The Red Sleeve (2021)

July 16, 2023

Our Take: A beautiful, yet bittersweet take on the story of King Jeongjo and his Royal Consort Sung Ui Bin.

Based on a famous novel and real-life story, The Red Sleeve is a historical drama set in the Joseon dynasty during the latter half of the 1700s. It tells the fictionalized story and history of King Jeongjo (Lee Jun Ho) and his royal concubine Sung Ui Bin (Lee Se Young). 

Growing up, Crown Prince Yi San is haunted by his father's death. His grandfather, King Yeongjo (Lee Deok Hwa), is a cruel and ruthless king who sentenced his own son to death to preserve the throne. As the next in line to lead his kingdom, Yi San has resolved to become a kind and noble ruler when he eventually takes the throne. 

At court, he meets and falls in love with Sung Deok Im, a strong-willed and independent court lady. Deok Im cares deeply for Yi San and recognizes that becoming a royal consort is a great honor. But she also understands she would lose her freedom if she reciprocates his love. Still, Deok Im commits to ensuring Yi San ascends the throne and helps him navigate palace politics to the best of her abilities. 

We see the palace from the perspective of the lowly court ladies chosen to serve the King and his family through the eyes of Deok Im and her friends. In many ways, they are like slaves to the palace, bound to serve their masters and forced to remain single until they die. The court ladies must sacrifice their rights and aspirations, confined to a patriarchal system that does not value them or their contributions. They are symbolically branded by the crimson red sleeves on their clothes, which act as handcuffs tying them down to the palace and reminding them of their place in the world. 

What sets the show apart is that it dares to suggest love alone may not conquer all. Romantic sagueks (Korean historical dramas), and even modern-day love stories, often depict the epic story of a damsel in distress getting swept off their feet by a handsome prince or rich chaebol. Yet, few take a close look at the uneven power dynamics of these types of relationships, particularly in a society where the patriarchy is unyielding and rigid. 

The dynamics between Yi San and Deok Im highlight this fundamental inequality. No matter how caring and righteous Yi San is, he cannot singlehandedly change the patriarchy and its limitations on women. Even the Queen Dowager, the most powerful woman in the kingdom, is confined to the palace and its restrictions. 

The power gap between Yi San and Deok Im gets magnified by the other characters surrounding them. The villains are not entirely black and white, as everyone has an agenda and is trying to survive in an environment that values order and tradition above all. In this world, more often than not, it's the women who end up taking the fall, even if they have the King's grace.

At the heart of the show is Sung Deok Im and Yi San's complex but extraordinary relationship. Deok Im is free-spirited, intelligent, and highly independent. Even while serving Yi San as his maid in the East Palace, her goal is to live life to the fullest and break free from the limits of the society she was born into. 

As Deok Im gets to know Yi San, she develops strong feelings for him and pledges to serve him for the rest of her life, even saving him from near-death experiences several times. However, the palace is a lonely and unforgiving place. She finds solace and happiness in her friendships and community, staying loyal to her close friends while seeking the mentorship of the Queen and other senior ladies in the palace. Whenever her friends get in trouble, Deok Im is the first to stand up for them and always puts those around her first. 

In the process, Deok Im catches Yi San's eye, and he quickly falls in love with her. Despite secretly harboring feelings for him, she hesitates to reciprocate his love and repeatedly turns him down. While the prospect of marrying the future King is enticing, it doesn't always lead to a fairytale ending. For Deok Im, it would mean losing everything else in her life — effectively putting her in a gilded prison. No matter how much Yi San loves or dotes on her, his nation would always come first, and he may have to abandon her at a moment's notice. Yet, Deok Im's entire life would have to revolve around him, making their love beautiful but cruel.

As the Crown Prince, Yi San dedicates his life to clearing his father's name and proving to everyone that he is the rightful heir to the throne. Aware of his duties and responsibilities, he must abide by the palace rules while showing respect to his ministers, who are secretly plotting to remove him from his position. Because he is constantly on his toes, he cannot show any signs of weakness and has to be willing to discard anyone that may threaten his ascension to the throne. 

When he meets Deok Im, he discovers a different side of himself. For the first time, he makes a choice on his own. He chooses Deok Im as his person and passionately loves her. As he fights for his throne, he remains strong yet vulnerable, striving to become a better king than his grandfather while longing for Deok Im. Their bond is a gradual slow burn that blossoms over time while staying true to their character arcs. 

Final Thoughts

The Red Sleeve is a bold take on the story of King Jeongjo and his Royal Consort Sung Ui Bin. Despite its darker undertone, the visuals and production quality bring a certain lightness to the show. There is also a natural balance between the character arcs, palace politics, and romance between Yi San and Deok Im. While the ending is bittersweet, The Red Sleeve is a well-produced sageuk with a strong cast that delivers a rollercoaster of emotions.