semantichero

Is this as angsty as the book?

Episode 12 Director's Cut. I. AM. DEVASTATED. On my bed weeping. HOW?!?! Just.... HOWWWWW?! WHYYYYYYYYYY?!?!?!? My heart is broken.

Right?!?! That sapiosexual shite was 👏🙌🔥 on the Duke's side especially. He was a goner before he knew it. lol I definitely didn't need more skinship, just more of them together with their witty banter. THAT was their love language/version of romance that I wanted to see more of. Ah well, they will surely be missed. I will have to revisit their scenes every so often.

Me too! hahaha

Yeah I mean maybe a weeee bit of a tall order but keep in mind certain people look older or younger than their actual age so it's not completely implausible. There was obviously an air of maturity that she had being as how she was in her own life married etc., but the family could have chalked it up to her hardships before she came home. I personally know people who have had difficult lives that have aged them beyond what they should look like. Stress can bring on those wrinkles and grey hairs fast! (not that SHE was that aged, just in general)

I read a comment saying (I paraphrase) they hope he has someone more his age in his next show because here she looked like his aunt. LOL Juveniles and their silly fantasies live in the halls of MDL. If you didn't know their real life ages this would be a non issue.

I absolutely LOVED this show. Loved it and yet I had to stop short of giving it a ten for a couple of big reasons. I will probably change my rating later to 10 anyway lol Finished it a couple of days ago but felt withdrawal and didn't have energy for a spiel.

The ending. WHAT IS WITH SHOWS NOT BEING WRAPPED UP IN A SATISFACTORY MANNER?!?!? WHHYYYYYYY?!?!?! Kdrama. Cdrama it's all the same. Great storytelling, visuals etc and then just whoosh off the cliff we go?

The romance. You had two incredible actors with such fiery chemistry and did so little with it? Brilliant flashes of light and poof off goes the Duke behind some unseen drama curtain only to be pulled back out on stage to save his chica. It was weird; I understand he was meant to be a spy so his whole demeanor/persona was covert but c'mon man. The man/character is sex on legs and you underused him. I would have preferred less revenge and more romance or they do without the romance altogether. I think? Ugh, I'm so confused. I needed more screen time with the two of them. MORE!!! But then I guess it wouldn't be the show I just watched and enjoyed immensely, right? Oh wellllll

A couple of characters were just kind of forgotten about which was a bit careless. They were important and then it was "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego"?

Other than those gripes, I had a few others but I've forgotten them now (this is why I should write down my thoughts as soon as I have them. Sighhh

But all this whining withstanding I honestly just adored this show. Duke Su. Duke Su, how I wish they had done more with you. I read people complaining all he did was pose...the man was an ancient Chinese version of 007, his job was to investigate, infiltrate, save and seduce damsels and catch the bad guys all while looking cool, unflappable and immaculate... And sexy. Yes, sexy. Mmmm...Mission accomplished.

Watch the show!!!!!

Thanks for the encouragement. :) I'm on episode 10 now and loving it so far. I really appreciate the outdoorsy vibes. We're not strictly confined to palace halls and sumptuous bedrooms etc.; refreshing change, a metaphoric breath of fresh air if you will :) I am sure later there will be more indoor intrigue but for now the time spent on the grasslands is perfect!!

That filial piety is a MF. Sacrificing your everything to avenge lost ones? Honorable, but also burdensome and such a waste of a life? Only on episode two and I can tell this is going to do a doozy on my emotions. Just finished The Double ( I LOVED!!!!!) and I am here for some emotional trauma lol

NOTE: Lazy so I l copy/pasted my response to a comment as my mini review as well, with a few edits. lol

Honestly I didn't enjoy this installment that much except for his (the villain's (Kim Mu Yeol)
scenes. His portrayal of a cold ruthless g(kk)angpae was very believable. The story wasn't cohesive, the whole "gotta get the bad guys cause I promised the mother" unfortunately rang flat/insincere, most of the action was humdrum and run of the mill; Ma Dong Seok (I still love him) was just throwing the same old punches, which is a given but I preferred the villain's action scenes. Those knife fights were vicious and that man meant business. Add on that he was just so damn sexxxyyy (cough cough) haha

There was a hilarious moment when they are chasing this guy through his clothing store/warehouse that made me laugh out loud. I won't spoil what happens...

Watchable for the cast and loyalty to the series but nothing spectacular.

I totally agree. He did NOT play around. Honestly I didn't enjoy this installment that much except for his scenes. The story wasn't cohesive, the whole "gotta get the bad guys cause I promised the mother" unfortunately rang flat/insincere, and the action just seemed run of the mill; Ma Dong Seok (I still love him) was just throwing the same old punches, which is a given but I preferred the villain's action scenes. Watchable for the cast and loyalty to the series but nothing spectacular.

All the better to cheekily/flirtatiously tap her chin from a respectable distance...

Imaginations running WILD!! LOL

Came to say you were right. That scene was sublime. The tough warrior training in the rain juxtaposed with the "delicate flower" lounging in the tub. So much symbolism: her relaxed pose, his aggression, the water, the color red... loved it.

Oooooooh!!!!! ***rubbing my hands together in anticipated glee***

Yeah, their relationship feels so organic and sincere. You see and feel both of them slowly opening up to each other an there are no extreme peaks and valleys, not so far anyway, (I am at Episode 18 about to binge a few hours more). He was at first suspicious of her, then it grew to curiosity and now it is slowly blooming into something deeper. The progression and pace is so smooth and believable.

I have watched some shows where I just don't buy WHY the two fall in love/are in a relationship (looking at you AOL; I had to put it on hold because I couldn't get over my love for the 2ML haha) I know some people LOVE that show and I did too but it got harder to watch when you don't really want the two leads to end up together 😏

I first saw him in my other favorite this year, SOKP. His role, despite being important was a tad muted so I didn't really see his acting range, plus Zhang Ling He 😍....sighhhh . With this performance, has very quickly become someone I am keeping my eyes on. For more reasons than one 😆😉

LMAO!!!! Ohhh you're naughty. I like it lol

☺

Episode 17 almost five minutes in. I HAD to comment. That small tilt of his lips when she says his name for the first time...my old, disillusioned, jaded heart melted. They don't/haven't yet spend/t a lot of time together but when they do it's absolute fire. The choice of ML is perfection. His portrayal of Duke Su's growing affection, admiration and desire for Jiang Li is so nuanced, sensual, flirtatious, all without straying from his cool, collected persona. He says sooo much with his eyes and that's a talent not too many actors have. I LOVE HIM! #jailbait lol

I confess to rewinding the rain scene multiple times. Beautiful.

Now back to watching. This show is eating away all my sleep hours and I am more than okay with it.