First Impressions: The Forbidden Marriage

A marriage ban is okay as long as I can be the King’s concubine.


The Forbidden Marriage

Lee Heon is the king of Joseon. 7 years ago, when he was a crown prince, his beloved wife died. To this day, he has not been able to get over her death. For the past 7 years, the royal family and government members have tried to get King Lee Heon remarried without success. The nation has also implemented a geumhonryung edict, which is a ban on all single women marrying during this time when the king has not married. People are furious over the marriage ban. One day, King Lee Heon hears of a woman named Ye So Rang, who claims the spirit of the king’s late wife exists within the royal palace. Meanwhile, Ye So Rang is a swindler and claims to interpret martial harmony signs. She is arrested and jailed where Officer Lee Shin Won works. To get out of her predicament, she pretends to be possessed by a spirit in front of Lee Shin Won. During her ruse, she mentions that the spirit of King Lee Heon’s late wife exists within the royal palace. She is then brought in front of the king and he asks her if she can really see his late wife’s spirit. To survive, Ye So Rang acts like her body is possessed by the king’s late wife. Ye So Rang’s lies get bigger and more audacious.

mydramalist
  • Genre: Historical, Romance, Comedy, Mystery
  • Origin: South Korea
  • Episodes: 12 (1 hr. 10 mins.)
  • Aired: December 9, 2022 – January 21, 2023
  • Where To Watch: Viki
  • Starring: Kim Young Dae | Park Ju Hyun | Kim Woo Seok


Thoughts: I am not a big fan of historicals, so it has to be something special, funny, or completely ridiculous for me to jump on board quickly. I have a first-class ticket to this one. The combination of Kim Young Dae’s tortured with grief king and Park Ju Hyun’s hilarious hustler, I am falling for this fast. The story is simple enough. A king who is still grieving the death of his first wife puts a marriage ban on his land for seven years. Ye So Rang finds an opportunity in that and starts selling love until she gets caught and now has to pretend she is being possessed by the dead crown princess. And because it’s a K-drama, there is a potential love triangle and I surprisingly am rooting for him even tho I know he will end up sad and alone. Alas, I’m here for it.

Are You Still Watching? : No Ban here, yes.

First Impression Score: 8/10


Published by Unbothered Unnies

A couple of ladies who love to express their opinions from anything and everything. That includes shows and music and anything in between. This blog is dedicated to our love and appreciation for Asian entertainment and culture.

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