TeleriFerchNyfain

Why all the hate for Soo Ji? I just find that laughable. She's mainly concerned with her own problems, true, but at that age it's rather difficult to find one who ISN'T. She's got some genuine problems to deal with, as well - and her mother is just no help whatsoever. I feel for her - she's a very well-rounded, understandable character who's dealing with some terrible crap in a not too healthy way.
She does need to look around & notice Se Joo, lol.

Oh dear. There are multiple similarities to the original. You've been sucked into the supposed romance - which he's doing as a bet. He's faking it but finding himself feeling bad about faking it, so far. The writers are doing an excellent job of adapting the original. The characters aren't as nasty, and have sympathetic back stories. You obviously don't understand the story at all.
Now the writers could ruin the whole thing - if the producers breath down their necks to change the story cause of bad ratings for instance - but so far all of the plot threads from the source material are right THERE for anyone who can look below the surface LOL

I am sooooo glad that they've taken the vicious out of these young characters! It made perfect sense in the original (Les Liaisons Dangereures) as the youngsters in that acted young but the main protagonists were NOT young but older and worldly wise cynics. However, in Cruel Intentions all the players seemed much older than they were supposed to be (no, not talking about the actors, who were older) - their characters did not fit properly. HS & college kids that age can be cruel, & a few might be true sociopaths testing their viciousness, but it just felt strained. I enjoyed it but I didn't love it.
THIS, now, has the mannerisms, foibles, casual cruelty and unpredictable meaness of that age down pat, plus has humanized all three of the main characters very well. We as viewers understand what they are suffering and why, & see them dealing with it in very recognizable immature ways. I can see the shape of the original forming here, and I'm hoping it doesn't end quite as tragically.
I find it utterly laughable that some of these commenters are calling this a light fluffy romance HA!!! So far, not at ALL LOL All that 'fluffy sweet stuff' is a sham - he's as false as Soo Ji's jerk of a BF who lied to get Tae Hee out to dinner. The fact that Sha Hyun's feeling guilty off and on does not stop him. He really DOES love Soo Ji, even if he's also falling for Tae Hee. Totally not straightforward. Love this so far.
Now, the writers COULD of course destroy it - but they have not done so yet!

I do too :D

Oh, it is different - this isn't silly or fluffy (ok, it's not going to be if it follows the source material at ALL) - amazing that people are having such a hard time understanding this. What in the WORLD makes you call this either of those things LOL

?????
This is excellent - if the ratings are awful it's because this drama is NOT following the usual tropes, which juvenile minds have a hard time dealing with, while older audiences probably just think of it as another HS/college romance drama like Heirs, w/o giving it a chance. Ratings are fickle things, and often do not reflect real worth.

BTW, here's the only Royal family situation that fit's this drama (although the second son was NOT sent away far as I can see):
Sejong the Great was not the eldest son of Taejong - the elder brother Yangnyeong supposedly stepped down in favor of the younger boy.
Sejong's oldest was supposed to succeed him, but was sickly. He died young when his only son Danjong was just 12, right before Sejong. Danjong's uncles fought over the throne & the 2nd son eventually won, then killed his nephew & later his younger brother.
Now of course in this, the grandpa (ie Sejong) is already gone. But it's the closest fit to the drama.
The fun thing about all these historicals, no matter how close to history they are - these kings ALL had numerous wives, concubines, and CHILDREN! Tons of kids. Even in the dramas that are really close to historical facts (Six Flying Dragons, for instance) that is just ignored LOL

I haven't - I just know the history that fits those Grand Princes' situation.
But as I said, I'm certainly hoping the writers are doing the same thing they did with MLDBC (or for that matter what Dickens did with The Prince and the Pauper, or what Dumas did with The Man In the Iron Mask). So far everything points that way, thankfully!
My fav pasttime with Song of Ice & Fire (Game of Thrones - actual BOOK series) is to glean what historical events & persons Martin got inspired by - I like that type of thing.

You do realize (perhaps not) that the royals in MLDBC, as well as here, are actual historic persons easily found if you know Korean history?
So what you are saying is what I'm hoping is true - that this drama will ignore how this actually played out in history the same way MLDBC did.
You however are quite wrong about thinking that the only thing 'historical' are the clothings/sets LOL
Even that fantasy vampire sageuk (Scholar Who Walks by Night) had recognizable royals.

I am really really hoping that this just veers away from real history (like Moonlight Drawn By Clouds did) cause the real history is :(

'Traditional' ie historical sageuks are almost never going to end well - why? Go read up on your history.
I think you've done a good job pinpointing Kang's character :D

You know, this has all the makings of a tragic love story set amid a period of political turmoil (ie plotting amongst the royals for the throne). I do not think they've overtly SAID when this was (making me hopeful that maybe it won't be as tragic) but I can certainly make a fairly educated guess.
So whatever are the people bleating about 'too much politics' given the subject & setting, or equally illogical 'too much romance' when that what this IS???
That's like complaining about Romeo & Juliet cause either too much love or too much political turmoil.
That's the STORY. Good Grief! If you don't like either of those things, go AWAY because obviously this is not the drama for you LOL

It's really only 25 - 2 half-hour episodes = one hour long one

Whatever, Nikon. Literalists like you are cause so MANY world problems, sigh. Get it thru your judgemental little head - that pig of a man was BLACKMAILING her, & she was trying to deal with it quietly. She was NOT CHEATING.

He lost the brooch accidentally. If that hadn't happened, our obsessed policeman would not have gone full gun after anyone.

The historical period is thankfully ambiguous (reminds me of how Moonlight Thru Clouds dealt w/real history) - I'm up with that cause if it's the story of the Grand Princes I'm thinking of (the real ones) I'd be depressed....
I'm loving it so far!

Pay NO attention to Kiara unless you've read other preferences of hers & your tastes match - her's is a very minority opinion and chances are you will not find his character nor the drama bland at ALL.

The (rare) female teacher that has relations w/a 15 year old student is fired & jailed just as her male counterpart is. Get real, sweetie. Also put on that registry.

You must be very very young to think that, say, 1990 is ancient history. Oh, BTW, this is actually still a thing - women still get much more flack for having younger partners than men do. I am talking about REAL LIFE here - trying to explain to you WHY women love noona romances - perhaps if you asked your mom or grandma they could explain this to you.

I'm certainly not the one living in fantasy land, child. Go study your history, honey. It is now (as in the, say, past 10 years) getting more uncool for men to date young women, but it's still rampant.