This review may contain spoilers
A WELL PORTRAYED REASONS FOR REVENGE
This drama is a fantasy historical rom-com that puts a fresh spin on the soul-swap trope. Kang Tae Oh was a really great choice for this drama, as his ability to switch between the heartbroken and vengeful crown prince and a wide-eyed merchant woman is really praiseworthy, as he was able to mimic both personalities during the soul swap. Critics cited his portrayal of grief in the final episodes as a career best. Apart from Kang Tae Oh, Kim Se Jeong's acting was also incredible and magnificent, as her ability to carry the prince's authority while in her merchant body provides both the show's best comedic beats and its most empowering moments. She is also one of the actresses whose acting is both cute and adorable, not cringy.
Furthermore, the left state councillor, who is the villain, presented reasons behind his villainous act as it was the product of power-induced rot. The act he committed is half justifiable, as all he wanted to do was gain a little more power so he could protect his lover, but the fact that the king stood in his way, he had no choice but to personally hand his lover to his friend( the king), as he had the power to protect her. However, the King was only a possessed individual who craved for the throne and didn't care about her, which led her to be accused of a crime that she didn't commit, and dying infront of the left state councillor. This drives him to become a bloodthirsty character who only wants to avenge the royal family for their greed. But, as the first half is acceptable, the other half is not, as he shouldn't have implicated the other royal members, such as the current king and the crown prince, as they have no connection with what happened to his lover and have only suffered from the effects of his revenge.
Moreover, the cinematography made heavy use of the colors white and red to symbolize the 'Flower of Fate.' This drama avoided the mid-series drag that is common in 16-episode dramas and moved the plot swiftly by focusing on the unentangling of the souls and the exposure of the palace traitors.
Lastly, the most haunting moment was the scene where Park Dal I was trapped in the crown prince's body, holding her own 'lifeless' physical form. Also, the final episode did portray the fantasy genre with the God of Destiny, allowing love to override death. That felt like the emotional payoff was earned through the characters' sacrifices. Also, the healing was given in the epilogue through the characters' happy ending. With that being said, I definitely recommend it, and I promise you won't regret it.
Furthermore, the left state councillor, who is the villain, presented reasons behind his villainous act as it was the product of power-induced rot. The act he committed is half justifiable, as all he wanted to do was gain a little more power so he could protect his lover, but the fact that the king stood in his way, he had no choice but to personally hand his lover to his friend( the king), as he had the power to protect her. However, the King was only a possessed individual who craved for the throne and didn't care about her, which led her to be accused of a crime that she didn't commit, and dying infront of the left state councillor. This drives him to become a bloodthirsty character who only wants to avenge the royal family for their greed. But, as the first half is acceptable, the other half is not, as he shouldn't have implicated the other royal members, such as the current king and the crown prince, as they have no connection with what happened to his lover and have only suffered from the effects of his revenge.
Moreover, the cinematography made heavy use of the colors white and red to symbolize the 'Flower of Fate.' This drama avoided the mid-series drag that is common in 16-episode dramas and moved the plot swiftly by focusing on the unentangling of the souls and the exposure of the palace traitors.
Lastly, the most haunting moment was the scene where Park Dal I was trapped in the crown prince's body, holding her own 'lifeless' physical form. Also, the final episode did portray the fantasy genre with the God of Destiny, allowing love to override death. That felt like the emotional payoff was earned through the characters' sacrifices. Also, the healing was given in the epilogue through the characters' happy ending. With that being said, I definitely recommend it, and I promise you won't regret it.
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