Terra1000

Yeah, I think if you somehow don't get invested emotionally with the story of the main leads, then this show is indeed average especially with the excruciating length of each episode.

Why are they staying in an apartment...aren't they living in the village?

It's nowhere as good as the ratings suggest, but this is of course a personal opinion. Since the actual TV ratings are stellar, it's obvious many people don't agree with us. But you shouldn't be getting brick bat for that.

Past connection and flashbacks can be a powerful story telling tool when it's not used superfluous. For example it's used superbly in Fieren and integral to the tale.

ah ok thanks, should have typed a question mark at the end of the sentence as I haven't watch 11/12 yet.

standard noble idiot trope.

Same here with me, the high expectation was based on writer's previous works which I liked very much.

Queen of too much filler time per episode.

Late night now so I Just finger scroll on netflix app to get an idea of what happened and quench my curiosity. i watched ep11 in two minutes. Will watch in normal speed at some other time. Works for me.

This is where good marketing comes into play. The series was promoted so much that even I was hyped.

It's an ok series but nowhere near as good as Crash Landing. Ratings are too high imho.

The past connection trope should also go the way of the noble idiot trope, right into the dustbin of tropes.

I admit falling for the hype because I really enjoyed Crash Landing and the writer has pretty much delivered on his shows so far. Oh well things might pick up in the second half.

And some people might have given non-stellar ratings (ahem,,,) after they've dropped the show due to not really liking the show. Not everyone's world revolve around kdrama actors or actresses. To each his own,

I actually watched it because there were no pretty boy gods or pretty fairys etc. Many cdrama's are too long and mediocre but the more "serious" ones that's not specifically targeted for teen audience or girls are usually very good, and in the case of "Joy of Life", simply superb.

Vote up for joy of life. One of the best drama period.

I actually enjoy the discussion here more than watching(partially) the series so far. However, since those spoilt brats have been banished to "North Korea", I think the story is taking an interesting and fun turn. Will watch episode 9/10 and see how it turns out.

Don't watch too many cdramas, but the good ones are really good. To be honest the period sets on high budget cdrama makes kdrama Joseon a hovel. Currently watching Inspector Dee aka Tang Dynasty Sherlock Holmes, story is pretty good. Other plus points, the incredible sets, no pretty boy fairies or demons and supermodel Wu Zetian.

Hmmm, I watched the begining and eding of ep8. The FL could just have contracted Vicenzo to encase the baddies in concrete and throw them into the Han River. So simple. No need to get ML involved. He should be happily "lying flat" in his village.
Edit: The FL has nothing to lose even if the police suspect her. After all she won't be around for long.

Looking forward to Season 2 and the "frog" episode. :-)