User reviews

I normally don't review, but there are only 3 reviews on here at the time of writing. Hopefully my review helps a few people find this gem.

First off, the storyline on IMDB doesn't do this justice. I was expecting some boring drama about a queen raising her sons to be men. It was far from that.

I get excited any time I see something produced by Studio Dragon. Alchemy of Souls, Start-up and Crash Landing on You are examples. Everything is high quality - stunning visuals, amazing soundtracks, well thought-out scripts and excellent acting.

This isn't your typical K-drama. As of episode 8, there are no love triangles, squares, pentagrams, etc. There are only hints of future romance, and only briefly.

Now, for the 1st episode I was bored out of my mind. Took me 3 days to finish it - and just barely. But what I've learned from K-dramas is you need at least 2 or 3 episodes to decide if you like it. The first is usually introductions to both character and plot. And that was exactly what this was.

2nd episode - This is getting better. The queen is even starting to grow on me. First signs are showing that I may end up liking this one after all.

3rd episode - Ok, I'm hooked. I ended up finishing the next 5 available episodes in 2 days.

What you get is a vicious power struggle within the royal family of Joseon (early Korea). The queen is the main character and will do whatever it takes to protect her family. She can turn from a loving mother to a mama-bear in a heartbeat. Kim Hye-su was well-cast for this role. She is both queenly and motherly at the same time.

The queen dowager (Kim Hae-sook, queen's mother-in-law/king's mother) is a ruthless woman willing to do anything to take down the queen and her sons. The Minister of War (Kim Eui-sung) is also gunning to eliminate the royal family - sometimes together with the queen dowager, sometimes separately. Throw in a dozen of the king's concubines trying to elevate the status of their illegitimate sons and you have a complex weave of backstabbing and manipulation.

There is a fair amount of action in this series, though don't expect non-stop sword fights. I originally thought I'd be watching a boring political drama even as I started the second episode, but the suspense is what keeps you glued to the screen. Assassinations, corruption, kids sneaking out of the palace to get a taste of the city. Even verbal debates become interesting. And nobody is safe - young or old.

I didn't find it slow at all. Even the relationships between the grand princes and their half-brothers keep you interested. There are friends and enemies as if these half-brothers were nothing more than classmates. Comedy is minimal (no slapstick) and usually contained to a couple of the younger princes.

I'd call this historical fiction, but it is so much more. Don't come into this expecting Jane Eyre. It's nothing like Hollywood-made historical fiction - it's much more intense.

Now I need to find something else to watch until the next episodes of both The Queen's Umbrella and Alchemy of Souls come out. /sigh.

I was not expecting such a good quality series when I started. It also destroys some cliches of the historical k-dramas. MUCH more realistic characters and dialogs than the other K-dramas. The character development is amazing. Some diverse touch in the event flow makes it also unique. I almost got the same pleasure with Mr. Sunshine and crash landing on you (which are my TOP 2 Korean series).

BUT especially..... the queen...... I mean who has done the casting? Is there an oscar for casting? Spectacular. Incredible queen character, great acting.

Only 4 episode left. I wish it was 24 episodes instead of 16.

Pleasantly surprised with this show; very refreshing take on a popular genre, focused on the Queen's point of view and not much on romantic interest. I thought I've seen so many period K-dramas with similar plots that nothing can be done differently but this show has managed to do so! Cleaver writing, beautiful cinematography, great cast, in other words everything you need for an engaging watch!

For those complaining that the court dynamics are not sophisticated enough; this show is clearly not Game of Thrones/House of Dragon type of experience. But the show won't disappoint anyone who enjoys period shows. I'd say it's an interesting watch, even if you're not a fan of K-dramas.

This series presents a good selection of cast acting individuals and their participation is making of this presentation a very interesting watch. The Queen is most endearingly portrayed by gorgeous Kim Hye-su and she certainly crowns this series as the most interesting character by far. The story lines bring many wonderful statement imbued of wisdom and that is reflected by the new Crown Prince. The dramas that are injected make it even more captivating as to how The Queen prevails beyond it all. Great acting by all.

The antagonists in this series get you to really root for The Queen who certainly remains on top of all situations. That is a compliment for the writers who make sure that you get riveted for what is to happen.

It feels very fresh for me since we get to see a period drama from a different perspective. Here, we follow the mother rather than the typical young romance.

The story revolves around the inner court. We see multiple concubines rival for power through their sons. Mostly, we follow the life of the queen who aims to save her sons from the cunningness of the inner court. It's a really good story with a pacing that I enjoy. I don't find any moments boring at all.

The characters are great as well. It's only been 4 episodes but they are very well fleshed out. They have a nuance of modernity in them.

The music, costumes, and cinematography are really beautiful as well.

Only a few episodes have been released and I'm already stuck on this unusual sageuk! Great cast, a different view of the Joseon royal court, and some characters who are already catching my interest as to their futures.

I can't wait to see how the storyline develops, and am hoping for a happy ending for those who aren't looking so hopeful at the moment.

The casting is great, and as usual for Korean period dramas, the scenery, costumes and cinematography are outstanding.

I'm looking forward to many more episodes, but I wish that I hadn't found it so early in the screening process, since I really don't want to wait and would definitely binge watch this drama if they were all released! Recommended for sure!

I can't wait until this show gets the views and celebrity that it deserves!! It was exceptional!! Definetly in my top 3 kdrama! The first episode doesn't give it justice but after that it's amazing! The pace is really good and the acting is fantastic! Such a great storyline and based on the few few episodes you don't expect it to toss and turn the way it does! Kept me excited! It's the first kdrama I have watched where I had to wait each week to watch each episode! I started getting really excited for the weekend to come. I strongly recommend this kdrama!! There isn't 1 episode that is filler. Hope you enjoy.

An unconventional queen is faced with challenges on all side as she struggles to protect her sons who are all bought into play as factions within the palace try to gain power. The queen is played outstandingly by Kim Hye-soo who is captivating on the screen as she defends her family from many enemies mainly influenced by the queen mother played with convincing aplomb by Kim Hae-sook. I would have probably rated it an eight as it does get bogged down a little at the end but the extra point is for the two protagonists. If you enjoy court intrigue and like strong female characters this is worth a watch.

Korean Drama " Under the Queen's Umbrella " is a roller coaster.

The drama has multiple leyers, with the family drama, the palace politics and the comedy being the very core of it.

The battle between the strong female leads was intense to follow and it refreshing to see the Queen and not the King being the center of the political battles for once.

Also, the family drama was bittersweet, with tragedy but also some warm and lovable moments.

The comedy aspect, moreover, was spot on, without exaggerations to produce laughter. Rather, the funny moments came naturally and were well handled.

Last, but not least, the performances were enjoyable, but the leading lady was a dynamite.

So, overall, nine out of ten.

I would like it much more if it was trimmed to 1/3 of its length, too much repetition and stuff being dragged out with overly dramatic shots. I guess I didn't know what I signed up for because I was told this is quite common for South Korean series.

It is interesting enough for me to keep watching until the end to know how will it all end and what will be revealed, it just takes way too long to get there.

The Queen's Umbrella would just work better as a 5-episode miniseries (at least for season 1).

Don't know if there will be more seasons coming, I have yet to watch the final episode of the season, but I will probably not continue watching.

This drama it's very well made. The truth comes fast, it's hard to predict what will happend the longer you watch it and the characters are actually smart, it do not takes decades to find out something only for the sake of time to pass.

Visual speaking it's amazing, respect, discipline, facing consequences with your head up, thinking your movements, mercy, justice, these are all on point. I don't know how I watched all of it in 3 days since I got bored very easy, maybe because the creator and actors are talented enought to keep you entertain and answer to your feelings. It will finnish the way you wanted somehow, I can feel it.

Well, what can I say: This series had so much potential to separate itself from the hundreds of other historical k-dramas out there:

• a phenomenal cast
• the Grand Princes with their extraordinary personalities and their strong bond
• and a great soundtrack.

In the end, the Grand Princes took pretty much a backseat, barely to be seen towards the second half of the show. Instead, they focused way too much on the typical schemes and betrayal happening within the palast walls, just as all the other historical dramas out there. If it hadn't been for the Queen, who is definitely a legendary character, partially thanks to Kim Hyesoo's perfect portrayal, I would've rated it even lower than that.

I was going to give this one a strong SEVEN (7) stars, even though it suffers from the usual KDrama tropes such as: 1. Overly cartoonish bad guys 2. Security oversights that are eye-rolling. People murdered? Folks getting poisoned? Have a secret to hide? No problem! Let's not increase our security one stinking bit. Court maids that can snoop without being seen. Royalty confronting people they know are dangerous with zero backup. The list goes on.

3. Throw-away characters that suck up screen time (and yet the writers think having them in the Epilogue, AKA Ep.16, justifies it).

4. Chance and VERY random encounters that have zero chance in hell of happening, simply to move the plot along.

5. Smart people (supposedly) acting in the most unrealistic and stupid way imaginable. Again, to move the plot along and have some semblance of terror.

Still, a solid 6.5 or 7...FOR THE FIRST 14 EPISODES.

Then episode 15 happens, and you're like WTF!?!?!, why is everything happening in 30 minutes. And more damning, why are the most stupid and ridiculous plot twists and reveals happening so fast?

Oh, it's because Korean writers have zero sense of pacing. It is reflected in so many otherwise good shows (not just this one), that it has become cliche. It's like they have world-builded so grandiose-like for the first 80% of the show that they have to sprint around like a chicken with no head trying to wrap up all the plotlines.

Well, it fails miserably here. And that sets up Episode 16 (the usual cliche Korean epilogue episode) for a spectacular fail. Normally, these wrap up episodes have at least some emotions in them. This one was a splattering of 50 different storylines into one jumbled mess of "look, see who's alive, see who's happy, see who's not, etc.". An incredibly unfulfilling hodgepodge that is blatantly fan-service for a "happy" ending.

So much potential wasted. Fans of the lead actress will thumb down my post for sure. She was amazing in the series, but she alone can't salvage this mess.

This is about a feisty but kindhearted queen, Im Hwa-ryeong (Kim Hye-soo), who would fight tooth and nail for her children. The mother of the Crown Prince and four grand princes, she has to protect her children from the Queen Dowager (Kim Hae-sook), court officials and other characters who are conspiring to depose her, the Crown Prince and her husband King Yi Ho (Choi Won-young) from power.

Aside from political intrigues, other parts I found interesting were the Queen's relationship with her children as well as their growing pains. The romance between swoon-worthy Grand Prince Seongnam (Moon Sang-min) and Yoon Cheong-ha (Oh Ye-ju) is charming.

Just a beautiful series with an amazing story!!

That is enough to show you how good it is!!

Just a beautiful series with an amazing story. Just a beautiful series with an amazing story Just a beautiful series with an amazing story Just a beautiful series with an amazing story Just a beautiful series with an amazing story Just a beautiful series with an amazing story Just a beautiful series with an amazing story Just a beautiful series with an amazing story Just a beautiful series with an amazing story Just a beautiful series with an amazing story Just a beautiful series with an amazing story.

Typically, Korean historical dramas feature conniving ministers, court intrigue and betrayal, poisonings and more betrayals, concubines vying for supremacy betraying each other and a queen whose husband or crown prince son dies mysteriously...

The Queen's Umbrella has all this, in the evil queen dowager and an uppity consort, but the titular queen has a strong sense of principle and a maternal instinct that encompasses not only her own children but other members of the royal court and results in plot twists that veer away from the usual. Compassion and love, as well as a chess master's strategic mind, are her super powers.

I welcome the writer's wishful thinking that a gracious, strong minded strategist of a queen can seek the highest good and achieve it despite the typical forces against her. She opts to help consort rivals and their sons in times of need, rather than stomp the court intrigue losers into the dirt. This magnanimity earns her allies in critical situations. In other words, her good triumphs over evil.

The queen's lackadaisical sons are forced by circumstance and her to grow into worthy men (and adventurous woman) after many twists and turns. Each of the surviving sons has his own character arc and the stories are engaging.

The cast is very good, esp. The queen, the production value very high. The negative reviews have legitimate complaints but as an entertainment, I enjoyed this as a refreshing change of pace for the genre.

I usually don't watch this type of drama set during this period. Once I started watching it I continued to see what would happen. Kim Hye Su once again put on a perfect performance as well as Kim Hae Sok as the evil queen. The only thing that was kind of the same was that they used an old person to play the villian once again, the only change was that it was a female. It was a back and forth with both queens trying to out do one another until the very end. I will not say what happened this is something that I recommend watching. The only thing that is kind of unrealistic is that the evil queen can even get men to do her dirty deeds without giving much in return. Other than that It was as close to perfect as you can get. Coincidentally both of these actress worked together in thieves as well. I rate this a 9 as it is close to perfect as you can get.

Series is good as a light-hearted story of a mother and her duties to her kids, albeit facing 'modern' issues in an ancient time. It seems to pro ide a more unique story and setting at first, which is a good idea.

But I don't like it when they take a dead serious turn to the story. The villain arc is weak and it feels like they are making it up as they go along. The show turns into a typical enemy-focused drama with a flawed buildup, a category it doesn't even stand a chance in.

The writing for the final few episodes feel forced and shallow. They should have ended the show post contest and wrapped things up smoothly before that. Not the other way round.

I saw a snippet of this show on tiktok and from that one clip I knew I wanted to watch it. I was not disappointed.

Starting with the scenery, breathtaking and the costumes are so well crafted.

It had a steady pace, and the introduction of characters was well done. I loved their growth overtime as well.

The queen by far is my favorite. Strong willed. Kind. Brave. And the respect that her husband the king shows her truly speaks volumes to her character.

This is by far going to be one of my favorite k dramas. The characters are so well played, the Queen, I cannot gush about enough. Wonderful all around! Not one single boring episode. Highly recommend.

The drama really needed a better introduction to establish itself properly, it took me a while before it captured my interest. Others may not have the patience. By the time the drama finished, I had no idea how many princes were there. Most of them barely got any screen, yet had some small side stories. While the prominent ones didn't develop enough. Quality over quantity would've been the right approach. I found the ending to be too subdued, soft, and tame after spending 16 very long episodes of building tension through countless slow-mo shots, mean stares, and passive-aggressive empty threats. This was another area that was lacking, the drama needed more ways to build tension. The drama had some unjustifiable, unwarranted, and under-delivered preachy moments that yanked the viewers out and ruined the atmosphere. This seems to be a common trend with modern titles. Anyway, I see that "Comedy" is one of its listed genres, although it had relatively lighter moments every now and then but these didn't adhere to the comedy genre in any shape or form. I would remove the tag as it's misleading. Speaking of misleading, the synopsis's description of the queen's character was mostly wrong and didn't translate as such into the screen.

As the other review indicated, the storyline given is lame compared to the actual plot. Period piece within high intrigue in the Korean royal court. The Queen must face down the battle ax of a dowager queen who committed murder to place her son on the throne and is willing leave more bodies in her path as she maintains her power and pits herself against the queen and others. The Queen is an incredible strategist while being humane to her sons and all decent people. Thrown into the mix is the plotting High Court Councilor. All acting and plots are very well done and very engaging. Cinematography directing, and acting are superb.

This was my first time watching a Korean historical drama and it was fantastic. I am Hispanic and this was a historical "novela" (soap opera) that I thoroughly enjoyed. I learned a lot about the historical period. It has a great plot with twists and turns. In the end though, it has a good resolution as opposed to series that end up very abrupt. In the end, I would like to see more what transpired with the King. The acting is superb. My favorite character was Kim Hye-su, who plays the compassionate and wise Queen. She is the thread that links this series. Watching this series has made me want to see what else is available in Korean drama. This was a great experience.

Amongst the overwhelming Korean releases in genres of either romance or thriller, this drama stands as an exceptionally timeless series. It is so rare to come across a female-centered work that is so unbiased and so true to the nature of the highly overlooked and undermined strength of mothers who would go beyond the extent of reason, right, and wrong for their children. Both the villain and the hero are the most stunning female characters I have ever watched. Even the second females in lines have also outdone themselves. They brought so much color with their amazing grace and terrifying wrath that it was enough to make viewers skip a heartbeat.

The only thing lacking is the depiction of the past when the present queen was chosen as the crown princess. It would've been sensational to get a glimpse of that phase, yet it was still mentioned time and time again just to tease the followers to keep them intrigued.