DramaAjumma

I don't think it has to be an either or situation. There's room for all kinds of dramas and there are those of us who watch all kinds of dramas and enjoy them. If all that came out of dramaland were "simple" shows, there would be complains that there weren't enough complex dramas.

It is getting more than a bit ridiculous.
One can only tell a joke a certain number of times before it loses its punch, becomes stale and not very funny. It's always better to use it once or twice and then move on otherwise you make your characters feel like one-trick ponies.

Yay, another crime show and with a unique angle. I've just started and I'm sold. It grabbed me pretty much when he started talking about "The Death of Jean-Paul Marat".

I never had great expectations for it but I love contract relationship stories. In all honesty I'm suffering from lying fatigue. Some of deception might have been understandable previously but I think it's reached a point where it's exposing more of the weaknesses of the script.

I do understand the appeal on some level in this current global climate even if I don't share it. But ultimately I think this is so obviously a parody of a parody which is in and of itself an interesting statement on the state of romantic comedies in this present time. It's as if to say that no one can write a half decent rom com without being derivative and satirical. Which is kind of sad. Either the genre has been completely exhausted or the people who write these scripts have nothing else to say or contribute to our universal love of romance.

There are also no actual obstacles in this show. Nothing of substance anyway. It's either mostly inside the heads of the people or these so called hurdles are created by an overuse of prevarication and unnecessary dishonesty. Why? There's not even a corpse in sight and there's so much more lying going on than an Agatha Christie novel.

In the final analysis I'm only watching this for the leads. I know a lot of commenters say that this is their happy pill but honestly this show annoys (and stresses) me more than any political and crime shows because of the over-the-top hackery.

The leads are really the only reason that I keep coming back to this. I don't have issues with them dating and getting to know each other. That aspect of the show is not bad. Unfortunately (for me) the more insane aspects of the show just keep getting the rinse repeat treatment rather than developmental stuff.

I have less of a problem with this than I would if this were a government organization. As long as we're not talking about sexual harassment here, a private entity should be able to have their own rules about workplace dating etc.

I'm glad you brought that up. I am really not a fan of the character. I feel so bad for Sung-hoon to be honest because I like him so much. They have nothing in common. I hope she grows from this experience but I find it impossible to root for them at this point.
To me Young-seo is not much better than her screechy cousin. It is as if the whole world revolves around her. I think her best moment was when she was in the convenient store and that was pretty much it.

I know this is supposed to be a silly rom com but she's just crossed far too many lines for me to be comfortable.

I think the show crosses all kinds of lines and I don't think that people saying that this is just a silly rom com is always enough to brush aside everyone's reservations. Everyone has their bugbears and you've highlighted just two. Ha-ri's immediate colleagues are really far too nosy for my liking as well but then I don't like gossips in general. It's also up to Ha-ri to stand up for herself and tell them to butt out of her business. Politely, of course. ;)

Glad I waited to binge watch the last 12 episodes. Hanging out for 6 episodes a week was becoming something of a challenge. The final act wasn't too bad. Nothing that wasn't expected if one knows the history but I really didn't mind how the show ended. At least it made sense. It is a story with a strong tragic vision of the world afterall.

I probably enjoyed this drama far more than most on this platform because I never thought the "romance" was the main thing after about 20 episodes. Despite footage from the early advertising campaign, this turned out not to be a historical romance at all. While it was part fiction (the relationship dynamics were obviously tailored for more modern sensibilities) the attention to detail with regard to the cultural landscape made the experience immersive. I loved the literary references, the artwork and the music from traditional instruments. And most definitely the mouthwatering kitchen exploits. Zhu Zhanji was such an unusually accomplished ruler and I kind of understand why Xu Kai was picked for the role. They were looking for a young, idealistic and energetic leader who is a bit of a mummy's boy. It's interesting also that the show charts his development from being a carefree, cheerful prince to an exhausted overworked and cantankerous ruler as well as husband. I'm less sure of Wu Jinyan in this instance. Sometimes she nails it but other times, I can't help feeling that she might be miscast. It must be far more challenging playing a goody goody character who's trying to keep her feelings under wraps and to give it colour/ It's an odd feeling because she was good in The Legend of Haolan and My Bargain Queen.

On hindsight, I think the extended push and pull was in part about two strong personalities clashing but also a lack of trust. It was clear to me why Zijin was grounded and made to reflect. He was disappointed that she didn't trust in his judgment and character. Fundamentally this show is about the plight of the palace women and women's rights in general so the script writer(s) must have thought, what better way to prove your street creds than to pick fights with the most powerful man in the country.

I can see why this show was so well-received on the mainland. The historical titbits about various dishes must be quite a revelation to the younger generation who are now consuming a fair bit of the very worst of what's called the western diet these days. I'm a big believer of the assumption that food is medicine and that definitely came through loud and clear.

https://40somethingahjumma.substack.com/p/the-oath-of-love-2022-progression

Thoughts about Episodes 13-17 under spoiler tags.

Thoughts about Episodes 13-17 under spoiler tags.

There is supposed to be another 8 episodes coming. Who knows when though? Otherwise it was a decent enough show about psycho therapy.

Gu Xiao had already said the same thing previously.

It was a measured, reasonable reaction considering that they were throwing their weight behind Gao Xi not that long ago. As someone who is older and probably closer to their age, I have to agree with a number of points that his mother brought up. Those are real concerns that the two of them will have to navigate, once they get off the high.

The only reason I think that a relationship like this will have legs is because of Gu Wei. He is the pivotal factor in all of this. He wants it like his entire happiness depends on it and he's willing to do what it takes to accommodate her. The strength of this relationship and the audience's ability to buy into it is based almost entirely on his willingness and efforts to go the distance. Despite the age gap and other personality discrepancies, I am somewhat reassured by what I see in what he's prepared to do to bridge the gap. It is because of him that in spite of Zhixiao's obvious lack of life experiences, I can go along with what's on offer here.

The other thing that I also appreciate about Gu Wei (and it's somewhat similar to the male lead in A Business Proposal) is that he is trying to reject the script as it were and forge his own path. I'm sure the guy is rather tired of the fact that everything in his life... just about revolves around medicine.

Bless you. :D

Rant coming up...
I am really struggling with the secondary couples and I have a tough enjoying with their inclusion in this story. I love the leads and what the show is trying to do with their age and background differences but Lin Zhixiao really has to learn to fight her own battles and learn to negotiate with Gu Wei. She's not going to build any stamina if Sansan keeps intervening. This is why we make our kids dress themselves after a certain age and tie their own shoelaces. They learn so many important motor skills that are being honed in that process. Often I feel like Sansan is just there to try and change him to be more like what Lin Zhixiao wants. It makes me very uncomfortable watching what the two of them are trying to do. It's frankly embarrassing. Moreover it feels like they're infantilizing Zhixiao more than they have to. Didn't Gu Xiao already say to Sansan that Gu Wei and Zhixiao are adults and they should try and figure things out by themselves? Gu Wei is a thoughtful guy and he's trying so hard but Zhixiao seems to forget that he likes her as she is and also that she likes him because he is quietly thoughtful.

The thing about dating is that you don't get it right at first or all the time and in that process you learn to adjust and accommodate through mistakes and communication. Sansan is really annoying me and honestly... I just want her out of there.

I liked her chemistry with Jing Boran the best. Plus it doesn't hurt that he is a great kisser. ;)
I like aspects of the show but I won't recommend it because it's incomplete which is an utter nuisance.