Raisins

I also liked how they turned the tables regarding the dates setup by GyuHyun's mom. His mom actually approves of JY marrying her son but had to add the cliche drama with the forced dating to "bring them closer together" lol and she's also going to be a writer! The FL's ex and ML/GyuHyun's dad were the only ones with no redeeming quality.

I definitely agree. JU has lived his entire life for other people and promises that he made to them rather than making any decision for himself. She didn't want him to stay with her because of yet another promise and even if it meant letting him go, she wanted him to be free and live for himself and find his happiness. The heavy burden she mentions is that if he stayed, she would benefit 100% but at possible expense of his never making his own life decision. She really loved him. The separation showed that the decision to come back to her was his own, for him because his heart was always with her. It was a very sweet ending.

One thing I think shows the good heartedness of the FL is that we find out JaYeon's dad murdered her dad yet she has a close sisterly relationship with JaYeon and doesn't look like she blames her for it. She's aware that JaYeon was also a victim and never seemed to blame her for the fact that it was her foster that led to her dad's death. I think it shows her as a warm and fair person despite her callous and calculating exterior.

Yes I think he would be excellent morally gray anti-hero lead in a drama. But he is retired now is my understanding.

Yes and this actress is young but I thought she was good at showing her utter disbelief+disappointment+outrage and a bit of contempt for PY with just her facial expressions. They are all excellent.

Lol yes! There was a scene where he says something like Jiang Ci is part of my household and I'm like what, since when? How did guest ->pretend maid become real maid and I liked how the other ML was like uh No she doesn't have a servant contract! The mental gymnastics this man is doing.

short answer: yes. Brother Cui is the only good one.

JC is cute as a button, sincere and genuinely a good person who should be a free spirit. It is truly sad to see her trapped and used among two faced conniving people. My hope is that she eventually escapes all of it but I feel that the way things are going she will not get out unscathed.

Agreed! PY has crazy eyes and the whole emotionless stabbing boat scene makes me think he can just shut off all emotions to do whatever it takes to elevate his family. Seeing how his mom treated him, that family had no genuine love, just grow up to be useful for the family. I feel like WZ might hesitate to kill JC but if given a choice between JC and family PY wouldn't think twice to kill her no matter how much affection he feels for her. This man is ruthless cold.

I'm not too familiar with the Pei Yan actor but he is killing it here with the nuanced portrayal. He's initially so charismatic, noble and seemingly does so much of the typical romantic tropes (carrying the maiden, heart to heart under night sky, street food foraging, risking his life to save her, eating random flowers, etc.) except that every.single.action is a coldly calculated manipulation and instead of just being sad heartbroken if the FL chooses another, he just gets more scary and shows his controlling abusive true face. I think it's easy see how the smart FL was so fooled by this "noble" PY. This could've been a one dimensional portrayal but the actors are elevating it.

These two MLs are so incredibly magnetic and each has sooo much 🚩 yet I can't seem to look away. The poor FL really needs to run far far away from these two. It's riveting almost like watching a suspense drama. Definitely hooked.

I can't believe I actually look forward to Mondays and Tuesdays now.

I believe the second is much closer in translation, she says "as someone who already has gained enlightenment..."

Yes it's as if the FL becomes like a cute child in a kitchen*helping" but actually makes a mess and the actual adults end up scrubbing and cleaning up and doing the real work. Pity I had hopes for this one but I think I will pause a bit due to my dislike of this trope.

LMT has spoiled me for other "smart" FLs because so many are actually not smart and inevitably become the damsel in distress or decrease in critical thinking after falling in love. She was smart, strong and never missed her shot. She was in every way equal to the ML and it never felt like she married up like so many other shows depict the FL. The way she handled her MIL was a masterclass on keeping your backbone and dignity.. The show truly made me believe that the emperor missed out on a great empress (although I also love Xueji and her personal growth). CXZ was so funny, intelligent but also showed so much growth as a person. This is the power couple of the year and I adore them.

I love this! I had no idea the scene was so contentious 😂 never tried tofu pudding but if it's anything like a rice porridge, I would also be team Shen Du.

I actually enjoy this and the ratings don't bother me much. In fact the higher it goes, it seems the posts get more toxic The only issue is, it's episode 11 and I still have no ever loving clue wtf is going on because there is apparently a revenge plot+ a cult (?)+palace power intrigue and a love story kind of sprinkled on top. But just enjoying the ride and seeing where it goes.

What a great show, I really like all three of the intelligent heroines, the foodie princess, the independent business woman and of course the FL rebel leader. I hope all three gets a good end.

Wuxin deserves the happiest of ends!! He was dealt such a bad hand, abandoned by mom, dad killed early, used as a political hostage for 12 years. He finally found some good friends and TBOY2 better not make him a villain.

When the camera panned to his notebook and he was drawing 😂