Elsietheone

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