dead lilies

I binged this over the weekend, wishing all the while that I should've watched this back when it came out in 2019.

I absolutely adore this drama for its subtle, non-cloying and unforced romance. The relationship unfolds naturally, with no contrived angst between the leads and even though there was a six-year age gap between the characters, it was mentioned only in passing in the drama and the female lead being older was never an issue. Their affection doesn’t need constant physical reinforcement. The moments they share feel measured and meaningful, and several episodes had me in tears, bawling like a child.

If you’re hoping for passionate make-out scenes and heavy physical contact, you might want to look elsewhere, perhaps a Hollywood series where the leads end up in bed after two episodes. This drama isn’t built that way, and that’s exactly why I love it.

The heroine, Goo Hae Ryung, is the heart of the story. She’s witty, direct, unafraid to take the lead, and astonishingly ahead of her time in her knowledge of history, astronomy, and science. If she had truly lived, I’ve no doubt she would have made significant contributions to humanity. Opposite her is Prince Dowon Yi Rim, introduced as the younger son of the king, though later revealed to be the rightful heir as the only son of the previous monarch. He falls for Hae Ryung at first sight, but bristles when she dismisses his work as a "trashy" romance novelist.

Shin Se Kyung was luminous as Hae Ryung. I’ll admit, I’ve tried watching several of her earlier dramas but often abandoned them due to weak plots. Still, I was always drawn to her, hoping to find the right project, and I’m so glad this was it. Sometimes it isn’t the actor at fault but the roles they’re given. Here, the part fit her perfectly. She brought charm, intelligence, and humour to Hae Ryung, making her irresistible to both the prince and the audience. Some of her quirky moments—like gawking at men at the waterfall while making finger hearts, or collapsing on the floor in a starfish pose on her day off—were simply unforgettable. She’s beautiful, clever, and captivating, and it’s little wonder Yi Rim fell so quickly and so deeply.

As for Cha Eun Woo, this was my first time seeing him act. Like many idols-turned-actors, his early work understandably lacked polish, especially next to someone as seasoned as Se Kyung, who has been performing since childhood. But in this drama, he was well cast. As Yi Rim, a prince barred from politics and history, his only outlet being literature, he embodied innocence, sincerity, and youthful ardour. He delivered beautifully in the heavier emotional moments, particularly when conveying his desperate love for Hae Ryung. He may not yet be a veteran, but he showed promise and heart. Yi Rim is gentle, idealistic, and unapologetically romantic, yet more often than not it is Hae Ryung who steals kisses from him.

That said, I couldn’t quite buy into the premise that historians documented every detail of palace life, down to private disputes. Nor did it seem consistent that princes were supposedly shadowed by historians at all times, only for us to see them alone during the day on several occasions. Clearly, the script took liberties for the sake of drama. What felt especially exaggerated was the sheer power historians were granted over the throne. Strikes, petitions, and even public challenges at royal banquets stretched believability. The constant disruptions at the king’s birthday celebrations reminded me of Nirvana in Fire. At this point, I almost expect useless monarchs to have their parties spoiled, since it seems to be the easiest way to make yourself heard, or executed.

Beyond the leads, the supporting cast was a delight. From the prince’s loyal caretaker Eunuch Heo to the Crown Prince himself, and even the Crown Princess. I genuinely hoped the Crown Prince and Crown Princess could reconcile, but they didn’t. What a waste of over a decade of the Crown Princess’s life; she didn’t deserve that ending. Meanwhile, the historians’ office was predictably filled with sexist men resistant to women entering their ranks. Watching the female historians fight tooth and nail to prove their worth was frustrating, not least because such struggles are still painfully relevant today.

Again, in my opinion, the romance was perfectly balanced. One of the most moving scenes was when the prince was ambushed on his journey to his father’s tomb. Arrows rained down as he fell from his horse, and Hae Ryung, in a moment of reckless devotion, grabbed a stool for a shield and rushed to his side. She saved him, only for him to be wounded while protecting her instead.

Another moment I adored was when Yi Rim was under house arrest, facing possible assassination. Hae Ryung braved danger to free him, leading him by the hand as they escaped the palace together. Later, when they spent the night together, it was the prince who lovingly sent her off to work the next morning. These little reversals of expectation made their relationship feel fresh without ever straying into caricature.

For viewers like me, this drama is a treasure: heartfelt, balanced, and brimming with charm. For those looking for torrid passion and constant physicality, it will no doubt disappoint. But for me, it was exactly right.