Very slow!! But well acted. My thoughts, I doubt whether ML could change his entire personality, although he understands where he went wrong, and wrote a book about it, I don't think in the long run he could change the dynamic between them. That's just him and he's doing it again with second relationship, only she's willing to put up with it. I don't really think FL is enough in love with SML, although it could be an 'OK' thing, once again she would have to compromise. My sense for the ending would be she's on her own, and hoping for the right relationship to come along.
2nd time watching this. I have learnt so much about the way the inner sanctum of the harem operates, and its relationship to the emporer as well as politics. Firstly if you find out what happens to the eunuch's, it's beyond horrific. Then to have them in this Stasi like situation, sneaking and reporting, or just standing around guarding. The women in the harem try as they might, can never be free of the toxic arrangement they are placed in. All sleeping with one man, vying for attention, trying to protect and promote their offspring. Nothing much in their lives, which are filled with threat, fear, jealousy, boredom, emptiness. The entire palace is immersed in fake, obsequious behaviour, nothing is real. The women can't escape and have zero freedom. I think this drama depicts this situation so amazingly well. Sun Li and all the cast give performances that are outstanding. Not to mention the sets, camerawork, costumes. At the drop of a hat anyone can be accused, and the consequences are torture, death, loss of family, expulsion, no wonder very few people within the system dared to rebel. It's a kind of totalitarian regime, where anything goes, poison, lying, false accusation, bullying, to protect the status quo. The women were unable to function due to their shoes, and elaborate headgear and clothing. What a fantastic expose of that era. Thank god this was abolished in 1920's.
What’s sad is that we tend to judge and pile on, without facts. It hurts that he could not envision daylight…
Just watched this!! Regardless of the movie which was not bad, thank you for saying exactly what I feel re these actors. It's just the medieval witch hunts re enacted in the present. I'm also really worried about You Ah In, who is now incarcerated. I haven't come across one actor/celebrity who has dared to come out in support of him. SK culture is paradoxically the best and the worst.
The FL acting oh my god what tbe hell. How come people can cast such terrible actress for such amazing remake.…
Agree, the "teenagers" look like people in their late twenties. She's acting like an adult trying to do a teenager. Could be crap directing also. It's awful.
Episode 3 is a tapestry woven with beautiful sadness, a journey that takes you through the tangled web of love,…
Well said!! I was about to joke and say lucky these people have A LOT of time on their hands because half their lives are in slo mo. But reading what you said above is a good interpretation of why the narrative is so slow, long stares, long reflections, long pauses, as you say it's an examination of the undercurrent of the relationship. Normally these pauses are filled with discussion, analysis or something to obliterate the awkwardness and unsureness. Thanks for the interesting take!!!
Show went downhill after the reveal that Ji Uk was the chairman's illegitimate son. That trope was completely…
Agree with above. However I think KYD's performance was off the charts excellent. He has a controlled, subtle comic persona, and his very fast retorts and banter were hilarious. He has a style which obviously you like or don't but I think his deadpan comedic responses were the perfect foil for SMA. I think it would have been difficult for him because she was a dominant, very strong character, very overtly funny, and also a more mature seasoned actress. So both IRL and in the narrative he had to downplay his responses, and was potentially slightly intimidated by playing against a more experienced actress. I tried to watch other dramas with him, just to see how he was but imo he was not great. I think he really shone in this role and hopefully will continue to grow as an actor. Anyway that's my take.
Best Romcom for me this year, just great writing, acting, comedy, pace, even satirising its own tropes and PP. Adorable cast, I'm sure this drama will launch a few actors into the stratosphere of fame and celeb. Just a few nit picky things for me in last ep. 1. Why the Noblesse Oblige from SHY to Jiuk. He made it clear on a thousand occasions he was head over heels, it felt a bit like just one more blow., to say 'be off young man and find yourself'. It also meant less exposure to ML's relationship development. Jiuk just evaporated and suddenly we focussed on the second leads which frankly looked by a better, more fun, intimate couple. 2. What happened to the Ex. and his conniving wife? 3. Why was SHY main mourner at her mother's funeral? Couldn't she have shared it with the four of them? 4. I'm personally glad that couple 3 with the baby got together, super cute!! Just a few observations....otherwise this drama was a straight up joy to watch, Congrats to all who participated in it!!
I felt very differently. I kept getting annoyed with the ML deciding, over and over again, to hide critically…
Good to hear, I'm really enjoying it too. I love the actress, and her comic timing is perfect as is ML!! Actually the whole cast is very funny, so I'm really liking this drama too! I think the secretary Lee Woo Jin is hysterical. It's so well written, I suppose I'm just nitpicking. I wager the 'secrecy' thing will unpack itself in next eps. It's interesting that we have 2 different reactions, one thing I do like about her assertiveness is that it's out of type with a lot of kdrama ! She doesn't take any shit!!
I felt very differently. I kept getting annoyed with the ML deciding, over and over again, to hide critically…
yes I have to admit you make a good point! However it does appear most people are intimidated by her and kowtow to her outbursts and moods. although of course we the audience and characters all know she is at heart a very decent person. So, firstly her anger is somewhat scary which could be an obstacle to the type of confrontation you are correctly suggesting they need. But also I suspect there will be some clarity about his secrecy which will unfold over the next couple of eps. But true for someone with abandonment issues his behaviour could be triggering.
Can someone who understands these writers please explain why FL is ready to abuse ML every five minutes, then makeup and be vulnerable only to abuse the crap out of him again. It appears he has been quietly in the background supporting her, getting that she was feeling abandoned by her mum, maybe trying to make up for his having been also helped by her mum. Feeling guilty. She is the one who pretty much forced him into a fake marriage. He ended up falling in love with her. It's very complicated but I feel she never gives him space to explain, but jumps into "F off mode" at the drop of a hat. I think it's time for her to back off, and listen. She was even yelling at Ja Yeon when she heard she was moving out. Obviously Ja Yeon wants to protect her in case the psycho father breaks in. I get that the 'abandonment' issue is a plot device....for break up and make up, but I'm find her a bit overly volatile, it was funny in the beginning, now it's a tad narcissistic imo!!
1 
although it could be an 'OK' thing, once again she would have to compromise.
My sense for the ending would be she's on her own, and hoping for the right relationship to come along.
depicts this situation so amazingly well. Sun Li and all the cast give performances that are outstanding. Not to mention the sets, camerawork, costumes.
At the drop of a hat anyone can be accused, and the consequences are torture, death, loss of family, expulsion, no wonder very few people within the system dared to rebel. It's a kind of totalitarian regime, where anything goes, poison, lying, false accusation, bullying, to protect the status quo.
The women were unable to function due to their shoes, and elaborate headgear and clothing.
What a fantastic expose of that era.
Thank god this was abolished in 1920's.
However I think KYD's performance was off the charts excellent. He has a controlled, subtle comic persona, and his very fast retorts and banter were hilarious. He has a style which obviously you like or don't but I think his deadpan comedic responses were the perfect foil for SMA. I think it would have been difficult for him because she was a dominant, very strong character, very overtly funny, and also a more mature seasoned actress. So both IRL and in the narrative he had to downplay his responses, and was potentially slightly intimidated by playing against a more experienced actress. I tried to watch other dramas with him, just to see how he was but imo he was not great. I think he really shone in this role and hopefully will continue to grow as an actor. Anyway that's my take.
1. Why the Noblesse Oblige from SHY to Jiuk. He made it clear on a thousand occasions he was head over heels, it felt a bit like just one more blow., to say 'be off young man and find yourself'. It also meant less exposure to ML's relationship development. Jiuk just evaporated and suddenly we focussed on the second leads which frankly looked by a better, more fun, intimate couple.
2. What happened to the Ex. and his conniving wife?
3. Why was SHY main mourner at her mother's funeral? Couldn't she have shared it with the four of them?
4. I'm personally glad that couple 3 with the baby got together, super cute!!
Just a few observations....otherwise this drama was a straight up joy to watch, Congrats to all who participated in it!!
I wager the 'secrecy' thing will unpack itself in next eps.
It's interesting that we have 2 different reactions, one thing I do like about her assertiveness is that it's out of type with a lot of kdrama ! She doesn't take any shit!!