Mizuhira-san

Thanks for the hearty 'meal', real Ms. Screenwriter~✨

*phew* (⁠*⁠´▽｀⁠*⁠) . . . . .
Alright, so, I don't even know where to start cuz my heart's still pounding! I'll just go straight to the point. People, this drama [A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM] is a must-watch! You will find every element needed to create a perfect transmigration, historical Chinese drama in this one. Comedy? Drama? Romance? Classic C-drama cliches😏? You name it! The drama started with a BANG and held its momentum until the end. From everyone's costumes (literally ALL) to make-up and hairdos, I'll give it the highest marks possible. How can I not!? All the actors and actresses are dazzling and charismatic, and the aesthetics match them well. The OSTs, bgms, and sound effects are like no other - JUST AMAZING! MAGICAL!

Here: https://youtu.be/5T8ccfqmX6I?si=cpHpeMH0KjWKxL3C

All the actors and actresses nailed their roles! I instantly fell in love with the main leads, and I guarantee that their chemistry is top-tier. Not only them, but every single supporting cast member is memorable and unique. They all have distinctive traits. I suppose everyone who's watched already knew the brilliance of the drama's important cast members. Hence, I won't say much about them anymore. OH, but there's one. Our dear Fugui! I love him so much! He gives off this 'huge grumpy yet adorable puppy' vibe😆🤎, if you understand what I mean. Secondly, I give ALL the recognition to the Wanning River Crescent minions! 👏👏👏 They deserve full praise, truly. Don't they remind us of the pink soldiers from Squid Game? The main contrast between them is that the pink soldiers look CUTE but are DEADLY, while WRC-minions look DEADLY but are CUTE (⁠つ⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)⁠つ... Although we don't know how they look because they always have their masks on, we can see that they do act differently from each other, which makes them look humane, not just some one or two-dimensional beings drafted on paper. Last is Nan Rui, the goofy, happy-go-lucky 18th prince. I was annoyed by his actions and idiocracy in the earlier episodes, but he became one of my favourites later on; one of the most relatable characters, I'd say. I'll remember his iconic 'GYA-HA-HAH' laughs! ( ⁠⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦ ⁠)⁠

Now, onto the villains. First, Chu Gui Hong. Boy, he rocked, and he acted exceptionally well in his first villain role! The emperor was unreasonably bad, but he changed later on. Realistically speaking, he should go through as much pain as Nan Heng did to be able to fully understand his son. Nan Heng was such a sweet son for him to be forgiven this easily, but I'll accept it cuz it's Nan Heng's choice. He was so elated to finally be accepted as family, poor guy🥺. Another villain I'd like to give credit to is Nan Heng's uncle. Despite his cruel nature and the distorted path he chose, he did care for his nephew in his own way. This may be an unpopular opinion, but in my POV, I do think Nan Heng (& NH's mom) holds a certain place in his heart.

The WHOLE premise is to be taken example for future transmigration dramas. I've had enough of those open endings (no need to mention the sad endings 🙄). Some dramas I want to compare with are [ROMANCE ON THE FARM] and [LOVE GAME IN EASTERN FANTASY]. Both of them are extremely entertaining, and I also love them. What only disappointed me was the ending scenes. Both dramas left the final moments to our imaginations, which doesn't sit right with me, and feels like there's still a lump (or hole, whatever ಠ⁠‿⁠ಠ) left in my heart; it doesn't feel satisfied enough. I mean, we wanna SEE WITH OUR EYES!!! We want to WITNESS the main leads' touching reunions BY OURSELVES! (⁠ノ⁠ಥ⁠,⁠_⁠｣⁠ಥ⁠)⁠ノ⁠彡⁠┻⁠━⁠┻

Therefore, to me, [A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM] sits at the top of the list. It lives up to its name and delivers the message they want to give to the audience with A SUPER, ULTRA HAPPY ENDING! -period-

Read More

A lovely gem in the world of mysteries

"Coroner's Diary" captivated me right from the start with its intricate storytelling, stunning costumes, and outstanding performances. Here’s a breakdown of what impressed me and what didn't.

First, while some viewers might not enjoy the 'love at first sight' trope, I find it a refreshing approach to romance in historical C-dramas. Typically, these dramas stretch out the characters' realisation and acceptance of their feelings for each other until halfway through. The phrase 'love at first sight' exists for a reason, after all—it's not impossible.

Second, the cases featured in the drama are uniquely charming, each with its own mystery and resolution. The first case stands out the most for me because it helped me connect with the various characters being introduced. The scene where Wan'er reconstructs the headless corpse, set to the haunting song "Wind and Rain," is particularly memorable. The official and the victim's loved ones quietly mourn her during that moment, making it poignant. Beyond the romantic scenes between the leads, this scene has truly stuck with me.

Third, regarding editing, I noticed some minor flaws, but overall, it was acceptable. I especially loved the costumes, accessories, makeup, and hairstyles throughout the drama. Yan Chi and Yan Ze’s looks exude a specific aura while still giving off a sense of calmness. Yan Qi is portrayed as devilishly handsome, and the crown prince has a charmingly naive quality.

Fourth, the acting across the board is commendable. The entire cast did a brilliant job, including the child actors, who were quite convincing. For instance, the child actor playing Yan Sui, the youngest prince who eventually ascends the throne, and the younger version of the boutique owner killer were both impressive. I love the grandmother figures, too!

Finally, one of the standout aspects of "Coroner's Diary" is its music and background scores. All the songs are lovely, but my favourites are "Wind and Rain," "Don't Sigh," and "Morning Snow Records."

In conclusion, I would recommend this drama to anyone unsure about watching it. It can be seen as a classic C-drama that follows the female lead’s journey to uncover the truth behind her family's injustice, aided by powerful allies. Along the way, she falls in love with the male lead. While some story tropes may be predictable or cliché, reviving these elements in 2025 isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially since many dramas from the past couple of years have left audiences with unsatisfactory endings.

Additionally, the pacing of the story is worth noting. Unlike some historical dramas with a similar feel, "Coroner's Diary" doesn’t drag on excessively. There are a few plot holes in certain cases that remain unexplored, which can leave viewers a bit confused, but we can overlook that. Overall, this is a drama that is certainly worth my time! ✨

Read More

EVERYTHING'S PERFECT!!!

*Please bear with my wordy sentences (plus, my amateurish vocabulary) cuz I've got a lot to talk about X3*
Every single episode makes my heart skip a beat. "Dali and the Cocky Prince" is a feel-good drama with lots of lessons to learn from! Not only did it teach me about art and the nature of the art industry, but the drama also gave me life lessons and how we should appreciate what we already have at present time, while also helping others with a kind heart; being forgiving when need be; to never give up what you have faith in. Both the storytelling and main characters (i.e. Dali and Mu Hak) are so lovely and funny that I can't stop grinning whenever their scenes pop up! I laughed and cried together with them~ Mu Hak's family was a bit of a mess but they all cared about each other after going through several mishaps together. There's a lot of character development for them which I liked (including Chak Hui, cuz I didn't really like her at the beginning but rooted for her later on). Not to mention "Our Woo Tak-shi" XD; love him so much! He'd always be Dali's family and guardian, and I'm glad the director & screenwriter didn't add any romance line (like a crush on the FL) between them, cuz they're just so cute as they are~ Storywise..., WOW. That's all I'll say... one word.. cuz I can't describe it with just words... Everyone, YOU MUST TRY WATCHING THIS DRAMA! You won't regret it!!!
Oh and, the soundtracks in the drama are so magical, up-beat and playful(?)~ Anyways, I love them all!
I just finished watching this drama and felt extremely contented! To simply compare this drama to food, it's like that feeling we get after eating a hearty meal when being famished (the pork dishes looked really tasty which made me want to grab a bite too.. XD)

Read More

"Sweet like honey, and sharp like mint"

First and foremost, let me kowtow to our mighty prince-general couple, whom I so adore and respect. 🙇‍♀✨ [Shadow Love] will be remembered as one of the most unique Chinese dramas of the historical romance-fantasy genre. The WHOLE drama really lived up to its name, which can literally be translated to "With Jin Chang'an". If we look back to the earlier episodes, when the leads first met, Shuang gave our ML the name "Jin An" in the hopes of establishing "perpetual peace and stability for the Jin dynasty", the era they live in. Their main goals were to "resolve the crisis and help people live in peace and prosperity" all along, and by episode 38, they brought peace to both Taijin and Da Yao kingdoms, their citizens, and also to themselves..
These references can be found in this article ➡ (https://news.mydramalist.com/article/ryan-cheng-stars-alongside-another-female-general-in-shadow-love)

Now, let me tell y'all what impressed me the most. ʕ⁠っ⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠ʔ⁠っ💓

One, is the unique character designs (obviously, ain't it? X3). We get to see a lovable and obedient Jin An; the mysterious and wild Xuan Yi Ke; and lastly, the dignified Prince Annan of the Yao kingdom, Duan Ao Deng~ Cheng Lei delivered ALL of these roles with brilliance! 'Dislike' is not even an option here. The role was custom-made for him. The same goes for our FL, Li Shuang, portrayed by Song Yi. Despite the harsh criticisms aimed towards her, 'Li Shuang' wouldn't be perfect if it weren't for our actress. Next is Lu Xin and Mo Yin, our beloved secondary couple, who brought extra smiles to the viewers. I love how sarcastic Lu Xin can be, and how she can handle her man well~😝 No less than our great general Li! Then we have our Qiao'er and Ouyang Jun, the couple we failed to protect😿. Lastly, the person who had the most character development imo would be Li Ting (Shuang's younger brother). He started as a bratty younger sibling who'd always bring trouble to a determined individual who is worthy of respect, and Wu Yu Heng made it convincing~ This link here is proof that they nailed their roles with precision ➡ [ https://youtu.be/rprG6F82cqI?si=dU9_d_EERQaTaLMS ]

Second, there are the tight-knit bonds of various relationships, both platonic and romantic. Li Shuang's love for Jin An (ML) and the male lead's devotion towards her know no bounds, despite the outside influences and his inner turmoil. Their journey was not futile, and every moment was valuable for them to face off the looming angst. Apart from these lovebirds, the most heartwarming bonds can be found in the brotherhood of ML and his Emperor brother, Papa Li and his tiger cubs (Shuang'er and Ting'er), as well as the friendship between Lu Xin, Shuang and Jin An.

Lastly, we can't forget the magnificence of the beautiful settings and CGI, elegant wardrobe choices, hairdo, and makeup, as well as the pleasing OST music from start to finish. Some of my favourite OSTs are Sole Love by Liu Yu Ning, Beyond Fate by Jane Zhang, and Bringing Peace by Huang Xiao Yun~ All the intricate details the editing department has added bring life to not only the characters, but also to the world they live in~✨ It's a fantasy world, but nothing is overdone~ ^^

Read More

This review primarily presents my subjective perspective on the drama as a whole.

Acting-wise, all the characters played their roles exceptionally well. My favourite character apart from the main leads is Zhuge Kong Yun, the red peacock 😆🦚. His sassiness knows no bounds, and his character bears a striking resemblance to Bei Ming's. It's just that our male lead is always one step ahead of him. Both of them made huge mistakes which affected many people, but they learned their lessons and turned over a new leaf. The one thing I feel unfulfilled is their scenes together, solving cases and betting with each other. (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠) / "🎲

As for the story, I wasn't intrigued initially, but only after reaching nearly half of the drama did I get entirely hooked. Starting from clearing his name and their journey together to Haiya. Boy, those episodes were GOLD✨. The story took a 180-degree turn from a less chaotic city investigation to an all-out combat mode in an unfamiliar land. There was no boring moment at all~ The romance part is sufficient for this kind of drama, and I'm loving their chemistry here. Their buildup was much better in the latter episodes.

In conclusion, [The Wanted Detective a.k.a. Calming Waves] is a unique premise with gripping mystery elements and heartwarming friendship. The cases were interesting and made me keep guessing who the culprit might be. It's a 9 for me~

Read More

Endearing and uplifting!

[Ticked the spoiler tag just in case] The drama has taught us many lessons, what to appreciate, and how to approach life positively even after going through many hardships. What caught my attention were the titles of each episode. They are meaningful and uplifting. True to its name, the drama showcased a lot of beautiful landmarks on that astonishing island; especially, the animation in the intro was so cute and endearing X3. Storywise, I think it has a good flow, but the way they handled the antagonist at the end felt a bit anti-climatic (in my opinion), because she was SO ANNOYING throughout the drama that I wanted her to get a taste of her own medicine in the most dramatic way possible (but it wasn't shown -_-). I feel sorry for Sang Do and hoped someone show up in the end to love him, but none (it's fine as it is tho X3). I also loved how all of the friend circles respect their friendships more than their personal feelings (most of the time). The way Samdal-ri was portrayed, their bond, and their history were breathtaking~ Last but not least, the OSTs were beautiful and befitting of the drama! My personal favorite is "Song of the Sea by Leeze".

Read More

It's a bloody horror & comedy, literally

(I put up the 'contain spoilers' tag just in case)
Love how it is portrayed uniquely with a combination of different genres such as comedy, horror, a bit of melo (?), and even supernatural-like elements. I laughed and cried in the latter episodes, but the first few episodes were no less of a rollercoaster ride. I thought it'd be a disappointing take on the zombie genre like some others that failed to attract its audience, but no; it was great~ What I liked the most was the ending of the drama, which was directed in a way to be hopeful towards the future (both for the audience and the drama itself). What's most surprising was the alcohol part XD. I mean, who thought of such an idea lol! For once, being a drunkard is helping lives! The zombies were unexpectedly horrifying too. After watching several similar dramas and movies of this genre, I thought I'd already be numb to them by now, but wow. Another good factor is that they don't drag on the story. It was short and precise, and contains all the elements that connects the whole story. Looking forward to a new season if there will be one~

Read More

Worthy of the title "LEGEND"✨

Fellow MDL-ers, please try watching [Legend of Zang Hai]! I highly recommend it! 💯✨

2025 is set to be an incredible year for Chinese dramas, featuring yet another masterpiece! I didn’t just watch a drama; I went on a whole journey with the main characters. We witnessed Zang Hai's growth from childhood to adulthood, making the experience truly immersive.

When it comes to acting, I have nothing but praise for ALL the cast members! 🌟 From the protagonists and antagonists to supporting characters and guest roles, everyone was brilliant. The main leads complemented each other exceptionally well. Xiao Zhan's acting is truly remarkable; his eyes and micro-expressions convey a million words without the need for dialogue. His performance is neither extreme nor underwhelming—just perfect. It feels as if the character 'Zang Hai' was created solely for him. I can't imagine anyone else portraying this role. 👏👏👏

Zhang Jing Yi and Zhou Qi also showcase their talented acting skills within a complex script. Typically, audiences may not favour female characters like Antu, but I believe she portrayed her character very well without going over the top. The chemistry between Antu and Zang Hai felt natural and slow-burning, with valid reasons behind their love. Despite their strong feelings for each other, they never overlooked their duties and responsibilities. I appreciated how they worked hard to balance their love and their commitments, and I'm truly happy for this precious couple. 🥰

In my opinion, Zhuang Zhi Xing had the most character development in this drama. He transformed from a frivolous and carefree young master, always inebriated, into an almighty general at a young age. His bond with Zang Hai was as remarkable as the master-student relationship between Zang Hai and Gao Ming. Their interactions, friendship, and cooperation were highlights I always looked forward to in the series. ✨

Here are some remarkable scenes, in no particular order:
1. Escaping from the late emperor's tomb, including Ji Qun's last moments with Zang Hai.
2. The first face-off between Marquis/Duke Ping Jin and Cao Jiang Xian at the court meeting.
3. Duke Ping Jin and Zhuang Zhi Xing's duel in front of the palace gates which was the last interaction between father and son. I cried watching their fight😿; even though I can't forgive Zhuang Lu Yin, his last moments were heartbreaking. I know Zang Hai wanted him dead, but not like this.
4. The boat date during the Ghost Festival night, when both the male lead and female lead realised their feelings for each other.
5. Zang Hai's "reunion" with his late Kuai family members while he's in a coma.
6. All of Antu and Zang Hai's interactions—I just love them together! 😝💕 They're such a rare combination. The last time I saw chemistry like theirs was in the drama "Ancient Detective (2020)".
7. Zhuang Zhi Xing's squadron and Antu's reinforcements battling against Zhao Bing Wen's troops outside the cave.
8. The finale scene where Zang Hai looks at the city gates, reminiscing about his journey and recognising himself in someone entering the city, just like how he did when he first arrived. It has mixed feelings of nostalgia, accomplishment, sadness and hope.

The OSTs are breathtakingly beautiful, especially "Turn to the Vast Unknown" and "Hidden Stars." However, all the songs are great!

What I appreciate about this drama is that it doesn’t rush to make us believe Zang Hai has the ultimate plot armour of a virtuous male lead. He is a grey character who doesn't hesitate to use people or situations to benefit his "avenger's mission". He openly admits to being responsible for turning Zhuang Zhi Xing into the 'monster' he is now. Zang Hai didn’t reach the top all on his own; he had helpers who covered for him and aided him along the way. He was often impatient and made mistakes early on. His imperfections make him relatable—someone we can fully support as he overcomes obstacles. The story is well-balanced, and the mystery element is delivered with great precision (although I found the masked figure suspicious from the beginning, the identity behind that mask was cleverly hidden until the right moment).

[Legend of Zang Hai] will remain in my memory for a long time~😌🫂

Once again, my dear MDL-ers, please give this drama a try. I guarantee most of you will love it!

Read More

Music, dance and make-up

One of the best romcoms of the year! Every cast delivered their roles perfectly, even little Hua'er (oh, she's just so cute! X3). Everyone has great chemistry; not only the ML and FL but also the bromance and sismance in this drama are attractive.

The main couple = quirky, cunning, and funny, but are serious in what they do.

Prince Hengyang = mature, loyal, and protective of his loved ones (not only towards his family and friends, but also caring towards his fallen soldiers' families). I love how jealous he was of his younger brother because Lu Yun, his childhood & best friend, wouldn't call him by his nickname while the former(Prince Chang Yi) was always mentioned with the nickname 'Aman'.

Secondary couple = CUTE & PRECIOUS

The brotherhood = Heartwarming; unlike in other C-dramas where brothers are always competing with the ML character or act according to their hierarchical structure, here, they resemble actual brothers. Another thing that stole my heart is the bromance between Lu Yun, Lu Xian, Chang Yi, and Heng Yang. You'll be able to witness them in the latter episodes X3.

The sismance = Just like the quartet of MLs mentioned above, the four FLs also make a perfect team. Although there were misunderstandings and headbutts in the earlier episodes (due to LY, the cunning fox Xp), things wrapped up well in the end.

Lastly, the icing on the cake is, the make-up and costumes, dances and songs!!! LingYu's sword dance and the koi dance gave me goosebumps while watching! SHE NAILED IT! I'd say they're the best dances I've ever watched in C-dramas! Not your normal choreography. Not to forget Chen Xiu's drum dance too; it was beautiful and exciting. Princess NanPing's poem/song was so ethereal! I rewatched their scenes (especially, FL's koi dance scene).

Just go watch it and you'll know it's worth it!

Read More

Started with greed, ended with humanity...

I didn't hate this season, nor its ending like most viewers did, but it left me with lingering thoughts. I think the ending was befitting of the drama's theme as well. Since the beginning, [Squid Games] was supposed to be about winning and becoming the last one standing. It could've been anyone, but Gi Hun's plot armor saved him as he's the main protagonist. In S2, most of them survived as if to lay a foundation for the sequel's bloody plot. (I mean, come on, it's THE SQUID GAMES!) S2 was a bit more 'lively' in a sense; not only about Gi Hun bringing hope to most of the players but also the music used since Ep1. He tried his best but in such an environment - with only a few weapons and comrades who agreed to fight off a huge 'organization' - the path ahead surely wouldn't be all flowers... It was realistic.

Now moving on to S3, the title of its last episode, "Humans are...", was a powerful message to its viewers, which can be interpreted into various meanings. Gi Hun didn't give up until the end. He strayed from his beliefs in the middle due to his guilt but he got back to his senses and fought with all his might. He tried to save lives from the very beginning and fulfilled the last wishes entrusted to him by the previous players without failure. He promised, and he kept his word.

The characters portrayed human nature in reality. We see all kinds of human beings in real life and Squid Games showed us exactly that. Not all people are like the male and female leads we see in K-dramas, and they change or do not change at all from WHO they are. When faced with d8ath, true colors surface.
Another message I got from watching this series is that no matter what you face in your 'journey', stick to your moral values. Even if you make a mistake, there's always a chance to turn back to correct yourself. It's a matter of choice.

If I have to describe the whole Squid Game series, S1 is like an appetizer, giving us a taste of what it looks like and how it goes by showing us the main protagonist's journey. S2 is like the main course, which led us through a path towards a hopeful future (with a mixture of sadness and fun). Finally, S3 is like a dessert served with some lemon and sprinkled spices instead of a huge sugary treat.

"We are not horses, we are humans. Humans are..."

Read More

Like Miao Miao's quest that's stuck at 99%

As mentioned in my headline, my feelings for this drama are stuck at 99%, and can't exactly pick out what the missing 1% is. Let me first point out all the strengths. The cinematography, music, CGI, stunts, costumes, make-up, and plot are all top-notch!

Firstly, their acting. All the actors and actresses expressed their characters very well. However, in my case, I'm not much of a fan of Esther Yu. I mean, I'm not very fond of her acting but she possesses her unique qualities. Yes, I watched her act, but sometimes don't feel very much convinced. It's a mixed feeling, but that's not always throughout the drama. Maybe it's because of her character? On the bright side, I loved her interactions with the father figure (the county official) the most. It was so heartwarming and beautiful. Ding Yu Xi? God... Just wow. The way he portrayed Mu Sheng/Ziji was on point! What attracted me most was his sad and crying scenes. His eyes say it all. Ziji's like a misunderstood child or a defensive cat, and his portrayal is convincing. Zhu Xu Dan and Yang Shi Ze also played their roles well, too. They're so well-matched! And my DuDu, she graced the small screen with her elegance as the mirror demon. So pretty! X3

Secondly, the costumes, hairdo, and make-up suit them all, even the supporting and guest roles looked extremely stunning in their unique fashions~ Be it the demons that popped up here and there, or the main and supporting characters we see all the time, the cast is donned perfectly from head to toe. They paid attention to all intricate details like the small hair pieces and braids the multiple layers of 'Hanfu' and extra accessories for every character. EVERYONE'S BEAUTIFUL!

Third, it's about the editing department. Cheers people. It's a 10/10 from me. This is one of the best, high-tiered level editing! I fell in love with how the transitions changed, the backgrounds, and especially when the characters used their powers. It didn't feel out of place. Everything's just flawlessly done. The OSTs are breathtaking, exciting, and bittersweet in some. Fighting scenes are so cool!

Lastly, the plot. As someone who's already read the novel version, I can see they've tweaked some, which I think is much better in terms of storytelling. I started reading the Manhua first actually, but the updates were SUPER SLOW! Hence, changed to the novel version. To be honest, the translations were bad so I couldn't make out much of the story back then but I do remember they changed several parts like where (1) Mu Sheng's dreams of Miao Miao (almost every time he sleeps X3 It was quite a torture for him in the novel & manhua), (2) Miao Miao's wedding (I'm not sure but I think there was no character named Zhao Ruo Shi in the original versions; Miao Miao was under the influence of the bracelet given by Mu Sheng), (3) the temple part (manhua & novel plot is about offering a bride or something, and both Mu Yao and Miao Miao fell victim. It happened quite early and MuSheng saved MuYao first, left Miao Miao to fend for herself, but came back for her. He still doesn't trust her yet when this happened), and etc. However, the storyline in the drama makes much more sense as an adaptation. The final ending scene reminds me of "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo", but with a more positive and hopeful feeling.

To sum up, I think the remaining 1% lies in my comparison between the drama version and the original novel & manhua versions. Afterall, it's best to enjoy them as stand-alone works. Mix them up? You won't feel as content as you'd thought. They shine in their own right and I'd say LGIEF is a masterpiece with great potential.

Read More

From a flowery path to dark vibes, and heading to a new beginning

It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions and all the actors and actresses portrayed their characters well. The vice-curator and the widows in particular were great. The actor portraying the vice-curator was adorable, to be honest, XD. I felt bad for him as he was so smitten by his 'Lady Kim' lol, but he got his partner in the end. He's so cute XD. Aeung Du is CUTE; such a little glutton~

The main characters did well with their characters too. The earlier episodes were so much fun with Nok Du cross-dressing as a woman; his gestures and way of speech were spot on! I also like Dong Ju and her fiery spirit. Both were adorable together and their romance is on another level. The couple would go to great lengths to protect each other despite being burdened by their dark pasts. Some say their relationship doesn't make sense since their parents were entangled in a political feud in the past, but Nok Du and Dong Ju made it possible to be together. After going through many hardships we can see how much they're meant to be.

Next is Yul Moo, the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' prince. WOW. I genuinely didn't expect him to be the villain here, with how he acted so kindly and helpful towards all the women at the Kisaeng house. I got chills down my spine when he was revealed to be the man who killed the widow and slashed down a minister. It was shocking to know how KTO switched from a normal and cheerful noble frequenting the Kisaeng house to a dark, psychopathic killer who would obliterate anyone who would sabotage his plans. I mean, who would believe it easily after showing excellent cooking skills with a heartwarming smile right? :')
In addition to him is his bodyguard (or maybe Yul Moo's personal weed exterminator lol, since he'd clear his lord's path without fail) Dan Oh (our HIH!!!); he's so cool~

The king, well, he did so well as the power-crazed monarch who wouldn't excuse even his flesh and blood to take his place. He's a lost cause, yet I can still see a little good in him. Just like Nok Du has mentioned, his father is a pitiful person who has already dived so deep into the dark side and the king himself had already accepted it.

As for the music, it was pretty nice but sometimes, they would just cut off the music bluntly when the scenes shifted; it was a bit off-putting. The wardrobe designs for every character were stunning.

Last, but not least, many say the ending wasn't favorable but in my opinion, I'd say it was fitting. Although Yul Moo was a bad guy in the beginning, we can still witness his change in the end; maybe just a bit but we can see he's willing to change (though not his initial goal to seize the throne). He's ready to weather all obstacles and burdens of being King. I wasn't able to hate both the King and Yul Moo in the end; they're just being themselves, 'people who've chosen a bloody path'. Most importantly, I was very pleased with the mother-and-son reunion at long last. They truly deserved this. I love how the Queen respected her son's wishes and protected both her husband and child till the end within her power. Again, it's a fitting end for me~

Read More

The healing chapter

A thrilling second season we waited for, but somehow was lacking something.. It was still a great watch but it's a shame Si-Eun's wits and fighting skills were not emphasized that much compared to the first season. The way he calculates the probabilities of winning and making use of his surroundings is what makes him unique. Maybe it's because I just couldn't get enough of his fight scenes X'3
Season 2 was great on its own too. In my opinion, this season was made to focus a little bit more on how Si-Eun and his new friends heal from their past wounds. On the other hand, season 1 was more about his growth and friendship.

Read More