The Matchmakers

I have watched a fair number of Joseon era shows, and this ranks with the best of them. (Add to your watch list: The Crowned Clown, 100 Days My Prince, The Red Sleeve and the Rookie Historian). It also beats out the only other Matchmaking show I have seen: Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency. The basic plot is fairly straightforward: a brilliant but nerdy scholar marries the King's daughter who dies on their wedding night, leaving him a prince but with virtually nothing to do. Through happenstance, he gets mixed up with a widowed matchmaker who is also from a noble family. Neither one knows the secret identity of the other. He is charged with finding brides within 2 months for 3 spinsters or he will be forced to drink poison. While winding through the archaic courtship practices of the day, we find the expected (but well done) mix of court intrigue, murder, situational comedy, and a small bit of action. In terms of acting. The two leads have excellent chemistry and are in good humor. Particularly noteworthy, in my opinion, are the villainess (mother- in-law) who seems to be making a career of these kinds of appearances (as in the Red Sleeve), and the youngest of the three spinster sisters who positively glows when she gets going and is on screen. The King is a superb performer who I think particularly steps up this time in his acting game. Everything about this show is excellent. Highly recommended.

Humour, romance and palace intrigue all come together beautifully in this well-crafted K-Drama that almost gives you the feel of a Shakespearean Comedy! I started watching this drama with no expectations. And my oh my this show turned out to be a gem! Had to keep rewatching many scenes many times, not just for their entertainment value but also sometimes to decipher some witty Korean dialogue and social banter.

The locations, sets and interiors are so aesthetically pleasing and the entire ensemble of cast members did a fabulous job. Special mention: the BGM!

The FL character has the right mix of spunkiness and sweetness and Choi Yi-Hyun nailed it. However, I have to hand it to Rowoon for being outstanding in this drama. He is brilliant as the Nerdy Scholar who cannot even run properly, let alone hold a sword. He and his butler played by actor Kim Hyun-mok display great comedic timing. Rowoon is a treat to watch as the conceited resentful grouch, especially in the scenes when his psychosomatic symptoms flare up. Just his body language, facial expressions and awkwardness are guaranteed to give you quite a few laughs.

Kudos to the writer for making Lady Park such an interesting character. With just last couple of episodes left to air, I sincerely hope that this drama gives us a happy ending, please!

This historical drama brought a fresh and original script to the table, a rarity in the genre. The narrative bravely delves into the hidden aspects of society during that period, shedding light on topics often overlooked. The exploration of ageism, the challenges faced by widows, and the subtle portrayal of homosexuality added a layer of realism that made the drama stand out.

One of the most compelling aspects was its unapologetic confrontation of societal norms, particularly the discrimination against women. Despite enduring prejudices, the portrayal of women as powerful figures managing households showcased their resilience and strength. The drama succeeds in making viewers reflect on historical injustices and appreciate the often-overlooked roles women played in shaping families.

The comedic elements were not only entertaining but also remarkably on point. Rowoon's portrayal of the male lead was nothing short of exceptional, perfectly capturing the essence of the genre. While the main leads lacked chemistry, the secondary couples more than made up for it. Their captivating stories added depth to the overarching plot, making the drama a wholesome and emotionally resonant experience.

While a few plot holes and questionable twists, especially in the last episode, may have raised eyebrows, the overall journey was a positive one. This one managed to deliver a feel-good drama with a satisfying ending that leaves the audience content. It's a testament to the show's ability to balance social commentary, humor, and heartwarming relationships, making it a must-watch for anyone seeking a unique historical drama experience.

The way this kdrama's potential and momentum was wasted leaves me dumbfounded.

They got Rowoon perfectly cast and yet didn't properly use his comedic timing, nor the comedy of errors narrative. That's when The Matchmakers shined. Sadly, it took another route.

The stories between the couples the leads were interesting enough but so underwhelming, underdeveloped and unfinished, I can't help but feel we didn't spend enough time with them to engage or care.

The wildest part was when, somehow, the scriptwriter thought it a good idea to match a literal underage child with a grown woman. I don't care how historically accurate this is, ew. They marry and we don't see anything happen but she's literal a older sister/mother figure.

And the resolution for the leads... I can't. Just, wow.

I am currently at the last episode and I thought I should write a review " The matchmakers" in case if I become lazy once the series is finished. I have not been able to skip or fast forward even a one second of this absolutely amazing drama. If you are a regular Korean drama viewer you know that the first few episodes of most Korean dramas are wonderful and then it gets really boring until the end. So many dramas get lost in political and family feuds during Middle episodes and it becomes boring and a bitter experience for the viewer. Let me tell you that the matchmakers is one of the absolutely wonderful feel good and beautifully crafted dramas I have ever seen in my life. Whoever wrote this story should be given an award as the story itself is extremely interesting and written in a brilliant, sophisticated , heartfelt and funny way. The clothes are heavenly I really love the traditional Korean clothes and their colours in this drama. The backgrounds reminds me of Wes Anderson's Grand budafest Hotel and they are absolutely pleasure to look at. I found myself stopping and rewinding the episodes as the backgrounds were extremely beautiful at times. Music of this drama speaks to the heart especially the classical orchestral music played in the background. The cast is perfect for the story and I really do love the character of the King as he is sophisticated and funny. This drama has many love stories within it, so if you are a fan of romantic comedy who like dramas like business proposal then this is absolutely a MUST for you. Let me tell you this drama is an absolute gem and I wish this drama would gain the popularity of Love in the Moonlight. I will try to watch this drama again in another few years as this drama gave me so much pleasure and laughs. It's also important to point out the drama focuses on the injustices and customs during the joseon period. The matchmakers will teach you about loyalty to your family, honesty, filial duty to your parents, being content, being virtuous, being not greedy but being selfless. Just watch this! I hope this drama win few awards. May you be well and happy, with metta loving kindness to you.