40 Best Quotes from “The Red Sleeve”

The historical romance drama, The Red Sleeve is one of the most talked-about Korean shows of 2021 and is still quite a hot topic in the k-drama fan community. Based on the stunning love story between King Jeongjo and concubine Uibin Sung, The Red Sleeve didn’t fall short of retelling the magic.

This Korean drama follows a palace maid, Sung Deok Im as she learns to navigate her place in the kingdom starting from a young age. But her life in the palace is everything but boring when she learns that the King is fond of her.

Be on the lookout for more projects with the beloved cast, Lee Jun-ho (Yi San), Kang Hoon (Hong Deok-ro), and Lee Se-young as Sung Deok Im. The Red Sleeve is filled with bittersweet moments and poetic quotes. Here is the scoop on The Red Sleeve quotes!

1. “As your loyal maid, protecting you is the only thing I have in mind. When traitors show themselves, you can always hide behind me.” -Sung Deok Im

2. “No king is powerful enough…to govern others’ emotions.” -Yi San

3. “One day, I will free all of the slaves of this country. It is the most important goal… I want to achieve as the King of Joseon.” -Yi San

4. “Do not jump to your own conclusions on what others may be thinking.” -Sung Deok Im

5. “If you cannot avoid it, try to accept it. Do your best. Then you might find a little happiness somewhere.” -Son Young Hee

6. “In a country, there are laws to follow. Laws should apply equally to everyone.” -Yi San

7. “If I did not like you, I would have done anything to run away. I decided to stay with you in the end. It was my choice.” -Sung Deok Im

8. “Ask me for what you want. Take what it is you want. I can see that you desperately desire it.” -Queen Jungsoon

9. “Love someone from the bottom of your heart…and make a family. The only path to live like a human. No one in the world…tells you to live like a human and be happy.” -Hyebin Hong

10. “I don’t care if the world hates me. I only need you to trust me, Your Majesty.” -Royal Secretary Jung Baek Ik

11. “All humans are the same. If you give everything to someone, you will want to receive everything as well.” -Sung Deok Im

12. “The more people want you, the more harmful it will be for you.” -Kang Wol Hye

13. “I want to keep you by my side. Not as a court maid, but as a woman.” -Yi San

14. “His highness is dear, but myself is dearer. So, I will never drive myself into pain. If I cannot have it all to myself, I would rather not have it at all.” -Sung Deok Im

15. “There are things you only see from the distance.” -Hong Jung Yeo

16. “I cannot stand that I live off of…the fat of the land while my family lives like animals.” -Yi San

17. “Depression is a mental illness. She should lean on someone she can trust. You are her husband…and a pillar to rely on. If you visit her more often and treat her nicely…” -Sung Deok Im

18. “You should rather cry because of me. You should cry only in front of me. When I cannot see you, when I do not know you are crying, do not cry alone.” -Yi San

19. “There are things you cannot undo in this world. Once you hurt a person’s feelings, it is difficult to change it.” -Queen Jungsoon

20. “If I do love His Majesty, I will make sure that he never finds out.” -Sung Deok Im

21. “The palace is such a dazzling…prison…” -Queen Jungsoon

22. “If you see me in the next life, please just pass by… as if you do not know me. I do not blame you. I do not hate you. Just want to live the way I want in my next life.” -Sung Deok Im

23. “This is where I should be. It turns out we do not have much time. And we cannot afford to wait. So… love me. Please. Love me.” -Yi San

24. “Everything you wear, eat, and stay. It all comes from the tax they pay. We live on their blood and sweat.” -Yi San

25. “If you must pretend to love him, do so. Just do not really love him.” -Bae Kyung Hee

26. “The one I gave my heart to, should only think about me. No matter how much I love something, if it cannot be solely mine, I would much rather destroy it… because it upsets me.” -Queen Jungsoon

27. “That is what life means after all. I cannot always be happy or always be sad.” -Sung Deok Im

28. “You have a lot to protect. The things you have to protect will protect you instead.” -Sung Deok Im

29. “I missed you and the days I spent with you. I will never let go of your hand ever again.” -Yi San

30. “You are good enough on your own. I just need a friend to keep close to help me… get through the long, lonely days in the Palace.” -Queen Jungsoon

31. “If I succumb to my personal feelings… and go against the rules to save her, I will be too ashamed to face them.” -Yi San

32. “Thank you. For saving my life repeatedly. Even when I did not know you, you protected me. Thank you.” -Yi San

33. “When you were just a Crown Prince, I have done you a favor. But as soon as you got on the throne, you quickly forgot about the old days.” -Queen Jungsoon

34. “I may be just a mere court maid to you, but I will be serving you for the rest of my life. It’s not right to mock me.” -Sung Deok Im

35. “Go far away. Go and live a comfortable life. No matter what kind of crime you committed, I do not want to see you die in front of me.” -Yi San

36. “One good thing about being the King is that no one cannot be in my way. Wherever I go, whoever I go to, no one dares to stop me.” -Yi San

37. “You should be reflecting on yourself, but you have only become more arrogant and rude.” -Yi San

38. “Do not let your feelings get hurt by anyone else but me.” -Yi San

39. “But even though I knew I would make everyone sad, I just wanted to live as I wanted.” -Son Young Hee

40. “Because no one of those ladies can become you.” -Yi San

Hope you loved these quotes from The Red Sleeve! If you’re like us, we have definitely grown fond of King Yi San (Lee Jun-ho) and would recommend Wok of Love, Rain or Shine, and Confession to put on your watchlist!

Watch The Red Sleeve on Viki!

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