Kathryn_51

I rarely write reviews, but I submitted one today after completing this drama and gave it 10⭐ (only the 2nd time I have done so).

As others mentioned, the character of Shi-yeol (credit to writers and Kang Hoon's acting) carried this drama past the 2nd episode where I have stopped every prior attempt to watch a sageuk.

The producers didn't spare expense - the palace scenes filmed on location must have cost a fortune with all of the extras, nighttime as well as daytime, multiple cameras, horses. Multiple sword fights required large numbers of stunt performers - all well choregraphed.

Finally, all of the puzzle pieces fit together. There were a handful of red herrings in the beginning, but in the end, all of the plots/counter plot threads came together in a cohesive conclusion. I'm going to miss my Monday/Tuesday watch😢

A waste of 4 minutes. I suppose it was part of the novel, but it really had no connection to anything that came prior to that.

Many viewers wanted to know Shi-yeol's background/history, but I'm glad they didn't show how he survived from the novel! And any scene where SY harms himself (cutting off his fingers) would have been out of place in this drama which was not overly brutal.

Thanks for sharing - I was hoping for a better reconciliation scene between ST and HJ - at least we got a wedding scene. 😄

I have ZERO doubt that Shi-yeol and Hong-joo will have a happy ending. All I ask is that it is more than a 1 minute reconciliation - they deserve beautiful cinematography and meaningful, heartfelt dialogue like earlier episodes. I will have a box of tissues handy.

I'm sure he will get a happy ending with Hong-joo - I just want it to be more than 2 minutes. How many precious minutes will be used up in Ep. 18 between Dan-oh and Kang San who have already reunited 6 or 7 times in this drama??

Does Dan-oh know that the teen watchman saved the teen Kang San/Lee Seol's life???

I admit that I often FF through a lot of the Dan-oh/Kang San scenes so if he told her what happened 8 years ago, then yes - shame on Dan-oh for not telling her sister the full story.

I've been predicting for a few weeks (and I'm even more convinced after Hong Joo told Shi-yeol that he should die) that she learns the truth, his "death" will be announced and then she will realize how much she loves him. Learning that one's fiance was a killer won't be enough to absolve Shi-yeol of the blood (innocent in her mind) on his hands. She needs to know that he only protected people - and never killed innocents.

All I ask is that they get more than 2 minutes for their reconciliation.

This is on my Watchlist and Love is for Suckers is also - although I haven't gotten past the first few episodes.

I would be concerned if it has the vibe of Strangers Again (another ENA production). I am so glad I dropped that one.

I read an article that the director focused on romance and comedy in the first 8 episodes to balance out the tension in the later episodes. It definitely does not drag, but there is little comedy in the last episodes - although I believe there will be several happy endings (we will find out in one day).

The overall plot has mystery, hidden identities, spies/counter spies, hidden agendas. This is the first sageuk (and I guess it's called "fusion" sageuk) that I was able to watch past the 1st 2 episodes.

I FF through a lot, but the only main character that died was Administrator Jang.

SPOILER:

. . . at the hands of Shi-yeol and it was Awesome with a Capital "A".

Episode 17 Pre-release with - of course! - Shi-yeol and Hong-joo (SBS understands THEY are the main couple 😄😄😄😄)

"There is another person who needs to die!" said Cho Hye-joo, who sticks a dagger in Kang-hoon's chest.

I predicted this earlier. I believe Shi-yeol's "death" will be announced (and I further believe he will insist that others honor Hong-joo's final wish - noble idiocy, but I can accept); and Hong Joo will suffer even more anguish. Their reconciliation scenes better be lengthy, with drop-dead cinematography and beautiful dialogue such as their scenes by the various rivers.

https://programs.sbs.co.kr/drama/romanticguesthouse/clip/76463/OC465774078

alternate link: https://twitter.com/SBSNOW/status/1657913691596025860

I can assure you that education on Asian history, for example: Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution (20 Million+) or the Cambodian Killing fields (3 Million in 1 year) is barely present, if at all, in the US.

I have assumed from the beginning that it must be Shi Yeol that kills Jang. Unless in some twist, it is the mysterious (since we don't know his back story) Chief of the Royal Guard.

I realized after re-watching a couple of episodes that I'm fairly certain that the Chief of the Royal Guard (Kim Hwan) has never seen Shi Yeol's face. Shi-yeol has never been in the palace and the only time the Chief visited Ihwawon Inn, Shi Yeol was not there - and it was the first time Yu Ha was introduced to the King (and the Chief). I still think there is a connection between the Shi Yeol and Kim Hwan

This past week, I have out-stressed myself trying to think how Shi Yeol and Hong Joo get their happy ending. At some point, Shi Yeol "dies" (but not really dead) and Hong Joo then realizes how much she loves him (or has forgiven him for the past). He plans to disappear and. . . . something, something, reconciliation. It's the only scenario that will work for most viewers - especially those that believe that Hong Joo can never live happily ever after with the man who killed her fiance.

However it happens, I hope it's more than a 60 second reconciliation.

Rewatched the preview, so removed one prediction re Shi-yeol and Yu-ha.

Well, there should be a little thing called 9 month pregnancy that needs to be added to the timeline, but yes - from the 2nd episode, it's been crystal clear that they are his kids.

Just like the two-timing Ju Whan - who also claimed that he was a victim of Deborah.

I never liked Bora's comment about "winners and losers" in relationships. But maybe that's where the writers are taking us - the goal is to have a win-win relationship and that's exactly what Bora and Soo Hyuk have right now. And in the future, it will be a MEGA WIN-WIN relationship.

Love your comment. They are now a team - supporting each other. Not ready for the romance that they clearly Want/Hope for - but need to deal with some of the left-over some baggage (the photo-shoot, for example) to be dealt with. Episodes 9 and 10 are my favorites thus far.

I am really enjoying the pacing of this drama because - thus far - writers seem to be willing to wait the RIGHT time for them to become an official couple.

How does one watch this internationally (legally)? It's not on any of my streaming (and I subscribe to 4) sites.

I disliked Yu-ri from the beginning because it was clear that her description of Soo Hyuk (in the letter) was not accurate. She's like Bora's ex- always a victim, nothing is her fault, everything is his fault. I always expected she would return so that Deborah would receive another moment of clarity - about the advice she had given, the people who had been hurt.

Her insecurity was obvious - but I didn't think she would be downright evil in her determination to continue hurting Soo Hyuk further. Karma's a bitch - and I'm looking forward to the moment Yu-ri gets hers.

If they become a couple too soon, then we have to suffer through a contrived argument or stupid misunderstanding. I automatically deduct one point if that happens and right noe this is a 10 star. I am really enjoying their comradeship/mutual-attraction-but-still-dealing-with-past-emotional-demons.

HE thought they were in a relationship. Just because they didn't get matching t-shirts (apparently HER idea of a real relationship)) doesn't mean they were nothin'. Thank goodness he escaoed -- thanks to Bora😀

Crazy Love; Sh**ting Stars; My Holo Love; Her Private Life.