This review may contain spoilers
Formulaic love premise that works despite the random side stories
A college student who is living a life of loneliness and isolation is transported into the online novella for which she’s obsessed. This has an interesting start with Cha Seon-chaek (FL) being a modern woman transported to Josean Korea. She brings such contemporary actions as mixed drinks, the game of truth or dare and a drunken one-night stand to the era. The latter of which results in the “Duke” – Lee Beon, the King’s favorite nephew, instantly becoming smitten with her. The fun begins when she attempts to spur his desire and determination to marry her. This leads her to attempting some pretty elaborate schemes that are nothing short of hilarious.
Of course, she eventually requits his love and they decide to be together, but then new challenges arise with opposing family members, scheming “friends” and foes, a questionable king and even their own hangups. However, they work through many of these issues and move forward. I have enjoyed how they may initially disagree but always talk through their differences to better understand each other and get on the same page. I love how the ML is straight forward with the FL. Telling her outright that he wants her innocently and amorously. Swoon. Love it.
Though the story was fun and interesting to start, it has become a little tedious in the last several episodes. Time has been spent on story threads that weren’t needed and characters who were integral early in the story have been sidelined, then revisited at random with no clear direction of how their actions will fit into the bigger picture. The storyline with the King and his desire to strengthen his power within the kingdom has only been incorporated when angst is needed for the OTP.
In fact, the palace drama is not well-written, and the audience has yet to understand how what’s happening in the past (this novella) will tie to the FL in the present. For visits to the present have been infrequent and ultimately irrelevant to the overall story. There seems to be several loose ends to tie up before this story wraps up within the next two episodes. It remains to be seen if the writers can tie this up nicely. The love story is well written, but the supporting side stories are pretty weak. The leads have great chemistry. Great acting by both. Love Ok Taec-yeon’s voice. So deep and sexy. The supporting characters work well within the story as well. If the last couple of episodes manage to not go off the rails, this will be one worth watching again.
Edited to add, the last couple of episodes did not do a good job wrapping up the palace storyline. It was rushed and the characters who should’ve been severely punished for treason weren’t really punished at all. Odd. The explanation behind how the FL ended up being a character in the web novel she enjoyed was strange but passable. The OTP got their HEA albeit cheesy. Lol. Overall this was average. First half of the series was really good but then the story sort of drops off in the 2nd half. Still worth rewatching though.
Of course, she eventually requits his love and they decide to be together, but then new challenges arise with opposing family members, scheming “friends” and foes, a questionable king and even their own hangups. However, they work through many of these issues and move forward. I have enjoyed how they may initially disagree but always talk through their differences to better understand each other and get on the same page. I love how the ML is straight forward with the FL. Telling her outright that he wants her innocently and amorously. Swoon. Love it.
Though the story was fun and interesting to start, it has become a little tedious in the last several episodes. Time has been spent on story threads that weren’t needed and characters who were integral early in the story have been sidelined, then revisited at random with no clear direction of how their actions will fit into the bigger picture. The storyline with the King and his desire to strengthen his power within the kingdom has only been incorporated when angst is needed for the OTP.
In fact, the palace drama is not well-written, and the audience has yet to understand how what’s happening in the past (this novella) will tie to the FL in the present. For visits to the present have been infrequent and ultimately irrelevant to the overall story. There seems to be several loose ends to tie up before this story wraps up within the next two episodes. It remains to be seen if the writers can tie this up nicely. The love story is well written, but the supporting side stories are pretty weak. The leads have great chemistry. Great acting by both. Love Ok Taec-yeon’s voice. So deep and sexy. The supporting characters work well within the story as well. If the last couple of episodes manage to not go off the rails, this will be one worth watching again.
Edited to add, the last couple of episodes did not do a good job wrapping up the palace storyline. It was rushed and the characters who should’ve been severely punished for treason weren’t really punished at all. Odd. The explanation behind how the FL ended up being a character in the web novel she enjoyed was strange but passable. The OTP got their HEA albeit cheesy. Lol. Overall this was average. First half of the series was really good but then the story sort of drops off in the 2nd half. Still worth rewatching though.
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