First, let me say, this series is in my top 5 KDramas.
As with most KDramas, you have the good guys, the bad guys, and the sexual tension, that you usually know is going to culminate, at some point, with the main characters falling in love. In Rookie Historian (please don't judge by the title), you have so much more.
In Joseon, we have a Prince from the Royal family, Prince Yi Rim, (Cha Eun-Woo), who is not merely gorgeous to look at, but incredibly, well-cast in his role. On the distaff sie, we have actress, Shin Se-Kyung playing the "Rookie Historian" named Goo Hae Ryung. At a time when women don't have any power, are usualy married at 15, and only forced to work if they are low-born, a group of women are given the chance to become "Historians," those who transcribe the words and events of the time,producing volumes of books that are kept as records of each day, of every era. It is a position that is, at once, prestigious, yet, always in the background, and largely unnoticed.
This story takes the position of Historian and places it at the foreground, while including women into the mix, something that is anathema to some, uneasily accepted by others. The women have to work hard to earn the trust and support of the men, who they work with. Does this sound like it's still happening today--of course. This story easily equates to modern times, while taking us back to an era, that recounts palace intrigue,personal relationships, both inside and outside the palace, and, especially, the romanticism that we attribute to times gone by.
There are the tragic backstories, that bring on the "feels," the challenges, the politics, and the back-biting, you'd expect. This series has it all, putting it into a context that is original and , at the same time, incredibly enjoyable.
The characters, actors, and writing are excellent. It was a pleasure to watch--you come to love the characters and care about what happens to them. I think anyone would enjoy this show. Men shouldn't be intimidated by the fact that there is a strong female lead. There is enough action, politicking, back-stabbing, intrigue, and, of course, romance, the worse that could happen is that you might learn something about women while enjoying all those things you expect from a show that is highly entertaining.
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