VaticVulpine

Takes a lot of patience and understanding of the era, theme, material, etc, and you have to just let it slide off your back and enjoy what you can out of it. It does feel like I'm back to watching my father's VHS tapes. Don't let the hairstyle of the era stop you from giving this a shot, either. I've watched up to the same point in the KDrama version as well. Two completely different animals. Both are worth a watch for their own reasons. But to appreciate the changes that were made in the KDrama adaption you really need to watch this one first-- that is where the Korean adaption shines: its change and absorption of characters, plot devices, and the various actions the characters take. It is more digestible to the modern palate through the changes made to fit the different styles in ruling and society's expectations. It becomes smoother, less clunky, and faster-paced. The Korean narrative opening is better, I would say, too-- I felt more compelled to care about our main characters and had a better inkling of who is who without an overly sloppy character exposition. For honesty purposes: I havent finished either, but I've gotten far enough in both to be able to recommend and have this opinion pretty set in stone.

^ Critical and Honest Review of watching up until episode 9 (didn't drop, just need a break-- it's a drama best used as a palate cleanser, I'd say). Set as spoiler as I guess technically it can be considered as such.

I don't typically go for the super fluffy rom-coms, especially not Chinese as I feel their comedic touches lean towards a flavor of the 3 Stooges. However, the music and sound effects are actually pretty damn good in this. And I will say, I have never laughed harder during an Asian Drama than I did during Episode 5-- it's like they finally hit their stride, the character's ridiculous actions and assumptions come together in a way that is plausible (for a CDrama, c'mon) and it's just the perfect hitting cringe & consequences that left me reeling for water. Come episode 9 I've put the show on pause to pursue other Drama ventures for a bit, but I'm sure I'll return. And while the FL is pretty unstable characterization-wise (is she smart and making choice words for choice benign manipulations, or has she really somehow miraculously degraded in characterization from the self-sacrificing daughter of the 1st episode and melted into a whiny, lost girl; is she truly doing it to protect her mother as she supposedly reports and for the safety of her family, but her machinations to win him over for safety first then led later to win his heart? [this needs to be made evident, c'monnnnn]) at its core it is a satire that knows what it's doing, it's very self-aware, and that makes it digestible. The miscommunication isn't frustrating to me simply because of the ML: he probably has PTSD for crying out loud, being in touch with his emotions wouldn't have been something he would have been taught. Of course, he draws a hard line and it takes the FL to finally (at her 'younger' maid's recommendation [probably the only character that actually becomes grating to me]) to finally 'play' the courtship dance on ML's rules (respect, honor, and balance between home, country, and life). I'd say the moral of the story here is: work vs play. i.e, romance is good and all, but you must have balance: your role at work is distinct from your role at home. As I always say, Asian Drama, particularly Cdrama, as a catalyst for propaganda ( their society's long-held notions of propriety). But you'll catch me reading Jane Austen, so I can't judge. Just hope the FL truly understands the moral rather than the seemingly vapid replies only made to please whoever is listening at that moment to her. That's my only complaint, FL's actions and words are not made in lieu of her character or growth (she feels like a truly 2-D character in that regard), but seemingly is just 'whatever works,' and it's honestly a bit baffling. (She's like ML's foil due to this.) However, I adore all the side characters-- esp the Generals two right-hand men. Ahh, the kinship. <3 It is honestly a very enjoyable show if you need a break from the over-convoluted palace drama's.