3GGG

Thank you very much, Love!

Thank you, Shayri! Did you feel that the context I provided was sufficient to clarify the point I am making? I am trying to provide less context and a bit more vague just to avoid spoilers as much as possible. Especially since I am using examples of different dramas (most of them recent).

Thank you, Oneesama! You are probably the fifth person who recommends Sky Castle! I'm going to move it up my PTWL! There is, however, already an article dedicated to that shoe's motifs. So I am not sure if i can do a second one (if the editors would allow it). But if I see examples of the motifs and techniques I've yet to cover, I will definitely include them!

Thank you for your comment, @sunflower63! I am happy you are enjoying them!

I agree. I seriously hope this subquest is over and they can return to leading a kingdom.

I agree with your sentiment! The episode got boring for me, precisely because it leaned so much into the romance rather than the politics.

Really cute episode, I like the direction this is going. Oh Yoon Seo is having so much growth! I'm loving it and hope it continues down this path!

And it's a good opinion, thank you for sharing. It's true that the lyrics might fit or, if we see this from the Emperor's POV, that he might've regarded that as romantic.

However, this isn't the first (and probably won't be the last) kdrama I've watched where this situation occurs. Something toxic being presented as romantic by adding a questionable song choice. So it's still a peeve. I think you might be giving the series too much credit in that regard. I don't even think the ones producing the series gave that song choice/moment too much thought, tbh. (My inner cynic came out lol)

Apart from that, I enjoyed these episodes. They were faster paced and very interesting from start to finish. I can't wait to see what happens next!

It really bothers me when we have a "forced kiss" or "forced contact" scene and they add a stupid love/soft song. Because by "forced" I mean without consent. Something like this isn't romantic and that song did not fit the occasion. It's one of my pet peeves.

Like many comments down below, I don't mind age gaps (within reason, of course - 10-12 years max) unless it involves a minor. Then it's just a no-no for me. It doesn't matter how romantized it is portrayed, an adult should know better than to date an underage child, no matter how "mature" said child acts like.

If, however, they started dating after they are both "adults" (by law), then that's more acceptable and i might give it a chance. But, again, the 12 year max gap applies.

Except, of course, in places where Adultery is illegal (there are still a few). South Korea stopped criminalizing adultery only three years ago, I believe (the law changed).

As taken by Wikipedia: "In Muslim countries that follow Sharia law for criminal justice, the punishment for adultery may be stoning.[6] There are fifteen[7] countries in which stoning is authorized as lawful punishment, though in recent times it has been legally carried out only in Iran and Somalia."

Thank you, @ilanputo. Sky Castle is in my PTWL. However, someone already wrote an article about it. "Mapping the motifs in Sky Castle" I believe it was called. So I doubt another article about the same would be accepted by MDL.

Some absurd examples of these edit -> undo philosophy:

-Prince Fierce kills himself -> gets revived in the same episode.

-Daughter of Qi Zhen gets killed -> Wu Ji extends her life so Dr. Zong can get her fixed.

-Zhuzhu sacrifices her eyes to save Prince Fierce -> people proceed to show her that she still has value... -> King Fierce's teacher restores her sight.

I mean... really? Did the writers change? Where's the commitment to stick with events they themselves wrote? Actions should have consequences, after all...

The more I watch, the more disappointed I feel with this latter half.

I am at episode 54 and it has really dawn on me that the second half of this series can be summarized as: edit -> undo...

Spoilers to clarify this point below.

I went in with low expectations after reading some of the comments, but I have to disagree. I'm liking it so far. Yes, Oh Yoon Seo is portrayed as a bit of an airhead. Episode 1 highlights all of her flaws, but by episode 2 we get to see some of her strengths. I hope this story focuses on character growth because she has all the right ingredients for becoming a strong lead as the series progresses. The fact that she's quick to learn, can adapt to her situations and can smile even when she's hurting inside... doesn't that sound like a pretty admirable person?

Agreed! A love triangle is only tolerable for me when done right. When two people love each other and there's another with unrequited love. Though it's absuder that the one who is suffering would still be around the source of their suffering. In real life, that person would put needed distance in order to get over their heartbreak.

Agreed! This is a wonderful article and as I was reading this, I kept thinking of this point. I can tolerate a love triangle to a certain extent, but it's a bummer when it messes a friendship. I can't help but regard the female lead as destroying something especial. And I kind of wish the guys would just pick friendship over love, tbh.

Yeah, i am happy they added more episodes precisely because of that! Plus I kind of don't want this series to end, if I am being honest!

According to Viki, this drama has been extended to 52 episodes. So the writers still have time to end it properly. Source: https://www.viki.com/tv/36241c-the-last-empress