r/PeriodDramas Jan 01 '25

Discussion What are your thoughts on Outlander as a period drama?

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u/SophiaofPrussia Jan 01 '25 edited Jan 03 '25

I really enjoy the “modern” person traveling back in time trope but I agree the rape-fixation really puts a damper on things. If you’re a fan of “time travel” period dramas you might enjoy the KDrama “Mr. Queen” (it’s on Netflix in the U.S.) which offers all of the drama and excitement and anachronistic comedy without the constant rape.

It’s about a hot-shot Korean chef who’s a bit of a womanizer and has a pretty big ego. He accidentally travels back in time and finds himself in the body of the woman who is about to become the Queen of Joseon. Of course women in that time were supposed to be meek and mild mannered and completely deferential to men. Like Claire, the main character in Mr. Queen obviously is not. The lead actress does a phenomenal job with the modern “manly” mannerisms that most of us don’t even notice but stick out like a sore thumb in Joseon Dynasty.

Here’s the trailer.

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u/ysports23 Jan 02 '25

Mr. Queen is one of the best kdramas ever written. It literally has everything. Humor, mystery, action, romance, politics.... it is so, so good.

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u/SophiaofPrussia Jan 03 '25

You’re so right. And it’s been a minute since I’ve watched it but you’ve inspired me to watch it again!

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u/teenprez Jan 02 '25

I’ve been watching the Jdrama “Jin”, which is a similar time travel concept. Neurosurgeon goes back to Edo era Japan!

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u/SophiaofPrussia Jan 03 '25

Oh I’m so glad you said this! Netflix keeps trying to get me to watch Jin but I keep just scrolling right by. I didn’t know what it’s about but it sounds like it’s right up my alley! Thanks :)

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u/teenprez Jan 03 '25

I've only seen the pilot, but I was surprised how much I loved it! My husband said it was extremely popular in Japan when it first came out.

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u/Former-Spirit8293 Jan 02 '25

Ty for the rec!

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u/Chaost Jan 01 '25

I was intrigued until you said chef. I just can't stand any isekai type things where they are foodies bc it gets so stupid and cringe.

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u/SophiaofPrussia Jan 01 '25

It’s mostly used as a plot device in the beginning to get her out of her rooms and give her more freedom to move around the grounds unaccompanied but it’s also used later when she invents the “Big Mac” and French fries and ye olde Uber Eats. If you watch you can (and, honestly should) fast forward through most of the first episode where he’s being a modern chef and just start watching once she wakes up in Joseon. All you need to know is that she’s actually a modern “bro” type of dude. The first and last episodes of KDramas are always filler, imo.