Drama Review: Cinderella and the Four Knights

Cinderella and the Four Knights 16 episodes

Eun Ha‑won is hired by a wealthy man to look after and live with his three grandchildren: the idol Kang Seo‑woo, the jerk Kang Ji‑woon, and the playboy Kang Hyun‑min. And together with bodyguard Lee Yoon-song.

It aired in 2016 but I watched this only early this year. Yes, yes it's my habit of watching just the first episode. But the only reason I managed to pick it up again is that it's back on Netflix.

The drama falls under four flowers. (See Levels of Reverse Harem) Even though the title is Four Knights only three guys would be into the heroine. The drama can actually live with Three Knights for the title for so many reasons but I'm just going to leave this here.

I thought it was going to be neatly predictable but I'm enjoying it and far from my initial impression. It borrows the pauper, leaving a shoe behind and evil stepsister and stepmom elements from Cinderella. But Eun Ha Won is not to be messed with. She can take care of herself and she fights back. Grr, the stepmom and stepsister are really evil!

I am not a fan of Ahn Jae-Hyun or guys with delicate features, but he made me change my mind with his portrayal of Kang Hyun Min. I didn't like Jung Il Woo's character and all the sticky encounters with heroine. All the hate took forever and repetitive that I thought I'll never get to like his character at all. I finally saw the chemistry when he warmed up to Eun Ha Won. I disregard Kang Seo-woo as insignificant but after watching him sing...I just melted.

But 3/4 in the drama, it became boring, and back to my initial impression of being so predictable. It was fun and sweet but the latter part was a dealbreaker for me and overshadowed all the good times I had. The premise is fine but it was trying too hard with all the conflicts. Not what I expect from a TVN drama. This is the also second flower boy drama by Jung Il Woo from TVN. The first one is Flower Boy Ramyun Shop.

But it's a good thing the drama had a great soundtrack to remind me that I did enjoy it while it lasted. I also realized it's been too long since we have a reverse harem drama with a memorable repertoire that brings Boys Over Flowers nostalgia. Another thing that the drama keeps reminding me of is the Taiwanese flower boy drama, Romantic Princess. Pauper to a princess who gets to live with four successors. How did you find the drama? Let me know in the comments.

Purchase titles/ related to the titles mentioned: (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases):

Cinderella and the Four Knights https://amzn.to/2KqTnrx

Boys Over Flowers https://amzn.to/3pJZF5v

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