The story begins in 1961, though much of the movie unfolds as a flashback, transporting viewers back to the 1930s. It’s a biographical account of the last Korean princess to be crowned, and the film clearly portrays her power struggles with foreign influence. The entire narrative is presented from her perspective, making it feel personal but also acknowledging that historical facts were altered for cinematic effect—the addition of characters or events—as stated in the opening credits. That’s a common issue with biopics; you can't anticipate a completely accurate depiction of someone or an event because films are recreations intended to convey a version of the truth, regardless of whether it is entirely positive or significant. There’s a considerable amount of Japanese dialogue necessary for the story. I’ve watched other Korean historical movies, particularly those centered on the fight for freedom, and this one also touches upon that era, but from a different viewpoint. The two-hour film is primarily dramatic, though it does include some action sequences. There's a small love story woven in, but it’s overshadowed by the princess’s personal struggles throughout her adult life. She seems to have been among the most misunderstood people, with her own people judging her actions based on their limited perspective and failing to grasp what she endured. Eventually, the truth emerges, bringing the narration to a close. During the period when Korea was under Japanese rule, 13-year-old Princess Deokhye witnessed her father’s assassination due to his opposition to matters raised by Japanese officials. As an adult, she was compelled to go to Japan for further education but vowed to return home to her mother and people. However, that didn't happen; instead, she encountered numerous Koreans trapped as slave laborers. Her fight for their freedom became her next objective, although events took unexpected turns, placing her in difficult situations. The remainder of the story reveals the rest of her life after a lengthy battle. > ❝Never give up until the end. Spring will come again to fields stolen from us.❞ Typically, well-made Korean films gain recognition on an international level. Considering the quality of the cast and crew, I was surprised that this one didn't receive more attention. To be honest, I wasn’t initially impressed with the film either; I found it slow, lengthy, and the events uninteresting. However, the movie's true value became apparent later on. The storytelling gained momentum with sudden developments. It's a classic case of a slow beginning leading to a strong conclusion—you have to wait until the end before forming an opinion. I haven’t mentioned the emotions yet, but I enjoyed the film largely because of them; they were unexpected and powerful. As I often say, emotions are a significant element in Korean films, something that sometimes feels excessive, although it wasn't problematic here. Films based on real events frequently have this intensity. The movie doesn’t depict any war events directly, only mentioning details verbally to inform the audience about what was happening around them. Son Ye-jin is a familiar face in Korean cinema and, as expected, her performance was excellent in this role. She was an ideal choice for the title character, alongside the director who seems to be back in form with this film like his earlier works. It’s comparable to any royal films you might have seen from Western productions. Because she was a princess, her movements were strictly controlled within palace walls, which limited what she could accomplish beyond being a figurehead—except when she traveled to Japan. Her visit to Japan altered her perspective, despite it occurring against her will. There are many things about the princess that can be learned through this film. It’s definitely worth watching if you appreciate biopics and history. _7/10_

Source on TMDB