot at Prince Dowon by the bad guys are blunted--so no real harm done. Noble sentiments and self-sacrifice abound.

All this virtue signaling felt heavy-handed, and preachy. For a much more skillfully acted and plotted Korean series--without the pretension--don't miss MISAENG.

A historical drama about a female historian who stands up for herself and falls in love with a prince who is practically a male Rapunzel. The story is good and is a perfect watch for a lazy day. I watched this after watching" moon lovers" which is a very sad drama and this one helped me to recover from that. So yes if you want to watch something that is not too heavy yet intresting and historically based. This is the perfect drama for you. The drama contains two important parts one that shows the importance of historians ( I realised after watching this show) and the romance between the prince and her. The romance is so sweet that you will fall in love with the prince. The way he loves her is truly amazing. It is also a drama where you won't see useless bothering charecters trying to ruin other people's love life, no unnecessary love triangle, no misunderstandings yet beautiful in it's own way. I loved the show and I hope you will love it too. The lead actors were amazing . Particularly the male lead . The lead actress could have brought in more emotions in her. Yet it all made sense. I am glad I watched it.

I loved every single minute of this series. It's absolutely epic! Well written, interesting and every episode was fantastic to the last. The ost is also so beautiful and it's so well structured! I always kind of wonder about 20 episodes but wow this one was well worth it. And Cha Eun-woo really really good in this!!! And so is Shin Se-kyung. But the most important aspect of this series is the most interesting and engaging ... the role of historians recording events in relation to how rulers want to subvert the events to suit their means. Excellent show! Really well worth watching this historical drama that offers a great perspective of life in the Josean era! And I love the strong female perspective. Really well worth watching and I give it a 10/10.