Playing Ep 01

What people are saying

• JollyKang87

  Overall 9

  Story 10,  Acting 9,  Music 7,  Rewatch Value 8

  This TV series takes bold risks in its storytelling, evoking a range of emotions from its audience. The plot is twisty and unpredictable, with fast-paced narration that incorporates multiple time jumps. The writer skillfully changes the story, but in a way that maintains a consistent flow for viewers to follow. Prepare for a dark and intense narrative filled with tragic romance, obsession, betrayal, revenge, lies, murder, and numerous deaths. The ending brings a bittersweet closure to the characters' stories.
  
  The chemistry between the lead actors, Soo...

  Ae and KSW, is exceptional, portraying their unhealthy relationship with painful authenticity. Both deliver performances befitting A-list stars. However, Soo Ae's character lacks redeeming qualities, which may provoke frustration in audiences throughout each episode. On the other hand, Kim Sung Ryung's portrayal of the secondary female lead is sympathetic, leaving viewers wishing for a better outcome for her character. The chemistry between Yunho and Soo Ae is lacking, making their relationship feel redundant and dull. Nevertheless, the supporting cast impresses, bringing their characters to life and leaving a lasting impression.
  
  The powerful and fitting OST complements the series' dark themes, with Ailee's "Ice Flower" being a standout track. While the length and darkness of the show may deter some, it remains exciting enough to consider rewatching, albeit after taking a break. In conclusion, "Queen of Ambition" is a dark and intense drama that caters to fans of melodramatic storytelling, delivering a gripping experience for those who appreciate such narratives.

• SleepyPan

  Overall 8

  Story 10,  Acting 8,  Music 6,  Rewatch Value 6

  This Korean drama, Queen of Ambition, is a gripping and suspenseful series that left me with mixed feelings. It delves into some dark themes and contains explicit content, making it unsuitable for a wide audience. The main character, Joo Da Hae, is portrayed as the epitome of evil. While her traumatic past justifies her actions to some extent, it is hard to discuss the plot without revealing spoilers. The series incorporates elements of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and twin switching, adding to its intense storyline.
  
  Despite...

  its flaws, I appreciated the ending of the series. The writers took the time to develop the main characters before delving into their side stories, which contributed to a satisfying conclusion. However, the acting performances were a mixed bag. Soo Ae's portrayal as Joo Da Hae fell short of my expectations for a femme fatale character. Although she conveyed a cold-hearted demeanor, there was something missing in her performance. Personally, I felt that someone like Kim Tae Hee or Chae Jung Ahn would have been better suited for the role, both in terms of appearance and acting abilities.
  
  On the other hand, Kwon Sang Woo delivered an exceptional performance as Ha Ryu. He brilliantly portrayed the character's emotional depth and kindness, making his struggles deeply relatable. Yunho also impressed in his role as Do Hoon, capturing the audience's frustration as we eagerly awaited his realization of Joo Da Hae's true nature. The supporting cast, including Kim Sung Ryung as Do Kyung, contributed greatly to the overall story.
  
  Queen of Ambition is not a series that I would personally rewatch, as the suspense lies in the unknown. It thrives on intense emotions and at times, I found myself emotionally invested in the characters, yelling at their choices. If you have a penchant for melodramas, this series is likely to tick all the right boxes.

• loudfrankenstein73

  Overall 10

  Story 10,  Acting 10,  Music 9,  Rewatch Value 8

  OMG, guys, let me tell you about this drama I just finished watching. It was seriously the most annoying and infuriating show I have ever seen! I don't know how I managed to keep watching without throwing my laptop across the room. Seriously, it's a miracle I'm still alive!
  
  But here's the thing, despite all the frustration, I have to give credit where it's due. The writer of this drama is a genius! They somehow managed to make me feel every emotion possible - love, hate,...

  anxiety, worry - you name it, I felt it. And that's not an easy feat in just a few episodes, let me tell you.
  
  Okay, so hear me out. This drama is hands down the BEST drama I have ever seen, and trust me, I'm not exaggerating. The plot, the music, the cast - everything was absolutely perfect! Sure, the first few episodes didn't really grab my attention, and I almost gave up on it. But my friend who recommended it kept bugging me, so I stuck with it. And boy, am I glad I did!
  
  Usually, with most dramas, whether it's comedy, drama, or even thriller, you can often predict what's going to happen next. It's like you're one step ahead, you know? But not with this one! I couldn't read a single thing, whether it was because I was completely engrossed or just plain dumb, who knows? Either way, it kept me hooked from start to finish.
  
  So, if you're into revenge plots and love a good rollercoaster of emotions, I highly recommend this drama. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Get ready for a wild ride and enjoy! ?

• youngwu

  Overall 10

  Story 10,  Acting 9,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 8

  This drama, oh boy, where do I even begin? It's absolutely incredible! It took me on a wild roller coaster ride of emotions. Joo Da Hae, let me tell you, she could easily go down in history as the most despised character in kdrama history after seeing this show. The actress portrayed her so flawlessly, it was mind-blowing. The whole concept of the drama was spot-on, never a dull moment. The characters were so convincing, even Yunho surprised me with his improvement in acting as...

  the series went on. At first, he was a little shaky, but he really found his groove as the episodes progressed.
  
  And let me just say, Kwon Sang Woo as Ha Ryu! Oh my heart, he completely shattered it with his phenomenal acting. The whole revenge storyline just tore me apart. He did such an incredible job bringing his character to life, his emotions were always on point and so genuine. And Soo Ae, who played Joo Da Hae, oh my goodness, what a powerhouse. From start to finish, she was hands down the most convincing character in the entire series. She could make you despise her and yet feel sorry for her at the same time, which, let me tell you, is no easy task.
  
  In the end, I have to say, this is one of the first revenge dramas I've ever watched and I was blown away. Each episode had my heart racing, I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I shed so many tears, it was unreal. And can we talk about the amazing OSTs? Ailee's "Ice Flower" in particular gave me all the feels. Let me just say, I rarely ever rewatch dramas, but this one, I had to make an exception. It was that good!

• dullpenélope

  Overall 9

  Story 9,  Acting 10,  Music 9,  Rewatch Value 1

  Hey, so I just finished this drama that completely blew me away. I mean, it took me on an emotional rollercoaster - I cried, got angry, and even laughed a bit. But, man, there were moments where I wanted to pull my hair out or bang my head against a wall. Trust me, it was intense. But here's the thing - it was all worth it in the end.
  
  The show had this whole backstory thing going on, which gave me a clue about where things...

  were headed. It's like, you kinda knew how certain events would turn out, especially with the threats Da Hae faced and what happened to Ha Ryu. But hey, Ha Ryu's story had some unexpected twists, so not everything was predictable.
  
  I gotta warn you, though, this drama was hard to keep up with. There were times when I wanted to drop it because things got really bad, and it felt like the good people were constantly being wronged. But you know what? That's what made it so good to me. It wasn't your typical, cookie-cutter drama. Bad stuff happens, and not everyone magically makes up and moves on. It's frustrating as hell, but it felt real.
  
  And let me tell you, this drama had some serious life lessons hidden in there. It showed how people can change, betray you, and how things aren't always what they seem. It even shed some light on the dark side of our government and how money talks. But here's the thing - I probably won't be rewatching this anytime soon. I mean, unless I want to torture myself emotionally again. The tears, man, the tears... I needed a whole box of tissues for this one.
  
  But seriously, you should give it a shot. It won't make you happy, that's for sure, but it's so beautifully written that you just have to experience it. Just be prepared for a wild ride and have those tissues handy. Trust me, you'll need them all.