Amastris Dratwka

'what is the actual point of her character?'

More than halfway through and I'm wondering, 'what is the actual point of her character?'Based on the original script before she got here, from her perspective, she is the focal point of the entire drama. Yet, isn't he the starring IDOL role with all the fame & glory while she's just a bit actress who they're giving an opportunity to because an IDOL actress wouldn't play second fiddle to his stardom? Has she lost this fact?As I recall, not going back to watch the beginning, there should only be 2 major scenes left: 1) his rise to power; 2) her untimely death.On one hand she's fighting tooth and nail to "change" her destiny. On the other hand she bad mouths, insults, schemes against, lies, deceives, doesn't trust him then rejects any of his good deeds as scheming himself basically because she believes HIS part of the story can never change. Then she calls him a 'hypocrite'. With the original fact that she's a bit actress playing opposite a STAR, how does she reconcile trying to cause him an untimely demise? Like, isn't this too rich?? She talks out of both sides of her mouth. Blaming him for being the never changing "villain" while believing she can fight 'destiny' and walk away from him. After 25 episodes, her double standards and pigheaded attitude just grate and get under my skin.So at this point, and based on the OG script, which should actually center around HIM since he is the Top Bill and the ACTUAL focal point, the only point I can see her character being is to actually be the MAIN villain who is just another person who never listens, falsely accuses and manipulates against him. She is the person, now, who CONSTANTLY hurts him the most. Open up old wound after old wound only to pour salt in it. She never endingly tells him how much she hates him and wants to kill him and for him to be dead.Then WHY in the world would she think, when he rises to power, quells all his past naysayers, that he would love, respect and keep her, the biggest naysayer of them all?? Wouldn't it be HIS ARC to win over them all, INCLUDING HER, and gain his true love and happiness?? Why would that include her??? She's a bitch!! lul.Lastly, this started out like a slapstick comedy. All the standard palace antics of scheming and murder were put under the arc of comedy. For the last 5-6 episodes, it has been far from funny. It all of a sudden moved from the main premise of the OG drama to an actual standard serious palace drama. Honestly, I already predicted this would happen because isn't the drama in a drama, dream in a dream a script ploy in itself? It's just a way to get around CCP censorship of reincarnation or time travel, right? So, you can always predict that after the first few episodes, the censors will be more lenient and allow the real story, the way it was supposed to be written would come out... which actually makes her character even worse.

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I really enjoy how realistic the romantic…

I really enjoy how realistic the romantic relationships are in this drama.The fighting, saying mean things you don't mean because of pride, pride keeping you from apologizing, finding a way to break the ice, even the kissing is very realistic.Maybe the only thing lacking is the character development of some supporting characters, namely Se Ra's friends. I think they're needed to move the story forward in some fashion, however, if the writers aren't going to flesh out more about who they are, I'd honestly prefer it if they didn't even take side trips into their present lives. Without much context it just feels like filler and a distraction. However, tbh, this is a *very* small deficiency in the story for me.I'm also happy to find Se Ra to be back closer to her original form conveyed in the earlier episodes.I'm enjoying the dynamics in this drama. Overall, I'm really enjoying this drama!

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I'm warming up to the OTP, mainly because…

I'm warming up to the OTP, mainly because the ML is calm and soothing. Deep voice, matter-of-fact mannerisms, nice smile, calm demeanor, casual approach to matters that should actually piss him off, forgives very easily, these are all fantastic attributes for a ML, and whatever tsundere behavior he started off with dropped away almost immediately. The FL is the typical dense, oblivious female depicted in C-Dramas who is way too invested in her dormmates, but she's not entirely devoid of good qualities. It's just they aren't promoted as much as her flaws.On the other hand, frankly, I have absolutely 100% NO INTEREST in the 3 friends/dormmates of the FL. I'm not interested in their backgrounds, their stories, or their problems. None of these females are depicted as very likeable people. I don't mind the interactions with the FL, to a certain extent, but when the story just focus on each one of these girls INDIVIDUALLY I'm hyper aware of the FFWD button. There stories just aren't compelling/interesting enough to me to bother. Feels like wasted space and watch time, and I'd rather get to the OTP's story, since that is already slow enough as it is...AND...Let's be honest:The only 7-10 minutes of on-screen time the ML gets per episode makes him feel more like a supporting cast member rather than a LEAD. The 3 SUPPORTING actresses have enough screen time it feels like they're mains, when they are not.

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It's Okay to Not Be Okay. LOL!

"...Over my dead body..." bwhahahaha... I never loved a comeback as much as this one.That ending though: *swoon*Yeah, yeah, I get it, but get over it! It's cliché. Yeah, I get it. I accept it.I forgive this drama for it though, because it was ALSO much more than the mere clichés. The "mental health healing" that it set out to achieve, this drama delivered it in spades. For that, all is forgiven.Those who couldn't get all the 'fairytales' & enjoy this aspect of the drama, I get that they were likely *triggered* by a lot of it. I was too. If you're still working through stuff, or actually, do not want to face and deal with certain stuff, this whole drama would most likely be a *trigger*. I suspect some would hate that part so much they'd drop it at some point. I get it....AND....I'm OKAY with it!hahahaha.....

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Four Stars

The Boy Who Eats Nightmares has appeared:First off, I won't state the obvious about the final scene. Ending it constantly in this manner is getting a bit tired tbh.However, being left with the essence that Gang Tae finally is getting a better "understanding" left me warm. I had a bit of back and forth emotions watching this episode.Gang Tae is truly a frustrating character. I'm also not sure how I feel with the writing where it seems to try to want to pawn you or facepalm you with the, 'why are you thinking this way, it's really THAT way.'The flashback slow revelation reveals, usually better in a suspense/investigation drama doesn't make me feel the "a-ha" vibe, rather the irritation vibe. Feeling mislead about the personalities of the characters feels a bit unfair.There's really no clear reason to do this except to disarm you and question your reality, as it goes on. It's not true gaslighting, but if you're not prepared for it, it could make you feel like you are being so. lol.

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I can forgive the predictable aspects of this…

I can forgive the predictable aspects of this drama because it clearly makes up for anything that might be construed as stale by still having great art design direction, and a flaming hot OST that puts you in the mood.No doubt, I will say the best part of this drama is the quality acting and the lit af chemistry of the OTP. Every time they come across each other, my mind says, just get a freaking room already and be done with it. hahaha.After 2 episodes, the only draw back is this *pretend* idea that all these so-called "childhood connections" just randomly pop up and they're clueless about it/each other after all this time. Yeah, this part I'm truly not buying into right now.Everything else is clean af.

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Saiko jiman gwaenchanha

사이코지만 괜찮아Saiko jiman gwaenchanhaPsycho But Okay -- I like the title better literal rather than stylizedI named a WoW toon 'Saiko' after the FL in 'Todome no Kiss'.Not exactly but hitting me with similar vibe in this drama.Not a particular fan of the overt fanservice, but, you have to admit, Kim Soo Hyun after military service, has still maintained the 6-pack rock solid abs. Almost look like an 8-pack instead.Completely and utterly in love with art direction of this series it's like an epic & price-y blockbuster movie. Animation gives me the 'Nightmare Before Christmas' feelings. Adore it here as much as I did that movie.The flashblack at the end, holy shit, makes me want a drama just based on that alone. Victorian era, Gothic, is just made for a story like this!! Think it's why I loved the band All About Eve when I hit college. This is an era that's so fit to telling hauntingly scary or moody stories. It's not something I enjoy everyday, and my personality is not like Moon Young, but every once in a while it's great. Like watching Sleepy Hollow; Dorian Gray; Sweeney Todd; The Illusionist; The Phantom of the Opera; Bram Stoker's Dracula; or The Others.Anyway, I love the visuals so much, and I'm not even talking about the gorgeous OTP at all even. It's just really pretty over all considering the topics being conveyed here. Somehow, I think that's what makes it work for me in just 1 episode. Mixing pretty with ugly and messy makes it more appetizing for the *normal* viewer. lolThen the actual ending. I'm going to be 100% honest, after Kim Soo Hyun delivered his lines, I legit said out loud to no one, "...Wow! Holy shit! Hahaha... Don't do that to me. I felt that...hahaha..."Let's admit that the chemistry was there from the 1st second these 2 interacted. How in the hell did they manage to turn it up a notch even after that, I don't know. But they did. So, I can walk away saying, it's not just "pretty" that's cutting it. THEY CAN ACT! Count me 100% impressed with the 1st episode.

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Partial Justice Mete

Finally justice is served on some of those who deserve it. We're on the path to clearing up this mess, and it feels great!Thankful that those who think they're on the side of justice that figure out Mo Xuan Yu's real identity don't act like jerks. That, for the most part, they leave him in peace. Also, glad to see Wen Ning back in action! It's been too long for crying. I'm glad I can finally have a few smiles.Wangji and Wuxian's couple moments are so wonderful!Zewu Jun proves that his ability to determine a person character is shit compared to Wangji. Zewu Jun relies on what he can see on the surface. He relies on pretenses like all the rest. Having made an assessment, he's too stubborn to correct it. Wangji looks beyond the surface. Wangji never blinded believed in and followed Wuxian's lead. He measured all of what Wangji said to his actions. He looked deeper into things than anyone else cared to do. Everyone only cared about you conforming to a set of predetermined ethics.

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