Perfect Crown Episode 1 Recap
CEO of Castle Group Seong Hui Ju starts a big advertising campaign around the King's birthday banquet. She wants to get the media's attention with a catchy headline about her invitation. On the day of the event, she steals the show by showing up in a flashy sports car and wearing red clothes that aren't allowed. This gets her a lot of attention from the media, and her clothes sell out quickly.
At the banquet, Queen Dowager Yun I Rang tells Grand Prince Yi An that she doesn't like how he's dressed in casual cheollik instead of formal clothes for the ceremony. He brushes off her worries and asks what seasonal clothes have to do with hunting. After the ceremony and the fireworks show, Seong Hui Ju meets Grand Prince Yi An. When he asks her name, she says she's lost, which is not true. He offers to let her go without hurting her, which leads to a tense but flirtatious conversation in the middle of chaos as an explosion happens. This leads to a fight, where the prince is scolded by his grandmother and criticized by the media for how he looks.
In flashbacks, Seong Hui Ju reflects on her past with Grand Prince Yi An at their Royal Academy, recalling a previous argument over rule violations at the archery range, during which they both expressed frustration with social status and institutional norms. Meanwhile, Yun I Rang pays a visit to Grand Prince Yi An to apologize for her previous actions and pressures him into marrying in order to gain attention for the king, highlighting the royal image's fragility as a result of the current regency.
At the same time, Seong Hui Ju is put under pressure by her father to get married. He suggests an arranged marriage, which she strongly rejects because it lowers her worth. She says she will find a husband on her own terms, and she really wants to marry Grand Prince Yi An. She keeps asking to meet with him, but at first he says no. But when she changes her approach to stress that she is his junior at the academy, he finally agrees to meet her. When they finally meet in person, she boldly proposes marriage, which is a turning point in their complicated relationship.
Perfect Crown Episode 1 Review
The first episode introduces the two main characters and their complicated situations and stories. This sets the stage for the main story, which is expected to start in the second episode. A lot of people were excited about it before it aired because it was the first drama set in a constitutional monarchy in a long time. The viewers really enjoyed it. The performances by IU and Byeon Woo Seok were excellent and suited their parts perfectly. The captivating visuals added to the audience's overall immersion. As Grand Prince Yi An, Byeon Woo Seok gave off an air of royalty with his steady voice and expressive eye acting. IU, on the other hand, had great vocal delivery and interesting facial expressions.
The production's stunning setting in front of the palace added to its overall impact. There was striking direction in many scenes, such as an archery range and a fireworks show. Even more, the costumes added to the beauty and magnificence of the show.
The ending made a big impression and hinted that Grand Prince Ian has been interested in Seong Hee-ju since they were both at the Royal Academy. This makes me want to know more about their past. Episode 2 is about to show that Grand Prince Ian turned down Seong Hui Ju's proposal, which makes people look forward to her next attempts to convince him. As the story goes on, viewers can't wait for Seong Hui Ju to flirt with other characters.