While the series set out to explore the comedic possibilities of a modern soul trapped in a historical queen's body, the formula turned out to be very limited to spin it for a very long 20 episodes. I enjoyed its earlier episodes but it kept repeating the exact same gags with every single episode. How many times they repeated the same kitchen/cooking gags? I don't understand how they thought that would work. The cast size was limited as well, it could've definitely helped in coming up with new material. However, its biggest flaw was trying to add plot to its bare-bone formula. It's one of the rarest sights to see this level of shameless attempts. They didn't even know how to include it so they dedicated separate episodes for it in the middle parts while reallocating the comedy to different episodes separately, again. Cutting and editing it down into an 8 episodes package could've solved most of its issues. I wouldn't have rated it this high if it weren't for its set up, characters, and some of the gags.

> A Sageuk Comedy Masterpiece and a great stress reliever with a excellent CAST and CHARACTERS

TvN has all the best dramas of 2020 FLower of Evil , Mr.Queen and CLOY. They have successfully mix genres and deliver high production content and stress busters for people stuck at home due to COVID-19. Before I start my review a big round applause to all TvN Staff

PLOT
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There's something really special and unique about Mr Queen, I've seen several historical dramas but this ones a bit different. It's purely a comedy with a twisted interesting storytelling to keep you captivated. Mr.Queen story is quite predictable if you have watched an Saeguks or TravelToJoseon type of dramas !!

I don't usually enjoy Sageuk's even if i complete them I end-up skipping many scenes ; because they lack smooth plot and its hugely based on cheap thrills due to palace politics and lack of patience and misunderstandings. To my surprise, there hasn't any episode that I skipped, I laughed a lot, has a bit of seriousness but they manage to slide some funny twist between it which failed me feel the cold air every time :rofl: each episode is interesting and fillers are bearable !!!

We follow Kim So Yong (Jang Bong Hwan) as she - or he? haha - discovers secrets within the palace, keeping viewers on their tippy toes. However, it's never too heavy as humor is sprinkled throughout scenes. It's easy to watch and although the episodes are long, they seem to fly by so quickly because of how entertaining they are.

Many viewers don't like the ending because of their understanding of who was Queen [spoiler] ( 7-19) episodes. Once Bong-Hwan came back he fuse with So Yong ; there were two souls controlling the body and influencing the emotions. So it wasn't being Queer when Hwan felt feeling to CJ and similarly when the Queen cursed at the end it was natural as if she had fragments of Bong-Hwan. Also have to accept the fact that the Korean audience will not accept a happy ending where a Man loves a Man so the writers had to do this . Most viewers who fell in love with the Mr.Queen (1-6) Episodes will not be able to accept the ending but for me i started enjoying the show from Episode 7 after the fusion of the characters otherwise he was just too selfish in the beginning[/spoiler]

CAST
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The acting is something I must mention, both Shin Hye-sun and Kim Junghyun are great for the characters they play and portray them perfectly, the director couldn't have picked better actors for those roles.

Shin Hye-sun ; the Queen of Korea ; if you haven't watched any of her other dramas ; she is an amazing actress she started from many minor roles a decade back and molded herself into various amazing roles but this has to be the best she has every shown her skills.
You can easily see the change from Bong Hwan to So Yong to [spoiler] Queen Cherion (Fusion) and Queen Cherion . She has shown the subtleties in voice , actions and behavior patterns for viewers to identify what roles she is portraying!! [/spoiler]

Jung-Hyun ; as King CheolJong ; was excellent ; his previous characters were too one-dimensional but I could connect to his role here and hopefully he pickups good roles like this.

Royal Chef and Court Lady Choi is a dream romance connected by the **cursing** bamboo wood ; if Lee Min-Ho were to arrive there he would get a heart-attack :laughing: .

I want to see their spin-off... for Eun Bin x Prince Yeongpyeong and Hong Yeon x Hong Byul Gam or Hong Byul Gam x Kim Hwan's friendship love story...

Remaining cast played great supports they made us hate them and they were not one-dimensional !!

MUSIC
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Given this is a comedy series ; you have to have your A game when choosing the OST and Background music.
When **Norazo - Bong Hwan A** is played we knew something crazy is going to be by Mr.Queen!!
**A Yeon -Like Summer** background music during the moments b/w Chef & Court Lady or Hong Yeon x Hong Byul Gam or Hong Byul Gam x Kim Hwan's ; it was comedic and stress buster !!



REWATCH
------------This is one of the few dramas that have high re-watch value as its not dependent on the plot twists by the emotions and comedy that the characters portray !! Still 20 Episodes is still too long to re-watch so I would pick few episodes during tough times

VERDICT
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If you're on the fence about this series; thinking if this is a [spoiler] Queer-bait [/spoiler] series ; I'd say give the first episode a go, because the first episode will determine how you like the series, as the first episode is as intense as any other episode in the drama. The show gets even better from 6-7 episode onwards

All in all, it was good, very enjoyable, but the ending leaves much to be desired both in terms of logic and fulfillment. Although it was a happy ending but some viewers could't help but feel empty/disappointed. It had fierce confrontations, rated :underage: remarks, comedy, love story, family, and Korean history all in one drama.

You will not come across such a show so often and 2020 has been a good year for K-drama and especially from tvN.