roddib

Not the best and not the worst is an accurate sum-up imo. The current rating at 8.0. feels right to me.

Yes the drama gets better. I also almost dropped it at 1st ep.

I almost dropped this at 1st episode. Now at 6th, it has kind of grown on me. It's very funny in places. But just weird-meant-to-be-funny in others. I wish they had had more screening and editing from someone more critical before releasing the drama. I feel sorry for SIG when he has to fool around as a shaman - such a waste of talent. But still, the drama is not too bad overall. The main characters' backstories are given (too) slowly. I think it would have made more sense and made this more gripping if they had introduced Nam Han Joon's and Gong Soo Cheol's history in the 1st episode already.

Only the ending at the court is good. Not one of the best drama specials, would not recommend. ML is frustratingly mute.

I like your lists, thanks!

people avoid sadness. it's okay to me.

I wouldn't worry about the rating. Clearly this is not for everyone. Chocolate is similar, a beautiful and sad drama. Also palliative care setting. For me it's one of very best and most memorable k-dramas (watched twice). It's also only 8.1. in MDL.

Ep. 3 already cried during the first 5 minutes.

Chocolate would perhaps be the closest. The female lead there is also traumatized in a shopping mall crash as a kid (prob influenced by the same real life incident). It's a great underrated drama but of course not entirely similar.

List for k-dramas only https://kisskh.at/list/1xrDOlW3

I have seen enough gritty and raw crime & detective dramas - this seems to be just one of them (currently at ep. 3). Does it get better/different?

Kim Soo An has a quire a big and very well done role in Reflection of You. Not a drama that everybody loves, masterpiece imo.

I found Along With the Gods boring so didn't finish. On a side note, Kim Soo An is really good in Reflection of You.

if you dropped, it's probably not your thing. we're all different.

The moments where Deok Im makes fun of Yi San by mock compliments are rather priceless. Yi San is vain enough to believe the compliments, intelligent enough to spot he's being laughed at and baffled at Deok Im's complete lack of fear. Deok Im clearly hints that "I'm just playing this role because I'm a servant and you think that's all I am" and Yi San suspects he's being taken for ride but is disbelieving that it can be happening because he's the bloody crown prince after all!

I didn't fully understand at first watching either. I thought she was being childish, just wanting to play with her friends and not advance in her life to be a wife (albeit concubine) and mother. At 2nd watching I'm focusing harder on what their values and thoughts are, and skipping palace politics. One key is the poem they take turns citing when Yi San is in confinement. Deok Im is fully aware of her abilities but Yi San just keeps assuming he's the only one who understands the poem (although he misunderstands half of it). Deok Im says she will protect him as a servant because he promises to a worthy king. But she will not be his woman until he fully and complete shows that he compherends and appreciates who she is - regardless of societal position. She's showing Yi San that there's a mismatch between what he says about serving people and his attitude toward Deok Im. Although love how Yi San is a complex character, not a just PC softie protector.

Kim Hyang Gi - at first I thought she looked much too young to be credible here. But I was wrong. She's a stellar professional. I think she has a great future ahead.

"Viewers are hoping" for a success - def not. Nope, not with this ML - zero chances. imo. Whoever came up with the idea that he's good at romance, should have watched Cinderella and the 4 knights. Cold.

I'm just as baffled :) Is it a realistic portrayal, I don't know. But no one works that late in the evening in my country or that much on an ongoing basis. Work relationships being so dictated by many level hierarchies is just as baffling. But interesting!

Yep, I kinda cringed at the shorts too.