yellowglass

Replying to myself because I wrote "the drama itself isn't bad", which sounds meaner than I expected. As others pointed out, this is a solid show.

I don't remember all the specifics to help you out, so I'll answer what I can:

It is a happy ending for the leads and several supporting characters (not for all of them).
There is a love triangle between ML, FL and her ex. The ex, however, is never a real threat to the ML. There is a second love triangle involving FL's brother.
There is also a breakup period; however, it's mostly an external issue, not a misunderstanding or conflict between the leads. It takes them maybe 1-2 episodes to figure it out, and several more episodes to gain the king's approval so they can be together officially.
There are no good kissing scenes (just one fish-eyed accidental kiss) and the romance is lackluster. The drama itself isn't bad, but you shouldn't expect a thrilling romance between the leads.

I just finished this drama today, after pausing it for a bit. It's definitely a good watch; it has an intriguing start, a solid story and several compelling characters. And yet, the leads bored me in terms of romance. Not to say this drama isn't worth it - only that romance is not its selling point.

"I won't be a king of rebels" - loved that line too!
The girls weren't just dancing until their feet bled. I understood they were being denied food and water, and about to drop dead. Plus it shows the king's priorities: he's busy enjoying himself with dancers several days in a row while citizens are suffering. There is a scene where Eun Jo as prince says the music is so loud inside the palace she can't hear the world outside. The King is indifferent to his people and actively making them suffer (displacing them for his hunting pleasures is one example).

If I were trapped in someone else's body, basic decency and respect would keep me from "exploring" it. The ML's obviously seen a woman's body at this point, but he deems it inappropriate for him - a man - to treat dancers who were clearly expecting a female doctor. You're forgetting the timeframe/culture this drama plays out in + that the ML is a gentleman.

It's a lot - but also our guy has been on the verge of madness all through ep 1. He was about to snap not one but several times.

That's a good point!

Rant, spoilers

I'm aware not every couple has a happy ending, but I don't get our leads' reasoning. They're two people who: genuinely care, vibe well, share common interests. A break-up gives them a chance to analyze their weaknesses and learn how to show consideration and communicate. They reconnect after growing as individuals. Sounds fine, right?

They split again. It boils down to:
- I became a better person after breaking up, so I guess I need to stay away from you to be a good person.
- I am a bad person to you right now because I offered you my full support to pursue your dreams, oppressing your desire to be independent. (Any loving partner would offer support, any loving partner would honestly state their opinion on it, any loving partner would retract their offer if the other party doesn't want it)

This is a cinical oversimplification, definitely. But the author's logic honestly confuses me.

I don't like how Ayumi is handling things, but I think there's room to grow. In that case I wouldn't mind the original couple getting back together. Both have been closed off because of their personal issues. Unless they change, those issues will follow them to every new relationship. If both of them change, they could become a good couple.

I agree with you. It's true that Yeong Ran should be better prepared, but her going undercover is something that happened rather unexpectedly. Xu Yan had been lying about her background since she was a child, she knew exactly how to be and sound believable. Yeong Ran is a bodyguard, not a spy, and not used to lying.

She apologized for her lies, he needs to do the same. But I think it's also about trust. He has manipulated her and pretended to be in love all through dating and marriage. If it were me, I wouldn't easily trust him. I'd need to watch him for a while before reconciling and actually hear him say the words: "I'm sorry" and "It took me a long time to realize it, but I love you".

I agree with you. At no point did ML say the words "forgive me" or "I love you". When FL moved out, the last thing he said is: she was no more than a business partner and he never loved her, because he saw her as a gold digger from the start. And as others here pointed out, he still has business reasons to stay married - and therefore to woo her without actually loving her.

These episodes I've been facepalming at his roundabout way of trying to make up. Just say what she needs to hear the most: you're sorry and you love her.

I agree with you. While I did feel uncomfortable with JingJing's advice (as I always do when she starts treating dating as some sort of weird chess game), I don't think the FL acted out of character or unfairly. She's very rational, so an analytic approach suits her, and both candidates are aware that she still needs time to think.
I certainly like to write my thoughts down when I make any decision - I'll write down the information I have, the pros and cons and only then make a decision. It helps me recognize and understand my own expectations and feelings.

The bus was only crashing into the bike and truck at the crossing because Shi Quing delayed it trying to get off. If Shi Quing and He Yun don't force a stop or distract the driver, delaying the bus, it won't crash. So there is no need to warn the driver either.