Klio

Okay, that makes a lot of sense. I was a bit iffy about the whole prophecy thing, but now I'm satisfied with that explanation.

That must be it. Thanks!

Ah, okay. Thanks! I haven't watched any of those but she probably dubbed something else that I did watch.

Is Zhu Yan dubbed by Ren Min? I'm sure I've heard that exact same voice somewhere but idk where.

At least it's better than the last one 😂

Finally finished it. I'm too lazy to write the whole review but I'm gonna say a few things.

I love how they portrayed estrangement between friends who were as close as brothers and even risked their lives for each other in youth. It's so heartbreaking when you think about it, but also very realistic. In fact, the whole drama was just really realistic, to the point it even became tedious at certain points (f. ex. the long business conversations when XCS set out to start his own business). However, I would say realism is still it's strongest (and best) characteristic. The acting was also exceptional on all sides.
This was not something I would usually watch and I probably won't watch something similar in the future unless someone I like acts in it (the period is just not my cup of tea) but this was, objectively speaking, a good drama.

FL will have more screentime in later episodes when she gets closer to ML. In the last two episodes I watched (23 & 24) HHL didn't have a single scene.

I guess the story revolves mainly around XCS so we're shown people who are important to him in certain stages of his life. At least that's how I see it.

This is not for those who don't like slow burn, or want lovey-dovey type of romance. I'm only on episode 22 but so far couples haven't been touching each other, let alone kissing.

With that being said, I love the story and character development so much. Watching XCS growing up and changing together with his friends is satisfying. I also like all the characters in a way that even though I dislike their actions I can see reasoning behind them. They're not annoying for the sake of being annoying.

I have a lot more to watch (so this may change), but I also like the friendship between XCS and YGH. I have to compare them to Ace Troops' characters and say that here it actually feels like they're friends, not some dudes who barely tolerate each other.

Oh, that's really helpful. Thank you!

Thank you!

I wish I could read cultural commentary after every episode because I feel like so many things are going right over my head and I'm just 2 episodes in.

The people who XCS wants to fight in the beginning are some type of gang? I think they used the terms dandies & loafers (correct me if I'm wrong) but what are they? 😓

I want to watch this but every clip I've seen of this drama is just the mother being horrible to her son and I don't think watching that would be good for my blood pressure. I already have an issue with parents-children relationships in k-dramas.

So, would the context of the whole drama make her actions in any way justifiable or is she just a horrible person?

Yeah, you're kinda right but I guess it's hard to think of alternative scenarios when all evidence point to one person. Her running away was also a big contributor to the whole "she did it" theory. As for why she ran, I guess you don't really think straight after witnessing your entire family dying.

I don't know whether it's historically accurate or not but I wouldn't be surprised if it was. In the later episodes they also mention one rule according to which girls who don't have both of their parents alive can't be Crown Princess. That's even sillier. 😅

I don't know about Korea but in some parts of Europe crippled people couldn't sit on the throne. In my country f.ex. one of the kings abdicated and gave the throne to his younger brother after falling from the horse and hurting his leg.

As for the FL, she prepared the food for her family and all of them died after eating it while she stayed alive because she skipped the meal+ there were witnesses who said she bought poison. It's not weird that people thought she was behind it. As for why she would kill them, that's not that hard to believe either. Even in 21st century there are people who kill their families instead of just divorcing/running away.

As for the fighting, I have nothing to say. You're completely right. 😂

Everything was wrapped up so nicely, maybe even too nicely, lol.

The first few episodes were draggy at times but the more I watched the more I got interested in the whole mystery they were trying to solve so I have to say I enjoyed watching it quite a bit. I also loved the characters of Crown Prince's friends and how they never even thought of betraying him despite the circumstances.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I like it, I enjoy watching it, I find Xiao Duo and Bu Yinlou to be really good characters, but I just wish they worked more on the story itself. The romance is good, but the plotty part could've been better.

I also have to mention the costumes, Xiao Duo's especially. Like damn, they're really beautiful! I thought Dylan's LBFD costumes couldn't be matched but they proved me wrong.

It took me a while to start watching this (it's been sitting in my PTW list for ages) but I finally finished it and I can confidently say that it's one of the best historicals out there. Everything, from the story and the characters, to the fighting scenes and the music, was phenomenal! Also, Bang Won's character was a treat!

If you're intimidated by the 50 episodes count, don't be. Just give it a chance!

I know how you feel. When I watched it for the first time I wanted to see what happens after the ending of ep. 2 and I had no patience so I started and skipped every episode until I found the current time storyline. I wouldn't recommend following my steps tho 😂

The story was okay and I really enjoyed watching the first half but I lost interest towards the ending and I'm forcing myself to finish it. 21 episode may be too much, 16 ep. format would've been better at keeping my attention.

Also, Cheon Song Yi is extremely unlikable. 😣

He looks so happy (and beautiful) in the photos of Sunshine by My Side wrap. I can't wait to watch him again, (subjectively) it feels like ages have passed since his last drama.