seimei

It's the opposite for me since I've seen this full episode before the drama. Seeing how he lives and is in real life to a gentle and soft-spoken nobility was an adjustment at first. But the hanbok definitely helped.

Yes. It's already better than most costume cdramas I've seen this year.
The fl's acting and attention to details is worth all the praises. The romantic and comedic scenes are actually sweet and funny, not cringey.
The best crossdressing drama I've ever seen. And it's not even completed yet.

12/20 I've expressed before that I liked the changes the drama did from the webtoon esp. the ironic death of the og crown prince, and now there's another one. The fl revealing the secret herself in her most vulnerable state instead of ml finding out accidentally is good because it showed all previous eps of establishing their relationship resulted to her consent and trust. The scene was done tastefully as well.

At the same time, I liked how the drama didn't change the father-daughter relationship. This drama is well-acted, all the emotional scenes were good but I was never actually teary eyed up until the father and daughter scenes esp. the king's letter and gift. Because for me, angst/death between lovers is heartbreaking, but angst/death between family is soul shattering.
The "I hope to never hear about you" as an indirect 'stay away from the palace' because she'll be safe that way was just pure pain. And the gift, it was so significant because he saw her, and probably thought it would go well with the shoes.
The sibling talk was good to see as well. Hoping the half brother isn't bad because the cousin was already disappointing.

On a lighter note, when ml started talking about taking care of fl, having a job, food, etc.. I'm not saying that's a proposal, but that's exactly what I'm saying. lol And it wasn't even his first attempt.
Lastly, kudos to commander Yoon whose been protecting fl since day 1. I hope he survives until the end.

As the christian one, the 2nd wife is supposed to be the audience's viewpoint, but it was hard to root for her when she talks and acts tough to everyone (even mean to the other wives) but then plays victim in front of ml.
And the "this is what Allah gave/wanted/allowed" for everything the drama/characters couldn't explain didn't sit well with me.

Overall, it's the typical teleserye where its hardship 99% of the time, then in the last ep. everyone suddenly changes then gets along and everything gets solved.

Despite PEB's height, the drama makes it work (that scene when ml tripped and was caught by her). It's not unbelievable either as she is not the only prince on the shorter and leaner side (prince from 100 Days was also one). And like you said, she's doing good, her acting and attention to details are more than enough to make up for it.
But yes, ml is indeed tall that even the director said he had to cast the 2ml and 3ml around ml's height. lol And congrats on your article ~

Halfway through and singing praises again for fl PEB. Her acting is so good and her attention to details make scenes even better. That ending, I felt that, because the river crossing scene wasn't the only callback, it was also fl's second time watching ml walk away...

She also has such good chemistry, not just with her male costars but with the females as well. Esp. her and ml, they work so well both in romantic scenes and comedic ones. The romantic and comedic scenes are actually sweet and funny not cringey.

The pace is just right. Establishing the fl and ml's relationship is good so that it won't be strange if later on ml is going to risk everything, even his life for fl.

Anyways, I'm really glad this has 20 eps because this is the only drama I enjoy these days. It's something to look forward to for more weeks to come.

Taiwanese, and I've seen it. Appearance, sure, but everything else, nah. If the fl there works for you then good, I still stand by what I said with PEB as that 1%.
And I said passable, not perfect, or else it wouldn't fit the narrative. Even some people thought this was bl, so clearly it works.

A crossdressing drama where the actress playing a man is actually passable as a man.
I've seen quite the amount of crossdressing dramas and 99% of the time it's just a female in male style, but PEB is that 1%. From the stance, voice, expressions, down to the mannerisms, she perfectly embodies the role. I have nothing but praise for her. She is doing really well portraying the prince and princess both physically and emotionally.

I'm really glad PEB accepted this challenging role. It's good to have her back in a historical drama. And though this is going to be a ride esp. with the webtoon's ending, I'm still looking forward to the next episodes.

He was likable in Rookie Historian. I was actually more interested in his story/cp more than the leads and rooted for him to be king till the end.
While here, he was so unlikable and very much deserved those punches from fl, but at the same time made me understood his character.
I think he did well in both roles.

I've only seen her in Produce, this is my first drama of her.
She definitely has the visual to be the crown princess. Character wise, I think she will be loyal to fl. She's already catching feelings and I think she will stay by fl's side even after her identity is revealed.
At least that's what I hope 3fl to be, good and loyal till the end. Looking forward to her acting and chemistry with fl.

That reveal at the end was so good. It definitely helped ml to confess because he was ready to give up his feelings and even congratulated fl with her marriage. A marriage that will break a lot of hearts. But I feel for 2ml the most, he is about to find out that his love and his friend have feelings for each other.

And for fl's sake I want to believe the king knows and is protecting her, but the fact that he was okay with killing his own daughter before makes me still suspicious of him and his motive. I also don't see him voluntarily abdicating, so in order for fl to sit on the throne he'll probably get killed by 3ml (if he really is that assassin) or by the left minister.

On a lighter note, Bokdong getting upset that fl only took 3ml as companion at the drinking party was cute. Then when fl assured him she'll take him next time, he turned to 3ml, but 3ml is just like 'whatever'. lol

Looking forward to the selection tonight. Seems like queen dowager is interested in 2fl, but the minister of war is probably a more important ally.

Watched 12 of 25 cps this season.
Taemin x Naeun, Wooyoung x Seyoung, Joonyoung x Yumi, Min x Jinyoung, Jonghyun x Yura, Jaerim x Soeun, Henry x Yewon, Jonghyun x Seungyeon, Sungjae x Joy, Siyang x Soyeon, Jota x Jinkyung and Myung x Hyesung.

My top 3 cps were Jonghyun x Yura, Jonghyun x Seungyeon and Jota x Jinkyung.
My top 3 houses were of Myung x Hyesung. Min x Jinyoung and Jonghyun x Seungyeon.

Overall, idols are definitely more used to cameras and variety. Some cps were a good match, had chemistry and entertaining but some were just too shy and reserved.
The last season of the good old days where idol fans get nervous everytime WGM announce they have a new cp. lol

Watched 3 of 7 cps this season.
Yonghwa and Seohyun were cute.
Jokwon and Gain were funny.
Nickhun and Victoria were sweet.

Overall, I mainly watched for Seohyun, but enjoyed the other two cps as well.

My fave of the global WGMs. Both brides were pretty and both grooms were funny.
I liked both couples but I prefer Key and Ari a bit more. I liked their pre-nup photos, their cruise wedding and Key's personal mission to make Ari eat food that she doesn't like to eat. It was also funny everytime Key has to reminds himself if Ari is legal/old enough. lol

Overall, it was really entertaining. And I liked what the grooms did for their brides during the endings.

K.

8/20 and I like how the ml is not an invincible fighter. He's already a scholar and physician (plus he's nice) so if he was as good as commander Yoon it would be too perfect.
As for fl, I agree with ml, she's really cool. At the same time she finally showed affection to those close to her, her own people. She didn't have to attend to court lady Kim's hair or stay by 3ml's side until he woke up, but she did. I know court lady Kim is loyal, I just hope 3ml isn't a bad guy. If he really is the assassin during the hunt and the one behind the killings, I really hope he's not saving fl for last.

The pace is just right. It would be strange for ml to instantly fall in love with fl just because she looked familiar. From the bickering to admiring, going through life and death together to catching feelings, then realizing and to possibly confirming (asking for a hug) is just the right progression.

My fave scene is definitely fl talking back to the king like 'I told you so' and used that to her advantage. It was so satisfying because I felt bad for fl before when she looked like a liar and an idiot because the guard and the maids all lied to save their own asses.

Lastly, I'm actually really looking forward to fl x 3fl and to their possible wedding.
And still waiting for that upbeat ost, hope they release it this week.

Bonnie and Clyde ~

Regardless of the interview, it was you who assumed "fluffy romance with no depth" despite not having read the manga. So idk why you're explaining all that to me.

I was gonna reply properly, but that tone...
"Fluffy romance with no depth"?.. Okay.

I was looking forward to this, but why the triangle when it didn't exist in the manga. Her character was never jealous and mean. So the drama was really serious with the "love rival" in her bio.