To give context, as of today (Sept 26) I have finished through episode 26. I'm watching on Viki. Don't worry about spoilers. I don't mind them.

I pretty much like this drama. Before it started I was primed for it because of ML, but the first couple episodes kind of put me off. I thought I might skip through a bit, but I kept on and I'm finding I like a lot of it. It's extremely well made. The sets, the costumes, the actors are all top notch. I don't think anyone could find fault with that (but if you can don't hesitate to say what you think). But that doesn't mean there aren't things that bother me.

The issue I have with the first episode in particular is the mass suicide of the all the women being started by the little girl. First of all seeing a little girl in this situation was heartbreaking and almost unbearable to watch. I dislike children and animals dying in dramas/books and sometimes that's a deal breaker for me. Beyond that it was a bit difficult to hear her speaking with the maturity of a grown woman. That did not seem realistic to me. I'm conflicted on the grandfather standing up for his principles at the expense of the lives of his entire family. I don't even know how to put myself in these people's position to try to understand. It's just too far removed from anything I can imagine.

One other thing I find problematic is the way the FL carries on with no real sign of PTSD. And again this is so far out of my depth that I can't really understand her reaction. It seems like she should be at least somewhat angry, but she has the most positive response to everything that she doesn't even seem human at times.

And the ML? Oh boy is his character difficult to deal with! The most glaring is his obtaining a royal decree to marry FL without even talking to her. I know that women had no rights, but it's not at all romantic and then there's the drugging issue. Again how do I even put myself in either of these character's positions when in our world forced marriage/drugging would cause a huge outcry and would be a cause for lawsuits.

So what do y'all think? Do these or other issues bother you? Are you able to get past them or are there other problems you take issue with? Another question I ask myself frequently when watching a drama: How does the fact that I like a particular actor/actress factor into how much I'll let their character get away with? Maybe I should start a discussion on that topic.

1. Almost every episode became "XLX saves the day."...like everyone around her are incompetent.

2. I don't believe XT couldn't come up with the idea of what maid earns stays with her.

3. How come XLX has this never ending stream of good luck, but everyone seems to have bad luck ( her friend sold to brothel, the girl they saved her family abandoned her, XT married off to someone...it looks like everyone is waiting around to be saved by XLX)

4. And I have hated the pacing from day1...scenes prolonged beyond point of impact, too long transitions.

(I have dropped the drama)

I agree with most of what you've said. I've been really appreciating this drama for the quality storytelling, acting, and other qualities that have been lacking in cdramaland in the past few years. But drugging was a tipping point for me.

The blasé way that the drugging was played off left me speechless. I had such, such high hopes for this drama. But making the drugging a funny/cutesy moment without any real repercussions just felt like a slap in the face to me. It is an egregious breach of trust and agency to COMPLETELY take away someone's consciousness to force them to do something that they had explicitly said they didn't want to do. At that point, ML didn't know that FL had changed her mind and that she had only expressed REPEATEDLY that she did not want to go and that she has trauma with the capital. Then, to say "I don't want to force you" while literally drugging her is beyond redemption. I'm more mad at the writers/director for letting this moment slide so easily. Perhaps it will be redeemed later in the drama; if so, I hope the point is made directly and to ML and the audience that (a) forcing FL into marriage and (b) drugging her are beyond heinous acts.

I am still watching the drama because good dramas are hard to come by, but I no longer watch with nearly the excitement I used to. The drama has disappointed me and I cannot, in good conscience, just accept all of ML's cutesy/"romantic" actions when, so far, they have all been primarily driven my his own selfishness and insecurity, as opposed to seeing FL as her own person with her own desires and wants and genuinely respecting and considering her.

AmelieLucan:

One other thing I find problematic is the way the FL carries on with no real sign of PTSD. And again this is so far out of my depth that I can't really understand her reaction. It seems like she should be at least somewhat angry, but she has the most positive response to everything that she doesn't even seem human at times.

To your point here, some context might be helpful. The webnovel is written as a very Buddhist story, which is why we don't have a revenge arc and we have a FL that mostly accepts her circumstances as they unfold. It's a very Buddhist mindset to let go of anger/hate/bitterness and make the most of your circumstances. It's subtle in the drama but it's woven throughout. What's most visible is that they do pray a lot to Buddha.

Phoenix23:

1. Almost every episode became "XLX saves the day."...like everyone around her are incompetent.

2. I don't believe XT couldn't come up with the idea of what maid earns stays with her.

3. How come XLX has this never ending stream of good luck, but everyone seems to have bad luck ( her friend sold to brothel, the girl they saved her family abandoned her, XT married off to someone...it looks like everyone is waiting around to be saved by XLX)

4. And I have hated the pacing from day1...scenes prolonged beyond point of impact, too long transitions.

(I have dropped the drama)

The "XLX saves the day." has me rolling my eyes quite a bit, but I do like how cleverly things work out. I just wish it wasn't so obvious that the drama is accommodating the FL to make her everyone's savior.

Thanks for responding even though you ended up dropping the drama. I'm always interested in why people choose to watch or drop a drama.