Hermine Voltaire

I feel that the rating should be higher.
The main couple chemistry is very fluid.

😭Sorry.
Start with Yi San if you have some vacation times coming. It is less lengthy.
Jumong, on the other hand, my first favorite historical Sageuk (For so many reasons…) is very long.

1000% agree with that example.
That was so well executed that it felt that I spying on them (All three).

Good gracious!
If the 2 time travel concepts affect you that much… Let’s substitute them by even older ones…
- Lee San, Wind of the Palace
- Jumong
Historical Sageuks at their best. No modern inspirations. No modern concepts. Just well executed, intimate kissing scenes.

First, only 2 from the list have time travel.
Second… Realism…
A young noble girl from the Confucius Joseon era; showing off her ankle to attract an already engaged man.
Correct me if I am wrong… Women would have been stoned to death for that kind of behaviors in Joseon Hell.
For me, the realism of this Sageuk is the storyline outside of their romance.
Their romance has nothing realistic about it.

👍
I do agree on the “We just saw 2 wooden dolls…” comment.

Seriously…
- Princess’s Man
- Moon Embracing the Sun
- Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
- Faith
- Queen for Seven Days
- Grand Prince
- Empress Ki
- Queen Seon Duk
And a multitude of orher Sageuks… Not even inspired by modern publications.
“Ridiculous…” You said…?
We are most definitely not watching the same Sageuks.

We are definitely not watching the same Sageuk.
This is not your typical Confucius’s byproduct Joseon main leads. Their characters are inspired by 2 modern characters… Which were already avant-garde in their time of publication of 1936. Therefore, if the screenwriters of “My Dearest” were going to be prude and ascetic in those latest episodes… Then, they should have done that from the beginning of this Sageuk.
And certainly, they should have not used “Gone with the Wind” leading characters as inspirations.

I was not talking about the 2 characters’ disposition, execution nor the editing of the kissing scene. obviously, expectations were not met there.
I was talking about the surrounding ambiance of the scene itself. The color palettes and lightings used, were exquisite.

I have no need to back up my words.
I don’t play that game.
Passed that stage long ago.
If you want to be reminded… Just re-read the novel or re-watch the movies.
Not that hard.

That kiss was too vanilla for me.
The 2 main leads are inspired by 2 basically avant-garde, mainstream and popular novel characters.
Indeed, the concept is Joseon in the 1600’s…
However, the lead characters are not your regular prude, pious and full of Confucius's rhetorics Joseon lead formats.
Therefore, I was expecting some fire and passion in that kiss. Maybe even, a little bite to her lower lip by the ML… Just so, to shock her out of her obsessive and infantile state of mind.

But I do give props to the vibe, the montage, the ambiance and the color palettes surrounding that kissing scene.

I am old school.
I love “Lee San, Wind of the Palace.”
Needless to say, I did not like “Red Sleeve” whatsoever (Basically, a more younger demographic directed version of Lee San, Wind of the Palace).
The only thing I had favored about that one… Was Lee Jun-ho‘s undeniable improvement in his acting range.

That is why I said…
It is the Joseon version of “Gone with the Wind.”
More than inspired by…
Some lines are literally straight from the novel.

FYI:
They could not have chosen a better actor for the ML.
Namkoong Min is simply transcending in this ML role.

Oh… Yes…
“Princess’s Man” was such a great beautiful romantic Sageuk.
“My Dearest” has that same great old production Sageuk’s vibe.
Lately, most Sageuks that come out are exaggeratedly comical or overacted; directed mostly toward the younger demographic.
Only a few, just as this, have captured my attention…
- Mr Queen
- Under the Queen’s Umbrella
- Alchemy of Souls

Why Namkoong Min took so long to make a second Sageuk…?
I will never understand.
The man looks so darned fine in them.

I can’t believe that it took me 3 episodes to realize this Sageuk is the Joseon version of “Gone with the Wind.”
So down the line…
I am excitedly waiting for the ML to say his famous line to the egocentric and selfish FL…
“Frankly my dear… I don’t give a damn.”

Got to say…
Her character is easy to please.
1) The new detective is immensely interesting - Oh… I think that I am developing feelings for him.
2) The dead guy left me a promise ring - Oh… I think that I have feelings for him.
3) The creepy looking new medical examiner is showing a bizarre interest in me - Oh… I also think that I have feelings for him, as well.
Seriously, the way they are writing her character reminds me of her last Sageuk… “Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency.”

FYI:
Dex from Miami.
Really people? How unimaginative.
Also, creepy guy is definitely the “Dexter from Miami” with his horrible English pronunciation.

That is the thing.
I was not reading the novel.
I was watching the TV adaptation.
Good grace! Give me some heat.
The first episode was so steamy.
I call that false advertising.

The word that comes to mind while watching this Wuxia is…
STAGNANT!
Once the FL cleared her family’s name… She became the most boring character in the drama compared to her vivacious self from the early episodes.
And a complete confusion on who is the first ML and who is the second ML.
They were literally competing with each other in their scenes.

For me, the only character worth remembering is the FL’s little brother. The kid literally stole the show from the rest of the cast.

Let me get this…
No kiss…
Absolutely, no kiss…
Not even 2 yellow birds…
This was drier than “The Long Ballad.”