Bossam: Steal the Fate – Full Review
Welcome to Bossam: Steal the Fate-Full Review. A kidnapping gone wrong leads a single dad into an adventure with the Joseon princess. If you haven’t watched this drama yet, I recommend checking out my unspoiled review here.
Bossam: Steal the Fate
♥ Aired: May 1 – July 4, 2021
♥# of Episodes: 20
♥Where to Watch: Viki
♥Genre: Historical Romance
♥Starring: Jung Il Woo and Kwon Yu Ri
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The Story
Bossam was the Joseon practice of kidnapping young widows, either by choice or force, for the purpose of remarriage. Ba Woo is a single dad struggling to make enough money to raise his family. When he is approached with an opportunity to make a large sum of money performing a bossam, he can’t resist. But when he kidnaps the wrong widow, things take a turn for the worst. Especially when he finds out that the widow is actually the Joseon princess and the daughter and daughter-in-law of his worst enemies. As Ba Woo and the princess begin piecing together the ill-fated histories of their families, they find the truth may effect not just them but the country as a whole.
The Leads
Jung Il Woo as Ba Woo
When Ba Woo was young, his father was executed for treason, leaving him alone to take care of his mother and sister. He hid the women away where they would be safe and lived apart from them, doing odd jobs to make ends meet. Ba Woo has raised his son alone since his wife ran away in the middle of the night and abandoned them. When he is pressured into taking on a well-paying job as a bossam he plans to do it once and walk away. But when he ends up kidnapping the princess by mistake and his son takes a liking to her as his new mom, things get complicated in a hurry. As he learns about her struggles, he tries to help her, out of pity. And that pity grows into something deeper as he spends time with her. When they both become targets in the Left State Councillor’s plans to overthrow the King and place the official’s nephew on the throne, they work together to find a solution that will save all of their lives and protect the welfare of the country as a whole.
Ba Woo has seen the worst in palace politics and only wants to live quietly, keeping his family safe. He has a strong sense of responsibility. But when he is given the opportunity to get revenge on those who destroyed his family, he jumps at the chance. The situation is more difficult due to his feelings for Hwa In and her father’s role in his past. Jung Il Woo is great in this role as the troubled rogue with the heart and background of a gentleman. He has the ability to convey a quiet authority that is sincere and believable. I also enjoyed him as the single father who tends to error on the side of tough love, even though his devotion to his son is unquestionable. Their interactions were heartwarming and sweet.
,Kwon Yu Ri as Soo Kyung/ Princess Hwa In
Princess Hwa In has had a difficult life. First, her father gave her hand in marriage to the brother of the man she actually loved, then her groom killed himself the day before the wedding, leaving her as a virgin widow left to serve in her father-in-law’s household. Pursing her own happiness is a dream she only hopes for. Until one day, she is kidnapped by a handsome stranger and falls in love with his adorable son. But this event only serves to kick off a new chain of bad luck, as her father and father-in-law declare her dead and continue to use her as a pawn in their own struggle against each other for power. Fighting side by side with the new family she has formed, the princess will try to find the best way to keep the peace and save the lives of those she cares about.
Hwa In is strong and independant. Even though she has never had to take care of herself, she tries her best to adjust to life as a commoner. Her determination to thrive in such a difficult situation without self-pity or whining, makes her a very likeable character. Kwon Yu Ri has really grown as an actress and I enjoyed her performance in this role. The princess is soft spoken and graceful without seeming weak, and Kwon Yu Ri’s acting really brought this character to life.
Supporting Characters
Shin Hyun Soo as Lee Dae Yeop
Lee Dae Yeop has been raised as the youngest son of the Left State Councillor, Lee Yi Cheom. In truth, he is Lee Yi Cheom’s nephew and the illegitimate son of the deceased prince, Prince Imhae. He is also the first love of princess Hwa In. He and the princess grew up together and fell in love, but Lee Yi Cheom blocked the marriage and married her to his older son instead. Lee Dae Yeop continues to love and protect Hwa In, hoping one day they can be together.
Lee Joon Hyuk as Chun Bae
Chun Bae is Ba Woo’s best friend and “business” partner. They have lived and travelled together for years and have become a family. Even when Chun Bae is captured and held prisoner, he refuses to betray Ba Woo and believes he will eventually come to save him. Chun Bae falls in love with princess Hwa In’s personal servant, Court Lady Jo.
Shin Dong Mi as Court Lady Jo
Court Lady Jo has raised princess Hwa In since she was an infant and loves her like her own child. After the kidnapping, the two are separated, and Court Lady Jo believes the princess is dead. But eventually Chun Bae brings them back together, and Court Lady Jo joins the makeshift family, with Ba Woo and Hwa In. Along the way, she develops feelings for the rough and clumsy Chun Bae.
Things I Liked
♥ Bossam Concept
Even though it was only relevant for the first couple episodes, I found the idea of bossaming to be really interesting. It’s great when we can get a good history lesson mixed in with our drama, and I felt like I learned something new by watching “Bossam: Steal the Fate”. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not supporting the idea of kidnapping poor unsuspecting widows, but the practice did exist and that is fascinating. Good on the writers for finding a unique niche for this series.
♥ Family and Forgiveness
This drama has some wonderful messages about what it means to be a family. Fathers who use their children for their own political means show us that blood is no guarantee of good parenting, while others step in to love and protect those with no biological relationship. Mothers who are forced by society to hide quietly in the background, continue to sacrifice for their children from afar. And through it all, these children respect and forgive because they are family. All of these connections and more serve to remind us that families are about more than blood and even in families, forgiveness is always a choice.
♥ Music
“Bossam: Steal the Fate” did an amazing job with their music selection. A unique blend of traditional music and instruments created the perfect setting for this story. It was easy to get swept away in the atsmosphere that was created by background music and sounds.
Things I Didn’t Like
Hwa In’s Husband
There seemed to be more to the story of Hwa In’s husband, and I was disappointed that we didn’t learn anything new. Why did he kill himself the night before the wedding? I was sure that his father actually killed him for some political reason, but I guess not. And why did Lee Yi Cheom push his older son to marry the princess instead of Dae Yeop? There seems to be several possible reasons for it, but I would have liked an explanation within the story.
No Kiss
Plenty of dramas leave us with just a hint of romance and no kiss, but those dramas are usually more crime or law centered. This drama is supposed to be a romance. And the chemistry between the leads was obvious from the beginning. Those steamy, longing gazes were a great warm. up but I would have enjoyed at least one beautiful kiss. Even Court Lady Jo and Chun Bae get a little smooching. That hardly seems fair!
Prince Neungyang
It’s common in historical dramas to bring a new guy in at the very end to become King, while our hero rides into the sunset to enjoy his freedom. But it would be nice to know that he left the country in good hands, at least. Where did Prince Neungyang even come from? I was somehow under the impression that all potential princes had been properly dispensed with. But surprise! Here comes a prince out of nowhere. Will he be a decent and honest ruler or is he just another face in the long line of corrupt leaders? We do get to see him promise to clean up the mess the former King left behind and reinstate those who were falsely accused, so we know he is at least off to a good start. But still, enquiring minds want more information!
The Ending
“Bossam: Steal the Fate” offers us a happy ending for our fabulous couple, but leaves a lot of outcomes vague. Unfortunately the one character who’s ending was clear is Dae Yeop. In the end, his love and loyalty to his uncle cost him his life. After heartlessly killing his nephew, Lee Yi Cheom goes back home, where Ba Woo and the soldiers come to arrest him. Ba Woo resists the urge to kill him on the spot, out of respect for his departed friend, Dae Yeop. Court Lady Kim is arrested by Kim Ja Jeom, and he is finally out from under her evil thumb. The rebellion is successful in placing Prince Neungyang on the throne. Commander Jung Yeong is killed, defending the King until the very end. King Gwanghae is dethroned. Although we don’t find out any more about his fate, history tells us he was sent into exile after the rebellion. Ba Woo makes sure that Soo Kyung’s mother, the Royal Consort, is safely hidden away somewhere. Soo Kyung, convinced that she has no future as the daughter of a deposed king, prepares to become a nun while the monk, Court Lady Jo and Chun Bae sadly look on. But in a beautiful full-circle moment, Ba Woo shows up, complete with mask and sack, to bossam his bride safely away, while Cha Dol rushes him along. “Bossam: Steal the Fate” ends with Ba Woo and Soo Kyung together on the beach, as they happily hold hands and walk off into the sunset, leaving the palace and it’s drama far behind.
Should I Watch
“Bossam: Steal the Fate” is a typical period drama that mixes life of the common people with palace intrigue to tell a story of love, family and betrayal. The first half of the story is used to lay the ground work for the political battle that is to come, and with 20 episodes, they are in no hurry to rush the story along. So expect a slow story that picks up momentum as it goes. The leads have great chemistry, even though the romance is subtle and understated. But don’t expect a passionate love story. This is a good historical drama with interesting characters played by a talented cast, and a storyline that takes enough interesting turns to hold your interest. I give “Bossam: Steal the Fate” an 8 out of 10 ramen.
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