MindfulWanderings

She seems too dense and immature, I doubt she would come to her senses even then. She does need a serious reality check, but she seems too self centered for it to even make a difference in the end. I think the ML deserves someone more loyal.

The 2ml is a workaholic + he has no interest in the child just the FL, so I agree. The only one that seems to actually care about the child is the ML. Even though the FL claimed guardianship. FL is an idiot.

agreed, she can’t appreciate the ML but she was very self centered before the baby too

The baby and the ML are the only reason I keep watching but I don’t want him to be with the FL 😭 her character and the writing really tanked after ep 5

FL is so incredibly annoying

for real!!! she is the worst

for real tho

I gotcha, that’s totally fair and understandable. Thanks for sharing your point of view! I agree it’s fun to learn from each other (:

I totally agree that the characters are the strongest part of the show, and I can understand why people who prioritize character over plot would still enjoy it. For me, though, the writing gradually undercut those characters. By the end, the way their arcs were handled felt more frustrating than compelling, which soured what was working.

I also think it’s unfair to reduce the criticism to “people just hate it because of one thing.” Many viewers gave the show a real chance despite the shallow themes and messy writing from the start…the frustration comes from how many issues and elements kept compounding rather than improving. Plus that argument seriously underestimates how much plot actually encompasses. Plot isn’t just the main storyline — it includes pacing, consistency, motivation, logic, perspective, characterization, world building, and payoff. The editing plays a huge role as well, since it can completely shift how events and elements land & are perceived. When the plot is shaky, it inevitably affects everything else, no matter how strong the acting, music, or character concepts are.

In fact, plot is so integral that it can cheapen great cinematography, music, and acting more than poor quality can. For example…if the show had even cheaper visuals, forgettable music, or weak performances, I don’t think the ratings and reaction to the plot would be nearly as intense. The frustration comes because so much of it is well-made on a technical and performance level — people can clearly see what it could have been. When the storytelling doesn’t rise to meet that level, the disappointment feels sharper.

So yes, great points. There are genuinely strong elements here — but for me, none of that makes up for how **thoroughly** the writing sabotaged those things. Just my opinion tho!

My God, what is your problem. Who hurt you.

It received lower ratings in China, and honestly, I can understand why. Some viewers enjoyed it … but I suspect a lot of that comes from fan loyalty to the actors — who were all stellar btw. The acting itself was excellent (far better than the drama deserved) and the characters had real potential. Unfortunately, the scripting was messy and inconsistent, and the editing didn’t help. I watched the entire series and ultimately felt it was a 100% waste of time, which reflects on the writing and production, not the actors or their performances.

Apparently scripts were being rewritten and printed on set while filming, and it shows — constantly. The incoherence, the pacing issues, the sloppy editing… none of that is subtle.

It’s so bad but the acting is so good … they had countless opportunities to salvage the storyline at several points throughout, but instead it only grew worse progressively. Every time I thought the story couldn’t get sloppier it would prove me wrong - it became the only consistency that you could count on by the end. Scriptwriters really flubbed up. Literally zero reason for it to be this bad.

Speak for yourself. It doesn’t take much imagination to do better than this. If you don’t have it, just say that — projecting your creative limits onto me isn’t an argument.

You’re arguing character. I’m critiquing writing and editing. You’re arguing feelings. I’m talking craft. If that distinction is hard for you, that explains the disagreement.

Defending bad writing by yelling about love and sacrifice doesn’t magically fix pacing, structure, or logic. A messy script doesn’t become deep just because it ends tragically. The death wasn’t even the main problem. Strong characters can’t save incoherent plotting and sloppy editing — that’s basic storytelling.

And enjoying something doesn’t automatically make it well-written — it could simply mean your standards are lower (or different).

her mother died due to a hit and run 😢😔

lmao nope. I watched the whole thing, and trust me—the writing was fighting for its life from episode one. By the midpoint it was on life support, and the finale just waved goodbye. The ending was simply the bow on top of an already horrendous script—like gift-wrapping a dumpster fire.

A lot of people feel the script AND editing ruined this, and they’re not wrong. It was consistently bad from the jump. Between the weak script and the choppy editing, the whole drama felt disorganized and unnecessarily messy — without even the courtesy of a semi-redeemable ending. The actors were out here delivering award-worthy effort, while the writers were apparently scribbling revisions in a moving vehicle and tossing fresh pages at the cast like, “good luck!”

A lot of people are mad about the ending not just because it’s sad, but because it somehow managed to be even worse than everything that came before it.

(And btw, it didn’t even bother to follow the novel, which is another reason so many fans are frustrated. While some of the changes were better than the novel, ultimately there were too many nonsensical edits that completely wrecked the FL’s character and her relationship with the ML and the way the story all shakes out etc etc etc — for no good reason)

This had great actors/acting, and so much potential — but the weak script & poor editing ruined the whole drama. It ends up making no sense and honestly feels like a complete waste of time. It’s just not worth it imo, and the numbers back that up (not just on MDL): it pulled a 4.8 on Douban, making it one of the worst-rated costume dramas of the year.

Agree with you. Healer is top tier, I think his work in Samdalri was also good.

Not everyone likes plots built on brutality and moral corruption. Being able to enjoy something without needing constant grittiness isn’t a weakness. Some people simply don’t romanticize violence as entertainment. It’s not a virtue to be desensitized. 💁🏼‍♀️

yes save yourself

yes! it reminds me a little of agatha christie writing too with so many characters not being who they seem — but I see what you mean about Jane Austin too, like a chinese pride and prejudice of a type — its great writing!

I hear you — the mother-in-law tested every last nerve I had. She’s unbelievably insufferable, but don’t worry… she gets humbled on repeat until she finally wakes up at the end.

And honestly? Her chaos barely even grazes the main couple. She’s loud, she’s wrong, and she’s irrelevant.

Yes, it’s a slow burn with lots of intrigue that looks like they’re being used or torn apart — but the female lead is ten steps ahead of everyone, and the male lead is loyal even when he’s wounded. They’re unshakeable.

Totally worth it for the main couple, plus the side couples are adorable.

Happy ending. Karma delivers express shipping! 😏

it’s a pretty slow burn … takes six episodes for the premise to really even settle fully — but it is worth the ride