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The reason I do not rate it higher is that I found it really derivative of other shows. Though I did enjoy it, it was pretty predictable. I usually don't care about this so much, but here it was so obvious that it distracted me from getting emotionally involved with the characters. I didn't find the characters very realistic or complex. The characters felt so much like stock characters from very other crime mystery story of this type. It's like the writers decided they wanted to write a show like "Prison Break" combined with "The Fugitive" and just went with that without trying to add any originality or twist of their own. At first I thought the references to Prison Break were kind of cute, but after awhile the similarities became tiresome.
I didn't love the characters - not even Jeong Woo. There were details about him that bugged me, so though I wanted the bad guy to be punished, it's not because I loved the hero so much. The setup for the villain really didn't make sense. The crime that is the catalyst for the whole drama was psychopathic and impulsive and really without thought or reason. He gained nothing from it and just did it because he felt like it. Then he spends the rest of the episode impulsively covering it up. And then we are supposed to believe that he magically transforms into a resourceful, manipulative character who plans and thinks enough to get away with all that he does for the next 17 episodes? The motley group of inmates was kind of funny, but too glaringly cute for this type of story and obviously just there for comic relief.
I don't regret watching this, but didn't love it. It's one of those shows where I just wanted to see the story play out even though it was mildly disappointing along the way.
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Then there is the dark serial killer storyline that is not that different in tone than an episode of SVU. It adds some drama and danger to the main romantic storyline. There is the fun superhero action story aspect where you get to see a girl getting the best of everyone and being the main hero instead of the guys. There is the slapstick gangster storyline which was funny sometimes, but sometimes not so much.
It can be a jarring mashup, but overall it is a fun show if you don't take it too seriously. If you have a low tolerance for a slightly overactive plot, slapstick humor or dark crime you might not like it. But I loved it and looked forward to each episode. It's the funnest most romantic show I've seen in awhile.
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I had a hard time watching the first part of the drama which sets up the characters and the villains because I can't stand watching bad things happen to little kids. And the villains do so many despicable things that I had an upset feeling in my stomach watching it. I almost dropped it. But after getting through the beginning, I enjoyed the middle and end of the drama. Though Kim Tak Gu is so good that he's very unrealistic, I have a soft spot for him because I like to believe that the qualities of hopefulness and goodness can actually be such a strength in life.
Though much of this is a stereotypical melodrama / soap opera with the archetypal good and bad characters and over-the-top plot, the baking story element gives it something different and refreshing. And without giving away the story, there are certain elements that didn't turn out in the stereotypical way as well -which I appreciated. Enjoyed this overall.
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There is a little bit of everything in this drama - love triangle, bromance, political intrigue, martial arts. It is a lite-sageuk - where the love triangle and romantic angst take center stage for much of the drama - not much complexity. I don't mind that so much, but the main criticism I have for this drama is that it just gives a little bit of everything and could have amped up the drama, action, bromance, intrigue in the middle and given a little less of the romantic angst. There are plot holes, storylines left hanging and potentially juicy scenes that could have been shown, but weren't. It is the type of show that makes you feel frustrated with it's characters or inconsistencies, yet compels you to tune in every week anyway. So that says something. The actors do a good job with what they are given.
PROS:
Beautiful to look at. The 2 main male leads are good and have charisma. I enjoyed the love triangle. The pacing and emotional impact of the drama starts off really strong and emotionally charged in the first several episodes, getting viewers invested in the characters and their dramatic backstories. You are introduced to a hidden king battling his fears and longing to be strong and good, a peasant with fighting skills and a noble heart, and a spunky heroine who tells racy stories in backrooms for money.
CONS:
The middle episodes are disappointing and messy with the story stalling and going in circles a bit. The characters that were set up nicely in the beginning aren't given much to do. But the ending is redeeming and rewards viewers who held on til the end. The bromance is implied, but I wish there could have been more male bonding scenes. More rousing adventure and drama in the middle episodes would have amped up the quality of this drama considerably.
But I'm glad I watched it. It was fun.
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The Pros:
I was surprisingly moved by the ghosts' stories that are introduced in each episode and even cried over characters that were introduced in just that one episode. I got into the main romance and felt their heartache when they separated and ended up binge watching it into the early morning. So Ji Sub is really good as Joo Joong Won. There's something really likable and charming about him even when he's acting rude and standoffish. He was the main thing I looked forward to watching on screen. Gong Shil and Joo Won have good chemistry especially considering how crazy it is that these 2 characters would fall for each other. The supporting characters were nice to look at as well. The mystery kept me guessing. The romantic storyline is predictable but the actors are so good they really make you feel for them.
The Cons:
The reason I don't rate it higher is that I think the plot stalls a little towards the middle. Some of the scenes seemed kind repetitive at times. But that didn't really stop me from caring about the characters and enjoying it til the end.
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Jeon Ji Hyeon is my favorite thing about this drama. Cheong, the mermaid character is strong, endearing and so funny. Lee Min Ho's con artist character is likable as well. Joon Jae seems similar to characters he's played in other dramas - kind of arrogant, charismatic and, underneath it all, a good guy. But I like him best when he is acting cute and happy. They are both so good. There is a reason they are so popular. Though this is mostly lighthearted, the sad emotional moments are stirring as well. I found myself laughing out loud (especially in the first half of the drama), crying, and swooning over the beauty and adorableness of the stars. Each episode is a visual treat.
The supporting characters are fun to watch too. The relationship between Joon Jae's roommates and the mermaid's friendships with the eclectic characters she befriends are sweet and satisfying. I enjoyed the little bit of Ocean's 11 feel with a couple of plot points that took me completely by surprise. The pacing is good with each episode revealing something new. The storylines don't get overly dragged out or complicated as they often do in dramas. The flashback scenes are a little too frequent and there may be things you can nitpick about some story details. But it is such a pretty and fun ride I can easily overlook it. This drama does what romance should do - leave your heart feeling warm and melty.
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The romance and friendship was more developed and feels more real this season. Where the first season was fluffy and fun, the second season is a more angsty with a little less attention given to food. This drama is likable and entertains on its own but i think it appeals more to fans of the first season who want to see more of Dae Young's character. I love his character because he is an everyday guy - someone who'd be fun to hang out with, always there to help his friends when they are in trouble, and always ready to give his opinions on food.
Though I enjoyed this overall I preferred the first season because the supporting characters were more entertaining there. The supporting characters here never really grew on me and I found myself always wanting to fast forward to see Dae Young, Soo ji, and Sang Woo instead. I found myself annoyed by the meddling of the grandma character and was really turned off by the landlady and Joo Seung characters. If they hadn't taken up so much screen time I would have rated this drama much higher. The mystery sub plot was particularly unappealing.
Still, overall I'd recommend this to food lovers and romantic comedy fans. The friendship, romance and delicious food scenes make up for the weaknesses. I iiked the main story and characters enough that I might even rewatch it.
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The romance builds slowly and organically. In fact halfway into the drama I was perfectly satisfied that this was just about friendship and food and being single. So as the romance started developing I was taken by surprise and delighted that they could so deftly work in a cute little romance and love rectangle into the show. Though the plot takes its time, I never felt bored because it is more about the people and the food than about finding out what happens next. And many scenes stand on their own as entertaining eye candy which makes it a good rewatch drama for me.
I loved all the characters but especially the 2 male leads. Yoon Doo Joon as Dae Yeong is so quirky, funny and likable - boundlessly nice but unpredictable and somewhat mysterious. I love his didactic food sermons and want to be his friend. Shim Hyung Tak as Attorney Kim is hilarious as the vain but endearingly heartsick boss. He is such a funny character - so handsome, yet ridiculous and lovable in his own way. He cracked me up.
There weren't any moments where I felt frustrated or annoyed with the plot or characters as I do when watching most dramas. There is a small mystery thriller sub plot worked in to provide a little extra drama. And I enjoyed this. It is handled lightly and not taken too seriously, but keeps you guessing.
Now I'm going to watch the sequel.
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I forgave plot holes or inconsistencies much of the time because it was so enjoyable to watch, but towards the end it fell apart and the actions of the characters didn't make sense to me. As a whole the events at the end didn't hold together to tell a cohesive or rewarding story. If only it could have finished as strongly as it started, I would've given it a 9 or 10. But still I'm glad I spent the time to watch it. It was worth it and it had me hooked to the last episode which not every drama can do.
Now that some time has past and I've watched many more dramas since, it still holds up for me as a great romance despite it's flaws.
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Some small complaints are that the secondary storylines were not as entertaining as the main storyline. The pacing is a little slow. It feels like a leisurely stroll not boring but it could have been a little snappier. I didn't enjoy the gross out bodily humor. I don't think it added to the comedy. It just made me feel grossed out. But these are small things compared to how much I enjoyed the main romantic storyline. Romantic comedy lovers will really like this drama.
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Some of the interaction between the couple- particularly in the first part - seemed repetitive. The plot felt kind of slow for me at first. But once it got going there are some really charming, funny and romantic moments in Secret Garden that makes it all worth it. The body switching provides some light fun. Joo Won and Oska are really endearing and funny characters. The relationship between the 2 cousins is heartwarming. Joo Won is somehow arrogant, funny and lovable all at once. It is worth watching just to enjoy these characters. Overall it is really charming, funny and romantic and worth the time.
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If you are worried about the length of the drama, that is not a problem. It goes by so fast, because each episode has so much plot going on and you just have to keep watching the next episode and the next to see what happens. After the first 20 minutes the plot was well underway. It didn't take the first 3 hours or so like many other dramas to get going. I was thoroughly hooked after 20 minutes.
Having said all that, Empress Ki is heartbreakingly flawed. I don't have a problem with tragedy if it all makes sense. But the plot went crazy during the last third of the drama. I felt cheated because we were led to care for these characters in the first 30 episodes and in the last part we are just tortured by having to watch bad things happen to them over and over and over again. Character and relationship development came to a halt. Nyang's feelings and motives become ambiguous because we don't get to see her with the King or the Emperor anymore. She is just dealing with all the plot twists for most of the last part of the drama. Alliances keep shifting and the plot turns become almost repetitive. How many times can we see a character being tortured before it loses emotional resonance? The drama is no longer character driven at this point - but the characters we have fallen love with are now at the mercy of plot twists and evil characters. The over-arching revenge storyline felt rushed and anti-climactic. That was supposed to be the main conflict of the entire drama and it is treated as just another plot turn.
The thing I hate most is that the main characters aren't given enough screen time together to keep up with the relationships that were developed so well in the first half. The scenes where they are actually together and interacting are really sparse in the last part of the story. The actions of even the most beloved characters were frustrating and hard to swallow.
But still I Ioved the characters so much by this time I had to see it through. After watching it to the end, I feel like I have been strapped down in the imperial palace's torture chamber for the last several episodes and feel pummeled and depressed.
Reading all the other reviews I see that not everyone feels the same way about the last part of this drama, so there is a good chance you will really love Empress Ki if you like melodramatic action historical drama. It definitely will grab you in one way or other. For me, knowing how let down I was by the second half, would I prefer to have never met these characters or started this drama to begin with? Well, I think I would probably go back and do it again. That's how much I loved Empress Ki despite it's major flaws. But I think I need a romantic comedy now to give my heart a break.
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