You can avoid reading my long comment. As I also happen to read the novel , I just want to share my thoughts.
Also though I don't know whether you have already read the novel it was based on ,or not, the Queen is not the major character in the novel either.
She had more presence than in the drama, but still not a major.
In the novel, there were the scenes King asked Deok Im to meet with both the Queen and Won Bin ( Hong Deokro's sister) . When Deok Im met with the Queen, she talked about her concerns ( not directly,but in puzzles because she had suspicions her husband had his eyes set on DI)
The Queen in the novel ,like most women who married due to political reasons in those times, was worried that another woman would steal her husband's attention and another concubine (especially who came from another powerful noble clan) would give birth to the next heir. Things like that are described.
The romance between ML and FL was questionable for some audience.
But I think local audience (I mean Koreans) love this romance because as hard as it could be, King Jeongjo kept kind of single partner relationship with her when they were together. It could even be said that she was his first love and he was kind of waiting for her. But guy was rejected for two times for unknown reasons.( We would never know Uibin's true reasons behind rejections.)
She was the only one he had children with when she was alive. ( In the Novel, it was also hinted he avoided sleeping with other women after he got together with her. And the Novel author included a lot of Historical based Facts)
I mention this because I saw you described 'he continued sleeping with other women after they got together'
I know there was the scene in the drama he visited his Queen on the night of her informed pregnancy. But not every visit mean Sleeping together.
It was aired on public television and rated 15+. Nudity( boobs & butts) is rated 21+ in korea although I don't know specific criteria for rating system.
'Eve' is rated 19+ in some episodes, but still no nudity although sex is heavily hinted .
Also television actors are afraid to go the nudity route because of their image unlike some of the actors in movie industry of Chungmurol.
I've watched 6 episodes so far and i feel quite bored. Plus, the FL is just not likeable to me 😪 is this drama…
The drama is famous for its couple chemistry and poetic directing. If you don't like this drama after watching 6 episodes, the drama may not be for you.
Whether a drama is good or bad, not everyone will reach to the same opinion of 'Love' or 'Hate'.
Could be, but it is your time so I guess you get to decide what to do with it
'Frequent dropping' becomes a thing for almost everyone who has a long 'Watch List'.
Whether it is asian or western , or whatever kind of genres , every media has its own tropes.
It is like taking the same bus course for every day. What awaits at the end of the stop will be the same.
So for me, if the characters in the drama can't emotionally connect with me ( either story telling or acting ), the chance of it ,being dropped becomes pretty high.
Why should I visit the same trope again with the characters I don't care about ? This is the question I ask to myself before dropping them.
Kim Nam Gil is the highlight of the show . I feel suffocated even by watching him.
After reading your review, I finally understand what was troubling my mind while watching it. I wanted something more out of it ,to love the series , but I didn't know what exactly it was ,either.
I wish to see an onscreen couple who has chemistry in their work again as a cameo. What's wrong with that? Famous Couple do 'Cameo' thing in their favorite director's next work all the time . ( Hello ! Extraordinary You . Even Junho & Lee Yubi came back as cameos in 'Uncontrollably Fond' ) Fans of Moon Lovers wish to see Season 2 even to these days.
I don't even use 'Junho' and ' Seyoung' in my phrase.
You are the one who say antagonist words to almost every one of my post since that post about his new work.
I am not the one who is obsessive with Real Life 'Junho and Seyoung' or anything.
You are the one who behave like an obsessive fan of his who is nitpicking every little thing.
Saying 'Bye', this may be the last time I come to this page. Baeksang award ceremony was over. Junho and Seyoung have chosen next projects. The novel translation has been done. Even Sandeok Fan page who was with us for the last five months said goodbye to us yesterday.
It is time for me to let go of this beautiful drama ,too. But I will love Sandeok forever.
I'll preface this by saying Jun-Ho, the male lead, knocked this one out of the park. I was thoroughly impressed…
Junho had been a Hallyu Kpop Star , but he was not at the level of 'Hallyu Actor' yet, though he does have his loyal fans since 'Just Between Lovers'. I wonder 'Has he reached the true status of Hallyu Actor even after this drama?'
( The Red Sleeve only has moderate success internationally for two reasons.) 1) It was not streamed on Netflix 2) The Content is heavy and does not appeal to broader audience like Rom-Com.
2 
As I also happen to read the novel , I just want to share my thoughts.
Also though I don't know whether you have already read the novel it was based on ,or not, the Queen is not the major character in the novel either.
She had more presence than in the drama, but still not a major.
In the novel, there were the scenes King
asked Deok Im to meet with both the Queen and Won Bin ( Hong Deokro's sister) .
When Deok Im met with the Queen, she talked about her concerns ( not directly,but in puzzles because she had suspicions her husband had his eyes set on DI)
The Queen in the novel ,like most women who married due to political reasons in those times, was worried that another woman would steal her husband's attention and another concubine (especially who came from another powerful noble clan) would give birth to the next heir.
Things like that are described.
The romance between ML and FL was questionable for some audience.
But I think local audience (I mean Koreans) love this romance because as hard as it could be, King Jeongjo kept kind of single partner relationship with her when they were together.
It could even be said that she was his first love and he was kind of waiting for her.
But guy was rejected for two times for unknown reasons.( We would never know Uibin's true reasons behind rejections.)
She was the only one he had children with when she was alive.
( In the Novel, it was also hinted he avoided sleeping with other women after he got together with her. And the Novel author included a lot of Historical based Facts)
I mention this because I saw you described 'he continued sleeping with other women after they got together'
I know there was the scene in the drama he visited his Queen on the night of her informed pregnancy. But not every visit mean Sleeping together.
Nudity( boobs & butts) is rated 21+ in korea although I don't know specific criteria for rating system.
'Eve' is rated 19+ in some episodes, but still no nudity although sex is heavily hinted .
Also television actors are afraid to go the nudity route because of their image unlike some of the actors in movie industry of Chungmurol.
They were not stolen.
They paid for copyrights of original work.
And they officially adapted Original Work mixed with their own creation.
He looks good with a gun in 'With Me again' MV
I wanna know how many episodes they gonna upload per week .
Story is not bad and interesting.
But FL has one note of country bumpkin facial expression .
ML's acting is just okay.
Both of their acting become dull & boring over the episodes .
For viewers who know their tragedy in history, it is kind of an afterlife scenario.
If you don't like this drama after watching 6 episodes, the drama may not be for you.
Whether a drama is good or bad, not everyone will reach to the same opinion of 'Love' or 'Hate'.
If it is not for you, you should drop it.
Whether it is asian or western , or whatever kind of genres , every media has its own tropes.
It is like taking the same bus course for every day.
What awaits at the end of the stop will be the same.
So for me, if the characters in the drama can't emotionally connect with me ( either story telling or acting ), the chance of it ,being dropped becomes pretty high.
Why should I visit the same trope again with the characters I don't care about ?
This is the question I ask to myself before dropping them.
I completed 218 titles while I dropped 88 on my list.
(As you said , I may have Drop disease)
But the thing is I add shows to 'Drop List' only after I have watched 2 episodes at least.
About half of 'my drop lists' are dropped in the middle.
So I may be the picky type of viewer who easily get bored in the middle.
I feel suffocated even by watching him.
After reading your review, I finally understand what was troubling my mind while watching it.
I wanted something more out of it ,to love the series , but I didn't know what exactly it was ,either.
I wish to see an onscreen couple who has chemistry in their work again as a cameo. What's wrong with that?
Famous Couple do 'Cameo' thing in their favorite director's next work all the time .
( Hello ! Extraordinary You .
Even Junho & Lee Yubi came back as cameos in 'Uncontrollably Fond' )
Fans of Moon Lovers wish to see Season 2 even to these days.
I don't even use 'Junho' and ' Seyoung' in my phrase.
You are the one who say antagonist words to almost every one of my post since that post about his new work.
I am not the one who is obsessive with Real Life 'Junho and Seyoung' or anything.
You are the one who behave like an obsessive fan of his who is nitpicking every little thing.
A simple video of San & DI meeting again in modern day with Junho's self composed 'Kimi no Koe' will be so perfect.
Baeksang award ceremony was over.
Junho and Seyoung have chosen next projects.
The novel translation has been done.
Even Sandeok Fan page who was with us for the last five months said goodbye to us yesterday.
It is time for me to let go of this beautiful drama ,too.
But I will love Sandeok forever.
I wonder 'Has he reached the true status of Hallyu Actor even after this drama?'
( The Red Sleeve only has moderate success internationally for two reasons.)
1) It was not streamed on Netflix
2) The Content is heavy and does not appeal to broader audience like Rom-Com.