Ti02

Both are contract marriages of rich leads, but while that has fantasy, this has political intrigue. It has a similar vibe maybe in terms of some character traits, but entirely different plot, situations and circumstances.

I think he is just her partner for the function. But I would have gladly accepted if there was something between them. These two together vs our leads for power/battle of the throne, would have been excellent.

Yes seems so.

Yes actually this is the first work of the screenwriter so maybe that's why. I absolutely agree. Like today we are halfway through the drama, a little insight to the backstory would be good, we are getting it, but its slow. And yes there are complaints regarding Huiju's character, but yes that's her personality, it doesn't seem to me that she would change a lot.

Ohh yeah absolutely people have been given racist comments, rude remarks, threats for saying they didn't like popular dramas or actors. Its so bad, because just because I like it, you are under no obligation to like it as well. Like discussion portals like MDL are for these things, everyone should be free to make their perspective known when he/she is spending their time on watching the drama. Actually not everyone was able to put the criticism in a good way like you did, some are just hating in disguise of criticism. But yeah even I have popular dramas I do not like as such, but yeah some people are really mean to you if you share that.

ML did not attend the funeral of his mother?? But they showed a flashback of ML crying in his mother's funeral alone, his brother wasn't there. That's why someone even theorized what if ML and his brother were step brothers.

How why? What did I miss? Didn't the queen's demise cause the rift?

Exactly. But next week I really want the history of QM with the brothers and what lead to the wedding of QM and previous king. I am so intrigued about it.

First episode wasn't that great as such. For me I was hooked from episode 3. To each their own I guess. But I remember there were complaints about episode 1.
Huiju is not a typical female lead. That's her personality and except for some scenes where she is with the ones she holds dear, that would be her personality even in episode 5-6, so you can continue if you go past that. But they show you flashbacks in ep 3 I think, which made me warm up to her, and now I kind of enjoy her antics. But again to each their own.

This drama is slow paced in general what I am feeling. But this drama is full off over the top comedy scenes, great visuals, cliches. Nothing groundbreaking, but I don't know it kind of intrigued me and pulled me into it from Episode 3.
So if you are not feeling it, maybe you can take a break from this, and see the reactions after this ends, and then decide to watch it or not. Don't worry why will you be hated for making a valid criticism.

Okay so today we have ML jealous scene, their contract writing scene, yacht scene, Waltz scene, proposal. Also a flashback of practice of Waltz scene (which was in trailer, and they wore the same clothes during the night walk in ep 5).
Ahh, nice, we have a lot today, Excellent.

True

Ohh yes the Red Sleeve context, yup I remember this, someone in X also mentioned it. Thanks.

Really? Its okay I will take your word for it. No one can possibly find a buried comment here.

There is nothing wrong in what you say. But at this point if everything is accidental, then it would be so bland, I mean there is a drama tag. Give me the drama, show me the political intrigue they boasted off in the trailer. One plot twist should essentially be there.

I agree to you. Just that when QM passed a remark on FL, I kind of expected. Like she is Huiju, as I said, if she wakes up tomorrow and suddenly starts following rules, I will consider it very weird. Yes rude, I agree, she wanted to be rude.
I think she wants to give a statement like- Yeah what, I am illegitimate, a commoner, I don't follow rules, I dare to wear same colours as Majesty, and Queen Mother, who cares, I will never bend, do what you want, but the Grand Prince is still mine, he still wants me.
She wants to be this brat in front of all.
But I also think FL and ML are against classism even if its a little- that's why ML agreed to open the archery arena, that's why he has a friendly relation with his secretary, when his secretary literally shouts at him. Even FL, she might be rude to everyone, but with her secretary, with the steward and other helps of Prince's residence, she became friendly. QM could never.

I overall agree. The accident closure part is done weirdly, but maybe its not a closure. Like the investigation is on, through different sides. QM must be doing something (if I consider her dad didn't plan this), ML, FL. Also just because SML wasn't shown doing the last bit of investigation doesn't mean he didn't. He is still a complex character. I believe they are deliberately hiding stuff at this point. We can be shown flashback later.
But yes I will be glad if they don't forget about this incident next episode.

She is greedy, never learnt to bent, is selfish, ambitious. She gets everything she wants, otherwise she will snatch it. Has all villain traits, but isn't a proper villain as well. She is a complex character.

Huiju and QM's face offs are my current favourite scenarios. Do it, pull each other down, SHOW ME what you got!
I don't hate a single character in the drama, I don't know but I am able to see everyone's perception, I may dislike some, but I don't hate anyone.
I am glad even if the world is against them, even if they both are against each other, their secretaries would be with them for them. Yeah they might soon need therapy due to the stress they are getting these days (btw which would be increasing with every episode), but they have a lot of money. Their bonds with their secretaries respectively are the best.

Some trivia-
Okay the actor who plays Ian's father (shown in flashbacks) is Son Jun Ho. He is married to Kim So Hyun, who plays Ian's mother (yup the accident sequence we saw in today's episode, same woman). So ML's parents are a real life couple. They are musical actor couple famous for theatre roles in South Korea. They also have a son whose name is Juan.
Juan Ian similar! Haha!

Absolutely. We and Huiju clearly remember Queen Mother telling her that now QM need not to teach her anything (due to breakup with ML) and that somethings cannot be taught to everyone regardless how great the teacher (I believe its a dig to her commoner status). That is why I was thrilled to see her defying everything and wearing white clothes.
And just like you said, Huiju is a good person only to the people who deserve it. She doesn't have to impress all by following rules. I absolutely adore her.

When I said Huiju is unlikeable, I meant from a society perspective, like not from mine or yours perspective, but from noble standards.
But I think this is what the drama is trying to portray, At the end all these events are part of classism. Both Huiju and Ian are against it. They are repeatedly saying they do not want to bend to their rules, they will do what they like. ML always was suffocated, to follow rules, to not be better than his brother, and now his nephew is being forced. That's why he likes Huiju, who doesn't care about the rules. That's why remember even Ian wore inappropriate clothes to King's birthday.
Honestly if she starts following rules suddenly, it will be really odd to me. But yes as you said "She wants the title, privilege & status & power & more money by being a royal (& she'll get everything, I know) but she doesn't want the responsibility or work or decorum of a royal", I agree to this, if this makes her rude, yeah she is that, she doesn't have as such modesty.
But yeah I do understand what you are saying, I may not fully agree but yes we can just both agree to disagree.