Taking a cue from this week’s featured drama, I’m stepping back in time to bring you my favorite time-traveling, romantic dramedy, Rooftop Prince.
Originally airing on SBS in 2012, Rooftop Prince is the story of a Joseon prince, Lee Gak (Park Yoo Chun), who miraculously travels 300 years into the future, in order to solve the mystery behind his beloved wife’s death. Accompanied by three of this most loyal and trusted retainers, Song Man Bo (Lee Min Ho), Do Chi San (Choi Woo Shik) and Woo Yong Sul (Jung Suk Won), the four men find themselves completely out of their league as they attempt to adjust to life in modern-day Seoul. Lucky for them, they meet Park Ha (Han Ji Min) not long after their arrival, who rather reluctantly, takes this rather odd band of misfits in and shows them the ropes of life in the modern world. Surrounded by four rather adorable, yet completely clueless men, Park Ha’s world is flipped upside-down as she finds herself caught up in their adventures and falling for a 300 year old prince. Things only get more complicated for Park Ha as Lee Gak steps into the role of his modern-day doppelgänger, Yong Tae Yong, in an attempt to get closer to Hong Se Na (Jung Yoo Mi), the modern-day version of his late wife, who just so happens to be Park Ha’s step-sister. Caught up in a story that weaves between past and present, Lee Gak and Park Ha come to find that true love is timeless.
An adorable, albeit slightly complicated drama, Rooftop Prince is one of those you just can’t help but fall in love with. The premise of the story is lovely, as it’s seems rare to find a Joseon prince so in love with his wife that he’s actually willing to span the breadth of time to uncover the truth behind her untimely death, but there’s so much more to this drama than a heart-broken prince, desperate to bring back his love. Every major character in this drama has a Joseon era/modern-day doppelgänger and all of them have a story worth telling. As I watched this drama, I was as equally intrigued by the happenings of the Joseon era characters as I was their modern-day counterparts and I found myself dying to know more about them all. I enjoyed the way the stories of the characters were told, moving back and forth between past and present at a pace that kept me intrigued without becoming overwhelming and I really, really loved the interaction between Lee Gak and Park Ha. I thought they made an adorable pair and the ups and downs of their relationship, though painful at times, really made me appreciate the ending. (And no, I won’t say any more because you know how much I hate spoilers!)
If the time-traveling nightmare that was Marry Him If You Dare, has kept you from venturing back into the world of century hopping K-Dramas, I’d suggest you give Rooftop Prince a try as it’s sweet, funny and has an ending that won’t leave you banging your head against a wall. (Hooray!) Of course, once you’ve finished this drama (or those of you who’ve already watched this one) I’d love to know what you thought of it, so be sure to leave me a comment below!
This is such a wonderful drama! I fell head over heels for Park Yoo Chun. There’s enough silliness to balance out the sad parts and although it’s a little confusing at times, it’s worth the ride. All of the characters grow and change in positive ways by the end of the drama. I think they ended it in the best way possible considering the time travel but I was still a little bit sad.
My daughter and I watched it together and loved it. We were so happy to see Choi Woo Shik in the Korean version of Fated to Love You. Definitely give this one a try if you haven’t yet!!
As well as this drama ended, I too couldn’t help feeling a bit sad. There are some things you just wish could happen, even though you know it’s impossible and this ending was a prime example of that. Still, I think it was a great drama and who doesn’t love Park Yoo Chun? He was absolutely irresistible as the prince and I’ve adored him ever since! This drama will definitely pull at your heartstrings but it’s so worth the emotional investment. It really is a drama worth watching!