The King 2 Hearts

Synopsis

Set in a modern-day Korea under a constitutional monarchy, 'The King 2 Hearts' is a romantic comedy-drama that tells the story of an arranged marriage between a South Korean prince and a North Korean special forces officer. The show features Ha Ji-won as Kim Hang-ah, a highly skilled officer who dreams of one day finding true love despite her tough exterior. On the contrary, the South Korean prince, Lee Jae-ha, played by Lee Seung-gi, is a carefree and arrogant young man with no interest in the kingdom's royal responsibilities. When the two are forced into a politically motivated marriage, they must navigate their differences and work together to overcome numerous obstacles, including political intrigues and external threats. The poignant blend of romance, action, and political drama makes for a captivating series.

Cast

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  Ha Ji-won

  Kim Hang-ah

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  Lee Seung-gi

  Lee Jae-ha

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  Lee Yoon-ji

  Lee Jae-shin

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  Cho Jung-seok

  Eun Shi-kyung

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  Yoon Je-moon

  Kim Bong-gu

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  Youn Yuh-jung

  Bang Yang-seon (the Queen Mother)

Reviews

Critics and viewers have had mixed responses to 'The King 2 Hearts'. The TV show holds a rating of 7.6/10 on IMDb, reflecting a generally positive reception. 'Rotten Tomatoes' and 'Metacritic' do not have aggregated scores, but individual reviews provide varied opinions. The New York Times praised the show for its 'unique blend of romance and political drama,' highlighting Ha Ji-won's 'stellar performance' as a standout. Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter commended the series for its 'engaging storyline and complex characters.' On the other hand, some critics found fault with the show’s pacing. A review from Variety mentioned that 'certain episodes felt drawn out,' and that 'the balance between political intrigue and romance sometimes wavered.' Meanwhile, IGN noted that while the show had 'strong initial episodes,' it could 'benevolently benefit from tighter storytelling.' Overall, 'The King 2 Hearts' has been appreciated for its distinctive blend of genres and strong performances, despite some criticisms about its pacing.