*Very minor spoilers
Palace is a very expensive, long and honorable attempt at creating a multi-faceted story involving a monarchy in Korea. It's a rag-to-riches story in one sense, a love triangle in another and quest for power in still another. Was it all worth it? To be honest, I was left a little disappointed.
The monarchy's young prince is required to marry a commoner chosen by his grandfather as part of a promise. This average girl played by Yoon Eun-hye also by coincidence goes to the same private school that the prince goes to. How her poor family can afford it is beyond me.
After the marriage, the girl moves into the palace and does her best Lucille Ball impression. This creates many funny, and sometimes not so funny situations involving all those at the palace. Of course, things get more interesting. Someone else has their eye on her and basically becomes obsessed with her. This particular situation is probably the most unconvincing crush I have seen on TV. Not that he doesn't try with some good acting skills, but it's so obvious that they are not right for each other from a casting perspective. Kim Jeong-hoon who plays Prince Lee Yul has a bright future in my opinion, but he seemed a little out of place in this series.
On top of all this we have a quite interesting story among the elders. Yes, adults actually get to do something in this series. There is a battle for power, a secret relationship from times gone by and the eldest mother trying to keep everything from blowing up.
The situation with the elders turns out to be the most interesting part of the series, and at one point I was hoping the young princes and princess could finish up their business so the show could just concentrate on His Majesty's issues. Look into his wife's eyes, and you can see her longing for true love without having to say a word.
The acting of the adults in this show was quite superb, and I also enjoyed the performance by the young girls mother who sees everyone as a potential insurance client.
I am not saying that there was never an interesting or heartfelt moment between the young leads. I sure cried a few times. They just came all too infrequently, and with a series this long, we get the stuff that all soap operas are guilty of - FILLER! That stuff that's there to fill time but really is not necessary to the story.
There are also some continuity issues. In one, the princess is scolded every which way for leaving the palace without anyone knowing where she is. She cried heavily and promised it wont happen again. So, what does she do after all this? Yep, she gets in her car and leaves the palace without telling anyone. It had to be done because it sets up a potential scandal later in the show.
All in all I would have to say that I cannot recommend that you purchase this series, but if its on TV or as a rental, give it a try. You might find it more entertaining than I did.
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