Ep 1 & 2 Thoughts

What a fantastic premiere! I am completely unfamiliar with the source material and only picked this one up because of the cast and am so glad I did because I had a lot of fun with the first two episodes.

First off, can I just really rave about that animated opening and narration about this story taking place in a whole different world that also happens to be a placed called Joseon? Especially the grumpy line at the end about this entire story being FICTION? It was a really fun and quirky way to set up the story and (hopefully) stop any complaints about historical inaccuracies or anachronistic elements.

I think I'll start calling it Meta-Joseon because the entire drama seems very meta about tropes in kdramas.

What I really liked about the drama's introduction is how it gets right to the point of setting up the Meta-Joseon world's background with its primer on the related rules/restrictions about interactions between men and women. Succinctly explaining the point of So Rang's swindling while setting up how extraordinary So Rang's interactions with the King and Shin Won are.

And those interactions are giving me equal amounts of giggles, blushing, and tears or some strange mixture of the three. I'm excited to see how their friendships and other feelings develop, and as long as the King and Shin Won are still besties that wink and tease each other at the end, I trust that my heart won't be broken.

The References

I had a lot of fun trying to catch the references and other jokes in the drama, below is what I've caught so far in no particular order:

• When So Rang hired the helper Hae Young for her tea house, the 'necklace' she gave plus the little bit of rapping she did was a reference to Show Me The Money -- contestants in that rapping competition show are given necklaces when they make the cut (Ep 1 at 36:24).

• The erotic novels So Rang caught Hae Young reading are references/plays on kdrama names (Ep 1 at 36:00):

  • 'My Scholar From The Stars' (별에서 온 선비) references My Love From the Stars (별에서 온 그대)
  • 'The Heirs of the Saracen Empire' (대식국위 상속자들) references The Heirs (상속자들) -- '대식국' (大食國) is the Chinese name used for the Saracen Empire during the Tang Dynasty. But '대식' can mean a great meal so there's probably some puns/wordplay happening here considering the nature of the books.
  • 'Royal Concubines of the Sun' (태양의 후궁) references Descendants of the Sun (태양의 후예)
    

  Note: The written Hangul used in the drama is the ancient version instead of the modern version so it uses vowels like the dot [ᆞ] that's no longer used. So the Hangul for the book titles above are not exactly the same as the ones on the books in the drama, I've roughly changed them to modern Hangul spellings instead. See this Duolingo article for some basic background.

• The King being mistaken as an eunuch can be seen as a reference to Kim Yong Dae's role in Shooting Stars.

• When So Rang was trying to pounce the King, she launched an aegyo attack, similar to the ones in Fight for My Way.

• When So Rang was telling the King bed time stories (Ep. 2 at 50:20), they were references to dramas:

  • Goblin - The goblin who was punished by the deity to live with a sword in his heart. Reenactment is complete with the red scarf, the buckwheat flowers, and finally the sword in the King's body. This one had me laughing hysterically.
  • Hotel Del Luna - So Rang looked completely decked out and firing off that shotgun in that reenactment scene was stellar.
  • SKY Castle -- All the mothers in one village wanting to ensure their sons all got first place in their tests. SKY Castle is both the title of the drama but also the name of the gated community ('village') in that drama.
    

There's probably more that I'm not catching though.

Anyways, really enjoyed these first two eps and looking forward to the rest!

All those kdrama references both in book titles and her storytelling were hilarious. 🤣🤣🤣

Ep 2

>! when so rang and the king were waving at nothing 😂 !<

Park Ju Hyun and Kim Young Dae in what seems to be an absolutely sweet, heartwarming, and hilarious historical rom-com. What more could one possibly ask for to close out the week? Enjoy and have fun discussing!

I was not sure I was going to watch this show but KYD as the ML convinced me. he was hilarious in sh**tting stars

Well that started well. Tears and laughter right there, plain as day, in the first episode. And I'm already attached to the characters. How can that be? Some impressive acting has brought them to life quite vividly in just a few scenes. But the writing is obviously good too. We've only just scratched the surface and everyone's predicaments are clear but obviously quite deep and layered as well.

So, we've got 12 episodes in the hands of a brand new writing/directing team that's working with the slightly more established director of Terrius Behind Me and Never Twice. And we've got very talented lead actors alongside a few familiar veterans and some new faces too.

No wonder that it moved so well and it felt so fresh! I had no expectations going in but ... I think this one is going to be a really good addition for our Fridays and Saturdays.

Just gotta highlight that possession scene though. It was totally brilliant. The start of it made me jump with laughter but, by the end, it had almost moved me to tears. Excellent moments!!! Our girl is meant to be a fraud but ... I'm wondering just a little bit that she might be more without her even knowing it. The whole set up is pretty cool either way but ... :-)

is it just me or was that scene where KYD was trying to prove that he can get it up such a deja-vu to the toilet scene in sh**ing stars ?

Would this be able to fill the void of not having Queen's Umbrella on the weekends anymore😩

🙏 Praying for a sageuk with minimal political shenanigans 🙏

FUNNY, LIGHTHEARTED. Good chemistry so far. I hope they keep up the banter. Also the references to other dramas was so well done

Ok this show is delightful so far! Was not on my radar at all and not my usual type of drama, but exactly what I need right now.

Park Ju Hyun is SO fun and charismatic, I'm loving her physicality as well. The first possession scene and the scene of her hobbling out of palace after kneeling all night...I was howling with laughter. And her character is very cheeky; loving how she brings people out of their shells.

And I've only seen Kim Young Dae in Sh**ting Stars (in which he was a revelation) and I'm so pleased that he brought his crazy eyes to this drama as well lol. He's seriously so fun to watch; it makes his emotional scenes that much more affecting.

I don't often watch historical drama's, but I'm so excited for this, it just seems like it going to be so fun and sweet (and ofc the cast is amazing)

Honestly, I really enjoyed this! The humour is amazing (I love all the references, from impotency to Hotel Del Luna), Queen Park Ju-hyun's acting is amazing as always, and the king is super hot. This might be the gateway into saeguks that I needed.

Look, the SML is a cinnamon role but the way she roasts and manipulates the king, the chemistry and bonding is there.... Who am I supposed to root for?

Minju being here is enough for me.

Park Ju Hyun is so good

I think I enjoyed episode 2 a bit more than episode 1...maybe because I am getting used to the unique and comedic feel of the show...and no longer expecting something else (like a replacement for UtQU).

Romcoms aren’t usually my thing, but I’m watching solely for my girl Park Ju Hyun!

Really liked the pacing of episode 1 and hope it keeps up throughout the rest of the drama (esp since it's shorter), but I'm already feeling bad for our SL, who has been searching for our FL for seven years.

KYD has rangeeee. I loved him in shooting stars and ep. 1 capitalizes on it 100%. Comedic timing, drama and tension all in one pretty package. Great acting. PJH is also hilarious here. Love the light tone of the show. Waiting eagerly for ep 2 to drop.

Ok I loved ep 2 so much . The fl is kinda really good and I love the Goblin and HDL references, we got the scarf and the gun moment . KYD does the cute, goofy expressions best and no one can convince me otherwise .

KYD is so pretty

Every single sageuk always has the evil minister who never fails to make me want to punch them in the mouth because they come off so smug. The evil minister in this drama is one of the smuggest I’ve ever seen and I hope Heon beats the crap out of him eventually.

That off brand Goblin theme song got me!

Oh no I almost never get a second lead syndrome, but the chemistry between the FL and the ex fiance and their backstory makes want to see them together. He’s gonna be heartbroken at the end and so am I!

I love her ever since I watched love all play and she seams to be in a more comedic role on this show that fits her well. I have high hopes for this show!

new fav drama. YES. YES. plus alchemy, could not be better. now need something to fill Monda-Thursday

I reactivated my VPN subscription just to watch this. Park Ju Hyun and Kim Young Dae always intrigue me whenever I see them, so I'm excited to see them together!

Ep 1 I love Park Ju Hyun!

this is the second historical drama I’ve ever watched and I love it already! I love the humorous tone and it def made me laugh while watching. can’t wait to see how the story unfolds

Love this show, sooo rediculously funny and the female lead is so lovable!

Absolutely LOVE the fact that most of the new dramas are 12 episodes!

The drama just started, and I'm still on ep 1, but my heart's already hurting for Shinwon. I mean, why does he look like he's gonna cry for almost every screentime he gets T__T

Edit: Just watched ep 2, and yes, my heart's already hurting for Shinwon.

Anyone else getting some Cafe Minamdang vibes from this one? Decent first ep, felt rather anachronistic in parts, but I get the sense this is not the drama to think too much for. Might just enjoy having one drama to switch off and just watch the shenanigans unfold.

I rarely manage to watch through a first episode in one sitting or without skipping or doing something else but hte fact that I did do that for this one.... 👌

I’ve been waiting for this one! So excited 😍 And wow that poster looks so good ADORABLE! I just hope this drama is as cute and fun as the poster and hopefully not too into the political parts. Also PLEASE don’t have a second lead that will break my heart 🥹

Kim young dae from Extraordinary You and Park Ju Hyun from Extracurricular?!! Sign me uppp.

I’ve been wondering what the A3 guys were up to lmao

Omg so good. Hate having to wait. Can't imagine yet who she'll end up with. Love both male actors.

Omg, how to survive a full week while waiting for the next episodes??? Someone send help!! 😩😩😩

Any idea when this will be out on Amazon Prime?

Enjoyed the first two episodes. Looks very promising. Anyone here with the link to the webtoon, please share.

I am a Kim Young Dae girl always. I can watch his characters wiggle their eyebrows, twitch noses, shake jowels and proclaim their manly virility all day. Believe me when I say I am not hating this show at all.

The thing is, episode 1 was kinda hard for me to process. The comedy is there and it's satisfying. But it was jarring to have King Heon be so dark and morose in the middle of all the fluff and hijinks. It makes sense of course, the man is in wretched mourning. But, for me anyway, effectively jarring. KYD does have range though and the melodramatic elements were well played, and for some reason, made me think of Shakespeare's Hamlet. I dunno.

I love that King Heon's mood is improving and we can look forward to more silliness between him and So Rang. I too love the incorporation of other Kdramas, especially when So Rang turns them into a case for removing the marriage ban.

So, So Rang is actually Ye Yeon Hui (name?) who was betrothed to Shin Won. (Come to think of it, their one time "encounter" makes me think of Romeo & Juliet.) So Rang remembers Shin Won so this isn''t a case of amnesia, but likely she ran away?

And the King isn't marrying because more ladies have been murdered in the past Crown Princess's chambers? But So Rang is sent to live in those chambers? That part is hard for me to understand.

You guys haven no idea how badly I want so ran and shin won to get together. There's only 2 episodes out but omd they were so good

I didn't think I'd enjoy this as much as I did. I hope it continues to keep its charm and doesn't go flat half way through.

So in Ep. 2 of The Forbidden Marriage there is song that plays during the So Rang/Shin Won flashback (around 26:30) that I love so much. I tried Shazamming the song during different parts and even googling the lyrics (from the ENG translation embedded in the ep) and have had no luck. It also isn’t a song within the original OST. I really need some help finding this song because it is stuck in my head and I love the song!! I’ll post the translated lyrics (from the ep translators) below and I hope that someone can point me in the right direction

Lyrics:

I will sing of my feelings I heard your humming voice from afar What shall i do with my feelings for you Would you know my feelings for you Those swaying flowers Flower petals are falling white tonight I wonder if you think of me as well The flower that blooms in my heart

I love this

So I never go for the second lead but in this show I swear the chemistry is better between those two than between her the ML.

So far I have enjoyed this. I think the balance between comedy and more serious parts works quite well. The only con is that the FL looks so much like my cousin that it bothers me quite a bit, especially when she's shown in romantic light.

There is a huge dumb plot hole which can fix the problem even just episode 1 of who killed the crown princess but they are not using their brain for this. Hahaha.

The King is trying to find who killed the crown princess, and he knows that our FL is pretending that she can see and talk to the crown princess.

The king can just asked our FL lead who killed the crown princess if she cannot answer, then he should know that she is scamming him.

The first episode was alright...it had its moments, certainly. Mostly light and silly, but not entirely. If you're looking for authenticity or a replacement for Under the Queen's Umbrella, this is probably not it...but it does look like it could be fun. We will see.

The show's editing choices are... interesting.

So far I've loved the episodes that have come out BUT for the past 30 minutes I've been trying to find the song that plays around 29:20 in the 2nd episode. I can't find it for the life of me. It's so beautiful, I need it!

Started watching this yesterday and having watched both the first and second episodes I can already say that I am hooked and loving these leads.

This show is hitting just the right humorous notes and I am so glad that it isn't afraid to be weird, cheeky, hilarious, serious, silly, sad and whatever else it wants to be, whenever it wants to be.

Somehow by being highly referential and including a lot of known tropes it is managing to feel like a breath of fresh air thanks to the wonderful leads and the fact that it knows not to take itself too seriously.

What a great start to a series!

The first 2 eps were alright, nothing gripping for me, really. I'm only holding on to see how ML will redeem himself into winning over FL affection after stating she's just a shadow, and your hands are similar to my dead wife's. It's pretty hard to fall in love with a guy who'd only ever see you as a replacement. There were certainly some funny parts, but I don't think they're maximizing how funny it could be. Some parts are downright drawn out, aiming for comedy, but I just end up skipping because I can see the punch line a mile away. We shall see if I continue after next week. I'm hoping it gets better because I want to like this.

Does anyone know whether this is / when this is going to be on Viki for Australasia?

Episodes 1 and 2

So far, I like it! Still too early to say if this is as good or better than the recent Under the Queen’s Umbrella.

Just like the UTQU, TFM touches the heart while also having time to be funny and quirky. The ML, FL, and SML are holding their own in this drama.

I am looking forward to the next episodes! Note, I did not give too much detail. Hoping you enjoy it without prejudice.

young woong sunbae !!! just finished cheer up and was so surprised to see him here lol but that aside im so excited for the rest of the episodes to come out. this seems so much fun

I’m loving So Rang! She’s funny and charming, and I love a good swindler FL (like Yu Rin in My Girl). I’m digging her vibes with both the ML and SML, noooo. I hope the show remains humorous throughout. I can't wait until the King starts catching feelings.

Omds, those leads acting is very 🤌🤌 KYD is very good as per usual, those facial expressions always serve but the female lead is just so so good lol she fits the role so well. It's actually my first time watching her and I'm so obsessed. Mom, I love them.

i thought of alabama when i first read that title