It didn't bother me that they did not try to age LR when she was supposed to be 38 because I don't feel 30s look…
Yup, you’re right…some people age more gracefully than others—you’re lucky!☺️ But production could have made LR’s outfit more “mature” looking perhaps(?) and few wrinkles here and there and less than perfect complexion 🤷🏻♀️. Agree with you on the character faves!
This will probably be an unpopular review but to each his/ her own. I'm still in the first few episodes but I would have preferred Zheng He Hui Zi instead of Ju Jung Yi as the FL...I am NOT hating on JJY b ut she never changes her "look" —it seems that all the characters sh e portrayed have the SAME makeup (IDK, maybe she likes it but it n ever changes & frankly, it's getting redundant). I used to root for her but she needs to be more versatile and willing to be "ugly"/ or look different —she's a beautiful girl but she can't keep looking the same all the time. Again, nothing bad against JJY, she's a good actress but she could improve with her appearance/ makeup for various roles. This is just MY opinion. I will update my rating once I complete the series.
***UPDATE:
Finally finished the series but still decided to keep the same rating. I just can’t get over how unsuitable JJY was for the role. IMHO.
I'm a sucker for the visuals and the plot but would have appreciated it MORE if the production/ makeup (for when they were in their 40* s was more realistic), hence the lower rating.
Pleasantly satisfied with this! Loved both the FL & ML for their performances and chemistry! I thought it was a slow burn at first but realized that there had to be a buildup—“she fell first but he fell harder" trope. I loved that she's a strong woman who knows her mind and wasn't afraid to show it and he, in spite of his mistakes earlier, strove desperately to win her back with humility and dedication. I loved how they both refused to bow down to society & their families' dictates about their personal lives. I would've loved to see more (fan service: i.e. a baby or a growing family for them, the emperor finally falling for the kind empress & the physician and porcelain lady friend having an actual wedding.
**UPDATE: Completed the series and I must say that this was a surprisingly good watch! Both the FL & ML have sizzling chemistry. My only gripe is they added a “war at the border” and killed off a couple of much liked side characters—I would have otherwise given a 10 rating.
I'm still in the first few episodes but I would have preferred Zheng He Hui Zi instead of Ju Jung Yi as the FL...I am NOT hating on JJY b ut she never changes her "look" —it seems that all the characters sh e portrayed have the SAME makeup (IDK, maybe she likes it but it n ever changes & frankly, it's getting redundant). I used to root for her but she needs to be more versatile and willing to be "ugly"/ or look different —she's a beautiful girl but she can't keep looking the same all the time. Again, nothing bad against JJY, she's a good actress but she could improve with her appearance/ makeup for various roles.
This is just MY opinion.
I will update my rating once I complete the series.
***UPDATE:
Finally finished the series but still decided to keep the same rating. I just can’t get over how unsuitable JJY was for the role. IMHO.