#mbc

A tribute piece for one of the best musicals I've ever seen 🌼🌼🌼 !!

No text version:

Hi - My name is Smiles and I like to fixate on a lot of things.

Reviving cancelled cartoons is one of them! If you like, I can make videos talking about the shows and my ideas!

Hyunjin

[©gift, ©sunflo0320, ©seotaehui, ©stay4ate ]

love resides in the commonplace — intimacy exists in the spaces of ordinary service: and paik sa-eon is the very embodiment of this kind of devotion — attention towards the minutiae of a relationship: the tiny acts of tenderness that can make or break a union.

the kind of devotion that says: "i'll wash these fruits for you so that it's safe for you to eat." "i'll lower the bed for you so you're comfortable while you sleep." "i'll take care of your everyday needs because that's exactly what i want to do — take care of you every single day."

there's a special kind of bittersweet longing leaking through sa-eon's eyes when heejoo begs him not to go — an inchoate ache as he cradles her hand to his face: almost as if his lips are anchoring themselves to her skin; reassuring his own self that she's safe, unharmed — still with him. still his to touch. still his to look after.

simple gestures are often how you measure the soul of a marriage — whether you're with someone who cares about the temperature of the water when he's washing your hair. whether you're with someone who'll dry it for you with painstaking carefulness.

as poet ilya kaminsky wrote: "soaping together — that is sacred to me / you can fuck anyone — but with whom can you sit in water?"

It’s not the escapism that bothers me; I actually enjoy the “utopia” aspect of the genre. What I can't stand is character inconsistency. When people don't act like real human beings (even within a fictional world) it completely ruins the immersion for me.

I’m a sucker for a marriage-of-convenience plot, but since it’s such a staple of the genre, it often feels stale. It’s a rare gem when a series actually manages to make it feel fresh. It should feel like freshly squeezed OJ: bright, crisp, and totally revitalizing.

Usually, the characters in these setups are highly functional, fully realized adults. They’re well-traveled, ridiculously wealthy (often chaebol-level) and you can clearly see the “polish” of their upbringing. But the moment a fake-dating trope is introduced, all that character integrity vanishes. Suddenly, these sophisticated professionals start acting like awkward teenagers. (Like, you're telling me this man managed a global corporation but can't handle a fake date? The character regression is just too much to handle.)

They become “enemies” in the most cliché way possible: the guy is cold and condescending but “secretly caring.” Then, they get flustered over the tiniest bit of physical contact and act painfully shy about fake skinship. One accidental kiss is enough to keep them awake for days, and they end up avoiding each other like middle schoolers. That’s exactly the kind of nonsense that ruins the trope for me.

Perfect Crown, however, feels like the answer to all of my complaints. Both leads are incredibly wealthy and attractive; the female lead, Hui-ju, is in the top 1% of Korean society, while the male lead is essentially a modern-day prince. Even though they weren’t close in school (just a senior and junior who crossed paths occasionally) they aren't written with that exaggerated “enemies” trope. Their dynamic feels much more grounded.

They enter this fake relationship as a power move (she’s navigating a patriarchal society, and he’s caught in a royal power play.) What I love is that they act exactly like people from their backgrounds should.

For instance, when they first move in together, there’s none of that clichéd bickering over who sleeps on the couch. Hui-ju simply claims her side of the bed. The only “conflict” is a casual tug-of-war over the blankets.

Their approach to physical affection is refreshingly straightforward. When Hui-ju says, “Let’s just be shameless about it,” they’re treating kissing like a strategic move for their act rather than some scandalous, life-altering event. Even while the underlying feelings are starting to bubble up, they don't let the drama overshadow the practicality of their situation.

I love how fun Hui-ju is. She has that “bold and narcissistic” vibe, but it’s done so well that it isn't off-putting. It’s just part of her charm. She has that same effortless swagger that Khun Thee has, where being full of yourself actually makes the character more likable.

She’s the one driving the ship! Public hugs for the drama? Yes. And thankfully, the prince doesn't do that annoying “K-drama panic” thing where he pushes her away when she touches him. She’s incredibly vocal about her intentions and tells him exactly what she wants. Their communication is top-tier; they both understand the assignment and play their roles to perfection.

There are so many small moments that sold me on this show, but one of my favorites has to be the car scene. Hui-ju just grabs the prince’s hand and treats him like a human mirror stand while she fixes her makeup. Then, she casually jokes that her own reflection blinded her because she’s “too dazzling.” The confidence is unmatched! 😭😭😭

I've already rewatched the first four eps way too many times 😭 We really needed a full-season drop for this one because the weekly wait is killing me! The leads have so much chemistry it’s insane! Their dynamic is actually more believable than most K-drama “couples” who’ve been “married” for years.

The best part is that they actually stay consistent. When you’re an adult with that kind of upbringing and those visuals, it makes zero sense to act like a blushing nun just because someone touches your hand. Since they’re always in the public eye anyway, they might as well play it up. As Hui-ju put it, a prince has to maintain his decorum because, well, he’s a prince. Duh. But without that restraint? Honestly, God help that man.

MOON 3 - PART 3

you’ll find out her name next part ^_^ say hello to mbc’s newest member!

MBC DISCORD