Sneha

i think being pretty also helps and simplicity of it is the reason why it was able to get most people through it. most historical chinese dramas start with intrigue but becomes heavier and political and loses the initial intrigue and takes too long for MCs to be involved. POJ balanced it good even if it was silly, people were willing to ignore since it is enjoyable. and the viral factor can't be ignored. many people may not have watched previously best historical themed cdrama and they might have this as their first and find it new and fun

they are likable in this series. I'm not saying you have to like them all but they all do have likablity factor and everyone seems to have one fan who likes them which is what I'm talking about. there is no particular villain here

i feel the same. there was no need and it really cheapened his character development

i feel like it is also because this series particularly was able to keep people's attention. being addicting and savoury is rarely achievable even with the great storylines for a series with 40 episodes. making all the characters likable is also very rare.

'some connections are fated but not meant to be' being the last line of this series is crazyyyy 😭😭😭😭

agreed with everything you said. It is stupid to point out BLs here when it has nothing to do with what you've written. not to mention you can watch 10 BLs in the time frame of one straight dramas with 40 episode since they're so short and light hearted. they're all romance so who cares, what you've watch more of. really a weird thing to say.
love is love

What does that have to do with anything? A person watching BLs can't review straight drama or something?

At ep 9 currently and when they got disturbed

Man!!! What is this time for assassination?! The worst time legit

Story of kunning palace has a good storyline with ML and FL being a power couple like here

I'm on ep 5 and while I don't like villains but their actions make more sense than the FL?

Wdym villain got raped?!?!!?!! She is clearly right that FL is the mole and yet facing bad actions for it? Losing her left hand guy and then right hand guy as well!!

I did want right hand guy drug addict to die btw since he is also a rapist basically

And why did nobody saved that actress when she was being harrassed on stage and just watched?!! That was crazy.

This drama feels like FL is the only one worth saving type and I don't even want to go over her actions because they so dumb.

And ML clearly fell for Mary Sue act, does he even actually love her? But I'm sure he will let her get away with anything till the end and protect her, be crazy about her etc etc

This drama sure is a dumpster fire but something you can enjoy as well. I was okay with it being bad until they started doing all this, it was too much for too little.

(I didn't use spoilers because people who want to watch this series should be aware of TW since those hit me a bit outta nowhere.)

personally, I think it is the true ratings. this drama has high praises and looks so awesome but then you go in and find out it is full of plot holes and the story isn't that great. it relies heavily on aesthetics and chemistry and beauty of the cast. I was enjoying it despite the issues but the moment I hit ep 8-9, it became too much and frustrating. I really don't think it deserves 9.0 rating it currently has.
so I think others might have put it on pedestal as well and come out having a sour experience with it hence the reviews

I'm just going to assume that there is no homophobia in their universe

yeah I have seen him in talk back and you're dead
they're both experienced actors so they will deliver, there is no doubt. the budget and script doesn't look that bad and actors are good too so it can do wonders, only if the plot remains good throughout.

ok thanks
as long as she ain't a minor and he ain't 35+
it is all good
when I watch filipino, I expect it to be little cringe anyways. it is part of the charm ig lol

she looks around 20 but I think she was wearing high school uniform in the teaser? and he looks 40 so yep really wants to know

What's the age gap between them? What are their ages? Did the boss raised them and then married his sister? 💀

Will this be the end or they gonna have a s3 as well?

How old are they supposed to be?

ikr first part was great. so early 2000s drama coded and fun then the second part was so bad, it is astonishing.

I binge watched the first part and second part was so hard to get through, I gave up and ended up watching most of it in YouTube shorts (not by choice tbh lol)

if only they can recreate the magic of first half in s2

there are many. recently I remember confidence queen had that plot.
movies like catch me if you can, now you see me etc are also there

murder was the basis from the start though haha but I do think too many plot points led nowhere and was left ambiguous to give us suspense but they were too weak and just feels incomplete