Just wrapped up Episode 2, and I have to laugh at myself—just few days ago I commented here on MDL that I’d wait until this drama hit the halfway mark before diving in? 😂 Clearly, I have zero willpower when it comes to fun dramas!
So far, I’m genuinely having a great time watching it. It’s giving me major flashbacks to two of my absolute favorites—“Mr. Queen” and “Splash Splash Love.” The stories are definitely different, but I can’t help drawing a few fun parallels. Not in a bad way, though! Just one of those natural comparisons that happen when something reminds you of dramas you’ve adored.
If Mr. Queen had me rolling on the floor with full-on BWAHAHAHA moments, this one is more of a soft chuckle—HEHE kind of vibe. The comedy and quirky antics are delightful, though occasionally they feel a bit over the top. But hey, it’s still early days!
One thing I’m absolutely loving is seeing Seo Hyun in this role. This is only the second time I’ve seen her—the first being Love and Leashes, where she totally stole my heart. And now, she’s back to being adorable, charming, and just so captivating on screen. Can’t wait to see where her character goes next! 💖
➥ Bella Ciao BGM & Trivia? Finally watching this in 2025 (Better Late than Never 😉) - and I love every time Bella Ciao theme music starts playing when our Bokja Club members are up to something. Tbh, I got to know of the song only cause of La Casa De Papel (Money Heist) which released in Dec 2017. Realized that this drama had released in Oct/Nov 2017, and so technically used the song before
➥ My Man, Lee Jun Young: How cute is he in this drama! 💖 He was just 20 when this drama aired 🥹 He plays a pookie/country guy version mostly in this drama but can see the streaks of a serious/cold face that we now know him to have also shows up time and again. He is too talented, and no matter how many times and how many roles I see him in - always love everything about him!
➥ Kim Bo Ra playing Baek Seo Yeon: I really don't like a character like Seo Yeon. I know she is acting out due to some deep-level hurt that she is enduring, but still. Simply rude and not really any addition to the main plot (at least so far). Add to the fact that I have only other seen her in another work - Love and Leashes, where there too she played a rude (almost cruel/expecting royal treatment) character. Could be some of the bias from that character creeping in here too - but even if I try to forget it, I simply would have liked had this character been done differently. Makes you feel angry for no reason.
Funny Thought: Lee Jun Young's character is somewhat interested in Kim Bo Ra's character here, or rather there are no other choices otherwise. It made me think - he pursued her so hard - that she ended up being his ex-girlfriend in Love and Leashes 😅 I am weirdly joining the dots between these two! 😁😁😁
I love this drama from the moment it aired in 2020 to till date, and I know I will continue to do so. Therefore when I saw a 10/10 rated review of it by you on the home page - I had to click and check it out.
Though am surprised - but I can understand what you are going through since you just watched it. If I recall, yes - the ending was bittersweet for sure. I had also researched on the actual events of this time and realized what had truly happened.
Still, I feel this drama is so well done and executed - nothing even today even comes close, or maybe a little. The heartbreak part - I feel was minor, compared to the joy that this drama brought me and I hope others as well. I am not disregarding the sad part - but then it was spelled out in the finale episode and concluded in few minutes, that in comparison to the funny, action, political aspects of the drama, I was able to overcome the former.
I hope you to remember this drama for the good happy aspects, more than the sad one. And end up enjoying it or rewatching it time and again (I still do!)
Lol, I think the scene of sneaking into the palace in JOL was more exciting and believable.
No worries, its not a late reply. This is beauty of messaging online - we can always catchup and reply to a thread no matter how long has it been🙂
Your explanation makes me want to watch JOL - but I think I will wait. LOZH was good but not great for me, so I will wind down a bit before taking on a drama of similar genre. Plus, it has another season - which I just checked will be out by 2026 😱😱😱 - Guess will wait a while before starting it then!
(I actually have checked it out when checking C-dramas, it is always on top of the list - Top C-drama List on MDL. Also the ML looks good so that was also a bonus reason 😋)
I had to really think about it! Especially since I enjoy doing many things, but what do I enjoy solo made me pause…
Hey M! Thanks for sharing, you have some incredible solo-activities, that am sure others would also love to try. I for one do love and practice 2 and 4, will definitely see to try the others too. I wish I could hear the birds too - but where I stay it is a concrete jungle so hardly any birds - but your point makes me think I should go for a nature trail this weekend maybe! 💖
And yes, doesn't it really catch you by surprise when you are asked to share solo-activities? We all might be doing it, and never really think too much about it 🎉
This is such an exciting cast - can't wait to see this drama, when it starts! 💖 Most of my favorite artists are in it together - would be such a treat 🥰🥰🥰
So any man that even looks at a woman and treats her with respect is cheating? I don't think so. It doesn't mean…
Hey - thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. How it translated from something fictional to a personal attack on me is beyond me 😂 but am happy the way I am - and you can speculate however you want about my life from a random comment. My question was more on the lines on why this was portrayed hinted?
Anyways - I did get my answer from another MDL-er which was more helpful unlike your cross-questions and analysis of my thinking.
I understand this better now - that it is more of an entitlement that the Queen felt, and not from KD's side, though like you also said it was weird for not keeping a strict line inbetween given he is being again and again mentioned as someone who followed the rules.
OH MY FREAKS! I just realized that the actor that plays the Marquis here was in RESET!
I am still watching this drama and I was constantly wondering where I have seen the actor before. Given I do not watch C-dramas - this is possibly my 3-4th attempt at watching a C-drama, it did not click to me as it does for K-dramas, but I still had this nagging feeling.
For some stupid reason, I did not even check the MDL pages - but I just had a Eureka moment now and I confirmed it. RESET is very very special as it is my first C-drama and easily ends up in my Top 10 All Asian Drama Recommendations Till Date!
Sorry if this seems off topic or a ramble, but I just felt so good having realized this! 😅 My lightbulb came on and I had to come here and comment 😂In fact have to say the Marquis was a strong soul of this drama and I miss his scenes!
When the Queen of Dongxia recounts the backstory, is she implying that she and Zang Hai's father had romantic…
I hope so too - which is why I do not feel sympathetic to her character. Like she knew he was married and still said statements like - I will get your children to Dongxia, lets run away etc.
And while he did not action on it - it would have been better if he had completely shut/thwarted her - no boiling water, hugs and legacy books to be shared.
They did not cheat - but Idk I just don't like when dramas portray such characters and want us to feel sorry for them. Had this been unrelated to the ML's father - I would have still understood her. This was just weird.
I agree with you “Solitude can be refreshing—you just have to make sure it doesn’t slip into loneliness!…
I have added them to my reading list. I am more of a fiction person, but occasionally since I have begun the professional life, I read non-fiction as well. So definitely going to check these out next time I go to the bookstore!
So far, I’m genuinely having a great time watching it. It’s giving me major flashbacks to two of my absolute favorites—“Mr. Queen” and “Splash Splash Love.” The stories are definitely different, but I can’t help drawing a few fun parallels. Not in a bad way, though! Just one of those natural comparisons that happen when something reminds you of dramas you’ve adored.
If Mr. Queen had me rolling on the floor with full-on BWAHAHAHA moments, this one is more of a soft chuckle—HEHE kind of vibe. The comedy and quirky antics are delightful, though occasionally they feel a bit over the top. But hey, it’s still early days!
One thing I’m absolutely loving is seeing Seo Hyun in this role. This is only the second time I’ve seen her—the first being Love and Leashes, where she totally stole my heart. And now, she’s back to being adorable, charming, and just so captivating on screen. Can’t wait to see where her character goes next! 💖
가자~~!! 화이팅 ~~!!
➥ Bella Ciao BGM & Trivia?
Finally watching this in 2025 (Better Late than Never 😉) - and I love every time Bella Ciao theme music starts playing when our Bokja Club members are up to something. Tbh, I got to know of the song only cause of La Casa De Papel (Money Heist) which released in Dec 2017. Realized that this drama had released in Oct/Nov 2017, and so technically used the song before
➥ My Man, Lee Jun Young:
How cute is he in this drama! 💖 He was just 20 when this drama aired 🥹 He plays a pookie/country guy version mostly in this drama but can see the streaks of a serious/cold face that we now know him to have also shows up time and again. He is too talented, and no matter how many times and how many roles I see him in - always love everything about him!
➥ Kim Bo Ra playing Baek Seo Yeon:
I really don't like a character like Seo Yeon. I know she is acting out due to some deep-level hurt that she is enduring, but still. Simply rude and not really any addition to the main plot (at least so far). Add to the fact that I have only other seen her in another work - Love and Leashes, where there too she played a rude (almost cruel/expecting royal treatment) character. Could be some of the bias from that character creeping in here too - but even if I try to forget it, I simply would have liked had this character been done differently. Makes you feel angry for no reason.
Funny Thought:
Lee Jun Young's character is somewhat interested in Kim Bo Ra's character here, or rather there are no other choices otherwise. It made me think - he pursued her so hard - that she ended up being his ex-girlfriend in Love and Leashes 😅 I am weirdly joining the dots between these two! 😁😁😁
Though am surprised - but I can understand what you are going through since you just watched it. If I recall, yes - the ending was bittersweet for sure. I had also researched on the actual events of this time and realized what had truly happened.
Still, I feel this drama is so well done and executed - nothing even today even comes close, or maybe a little. The heartbreak part - I feel was minor, compared to the joy that this drama brought me and I hope others as well. I am not disregarding the sad part - but then it was spelled out in the finale episode and concluded in few minutes, that in comparison to the funny, action, political aspects of the drama, I was able to overcome the former.
I hope you to remember this drama for the good happy aspects, more than the sad one. And end up enjoying it or rewatching it time and again (I still do!)
Your explanation makes me want to watch JOL - but I think I will wait. LOZH was good but not great for me, so I will wind down a bit before taking on a drama of similar genre. Plus, it has another season - which I just checked will be out by 2026 😱😱😱 - Guess will wait a while before starting it then!
(I actually have checked it out when checking C-dramas, it is always on top of the list - Top C-drama List on MDL. Also the ML looks good so that was also a bonus reason 😋)
Thanks again for sharing the details!
And yes, doesn't it really catch you by surprise when you are asked to share solo-activities? We all might be doing it, and never really think too much about it 🎉
Most of my favorite artists are in it together - would be such a treat 🥰🥰🥰
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Anyways - I did get my answer from another MDL-er which was more helpful unlike your cross-questions and analysis of my thinking.
Sharing it in case you'd also like to read: https://kisskh.at/56835-cang-hai-xi-lin#comment-22331876
🕊️☮️✌🏻#Peace
I understand this better now - that it is more of an entitlement that the Queen felt, and not from KD's side, though like you also said it was weird for not keeping a strict line inbetween given he is being again and again mentioned as someone who followed the rules.
I understand how you have worded it "For elite/royal families, they don't care if the other person is married. they take b/c they felt entitled"
Just that it would a bloodbath had this happened in today's era - but yes, I see the point now.
I am still watching this drama and I was constantly wondering where I have seen the actor before. Given I do not watch C-dramas - this is possibly my 3-4th attempt at watching a C-drama, it did not click to me as it does for K-dramas, but I still had this nagging feeling.
For some stupid reason, I did not even check the MDL pages - but I just had a Eureka moment now and I confirmed it. RESET is very very special as it is my first C-drama and easily ends up in my Top 10 All Asian Drama Recommendations Till Date!
Sorry if this seems off topic or a ramble, but I just felt so good having realized this! 😅 My lightbulb came on and I had to come here and comment 😂In fact have to say the Marquis was a strong soul of this drama and I miss his scenes!
And while he did not action on it - it would have been better if he had completely shut/thwarted her - no boiling water, hugs and legacy books to be shared.
They did not cheat - but Idk I just don't like when dramas portray such characters and want us to feel sorry for them. Had this been unrelated to the ML's father - I would have still understood her. This was just weird.