AnicsiRoscoe

Short but cute. Very nice cinematography.. wished it was an actual drama.

Unfortunately, even though she knows what she wants, she still does the 'noble sacrifice' trope in episode 14, it annoyed me to no end. Like, at least be honest about it. That was very much a face palm moment for me. I enjoyed the middle part of the series, but now near the end I just want it to be over...

I nearly lost it when she was training to become a noble lady and started digging into the food like a pig and he literally had to correct her on EVERYTHING. Like, I guess it's for comedic effect, but it gets old real fast. If she's serious about wanting to improve, she should get the hint after the first or second time, but they make her look especially dumb. It also doesn't make sense because when she was still doing odd jobs for a dime, she'd never complain but then suddenly she becomes Ms Nagging. That character degrading really annoyed me.

I think you misheard. Their names are 'Joon' and 'Hoon' and in Korea when you're on first name basis, you add a vowel to the end of the name when calling someone without honorifics. Usually it's 'a' (so f.e. Min Gyu-a), but 'i' is also common depending on the situation (I haven't learned the rules for it but when I lived in Korea I took notice of it). So basically he's calling them Joon-i and Hoon-i, and because he's talking quickly, it becomes sorta 'unni'. I was also startled at first.

Whenever I hear the name 'Kae Ddong', I just think dog poop, I cannot help it. I cringe at that name. Why???

I'm really loving this drama so far. Especially the subplot about their mothers is really beautiful, yet very heartbreaking. It shows how important it is to have someone close to you to share your pain and burden. I am a bit annoyed by the second lead, but I hope she'll soon make it clear to him that he's friendzoned. I also want to see more of the acting/drama world. Looking forward to the next episodes.

The ending makes a lot of sense to me. I loved Derek, and I felt really sorry for him. But he was a criminal. He was completely under his mom's thumb. Even if he could have gotten out of the allegations framing him, he couldn't have resumed a normal life. He would have had to take on a new identity with the help of Interpol, maybe, in another country. But Areum wouldn't have gone with him. She loved her job and her friends and her mother and while she was always loyal to Derek because she believed it to be her duty as a wife and because of her affection to him, the final episodes made it clear that she was shaken and the trust couldn't be restored. Their marriage was bound to be a failure. He lied to her too many times. They would have separated eventually. Which is why I think the ending Derek got was the best there could have been. I imagine him traveling the world and eventually falling in love with a nice but tough woman and starting completely over.

I completely disagree. Barely any romance in the romantic sense. Just a lot of flashbacks and dependency, I liked it.

The first episode does focus on her and her ex, which is why a lot of people harbored expectations and hopes for a rekindled romance. This is not at all what this drama is about. It's also not about a love triangle. It's very much about the dynamics or marriage: how to be loyal and supportive, how to be honest, how sometimes you're selfish but don't admit it. Areum is not a cheater. She's loyal, and a fighter and it's been a long time since I've had such high respect for a female lead. I do hope you give it a chance.

A lot of people expected tons of romance, which this show doesn't deliver. But the crime plot and story aren't weak at all. It's a good thriller plus slice-of-life if you're into that. I enjoyed it a lot. The conversations and relationship dynamics were really good. And Areum kicks ass.

Please keep watching. Even though Derek indeed doesn't get the girl, his character is really interesting and he develops a lot. He's not a completely bad guy. It'll be a bit heartbreaking but in the end it's all good.

I completely agree with you on all accounts and I also really enjoyed this drama. I am glad I didn't let the bad comments stop me from watching, and I think most of them are because of the love triangle. It was a good drama.

Tinker.

I have now finished and I've come to the conclusion that those rating the show really badly are butthurt that their ship didn't sail. A lot of people were hating on Areum going back to her ex, calling her unfaithful and that she moved on 'too soon', while others stated it was a waste for her not to go back to her ex sooner. Hold the horses, cowboy, because this is actually one of the most realistic 'second chances' dramas I've seen. It is very, very obvious from the start that Areum never got over how her first marriage ended, and especially after realizing that he broke up with her for her sake and never actually cheated on her. Yes, I believe she loved Derek, but somewhere in the middle of the drama, in a conversation she's truthfully honest. She doesn't stay with Derek because she's head over heels in love with him – she stays because she thinks it's her duty to do so as a wife. She gave up on her first marriage too soon and always regretted it. After realizing that there would be no future for her and Derek and his consequential departure, she decides to move on. That's not lack of loyalty, it's human. He lied and deceived her and eventually abandoned her, so why would she mope around and be 'loyal' to him? I think it was just enough for her to know that he's safe somewhere. Obviously there were still feelings between Ahreum and Ji Hoon, but they both needed to grow and be comfortable and most of all HONEST with each other. I for my part am happy that the drama ended on this note and I think it's really more of a slice of life than a romance drama. Amidst all the crime, that is. There were some intriguing characters and stories involved. I loved in the final episode the conversation between Young Goo and Seo Ra. He thought about quitting because it was just all too emotional. He expected something like 'mission impossible' but got real life drama instead. Human relationships and failures and heartache and longing and a whole lot of mistakes. I think this is a good drama for those that appreciate realistic stories interwoven with action and thriller - rather than a 'good vs. evil' epic fight. 8.5/10 from me for this drama.

Oh, and I REALLY enjoyed the bromance. I am so happy they could put their differences aside and learn to appreciate and trust each other.

I am really thrown off by all these bad comments. I expected a bad drama that would bore me after a couple of episodes due to all the negative vibes here. It was quite the opposite, though. It's a decent watch! Sure, there's like literally nothing romantic about it. The romance makes less than 1% of this show (at least at the moment, I just finished episode 11), but if you like crime thrillers like Mad Dog, Tunnel, Lawless Lawyer or Flower of Evil, you'll probably enjoy it. I really like the character dynamics, and while some things are pretty predictable, there are some truths that actually take you by surprise. I cannot understand all the hate this show is getting. For once we have a super smart leading lady, who's independent and doesn't need to be saved 24/7. She's actually miles ahead of some of the supposedly smart guys here. The two MLs are doing an excellent job, as are the supporting cast. The only reason I can find for people hating this is the lack of romance. Still, I think if you watch it as a crime series rather than a romantic comedy, you'd have different expectations and enjoy this. More after I finish this drama.

I watched four episodes so far, and I have to say, most of the men here seem like possessive little shits. Yes, even the male lead. I am a 30 year old woman. If I was in the FL's shoes, I'd not be happy about a guy I've continuously rejected interfering in my personal affairs and relationships. I mean, he's low-key stalking her from the beginning. Following her when she leaves the restaurant, trying to sneak glances at work, going so far as to touch her lips unwanted, forcing her to accompany him because otherwise 'she will regret it'. And, okay, she eventually thanked him for helping her, but then he calls her up and she tells him to mind his own business, but when he sees her outside, AGAIN he follows her to the club and acts like her personal bodyguard/boyfriend. Like, excuse me? Maybe she would have welcomed flirting. Maybe she wanted to forget. Maybe she would've been happy about a one night stand. Who knows? But it's certainly none of his fucking business. She obviously can stand up for herself and she even has a friend with her, so it's not like she'd be in a predicament. I am so sick of the men (or women) being overly protective or territorial, just because they think it's for the other's own good.
The only reason why I'm continuing this is for the side characters and because I am hoping it'll get better once she comes to like him as well. Being cute doesn't give him the right to act like he does.

Thanks, I'll try!

I do enjoy slow burn romances and all, but the plot summary sounds really boring. Is it all about romance or more slice-of-life, touching other relationships and job struggles and such?

If I had to name one thing that could have been executed a little bit better, it would be to explain the merging of their souls a little bit better, especially in the romantic aspect. To those who say the king was in love with only Bong Hwan and not So Yong, I don't think so. Obviously So Yong's soul was there along side Bong Hwan all the time, she witnessed everything and sometimes her feelings and affections would take over. But that was sort of in the beginning. Later on in the drama, it's like both souls become one, there's no way to differentiate between them anymore. I think it was good that they didn't 'overexplain' it, because it made the transition very smooth. On the other hand, it is a little bit confusing. Bong Hwan's feelings for the king are those of deep friendship and trust, while So Yong's feelings are longing and affection. Those feelings combined turn into love. Even when their souls are separated in the end, it is very obvious how each is affected by the memories and characteristics of the other. They adapted certain traits and will certainly be changed forever. Anyway, it's a brilliant drama and I totally imagine Bong Hwan taking up calligraphy and embroidery in the future and the queen cursing to her hearts content and running around like a crazy person at times. They both just brought out the best (and worst :) ) in each other.

This drama was an absolute gem. I've watched more than 200 dramas and for the past year or so I've had troubles finishing anything at all, but I binged this in four days. This was truly a unique watch. Oftentimes when I watch historical dramas after some time I wish for some comedy and modern elements and vice versa. I loved that this show incorporated both, without seeming forced. The way the queen's craziness and modern lifestyle awkwardly clashed with everyone in the beginning but slowly seeped into everyday life at the palace was brilliantly executed, just as the feelings that developed over time between the main couple. All the supporting cast was stellar and some memorable moments truly touched me. Sometimes the comedy does seem over the top, but I think it serves well to balance the dramatic plot (and sometimes boring plotting at court). A lot of people hated the ending, but I for my part understand why it ended this way and feel satisfied. More to that in a spoiler. 9.5/10 from me, I'll surely rewatch it many times.