YOUR CHOICES DEFINE YOU
A lovely story of three people recognizing their own feelings. The drama is built over the tentative overtures of the two leads and contrasted to the vulgarity of the second male lead. The acting is sweet and sentimental and highlights the relationships, past-present and overlapping, between the various characters. No one seems superfluous and the pace keeps you pulled in. It's quite different than most of the other vertical romance films as it lacks any(?) of the typical tropes used for drama but keeps you invested in the feelings of the three main characters. I have watched it numerous times and continue to return to it when I want something heart-warming but watchable.Was this review helpful to you?
Go in for the Leads, stay for the rest
1. The cast was amazing2. The story has holes but... the cast was amazing
3. Most characters (not all) had depth but their arcs do not always make sense... but the cast was amazing
4. Be prepared to learn more about the food than you expect... and EAT before/while watching, otherwise you might overeat just from the temptations put before you on screen
5. Don't expect XK & WJY to spend much time together or you'll be disappointed - their romance wasn't developed enough but you can feel the affection and eventual love from their performances... I wish there had been more actual development in this area as those interactions are what pulled me in and what I continue to appreciate most about the drama
I'm not a big fan of historical dramas, especially palace dramas but after completing this one I have to say it was really quite good. I had read many of the reviews on this page before deciding to go ahead and give it a try and I sincerely do not regret the time. The production value was engrossing. The actors were delightful, though - YES - some of the characters always made me want to SLAP them, and YES there were some plot holes that started to bug me more after I had finished the drama. Overall, even with all the palace intrigue, plots, politics and ladder-climbing, it was still worth it.
Give the first 5 or 6 episodes a try - if you don't like it then just go watch the summarized XK/WJY romance (over 1 hour of just their romantic scenes) easily available on Youtube.
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Worthy of Returns
I have returned to this version several times and have never been let down. Although the version I watch is from DailyMotion, and therefore lacking original music, I believe, the quality is still high and the strength of the story, acting and editing still guide you along mostly effortless (a couple of out sequence moments are annoying but inherently common in vertical dramas).The two leads mesh well, letting the subtlety of their growing attachment and humbling affection lead you along gently. The 2FL is well portrayed in that you believe that she believes she is always right and isn't as one-dimensional as many other female foes. You still love to dislike her, though. The mothers in this adaptation, though rarely on-screen, are delightful and add a warmth to the relationship. The setting and the production don't distract from the story and are organized well.
(DailyMotion): There are a couple of mistakes or tangles in the translation but as long as you ignore them, the subtitles are clear and mostly on point (timing and meaning). I dislike the way that they have flipped the names (Name Surname) for western audiences, though I understand it, as it is rather jarring when you are listening and recognize the names (Surname Names) and then see them in the text. It is a minor annoyance that can be overlooked.
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