Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 2 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 3 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 4 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 5 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 6 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 7 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 8 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 9 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 10 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 11 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 12 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 13 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 14 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 15 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 16 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
If you are looking for a historical drama with a refreshing plot, easy pace, actors who are a delight to watch and an equal amount of comedy and angst, this just may be the show for you!
The Tale of Lady Ok is another exciting K-drama from JTBC which is known for fun sageuks like Flower Crew, My Country and Secret Healer. Said to be a romantic period drama, it has everything from runaway slaves and hidden identities to investigations and comedy.
The 16-episode series stars Lim Ji-yeon, Choo Young-woo, Yeonwoo, Kim Jae-won, Lee Jae-won, Sung Dong-il, Kim Mi-sook and Kim Jae-hwa among others. It is helmed by director Jin Hyeok who is known for hit dramas like Sisyphus and The Legend of the Blue Sea.
The K-drama begins with the slave, Gu-deok running away from her cruel masters after a misunderstanding puts her life in jeopardy. In a twist of fate, she begins her new life as the noblewoman, Ok Tae-young complete with the backing of a powerful family and a legal profession.
However, her secret threatens to unravel when she runs into Cheon Seung-hwi, an eccentric artist and storyteller. Not only does he remind her of a figure from her past but he falls for her instantly and refuses to leave her sight. Unfortunately for her, she also earns the ire of a neighbouring noblewoman who treats her slaves worse than Tae-young’s former masters.
The Tale of Lady Ok Season 1 exceeds all expectations as it tears the very fabric of Joseon royalty and nobility by shedding light on the plight of slaves during that era. You know those bumbling servants, funny sidekicks and nagging maids who run after the heroes and heroines of yore?
Yeah, they are mostly slaves who are punished when their charge does something unruly. Tae-young’s heartwrenching origin, fight for equality and constant fear of being caught run the show. For all purposes, she is supposed to be the pitiable underdog. But the way she holds herself, the way Ji-yeon brings her to life makes her one of our favourite main characters.
But to ensure that the drama doesn’t get too tedious, it is peppered with comedy in the form of a goofy male lead, loveable but chaotic friends and nosy nobles. It strikes the right balance with sombre melodies and upbeat soundtracks without getting too hammy and silly. The cast refrains from going over the top as well, ensuring that they don’t undermine the severity of the actual premise.
Choo Young-woo, who recently stole hearts as the dorky sidekick in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, gets his time to shine as he plays dual characters. One is stoic and righteous while having a soft side. As for the other, he is silly but sweet, pushy but has a heart.
Lim Ji-yeon easily keeps up as her character has enough ups and downs to rival a rollercoaster. Her Tae-young starts out as a bubbly slave who gets a harsh reality check. She turns into a reserved noblewoman but learns how to hope and live again. We particularly love the moments when she has to pretend to be a cocky noble whenever someone questions her disguise.
Most K-drama fans will remember her iconic role as the bully in The Glory. But while Yeon-jin-ah believes she rules the world, Lim Ji-yeon infuses Tae-young’s arrogance with fear. Viewers can sense her disingenuity but know that it is believable enough that the arrogant nobles won’t question her when she acts just like them.
Season 1 is also split up into smaller conflicts, almost like a legal procedural show such as Law & Order. As Tae-young and her gang go about solving mysteries, each case leaves a piece behind that later makes up the final, overarching conflict. In a bid to keep viewers on their toes, the writers pull out their best ideas from a refreshing love triangle to redemption arcs for the unlikeliest of characters.
The second half of the drama is a little slow as we realise that Seung-hwi is a passive character. You may have observed this in many male-led shows where the woman simply serves as the love interest. By deconstructing this trope, The Tale of Lady Ok passes on the mantel to Seung-hwi who simply exists for Tae-young despite being the main male lead.
In fact, Choo Young-woo’s second character, Yun-gyeom has a far more interesting storyline and so does his brother, Do-gyeom. The secondary female character, Mi-ryeong faces the same fate as she is relegated to the background after her mini-plot wraps up.
But the show gets back on track for the last 4 episodes and weaves an exciting and worthy mystery for Tae-young to solve for the finale. We refuse to spoil Choo Young-woo’s dual role puzzle but it definitely adds to the appeal of the K-drama. All we’ll say is that this sageuk is indeed an ambitious and intriguing tale of an equally intriguing character.
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Verdict - 7.5/10
7.5/10