The Tale of Nokdu: Review, Story, Cast, Episodes, Release Date, Budget & More

“The Tale of Nokdu” is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Jang Dong-yoon, Kim So-hyun, Kang Tae-oh, and Jung Joon-ho, based on the webtoon by Hye Jin-yang published in 2014 on Naver Webtoon. It aired on KBS2 from September 30 to November 25, 2019, spanning 16 episodes that perfectly balanced romantic comedy with political intrigue. Available on Netflix, Viki, and Viu, this Joseon-era period drama became noteworthy for its unique gender-bender premise and the first series produced by streaming platform Wavve. What makes this series remarkable is Jang Dong-yoon’s transformative performance he grew out his hair and underwent a strict diet to convincingly portray both a skilled male warrior and a beautiful widow. The chemistry between leads earned them the nickname “Manhwa tearing” from fans for bringing webtoon characters to life so perfectly that viewers couldn’t distinguish fiction from reality.

The Tale of Nokdu: Release Date, Story, Plot, Episodes, Cast, Actors Salary, Actors Net Worth, Budget, OTT Response, Trailer, Songs, Awards, Review, Ratings & More

The Tale of Nokdu Storyline

Jeon Nok-du lives peacefully on an island until his family is attacked by female assassins. Determined to discover why, he tracks one assassin to a mysterious village populated entirely by widows where men are strictly forbidden. To infiltrate it, Nok-du disguises himself as Lady Kim Nok-soon, a widow seeking refuge. There he encounters Dong Dong-ju, a reluctant gisaeng apprentice escaping her fate who desperately wants revenge against the King for destroying her family. She discovers Nok-du’s secret identity while hiding her own mission. As they navigate deception, political conspiracies, and dangerous secrets about Nok-du’s royal birth, their unlikely friendship transforms into forbidden romance that threatens everything they’re fighting for.

The Tale of Nokdu Cast, Crew, Role, Salary, Remuneration & Net Worth

Here are the complete details of actors and actresses names in the Web Series.

1.Jang Dong-yoon as Jeon Nok-du / Lady Kim Nok-soon / Yeon Soo

2.Kim So-hyun as Dong Dong-joo / Yoo Eun-seo

3.Jo Ye-rin as young Dong Dong-joo / Yoo Eun-seo

4.Kang Tae-oh as Prince Neungyang / Cha Yool-moo

5.Jung Joon-ho as King Gwanghae

6.Lee Seung-joon as Jung Yoon-jeo, Nok-du and Hwang-tae’s father

7.Song Geon-hee as Jeon Hwang-tae / Jung Yi-hyun, Nok-du’s older brother

8.Lee Moon-sik as Hwang Jang-gun

9.Go Geon-han as Yeon Geun

10.Hwang In-youp as Park Dan-ho

The Tale of Nokdu Web Series Awards

The Tale of Nokdu Review

“The Tale of Nokdu” is an absolute delight that brilliantly shifts from lighthearted romantic comedy to emotionally gripping political drama. Jang Dong-yoon deserves all the praise for his phenomenal dual performance he’s hilariously convincing as a cross-dressing widow yet equally compelling as a skilled warrior, even looking prettier than most actresses in hanbok. Kim So-hyun delivers her usual excellence, making Dong-ju’s fierce determination and vulnerability equally believable. The chemistry between leads is electric, with some of K-drama’s best physical affection and kissing scenes. While the second half becomes darker and occasionally predictable with political intrigue, the emotional payoff feels genuine. Kang Tae-oh’s transformation from charming friend to antagonist adds complexity. The cinematography is gorgeous, capturing Joseon-era beauty perfectly, though some viewers found the slow-motion sequences excessive. Despite minor pacing issues, this remains a thoroughly entertaining watch that successfully balances humor, romance, action, and heartbreak with a satisfying happy ending.

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