K-Drama Flashback: ‘100 Days My Prince’

100 Days My Prince (2018)—Lee Yul’s (EXO’s D.O.) unforeseen union with Yeon Hong-shim (Nam Ji-hyun) called up reading an expression by American author Robert Anton Wilson that says magic begins with the oneness of opposites, like the rose and the cross. They create a poetic, sublime union, reflecting the contrast between the tenderness and splendor of the rose and the aches and conflicts of the cross, in many ways a parallel to Lee Yul’s and Hong-shim’s case in this iconic romantic comedy, acclaimed as one of the highest-rated K-dramas in cable television ever.

100 Days My Prince, long story short, is the Crown Prince of Joseon, Lee Yul, forced into hiding after being attacked and presumed dead. He’s now commoner Na Won-deuk (his memories erased by the incident), on a surprise route, crossing paths with Hong-shim, a strong-willed independent woman. She has her secrets to tell and is unaware of the prince’s identity. Amid a labyrinth of contorted events, amnesia, and intrigue, Hong-shim finds herself tied into marriage to Won-deuk. It gets between a rock and a hard place when their opposing personalities grow fond of each other.

Rich and realistic in its imagery, 100 Days My Prince is a classic historical drama. Because of the myriad details and realness that must go into them, I always feel that painting a period piece in realistic colors is tricky. Visually, 100 Days My Prince succeeds admirably under the lens of directors Lee Jong-jae and Nam Sung-woo. Its rich color scheme echoes the costumes, props, and more historical factors together with the luxurious, elaborate layout of the Joseon dynasty. Atmospheric lighting patterns give away shades and highlights, evoking the mood and vibe of the time. Let alone the camera angles, framing, and movement that mimic its visual perspective, sense of presence, and immediacy.

Aside from technical details, the series expertly ties together political machinations and power games with pleasing and lighter exchanges between the two protagonists, making for an ideal mix with an engaging watch experience. 100 Days My Prince dwells in love, where the heart finds its kindred spirit out of odds. The sheer essence of the two very different people’s differences, forming the grounds for a journey of deep feelings between them, defines what makes their romance so beautiful.

As the plot progresses, their initial impression of each other’s disinterest or even contempt catalyzes a slow realization of their underlying emotions. After experiencing her so-called husband’s behavior fluctuate between indifference, sometimes brusqueness, unexpected kindness, and of course desire, Hong-shim—who had previously assumed that he loathed her—becomes disoriented. D.O. and Nam Ji-hyuk are the ideal vehicles for this complex emotional interaction as they work out the subtleties of their feelings for each other.

100 Days My Prince is one of the standout K-dramas that drove the Korean or Hallyu Wave. Its allure as a historical romance drama derives from the way it threads love and history together amid difficulties and related social issues. It’s a further fine instance of the romance K-dramas‘ effectiveness alongside its critical role in shaping cultural identity, rendering it an essential element of this cultural diffusion—one of those stories that makes us feel more connected to each other through our love for K-dramas.