No surprise with this news: KBS’s sageuk melodrama Princess’s Man has been standing solidly in first place in the ratings for most of its 24-episode run, and it bowed out on October 6 with a series high, a 24.9% viewership rating.
[MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! You are warned!] The drama has been promoted as a Romeo & Juliet romance set in sageuk times, but despite that tragic association, things ended rather happily for the lovers (Moon Chae-won and Park Shi-hoo), as they had a daughter together and lived on with “simple but happy lives.” Hmm, when you tell me a drama’s a tragic romance, I’m generally expecting that romance to end sadly — but I suppose there was plenty of strife along the the way to the Happily Ever After to fulfill the tragedy quotient. [/SPOILERS]
The strength of Princess kept SBS’s big buzz drama Tree With Deep Roots in single digits: Its first two episodes drew 9.5% and 9.8%, respectively. It’s a disappointing start, but I wouldn’t worry; I’ll bet those numbers jump next week with Princess over. That means the two new Wednesday-Thursday dramas will virtually be starting off on the same ground, with Man of Honor kicking off next week.
MBC’s underwatched Can’t Lose stayed in third place with a 6.4%, and will likely stay there while Man of Honor and Tree With Deep Roots duke it out for the ratings crown. Too bad, since it’s just about the only light rom-com on these days and is a pretty cute watch. (There are some lighter offerings on the weekends, in the dailies, and on Fridays with The Musical, but as far as prime-time miniseries go it’s a rom-com dry spell right now, with sageuks galore.) But them’s the breaks — the ratings world is one tough nut to crack.
Via Osen
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Just a heads up: That’s not such a minor spoiler, all considering…
hahaha true.
either way, it’s gonna make me watch now. i hate tragic endings so i stay away from series with tragedy tagged to it.
Amen to that.
Same here. Tragic endings means I won’t watch.
Me, too. I dropped this one around ep 8 or so – I just couldn’t continue to head into a bad ending and didn’t want to invest the time but now thanks to JB’s comment, I’ll go back and enjoy PM.
Thanks, JB!
(Frankly, I’m of the school of thought that says once a drama has ended then all discussion of the plot is up for grabs, spoilers or no. It’s a “you snooze, you lose” rationale.)
i have yet to watch the finale, but i would probably cry my eyes out if it did not end happliy. kyaaaaaaaaaaa
Same here. I do love happy endings.
My philosophy is that you wait a few days to let people who can’t watch it live catch up. I remember my days of waiting for subs, and I hated getting spoiled by people before I got a chance to watch it myself. :/
@Cynthia Wow, you’re rude. The “snooze, you lose” crap only applies if you speak the language and can watch it live, and since a majority of us actually have to wait for subs, we don’t have such a luxury – especially with viki delaying their subs thanks to selfish, entitled attitudes like yours. I can only hope the next drama you watch, someone ruins the ending, so you can get a taste of your own medicine.
@Cynthia, sorry for my outburst. I specifically avoided this thread so as not to be ruined by the ending, and JUST finished the finale… so seeing your comment kinda set me off, espeically since it took soooo much willpower not to be spoiled.
I think those people who enjoy spoilers, tend to underestimate how difficult it is for those who don’t. Dismissing it as “you snooze, you lose” is just insulting and ridiculous – if a friend hadn’t warned me ahead of time, I would have come here and been spoiled. And as someone who relies on subs, I take offense that I would’ve supposedly been to blame for not watching it sooner. I was refreshing darksmurfs every half-hour like a crazy person in anticipation!!!
i know i was dying to start this but i decided not to until reading the ending
Yeah, me too. Thanks JB, I feel comfortable to watch it now. However, I was quite surprise cuz they said a tragic love, …..yep before the happy ending hehe.
me three!!! then I’ll be watching it soon!! thank you for that spoiler….
After the tragedy and sad ending of Bu Bu Jing Xin (though it is an excellent CDrama, I am surprised myself I liked it a lot), I am glad with the way TPM ended. Thanks Dramabeans for the recap. Cheers!
What?!?! BBJX has a tragic ending?!
OMG – I’ve been epically SPOILED as I’m only on ep 23
I must say, this has certainly eroded my former statement regarding spoilers, upthread. I’ve been served.
I completely agree. I really don’t like sad ending cause we can enough of that from real life.
(On another note, I think it’s hilarious that so many people commented and agreed on this.)
omg.. i could not stop crying at the end.. such a touching ending.. wat a mess. i love TPM.. more tears….
me too, i hate sad endings and now i am gonna enjoy watching it more.
Eh. I wouldn’t actually call it a “happy” ending, per se…
Heh. To me, a happy ending in Kdramaland means that they’re NOT dead.
Agreed. I am going to watch Princess Man again. I stopped at ep 5 because it was to tragic and I couldn’t bear to watch the leads suffer because of the unscrupulous self elected king. As long as they are not dead, it is fine for me.
I think this drama is a tragedy despite the “happy ending.” It’s a tragedy that these two people had to fall in love with the one person in the whole wide world that they shouldn’t fall in love in. As a result, their lives are that much harder and are filled with so much sadness. And they had to live with the fact that neither of them can be with or see their family even though they had each other in the end. It’s still sad.
I purposely waited to see whether it was a happy ending or not! Now that i Know it doesn’t end Romeo and Juliet style, i’m actually going to watch it
the ending isn’t tragic — even if it wasn’t perfect, im glad the two ended up together.
things coulda gone worse.
Can’t wait to watch it
Great drama but this was no Romeo and Juliet.
Why not? Just because they didn’t die? Romeo and Juliet isn’t just about their death, but about their forbidden love because their families were enemies, what had in TPM…
To me, Romeo and Juliet never really was about them, but about the stupidity of the feud their families had going on, and them realising it the hard way, with their children dead.
“Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents’ strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love,
And the continuance of their parents’ rage,
Which, but their children’s end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.”
Agreed!
I agree with you. Great drama,but it was not Romeo & Juliet in the least!
aww i’m so happy for Park Shi Hoo, i think it’s his first 20+ drama right? i’m not sure. Now that the drama it’s over i think i’m going to start watching, i hope it’s good!
Get ready to tear up almost every episode..
“Family’s honor” was about 50+ episodes, but it was WELL worth it. Another great PSH drama
i think lenrasoon meant the ratings
Oops. I think I am a silly person
Must be the PSH effect!
I, personally, was very satisfied with the ending. And yes, there was tragedy galore on the way there!
I think the overall story was sad enough to call it a tragic romance. Whether the story ends like in Romeo and Juliet or not (or perhaps, like the unofficial history or not…), I still think TPM was good and maybe a bit underrated (in the sense that I haven’t found many blog posts online about it, like I’d usually find for other series).
It is hard to say enough wonderful things about this drama. Since some of the history is obscure regarding the two main characters, I think many people who are watching it are afraid it might end either ambiguously or sadly.
My thoughts are that the drama gave some hints as to how it might end. The wise confidante of Kim Seung-yu stated it appropriately and accurately around the middle of the drama. The other hint is that the whole story is so sad and full of conflict that it yearns for an ending with resolution and rest.
If I did not have hope that it would end well I would not have the fortitude to continue watching it.
Definitely a drama one could recommend to anyone. I decided to watch it because of Park Shi-hoo. He is certainly an amazing person and actor. I really would like to meet him someday!!! And Moon Chae-won is so lovely. Have added them to my favorites list, for sure!!!
you said it!
i’m going to miss TPM. it really is such a gem of a series. and if Park Shi Hoo doesn’t win any award for his role in TPM, I’d be surprised!
TPM was a great drama and Park Si Hoo and all the actors involved were awesome !!! …… as there was so much tragedy throughout the drama i was very happy with the ending.
I wanted some tragedy lol.
i cried SOO MUCH while watching the last episode…ahh such a good drama!
and, park shi hoo <3
The first sageuk that I have been completely addicted too – I wasn’t even addicted with the wildy popular Jewel in the Palace (is that what it was called). Even though I was completely addicted and totally loving it, and plenty of tragedy all around… I’m not sure I would coin it a tragic romance in the end. But no sense in debating that! Get your tissues prepared for every episode after 7.
Happy that they had an all time high rating on the last episode. What an accomplishment for everyone involved. PSH has a new fan in me, that’s for sure.
I don’t think they did that well either when it first started since CH was still airing for another week or two. I think TWDR won’t have a problem capturing the void left by TPM. Good luck to the 2 new shows.
I suggest your try watching Iljimae and Sungkyunkwan Scandal Kdramas, and Bu Bu Jing Xin- Chinese/Taiwanese
dramas… all great!
one of my favorite sageuks along with hong gil dong and legend of hyang dan
Is it a minor spoiler when the end of the drama is revealed? :/
why did you it read then? when i see words like [SPOILER] i don’t read further, minor or not, i just avoid.
Um, because there is a difference between minor and major spoiler. The spoiler posted is a major one.
Marathon, here I come!
LOL I plan on having one too <3
Can't resist PSH hehe…
I always start a Sageuk assuming a tragic ending. That way anything other than an “OMG! They all died!” end is a win!
Emperor of the Sea.
Word!
I’m glad the Princess’ Man has done so well
I enjoyed it throughout its’ run, and I’m sad to see it go. I’m defintely going to miss Park Shi-hoo!!
Huh I might actually try to watch it then given the Romeo and Juliet thing. I absolutely stayed away from it when the comparisons were first made. I hate that they’re so in love they’re willing to die for each other thing.
This is definitely one of the best korean dramas of the year…hands down…maybe even the best. I totally recommend this drama to anyone and you will not regret watching it. I absolutely love everything about this drama including the story, the actors, and the soundtrack.
i think i may just give it a try now!
Yes,do give it a try but warning…VERY ADDICTIVE!….you will continue to see the next and next episode. Yea, is that good!
I’m so happy with the ending… I so love these 2 actors – PSH & MCW… they’re equally great!! To the writers, thank you for the happy ending… now I can sleep with a big big smile! ^o^
My father is so addicted to this show OMO… from Hokkien dramas to Korean Dramas…(i think he accidentally switched channels one day and just got hooked pwhaha!) It is his first Saguek and he is amazed at the the cameras, the filming, (he says the Taiwan ones, the cameras from a few VERY predictable angles only LOLLLLL) language, the script, the story, the minds of the Koreans…. his conclusion…. (all the palace intrigues, scams, betrayal, etc. etc.) … ok nebermind
well… I’M ECSTATIC welcome on board Papa!! kekekeke K-drama world RULES over my DAD… so now he is firmly planted to KBSWorld… daily OMG hahahahah
Funny!
Now your dad can be just like the dad in PtB – watching Kdrama late at night for stress relief!
yes my dad has a worse case. he asked me to buffer the subbed episodes online so that he doesnt have to wait the kbsworld. lol
Oh no, spoiler, spoiler! I’m not one to berate you jb, but… : ( (sees Minor Spoiler warning) Oh crap, I didn’t see that before I read the spoiler. Okay, now I can blame myself. Still, dammit!!
its such a good drama.. and yes that spoiler is somewhat true.. but lots of tragic things happen before the good. being a non watch of saeguks i really enjoyed this one. the cast was awesome. and im happy the pds and writers made the ending happy. not totally but its better than what i anticipated thats for sure. heheh. im happy. and PSH is <3 MCW really pretty here too. it was a good run. ill miss it actually. hehe
MCW <3 and PSH <3 <3 Loves Princess Man !
Err they did a end just like the tale/ unpfficial history says about she running away and having kids with the man she loved. Also they had too much suffering, it’s ok have a happy ending. I think we fans deserved this… heheheh
Yes… thank God it wasn’t a cave…
Props to JB. I didn’t read this article because you said that there was a spoiler. I really appreciate your respect for those of us who haven’t finished a show. I REALLY appreciate it!
all the while, upon reading the synopsis of the princess man to be a tragic love story, i didn’t bother to watch the first ep.coz enough for sad ending stories for me.its good i read about jb’s comment that it was a happy ending so im going to watch it now.kudos to jb for the info.
Darn it! I read the spoilers on accident!! But wow, i’m soooo glad its a happy ending. I love the drama so much!
Especially Park Shi woo! 
This is by far the best historical drama I’ve ever watched!
I actually went and read this post because I thought it would contain spoilers. I wanted to know if the leads get together in the end and then decide whether to watch it or not. So, thank you, JB. I appreciate the spoiler!
Uhm, might wanna put the spoilers behind cut next time.
I loved this drama – PSH and MCW were awesome and probably at their best here. I hope this drama is able to gain some acknowledgement and wins some awards at the end of the year. This probably one of the best historical dramas I’ve watched in a long time because the romance storyline was really touching. I really hope more people will check it out because it’s well worth the time.
didnt start cos of its ‘tragic ending’….but definately going to check it out now
Pfft.I was waiting for the last episode before deciding whether to watch this.Yay for last episodes and spoilers
OH, there’s tragedy. LOTS of it. And the more the tragedy, the more you want to desperately find glimmering hope for the end. TPM totally lives up to its promised tragic premise, so don’t be fooled just yet. The ending is rather an uplifting one with mature quality, done correctly and only possible due to the special care of the writing team. Most brilliant and cohesive writing i’ve seen in a long time!
There came a point in the drama when i became completely unaffected by how TPM might end, knowing that the well-established and profound love of our Yoo-Ryung couple was enough to make TPM a memorable drama. This ending just spoiled me good.
And it hasn’t quite sunk into me that TPM is… officially… over. D: It’s been a long time since i’ve met a drama i so eagerly feel the need to dissect to find the depths of its characters. So well-written, -directed, and -casted with beautiful cinematography, OST, and wardrobe. TPM has brought a whole new level to my appreciation of Kdramas and has set a new standard for Kdrama Land. *pinned to limited “favorites” list*
And not to mention the sizzlin’ chemistry between our handsome PSH and adorable MCW! What a great team they make. I’m sad we won’t be seeing PSH’s cutie face every week anymore, but at the same time i need him to get some sleep and eat so he can stay alive for our hearts to flutter some more (that is.. when he can with the new movie in progress).
You said everything I wanted to say hehehe
I think part of the special charm this drama got over me was watching all this tragedy unfold, and yet desperately wanting a happy ending for the lovers.
nice drama!
Big Fan of this Drama!
Just Wondering if you wouldn’t mind recapping this one. I would love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve read so many of your recaps and they are fab. Your thoughts just contradict mine. 
Thumbs up to The Princess’s Man. They did a fab job. Actors, Story, Scripts, Camera shots… I will be voting for them for the upcoming awards
This blog has great recaps:
http://monocot.wordpress.com/
This blog also does great recap and they’ve just posted up their recap of the finale.
http://maymaywatch.blogspot.com
I’m really going to miss TPM.
I really adore this drama, getting more interesting day by day… Love Park Shi Hoo and Moon Chae Won pairing!!! And so glad for the happy ending.
well, now that I know that it’s not going to end like Romeo and Juliet, I can watch it now.
I felt so sad for jabeon’s death!!! And shin myeon too
why did they have to die 
OMG!!! I know! I cried so much when Ja Beon died
In my mind Ja Beon is still alive, married with Yeo Ri with two kids
I still cannot talk about Myun, I’m too sad. Yeah, I know EVERYBODY hates him, but I can’t. I couldn’t bring myself to hate him. Every time he was on screen full of hatred and jealousy, I just wanted to hug the poor boy
[spoiler alert]
I just finished watching (marathoned it!!!) and I’m with you. I don’t hate Myun and his snazzy feather hat. In the beginning there, I even did some serious second-lead shipping. I wish he could see past his own point of view to why everyone chose the other side. Instead of him wanting them to understand him, he could have bent the other way and tried to understand them. Myun!!!
I felt horrible for Myun when his #2 officer died. That guy’s loyalty really impressed me.
But yes, there was a point in my frenzied drama watching when I realize that Myun had gone crazy and adopted the abusive husband mentality so popular on Lifetime. There are so many other women in the world…
omg i can’t believe how some of you here was hoping for a tragic ending? I say when you watch the drama for yourself, you will be asking for a happy ending!
I really enjoyed this drama! I for one am happy with the happy ending, because they did already have a tragic romance in that show, which was really sad to me. Too much tragedy also with everyone around them as well. I don’t think I could have took another tragedy with the main couple. And my most favorite scene was a happy one, the swing scene (the slow motion, their expressions, the music, it was all perfect to me)!
I’d been on the fence about starting this one but thanks to the promise of a happy ending, I’m going to jump right in!
Thanks JB!
Best drama of 2011! enuf said…
for those who like PSH-MCW as a couple.. can come here http://www.soompi.com/forums/topic/370335-wonhoo-ghost-couple/page__st__60#entry17423529
This drama was based on tales handed down by word of mouth and finally put to word in late Chosun Dynasty. Here’s the MBC History Special documentary on this topic: http://www.youtube.com/user/zenas034#grid/user/81952A3205797751
So glad that it ended on a happy note!though shi hoo himself stated before that a sad ending is more befitting for this kind of sageuk.he is right but fans are really happiest with the ending.hoping that the sageuk and the cast/crew will be recognized at the 2011 kbs drama awards.they all deserve to be recognized.more power to all the actors and chae won and SHI HOO.cheers!
Really, no surprise there!
Cheers to Princess’ Man!
It’s one of my fave dramas this year. I was expecting a tragic ending so a somewhat happy ending was a lovely surprise. It such a waste that all those people died just for the sake of a throne.
One of the best dramas I’ve watched this year.