This seventeen episode Korean historical drama on MBC, The Red Sleeve (2021-22), came to an end on January 1st 2022 with a very high viewership rating of 17.4%. It became the first MBC drama series in nearly three years to have double-digit ratings. As it came to an end it became available on several streaming services allowing more viewers from both Korea and internationally to watch it. It stayed high up on the rankings of most-watched content on Wavve and Coupang Play for nearly two months. I watched it on Viki with excellent English subtitles. The drama was directed by Jung Ji In and the screenplay was written by Jung Hae Ri based on an historical novel by Kang Mi Kang. The two leads were played by actor Lee Junho (member of boy band 2PM, also featured in dramas Just Between Lovers aka Rain Or Shine, Wok Of Love, King The Land) and actress Lee Se Young (What Comes After Love, The Crowned Clown, Kairos, Memorist, Trot Lovers, I Miss You, Haneuljae Murder). They both won acting awards for their roles. There have been numerous historical K-dramas portraying the life of King Jeongjo, whose birth name was Yi San, but I think The Red Sleeve is the best.

The Story:

In the 18th century royal court of King Jeongjo - birth name Yi San (Lee Junho adult, child actor Lee Joo Won) - we watch his growing romantic relationship with a pretty court lady named Seong Deokim (Lee Se Young adult, child actor Lee Seola). In flashbacks we see them as children first and Seong Deokim had protected Jeongjo's life by ripping out a page of a banned family history book that his crazed grandfather, King Youngjo (Lee Deok Hwa) had forbidden him to ever read.

Jeongjo has no idea it had been Deokim who had essentially saved his life by ripping out the offensive page. He thought it was his male aide Hong Deok Ro (Kang Hoon adult, child actor Choi Jung Hoo, Dear Hyeri, Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung) because he had taken credit for it to save Deokim. Our love triangle begins early.  

In time, as their relationship grows over their mutual love of books, Jeongjo officially requests Deokim become his royal concubine, but she doesn't care for the idea and rejects his proposal, not just once but twice. (Historical records state she refused him at first because his Queen, Jungsoon (Jang Hee Jin) had not yet given birth to children and she didn't want to risk having a child with him first before the Queen gave birth to an heir). Eventually the Queen does give birth to a son but he is doomed to die at only age 10.

More political troubles are brewing in the court and nation, and while Jeongjo wants to be a good King he struggles with loneliness and the bad advice he gets from others in the court, some who do not wish him well, including Second State Councillor Hong Jung Yeo (Jo Hee Bong) and Princess Hwawan (Seo Hyo Rim). Eventually Deokim out of deep sympathy and growing love for him agrees to be his royal concubine. Because she is the most beloved concubine she is allowed to wear red sleeves, which indicates the King's top affection for her.

 

Eventually Deokim gives birth to a baby son and provides the only peaceful, joyful, introspective time the King enjoys in his life. However their baby dies at only twenty-two months old and they are devastated. She gets pregnant again but tragically comes down with a terrible illness and passes away while pregnant. King Jeongjo orders an elaborate funeral for her. He is never the same after his beloved's death. He goes down in Korean history as one of the better Kings who seeks to have peace in his Kingdom, not war or rebellion. I have always been a fan of Junho as an actor but this character showed a new level of talent and maturity that was so enjoyable to watch. Lee Se Young was wonderful in her difficult role as a concubine, but then again she's great in everything. Second male lead Kang Hoon, playing Deok Ro, who became the Prince’s primary aide and tutor, gave a great performance too. Playing a man with a warm and charming personality on the outside but who hides a cold and sinister heart underneath could not have been easy. His character's only allegiance lies in his own success and his jealousy of the King's loving relationship with Deokim makes him mean and petty. It's hard to have much sympathy for a second male lead character like that.

Check out The Red Sleeve if you like historical dramas. This does have a sad ending, so it's not for the faint of heart, but there are many joyful and romantic scenes along the way to enjoy in the story. Be brave and check it out. It didn't get those high ratings for nothing!

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