The Crowned Clown (2019) poster
8.4
Your Rating: 0/10
Ratings: 8.4/10 from 10,702 users
# of Watchers: 29,365
Reviews: 63 users
Ranked #793
Popularity #438
Watchers 10,702

Joseon is in a state of disorder due to uprisings and a power struggle surrounding King Lee Hun. To avoid assassination, a clown named Ha Sun is brought to the palace to take the place of King Lee Hun. Ha Sun looks almost identical to King Lee Hun. When Ha Sun was a child, his parents died during an epidemic. Ha Sun almost died from starvation around that time, but he was saved by a group of clowns. Ha Sun grew up with the clowns and became one of them. During their performance, Ha Sun would play King Lee Hun due to their similar physical appearance. Now, Ha Sun is nervous that someone in the palace will find out he is not the real king. He falls for beautiful Queen Yoo So Woon. (Source: AsianWiki, HanCinema) ~~ Remake of "Masquerade" (2012), which in turn is inspired by "The Prince and the Pauper" by Mark Twain. Edit Translation

  • English
  • 한국어
  • Arabic
  • Українська
  • Country: South Korea
  • Type: Drama
  • Episodes: 16
  • Aired: Jan 7, 2019 - Mar 4, 2019
  • Aired On: Monday, Tuesday
  • Original Network: tvN
  • Duration: 1 hr. 20 min.
  • Score: 8.4 (scored by 10,702 users)
  • Ranked: #793
  • Popularity: #438
  • Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Where to Watch The Crowned Clown

WeTV
Free (sub)
Netflix
Subscription (sub)
Prime Video
Subscription (sub)
K-DRAMA
Free (sub)
iQIYI
Free (sub)
Viki
Free (sub)

Cast & Credits

Reviews

Completed
ChocolateLover3000
110 people found this review helpful
Mar 5, 2019
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
This one of the best produced dramas I have ever seen and the first drama I have ever given a perfect 10. I cannot think of a single flaw that this series has.
The writing in this series is incredible. There are so many twists and turns, it will constantly keep you on the edge of your seat.
The acting is absolutely brilliant. Yeo Jin Goo does a brilliant job of portraying the duel roles. Lee Se Young is superb as the regal yet strong queen.
I highly suggest this drama to everyone especially if you love historical dramas.
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Completed
NotMuch
35 people found this review helpful
Mar 5, 2019
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers
The premise is not so unique in itself, but choosing to show it as history is what sets it apart. The characters and the politics carry the drama, so if you like that in a series, you have come to the right place.

The story progression was paced well, not too slow or too fast. The characters were a major element of the whole story, so their development within the politics was refreshing to see. Each person had their own motivation and was chained to it. The grey area some major characters walk on is worth acknowledgment. No intention seemed incorrect if you looked at in the person' shoes, but the way some chose to carry it out helped differentiate right and wrong. There were those who took some questionable actions for what they perceived as a greater good, and that will make you question what exactly is being a hero; it is established that to remove dirt, you have to get your hands dirtied too, and I think that is a very realistic outlook to it. Moreover, the idea of effect of power on the purest of people is experimented here.

Despite that, I think the writers could have added more to the story - for example using the little group The Chief Secretary was a part of in the final few episodes in more ways. Another reason to withhold my score is the inconsistency of Ha Seon's motivations around episode 11 and 12. The writers added a few throwaway lines that strayed from his character.

The acting was well done. In the words of the real king, the FL was a true Frozen Queen - composed and unwavering in her principles, which probably turned her so cold, and Lee Se Young portrayed felt every bit of it. When it comes to Yeo Jin Goo, he was marvelous as the King, enough so that you believed that Ha Seon and the King to be different people, like the drama wanted us to. Kim Sang Kyung, to me, delivered a great performance as a man consistently struggling with himself I liked the character on paper, and he made him come to life. Jang Young Nam was memorable as the antagonist.

The BGM consistently delivered. Never did it feel as if some external force was intruding upon your viewing experience. It was pleasant to listen to and built moments of suspense, sadness, and even happiness. I think this was actually the part I looked most forward to - the music that accompanied the scenes one anticipated. Music can honestly make or break stories, and here it helped cement the over all presentation. They rarely used OSTs, if at all, but the ones they did sounded melodious.

One would rewatch it to see the character dynamics, and maybe a political scuffle. The team put together a great piece - give it a try if you want a break from the repetitive,. :p

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Recent Discussions

Title Replies Views Latest Post
Open-ended ending *CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING* by Heyena 4 0
Ronjarovardotter
Dec 11, 2023

Details

  • Drama: The Crowned Clown
  • Country: South Korea
  • Episodes: 16
  • Aired: Jan 7, 2019 - Mar 4, 2019
  • Aired On: Monday, Tuesday
  • Original Network: tvN
  • Duration: 1 hr. 20 min.
  • Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Statistics

  • Score: 8.4 (scored by 10,702 users)
  • Ranked: #793
  • Popularity: #438
  • Watchers: 29,365

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