Reviews

Damn I'ma need minute to process that-..

The way the individual scenes were filmed, the acting, the characters—it was rly good. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this engrossed in a drama. Thrilling and emotional. It had everything my heart desired. Martial arts, warfare, crisis, but also emotional scenes. It was sometimes hard to follow the plot, but it all made sense in the end. I’d actually even rewatch it (if the ending weren’t so mentally devastating—I mean, literally devastating xD). In terms of C.&P. dramas, after “The Untamed” (1) and “World of Honor” (2), this might be my number 3 so far. A whole point deduction 'cause this drama was very aggressive and physically abusive, especially toward the one male lead character (toxic relationship), and that was just pretty, pretty intense. The abuse aspect was very prominent, and that can be pretty triggering (at least it was for me). But ig it just fit the plot and the characters’ traits, so I ain't gonna say more about it. Therefore, because the rest of the drama is so good, and the abuse aspect fits the plot (sadly) well, I’m still rating this drama 9/10.

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Awesome intro.

I love that they spent a bit more time with the younger actors than usual. At some point, the little ones really pulled me in and I started dreading the moment they'd become adults.The episode contextualised the surface level palace politics, relationships , and it also follows the rarely seen people of saeguks. The backstage staff aka the palace staff and how they're indoctrinated into living their whole lives only for their masters.I look forward to understanding a bit more of the main characters' motivations and goals. For now, flowers on flowers on flowers to the young cast!A random thought I had as the ending stills flashed by was, the first episode alone could have been a movie on missed opportunities and unfulfilled fate.

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one of my favorite episodes so far

Whew! That was really good. Loved the tension throughout, loved how the show did not dive into the dramatic tropes of physical violence or slut shaming. We saw some really nasty behavior from certain characters on the show, but it felt believable and not in any way like a caricature. I loved how at the very end of this episode, it's Jun Ho who emotionally breaks down from the entire situation. Genuine gut punch to see, considering how confident and self-possessed he's been this entire show. We got to see his fears over not only whether he ruined Hye Jin's life, but also his habit of always doing things his own way and wondering if that way is what ruined Hye Jin and the academy. I loved seeing him be vulnerable, especially in front of someone who is not Hye Jin!! And with maybe the last person you'd expect him to let his guard down around.Nam Chung Mi is my second favorite character after Hye Jin. She has principles and by god she'll stick to them, but not just out of a wishy-washy "oh that's not right" kind of way. She's someone who will do what it takes to get ahead because that's exactly how far she's come. So it felt even more poignant for her to turn down the offer and decide to stay at the academy with Hye Jin. Her small scene with that one annoying teacher was really great. Minimal dialogue but you could tell just how exactly Nam Chung Mi thought of not only him, but everyone else who was planning to leave. Also her sweet moment with Jun Ho's friend was very cute. Her mentioning that she thought love was a waste of time until she saw how Hye Jin cheered up just from a few words from Jun Ho, which also led her to believe that love could also be a great source of strength in times of hardship.I have full faith that the show will stick the landing, considering that it hasn't disappointed me in any of the other previous episodes.

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well Kaji fell hard & fast, even though…

well Kaji fell hard & fast, even though he is in denial & his crazy inner voice leaking out with time to time is funny but also cringe. hard to keep up the cool hot guy image when ur acting like a nut. but if i m guessing right - think Fukami has already fallen for him, that's why Kaji's quirky side isn't a turn-off. think the reason he acted coldly was cause he was afraid of getting rejected so he just wanted to avoid any type of interaction & ran. ******************************************************************now that they gonna be friends(?) with benefits idk how he's gonna keep his own emotions in check, or maybe again he is just trying to act preemptively... time will tell if i am guessing right.btw the sex scene was sensual IMO & it did what it needed to do - i am not getting why people have a problem with what we get

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Kaji is funny he has a really quirky side…

Kaji is funny he has a really quirky side to him & to me he is hilarious. personally idk what he sees in Fukami, even in his supposedly sexy appearance, i see a nerdy looking man-child. Kaji isn't just more attractive looking - he looks like a man unlike the 11yr old-looking Fukami. his personality is also lacking, which certainly isn't winning me over - while there too Kaji got the upper hand, given his quirkiness. but the premise is cute & more then seeing Kaji go nuts over Fukami, i am interested in seeing Fukami's POV. cause there no way he isn't into Kaji - ********************************************************************************side note: regarding the sex scenes, i get that it bothered a lot of other viewer's, personally i get that not every actor/production group is comfortable "going there" & this is their way of keeping it PG. personally i wasn't that invested in the couple (not at this stage), so didn't care one way or the other & the plot is more than the sex scenes, so i am fine with what we got or what we didn't...

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this was a cute ending/wrap-up to the Arthit,…

this was a cute ending/wrap-up to the Arthit, Daotok romance/story. but there was a lot of filler & i was kinda out of it most of the time (not invested). Arthit being able to hear ghosts was never really addressed & i thought that could've played some role in him ending up with Daotok, just in a way that had nothing to do with Daotok trying to find his mother's soul. more like they were connected at a spiritual level - may be reaching so never mind lol. ************************************************************as per usually most of the really fun moments involved North & Arthit's father, also is fun when interacting with his son. Johan wasn't a bad addition to the mix, but the rest r a snooze fest IMO & idk why we need them at this stage, especially Ter - dude just annoys me everytime he acts like he's had enough of North & keeps finding reasons to hit him - wanna punch him ugh -

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