Sof

Bad writing yes! The writers completely lost their priority and it became as mess. The dynamic between a tyrant and cook, his trauma about his mother, his complicated relationship with the queen, and all the palace enemies… but none of it was explored deeply. Instead, we got multiple dragged-out episodes of the Ming cooking competition. It’s such a missed opportunity.
The Ming cooking competition took up 4 out of 12 episodes. That’s a third of the entire drama wasted on a subplot that barely moved it forward. They didn’t even get to know each other before he fell for her. What was jarring is that the show suddenly shifted in a completely different direction halfway through, when I was genuinely looking forward to the new episodes. :(
THE LAST EP. the food-saving plot was extremely unrealistic too. It’s a mess.

Omg I saw her too, and I seriously suspected she was getting paid. The way she swoops into every comment section trying to defend every little criticism with nonlogical arguments—like, girl, are you part of the PR team?

Are you getting paid to defend this drama? Use logic and turn off your emotions or your wallet idk. There is a disconnect between the setup and the actual delivery of the series. The promotional material—including the trailer and the official synopsis clearly paints King Yi Heon as a tyrant. from the kisskh “She’s forced to cook for an infamously temperamental tyrant, King Yi Heon, a ruler with a killer palate and a deadly temper.” when the show flips his personality after just a few episodes and turns him into a soft boy with barely any explanation, it feels like it fooled the views and switched direction. Viewers were expecting a slow burn—her unraveling his cold exterior, and seeing his humaity through food and emotional connection not a sudden rewrite of his character. Its okay to like the drama, but dont make it into something that its not okay.

Agree. This show promised so much and delivered so little. And what’s wild is how many viewers seem to just accept.

agree. she has no depth

"False advertising." YES. This show tricks viewers into watching by making it seem like he’s a real tyrant—but after just a few episodes, his personality flips upside down. If they were going to turn him into a soft boy, then don’t lie about it. The setup promised intensity and danger, romance between a tyrant and a woman who captures his heart through food. instead we got barely a taste of the set up.

The whole step-up didn’t deliver in the story. It started with him being a tyrant, how the consort was a villain, and the enemies… like, the viewers became aware that she knew about it—how much bloodshed had been spilled before he loses his crown. The show should’ve focused more on her dilemma: whether or not to tell him. That was such an important aspect, and they just glossed over it, along with their romance. This show is barely a romance, It made it seem like she was going to capture his heart slowly through food and gradually break down his cold exterior. But instead, he fell too fast and his personality did a 180 and he become a softboy. Bad leadership skills as well. It didn’t feel natural. The Ming storyline dragged out way too long. THIS HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL. THE FIRST EPISODES WERE AMAZING

Review without spoiler. The drama starts strong with an engaging revenge plot, but loses momentum in the middle and turns into a soap opera with exaggerated characters towards the end. The pacing drags and the story feels unfocused with pointless stuff being added.
Boring, flat romance. The leads lack chemistry, and their relationship isnt emotionally convincing. There’s no tension, no spark, no deep connection and no clear reason why the female lead falls for him. Overall, this drama had a promising start that fizzled out, lacks depth, and "true love". IT CAN STILL BE GOOD FOR A ONE TIME WATCH FOR FUN. I enjoyed it, but skipped many scenes at the end:)

Omg glad im not the only one. She has "that flat expressionless big eyes" face in majority of her scenes, especially after she become confident. I couldnt feel her emotions at all.

The villain (bff) acting as a cunning woman was so good, until it turned too unrealistc at the end bc of the messy dragging plot.

YES the first half was good, but then it started dragging. AND THERE WAS ZERO CHEMISTRY from start to end, NO LOVE, NO TENSION, NO LONGING. And the ML was too perfect, and lacked depth. Has anyone else felt the same way towards the FL other dramas? That she lacks chemistry with her costars

Fr the chemistry was bad. I couldnt feel the love at all.

Yes, China is hungry for power—just like USA wreaks havoc in other countries while pretending to play fair. They even mentioned what they did in Iraq. What I like about this drama is that it isn’t afraid to portray those countries.

SAME. Its just the way he is mysterious, quiet but at the same time it looks like so much is going on behind his cold exterior. Those sharp intelligent eyes. It makes you want to crack him open. He is danger, but also peace. I WANT A MAN LIKE THIS UGH SIGH

The drama shows that they first got married bc of love, but its obvious that it fizzled out. When the husband was still alive, you could see the strain between them. Maybe she stopped loving him ROMANTICALLY after spending time apart. It wasnt true love. PLUS THE FL kissed the guy AFTER SHE FOUND OUT THE DEAD EX HUSBAND CHEATED ON HER.

OMG YES! He is so naturally hot. Masculine, strong, smart, protective vibes. He is perfect for the role. Like he looks like someone you could trust with your life on the line. If he saved me from danger, I would faint from the hotness of it all.

Omg loved it, but the ending was rushed. THE ENDING SUCKED. Could have been better. Also the romance could have been better.

Yeah there was nothing unique, the storyline boring. Ugh had potential

I wouldnt say "at all" but yeah she is not that great.

I know, but the first episodes introduced a lot of problems and stakes: Tyrant king, his relationship with the queen, his trauma, the consort being important to him.. It started with him a tyrant and his exterior first cracked when she gave him food. It would have been perfect if they continued the set up, and they slowly fell in love through food. Not rushed like this and him switching personality? Its wrong to hook the viewers in and pretend to go one way, only to SWITCH. Plus the tension from knowing history and not telling him could have been explored. IT SET UP WAY MORE THAN WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENIN. This was supposed to be explored along with the cooking aspect of the show. Food was their connection for healing, but instead he fell for her too fast and switched personality.