The story was very long winded and very emotional, I found myself crying quite a bit in this drama, omg the feels. However the end, even though happy it was also tragic and I felt that all that suspense, all that drama led to nothing. If the writers wanted an ending like that they could have made it that happy ending a long time ago except without all the angst and blood.
I loved the main couple even as ill fated as they were, but they changed so much character wise, with all the pain they had to deal with throughout the story. I couldn't really reconcile them with the happy carefree couple they were before.
The OST was amazing, I'll definitely listen to it again.
This is a great drama with great actors and a great story, however, it is full of pain and angst and a part of the plot feels like it just gets dropped at the very end. This is a classic must watch for any kdrama fan.
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The drama’s greatest strengths are its cast and well-written characters.
Moon Chae Won was utter gorgeousness in hanbok. Her character, SeRyung, was inspiring as a woman in Joseon Korea full of integrity, strength, and grace.
Park Shi Hoo demonstrated his acting has improved leaps and bounds but I do wonder what a better actor would have done with his role of Seung Yoo.
The secondary love story between the ex-Princess and her arranged husband was predictable yet so tender and lovely. Hong Soo Hyun is someone that I will be looking out for.
Also, Prince Soo Yang, Se Ryung's father was my favorite character. Terrific acting from him as well, in fact, the highlight of the show. He was not a black and white villain but an intricately written one with many shades of gray that made him stand high above the other characters, who are great in their own right.
Highly recommended period drama that is a great love story and that realistically depicts family life, friendship and the loss of innocence in Joseon Korea.
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Messy Story, Unlikable Characters
I honestly didn’t enjoy this drama. It’s not beautifully made - the story felt messy, and most of the characters were unlikeable. I couldn’t connect with either the male lead or the female lead; both of them were frustrating to watch.The female lead was especially hard to like. She defies her father and doesn’t care about her family. She didn’t even try to understand her father’s side or why they had to do what they did. It’s politics - if her father’s party didn’t take action, sooner or later they would have been the ones to perish. That was clearly explained to her, yet all she thought about was love. As far as I know, during that era, family was the most important thing to people, especially among the nobility. Her actions felt unrealistic and out of place for the setting. I actually started to hate her for hurting Myeong’s feelings. He didn’t deserve that kind of pain, especially since he showed genuine care and loyalty.
As for Seung-yoo, I didn’t like his character either. He wasn’t compelling or sympathetic enough to make me root for him. Meanwhile, Myeong could have been the most interesting character, but the writers didn’t give him the depth he deserved. They should’ve explored his story more — maybe built a strong bromance or shown him slowly winning the female lead’s heart.
But even Myeong’s character was inconsistent. He kept holding back - if he really hated his friend, he should’ve acted on it from the start. That hesitation made his story feel incomplete.
Overall, this drama was disappointing. The story could’ve been powerful, but poor writing and unlikable leads ruined it for me.
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And this drama does a wonderful job telling us the story of Korea's Romeo and Juliet by giving us lots of great moments...but overall I felt there were times the drama slipped into a lull. It got boring around half way through and took a bit to pick things back up. Plus I thought there was a lot of "back and forth" with some "rinse and repeat" going on with the plot, if you know what I mean.
HOWEVER! Since I loved this couple so much and because--overall--I really enjoyed this drama, I went ahead and gave it a 9 rating. I think there are better quality sageuks out there but this is still one of the best.
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Heart-wrenching
LIKEUps and downs between Se Ryung and Seung Yoo especially after Se Ryung's Princess title changed
DISLIKE
Probably what happened to Seung Yoo in the end. Se Ryung just led a difficult life caused by Prince Su Yang
MUSIC - personal fav
One Day of Love - Park Wan Kyu
REWATCH VALUE
Five for now
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The characters are unique and have their own back stories. You really get to know each of them and understand the choices they make, right or wrong. The acting was top notch. It was marvelous to see how Park Shi Hoo's character changes throughout his hardships. This drama allowed us to see PSH's acting skills. Song Jong Ho was also great, so was the third friend. It's a great drama for those like to have a mixture of thrilling action and romance. Would definitely want to re-watch this sometime.
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LAZY WRITING, AGAIN!
Why they always ruin a great show in the finale? Another lazy writing, at least in the finale. They had 24 episodes to finished it the right way, but no, let's do some stupid stuff. I honestly wouldn't mind if all 3 died. Why? Because at least that would make sense. Also, how on Earth is she was pregnant? They had one night together, and he left her for MONTHS! Are they never read anything about pregnancy? 3 or more months are not 3 weeks! Don't ever tell me the morning sickness is happening after 3+ months. They wanted them to have a kid just because the sake of it? Also, He had many times to kill the King, but no, why would he, right? Not to mention that everything was perfect with his army until the last half of the episode? A totally random guy just betrayed them? The whole show was so great till the finale. Anyone who says, this show is perfect is just another blindfolded fan, nothing more. The writers literally throw away everything they build. I don't mind the happy ending or even the sad ending with them dying with their kid, but I hate lazy writing so much!Was this review helpful to you?
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Many inconsistencies, focus on side plots spoiled the watch experience
Though this is an old drama ,I happened to watch only recently. As an avid lover of period dramas, i started watching this the moment i found it has good rating on IMDB. The initial episodes were very interesting but the romance breaks right from 4th episode or so. Then the total focus is on politics, revenge , bloodshed and more bloodshed made me lose interest. Still I completed watching it.Plus points- Good acting by all the actors and good locales. Park Si Hoo sizzles in his role and is very likeable. Actor playing Su Yang evokes sympathy with his emotions display. Sok Ju( the guy with long mane) is another interesting character.
Minus points( In my opinion) Too much focus on sub plots, too much blood shed, Too many characters, less focus on the main lead's romance etc.,
1. Why does the Crown prince wears the Red robe instead of the blue robe worn in other dramas? Both the original Crown Prince and Su Yang's son wear the Red robe
2. When the Se ryong akes the arrow protecting Seung Hu, why nobody suspects it? Her father just stands and stare but doesn't rush to her( he has just taken an arrow but has an armour)
3. When the assassins kill Kim Jong Seo and slash Kim Seung Hu multiple times with a sword , he still.survives without any medical treatment and comes to Su Yang's house. In fact, he is injured multiple times but survives miraculously while others die instantly
4. In the end when Se Ryong takes the horse to go and tell Seung Hu about the plan, why don't the soldiers follow her on another horse. Did they have only one horse? It defies logic. It was much easier to follow her and locate Kim Seung Hu instead of venturing into woods and getting ambushed. In fact almost in every fight scene, the royal soldiers get killed by the rebels even though they are large in numbers. Are their skills so inferior?
5. Seung Hu roams freely in the capital and nobody notices him?
6. At the end Seung Hu is declared dead and taken for burial. How did he survive?
How did he lose his eye sight?
7. The background music seems familiar. Remember hearing it in some other film or drama( not korean)
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