Elsietheone

Exactly! The politics of it was already very minimal and just dissipated in the second half. I decided not finish the last episode just because! Maybe for serious sageuk watchers this drama was very underwhelming. To be fair I went in not expecting much by way of serious politics but got really pissed when they couldn even pull off a convincing romance with an intelligent script and plausable outcomes. I believe the real couple in real life had a much better and worthwhile 'love story'

I was so totally bemused by this so called 'romance' as well and why everyone else thought it was 'ok'. In the end Yi San was just pitiful and Doek Im was just portrayed as a ***ch. Based on what they showed us, their union was never supposed to happen!

Thanks for your analysis. I would actually want to watch Yi San if I can find it.

ML sleepwalking got me laughing so hard 🤣🤣🤣 I actually missed it in the later epsiodes

This drama was executed perfectly for its genre❤❤❤. It sticks to the brief:
Romance✅
Historical✅
Comedy ✅
Bonus: Action🥰
This is what my cdrama dreams are made of. I do like a serious story sometimes, but other times this is the exact drama you didnt know you needed. The young lead couple oozed with chemistry and they KNOW HOW TO 💋 💋💋. I cant tell you how much I've looked forward to lead couples giving their A-game in intimate scenes only to be let down and in turn ruin what was supposed to be an epic romance drama. I dont know why the film industry all think they can do dramas in the romance genre but only a few can do it right. Most are just juvenile and with annoying FLs. The screenwriter for this one is the same as The Eternal love trilogy (not Ten miles of bleach blossom, nway thats a rant for another day😅)and thats probably why I got hypnotised from the beginning to the end!

I remember discovering Jung Il woo through this mini drama and got me interested to find out some of his other dramas, hello Haechi! I actually found this one really funny, the dialogue was pretty fast so had to read the subtitles quickly but it didnt take away much from the experience. I lmao 🤣 😂 😆 so many times. Its very cliche, lighthearted and the perfect drama after watching a heavy show!

I watched all 3 seasons and I'm head over heels over the 2 leads! They played their roles perfectly with the best chemistry, able to bounce off each other and somehow fit like a glove. If you are a sucker for a satisfying romance drama that doesnt beat around the bush, and with very little misunderstanding, then what are you waiting for??? This has all the warm and fuzzy feelings you're looking for💕 and did I mention it has a lot of kissing scenes💋 that were actually quite good. I hope they do a season 4 preferably in the modern era but I'll still watch it even if its not. Well done💯💥

Thanks for your reply, thought noone else saw what I saw. I agree the actors were all really good, but it was as though in the second half the writers changed or I dont know. It just felt like a different drama altogether. I dont remember the last time I watched 2 favourite leads and I started hoping they do not end up together!!! Honestly the writers needed to give enough justification for them ending up together. In fact, maybe scenes involving the Queen could have helped fill up a huge plot hole.

I love both lead actors: Lee Ju nho and Lee Se young. Have seen some of their dramas previously and so I had high hopes for this 'historical romance' drama. Honestly, I found their romance quite sad and essentially non exist. If you're big on romance you'll find this drama rather uncomfortable to watch. Granted, there is a historical element involved, I still think the person who wrote the story either has never experienced love or know what it is. It was relatively ok until around when king yeongjo dies or maybe 12th episode, afterwards it just did not make sense. All the sizzling chemistry that had existed then was pretty much killed off and all that was left was awkward kiss scenes and just more sad events. Even if Doek im wanted to live an i dependent life with her 'friends', the drama just focuses on mostly sad and cheap 'heartbreaking scenes'. Like did we only have to experience the young prince's death as if they never enjoyed a few months of bliss with him!!!!!! I have watched heartbreaking romance dramas before that were handled expertly with more exciting plots like Empress Ki. I struggled to find the elements that were done well here as there was not much political/court matters, no romance, no side stories except King Yeongjo and his comedic appearances hence I was actually sad when he died. I am also glad Lee Do kwa won an award for that role.
The only positives were the child actors, the first half of the drama and the cinematography.
I am not a sucker for romance but if you promise it, then you have to deliver it otherwise this one needs to re-categorised into a sad genre or anti-love genre. There I said it!!!!

This drama is not for the fainthearted or emotionally immature who are looking for easy romance storylines with no depth. The Empress ki that the writers portrayed was formidable, phenominal, calculating (she had to or else she wasnt going to measure up to the likes of El Temur) yet loyal and fought for justice in her own way. If you're emotionally spent from watching other heavy dramas dont watch it just yet because this is a roller coaster ride and you'll need to buckle up because the political plots and counterplots are exciting and suspenseful and you'll somehow binge watch the show in 3 days! This remains the best kdrama I've ever watched. All the actors including the supporting cast were awesome, HJW, JCW, BJH, KJH salute. And thank you to the writers for imagining Empress Ki to have been a strong female character who didn't just get a crown for no reason but rather fought and strategised her way to the top