meidreams

I'm sorry, did I say it sucks and it's badly written? I merely pointed out a lack of balance in the genres it touches upon, since it went from comedy and, yes, silliness, to tragedy and bloodshed in a matter of one episode.
This is actually one of my favourite dramas this year, but it has its flaws and I think many people will agree it's not perfect, high ratings and big numbers aside.
And are you saying I can't form nor express an opinion because I'm not a drama producer or ceo of a media company?

Earlier on I left a comment in which I said episode 11 felt like a completely different drama and I think people misinterpreted it, since they answered it was bound to happen and it's historical facts.
But I wasn't referring to historical accuracy within this drama, I was solely commenting the writing and how I feel they should and could have balanced it better.
First episodes, they merged serious plot lines with comedy greatly, but then the focus shifted solely on food (makes sense, that's the title) and it became a lighthearted, at times silly and over the top drama (see: reactions of people to her cooking skills). They never really focused much on the palace politics and intrigues, they never really focused much on the romance nor on the king searching for the truth. All of this was there, but more on passing by, since the focus was cooking and comedy.
And then episode 11 happened and it really felt detached with all that came before.
It was gritty, bloody and just pure tragedy.
I think they should have shifted the focus more gradually, blend the genres in a more organic way, adding this and that bit by bit.
Literally, one moment her cooking does literal miracles by saving the almost dead and bringing back sanity to a mad elderly woman and then... that happens.

I wish they did something more with the chaehong plot line, instead of it being a big thing in the first couple of episodes and literally forgotten from then on. Never mentioned again after it served its purpose of introducing us to x, y and z characters.
Even if those women weren't raped within this fictional story, we are clearly told entire households were ruined, robbed and in one case (that we know of, but there could have been more) stripped of names and exiled.
They should and could have treated this subplot better and with more depth, especially when we have characters such Song Jae being horrid while perpetrating the chaehong turning nice and loyal and almost funny overnight. I would have loved to see the character development happening, honestly.

I won't lie, episode 11 felt like a completely different drama.
I don't think the writers were able to keep a good balance of genres throughout the show.

Thank god I'm not the only one who thought exactly that. From some of the comments I have read before actually meeting the character, I was expecting a horrible man. An abusive husband that lost all money on gambling or alcohol or something of the sort.
But, unless we find out about a dark secret in the future episodes, he's actually quite pitiful, loves his family, but made the wrong choices and is perhaps too weak of character to say no (a lot of their savings were given out to help friends and his older brother). He's just a normal man that most likely panicked and wanted to earn as much as possible in the little time he's probably left.
Some people actually wish him to die? So that she can end up with Lee Gyeong/James? I'd be very disappointed in the show if any sort of romance were to develop between the two, because that literally goes against Eun Su's character and why she even started the whole drug business.

More a food critic or a culinary contest judge
I mean, he has experience

Same for my country. And so far I couldn't find it on any other site (proper or not). I'll give a try to Dailymotion, then.
Thank you so much for answering!

It could work as a short spinoff sequel

Yes, same! Like when I see an unconscious person walking on their own two feet if led by someone, my brain starts chanting "it's a drama it's a drama it's a drama"

Not bowing alone would've probably been counted as treason and got you killed, never mind all the rest

For me it's the way she cooked the dish pretty despite knowing a child was literally having seizures and quite possibly dying in the meantime. I love how beautiful the food looks in this show, but for that specific scene at least they should have kept it real, because it really killed the tension and all the urgency of why she even cooked that was lost.
Also, how he magically got well and woke up after two spoons of her soup. I'll never get used to this specific drama trope.

I don't think they were even allowed to look the King in the eye, at the time. Or stand at his same level or walk normal, long strides as him (perhaps I am mistaking this with Emperors tho). But they certainly could not threaten his persona - explicitly or implicitly. Even the Crown Prince as a child couldn't be touched, I believe, and the King is a lot, lot more important than him, just to put into into perspective. They were second only to gods.
I had to use a lot of suspension of disbelief for that particular part of the episode, because she would have been at least detained for stopping him and going against his order, talking back and defying him openly.

Where did you watch it? I can't find it anywhere, it seems

With one dimensional I was referring to Concubine Kang. She is obsessively jealous and spends her time plotting against Ji Yeong as if she has nothing else to do, without trying a different approach first or making sure she would really pose a "threat" to her position. She saw a pretty face and went: enemy.
And I know we need a nemesis for our fl, someone that has drama and angst happen, but it feels very... mechanic? Like, "she is bad because we need someone bad for the plot to move forward" sort of antagonist. And her backstory and whatever she has going on with Prince Je San has been so far so little touched upon that I think we got three, four scenes of a couple of minutes each?
I don't know, they really didn't focus much on the characters, if one really stops and ignores the food theme.
The other two (jester and best friend/advisor), so far and to me at least, feel very much like two living plot devices. They are basically guest roles that appear only for the very short amount of time they are needed and then... poof! Gone with the wind once again.
And King Yi Heon is based on an actual tyrant of that time and didn't exactly act as a good guy in episode 1 (and believe 2 as well) and we're told of the not-so-positive things he has done in the past and also recent times, so seeing him then acting like a pretty reasonable king and fall hard and fast for fl feels a bit off.
I know they couldn't went full dark themes and have him reedem himself through the * power of love *, but I really wanted his change to be a bit slower and less "extreme", because he really feels like a 12-year old with her at times and it doesn't make sense for a king who's had concubines to act like that. I guess it's cute on a romance level, but writing wise it's not consistent.

Not being a fan of romance, I don't mind its little presence in the show and it's been clear from the very beginning of episode 1 that food and cooking were the heart of the show (I mean, it's the literal title), but my biggest issue with this drama is the characterization of some of the characters.
Some feel very one-dimensional (concubine Kang), some (Queen Dowager, Song Jae and the jester) get forgotten half of the time and literally disappear (or appear plot-device-ly and then leave the scene again once they are no longer of use) and then we got a bunch that I feel changed almost overnight, so much so that they don't feel like the same people as when we met them the first time. I'm all about character development and character growth, that's actually one thing I look forward to in medias, but in that case, it happened all too suddenly.
The King being the main one, I'm sorry to say.
A devilish tyrant now blushes and stumbles and is just very awkward around Ji Yeong, as if he was never touched by a woman before. And I guess those romance tropes are cute, in a way? But in those scenes, he feels really out of character and it takes me out of the story a lot.
And I know that love (especially in dramas) is supposed to change "evil" characters (although he was a pretty normal, strong-willed ruler and not exactly the tyrant we were promised in episode 1) and I don't really have a problem with that, it's pretty satisfying to see when it's done right, but with Yi Heon it nearly went like that: 1) shots her with an arrow and threatens her multiple times, 2) eats a couple of dishes cooked by her, 3) falls head over heels for her and turns into a shy, blushing teenager around his first crush.
I wish they would have given a better pacing and just more time for his character to change like that.

I want this to happen more than I want her and the king to go to the future together/meet again in the future

I'm honestly looking forward for this future meeting
Like, when they kept promising each other they'll have a fair, proper competition, their second encounter was a sealed deal for me and I'll feel betrayed if that won't happen lol

I actually kinda love this poster tho
The colours, the details, the font, they convey the right vibe and one can imagine what the story is about just by looking at it

I'm not a fan of the new poster, but at least it means this drama isn't forgotten

Yes, exactly. When there are big names in the cast, it all becomes about the actor/actress, the drama itself tends to be put to the side and the ratings and reviews are so biased you sometimes wonder whether you watched an entirely different drama. You either find 1 stars or 10 stars, very hard to find a middle ground.