If you guys had to guess, when would you say Zhao Lusi will make her acting return? It seems her recent life trials are not at all trivial. Could we be looking at 2+ years from now?
Very interesting drama - many non mains and their stories really hold the attention. This drama is not dependent on dominant mains to drive its stories and lessons (and that's a fortunate thing for what I already mentioned in a comment a few posts before.)
In short, this does have good depth and layers. Can recommend.
I'm just not convinved by nearly 30-somethings playing highschoolers, and it can really be felt. The forced sense of youth is very apparent. It's not a problem with Vanda, who is still very young.
Some interesting friendships, relationships and dynamics are not given their time to shine in this drama and often get forgotten for long stretches. This 40 episode limit is really starting to become detrimental to some of the storytelling.
But it's the only long one you've even watched. Not fair to compare one long historical Kdrama to a bunch of longer…
I'm not saying you have to like this drama or its heavy elements of fictionalisation, I'm saying one drama alone doesn't tell the story of Korean historical storytelling. There's no point comparing one Kdrama historical fact+fiction with many Cdramas, because Empress Ki is nothing like many of the other sageuks.
i know it's unfair tocompare cdrama and kdramas in historical fiction. but accept that cdramas in making long…
But it's the only long one you've even watched. Not fair to compare one long historical Kdrama to a bunch of longer Cdramas you've watched. Story of Yanxi Palace has frankly insane storytelling and is less grounded than many Kdrama historicals but you rate it very highly (as do I). If you want less ridiculous (or supposedly childish) sageuks then try Jewel in the Palace, Jumong, Yi San, Six Flying Dragons.
Ashes of Love has some of the most ridiculous writing and childish motivations and exchanges I can remember seeing in drama but again you rate it highly, so I think you could withhold judgment until you've given more long format Kdramas a chance.
Does this actually work with changing the actors so many times depending on the age of the couple? I haven't started this yet but just can't get my head around this not being jarring, especially after my somewhat unpleasant experience of watching First Love: Hatsukoi.
When I look at the cast it's kinda hard for me to reconcile the differences in look between the young adults and older adults here.
K-Drama 
In short, this does have good depth and layers. Can recommend.
What's holding this one back?
Ashes of Love has some of the most ridiculous writing and childish motivations and exchanges I can remember seeing in drama but again you rate it highly, so I think you could withhold judgment until you've given more long format Kdramas a chance.
What. The Actual. (--> insert word here <--)
When I look at the cast it's kinda hard for me to reconcile the differences in look between the young adults and older adults here.
Oh dear.