Ji Sung surely an A-list Korean actor but the leading lady Yum Jung Ah , 39-year-old veteran actress, just back to entertainment business after a maternity leave. Her last appearance was 2008 drama Working Mom where she played a wife with a cheated husband.
Another noted cast is Cha Ye Ryun, a mediocre in popularity and acting too, plus super veteran actress , 60-year-old Kim Young Ae.
So, it’s a quite quiet drama and when finally open with not much buzz, Royal Family suffered single digit rating in couple first episodes.
Fortunately, at the fifth episode, capable to score double digit rating, thanks to Sign‘s viewers who switched to Royal Family right after Sign ended.
And when we finally watched it, it’s surprisingly beyond expectation.
It’s a pleasant first episode, a super fast pace drama and offers an unlikely couple in K-drama : a 29 years old prosecutor (Ji Hoon) who gives his all for a 42 year old widow (In Sook) .
It’s so sweet, the way Ji Hoon exhibits his love towards In Sook. There’s practically no romance moment between them – let alone ‘saranghae’ words- but we understand that Ji Hoon loves In Sook so much above everything.
The lack of romance moment in Royal Family makes us need it more and cherish every little signal of affection from Ji Hoon to In Sook. This time , ‘less is more‘ is 100% right !
Ji Hoon, by the way, is one of our favorite character in K-drama. Because he has no love story in the past, no former girlfriend or fiancee. He’s unwavering, he’s not weak and he’s not extravagant showing his affection.
He’s also a classy in response when another woman (Jo Hyun Jin , played by Cha Ye Ryun) openly expressed her love to him and attacked his feeling toward In Sook. Loved it !
The situation between Ji Hoon and In Sook puts Ji Hoon’s love so unique. He owed In Sook since his childhood and he determined to protect his guardian.
But out of nowhere, he loves her too, without a bit signal that she is in the same page with him.
Their unique relationship is the main factor for us to stick till the drama end. What a refreshing couple in K-drama !
Royal Family also entertains us with a ‘grade A‘ acting skill from the main casts.
Ji Sung is superb, veteran actress Kim Young Ae portrays a super perfect cold chaebol boss and Yum Jung Ah is AMAZING !
She’s the key character and liven it up beyond words, we couldn’t say anything more. She’s definitely the candidate of best actress of the year !
Beside the three above, Cha Ye Ryun also unexpectedly shows a strong acting, she’s believable and she’s really work hard for her role.
Beside bemused with great acting, the story itself is fantastic. It’s addicted ! It’s tense and always can’t wait to see the next episode.
But unfortunately, somewhere near the end of drama, we feel a little tired of the back and forth fight between In Sook and her mother-in-law (blame the additional 2 episodes from the initial 16 planned for the draggy story in the end).
Conclusion, Royal Family is good drama and underrated ! You should give this one a try !
PS. Royal Family produces a soundtrack we loved so much. Watch below.
should be a good drama but the story too complicated and difficult to understand.
i like the story, but not the romance between Ji Hoon n Im Sook. It’s too weird. Im Sook should be with Butler Uhm.
Prefer Ji Hoon with the chaebol lady, Hyun Jin. They look good together. Then everybody will have a happy ending. =D