Watch Princess Hours

Princess Hours is a South Korean drama television series first aired on MBC America in January 2006. It is a romantic-comedy that revolves around the story of a common girl named Shin Chae-kyeong, portrayed by Yoon Eun-hye, who becomes Crown Princess of the Korean monarchy after her grandfather, a former king, suggests her marriage with the Crown Prince Lee Shin, portrayed by Ju Ji-hoon. The show tells the story of the complexities of Shin and Chae-kyeong's relationship as they are forced to interact with each other due to their marriage, even though they are complete strangers, with Shin initially feeling resentful towards Chae-kyeong's common background. Jung Ji-hoon, who goes by the stage name Rain, appears in a cameo role in the first episode as a yet-to-debut singer who becomes Chae-kyeong's best friend. The show's plot involves the royal family's desire to use the marriage as a means of gaining popularity and support by selecting someone that is close to the public, hence the choice of Chae-kyeong, who is an average girl living a normal life. While the marriage initially has no affection, it gradually blossoms into something more as the two spend more time together, but not before having some misunderstandings and challenges. Their relationship is further complicated as they are both involved with other love interests. Lee Yul, Shin's cousin, portrayed by Kim Jeong-hoon, is the second male lead of the series and a romantic rival to the Crown Prince. Shin's half-sister Hyo-rin, portrayed by Song Ji-hyo, is another important character of the series and a romantic interest to the second male lead, Yul. Throughout the show, the characters navigate their way through the transition from their lives as normal people to dealing with the responsibilities of being part of the royal family. The show also highlights how the Korean monarchy operates and how the values of tradition and modernization clash with each other. The story narrates Chae-kyeong's struggles in adapting to her new lifestyle, the rules that come with being a member of royalty, and the role she has to assume in public events. Princess Hours is a remarkable show because of the on-screen chemistry the leads Yoon Eun-hye and Ju Ji-hoon share, as well as the other supporting characters. Their acting is genuine, and they portrayed their characters' development excellently that made the viewers root for their relationship from the start of the show. The series' unique and engaging plotline, coupled with the beautiful cinematography, makes it a highly enjoyable watch. Overall, Princess Hours is an engrossing drama series filled with love, drama, humor, and a taste of the royal lifestyle. It offers not only entertainment but also educational lessons in terms of cultural values. It is a must-watch for those who love romance and those who are curious about Korean monarchy and culture.