There’s nothing quite like that feeling of a hotly anticipated drama actually living up to expectations. And, in the case of The Red Sleeve Cuff, I think it’s pretty safe to say it’s delivering on expectations. The buzz is growing, as are the ratings, and the cast is just *chef’s kiss.*
I’ve got the worst luck in sageuk — on the occasion that I actually decide to sit down and commit to one, it’s either too comedic or too cute. I want a little of those things in my sageuk, but not too much. Taking up the bulk of the story should be the things that epic sagas are made of: yearning, longing, pining, more yearning, life or death stakes, and that feeling when the hero or heroine is standing on the edge of a cliff with their hair blowing in the wind, and they’re just taking in the wildness of life.
But back to The Red Sleeve Cuff, in a drama cycle that’s practically bursting with sageuk, it’s standing out in the mix. And correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s bringing a good balance, too — the palace setting is working for the story, rather than the story being jerked around by the palace setting. And just to hammer that thought in, I leave you with the scene pictured above — our royal’s rose petal bath is interrupted by the court lady he’s pining for, and she’s flustered and accidentally falls right into his arms. Thank you, dramaland.
Chat away in the thread below, but Beanie beware — spoilers may be rife.