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I love Episode 11. All the dots are being connected and I'm loving how well layered the whole story is. I do tend to watch a lot of time loop and sci-fi drama, but I didn't actually expect the time loop days (already a pretty new idea) to have an explanation and be connected to all this. I wasn't as hooked onto the show with Episode 1, but each subsequent episode has lured me more and more in, and now I'm all in on the edge of my seat for this emotional rollercoaster of a ride. The soundtracks are fantastic, and I really enjoy the acting and how flawed and human characters in this drama are, including Ding Qi and so many other great ones. This is a definite must-watch for sci-fi and/or thriller fans. Also I'm not a fan of action, but I really find the fight scenes with BJT well-choreographed, especially, the hand-to-hand combat is very fun and exciting to watch. I sincerely hope the story wraps up everything nicely and keeps the great pacing until the end! This deserves more attention.

It's probably cause of her unusual personality (lacking empathy, manipulative) and the time she attacked that prison guard. She's considered too dangerous to be fully left alone by the court.

I wasn't really liking this drama until Ep 11, cause it felt like a slog to get through as it was moreso one-sided and tropey with the ML falling too fast for the FL. Also, too much screen for the 2ML and 2FL couple which are uninteresting and problematic, but I still loved seeing the two busy professions of doctor and police collide through rescue missions, joint efforts, and individual plots. Now that I'm on episode 18, I've been hooked, as I'm finding such a healthy and adorable relationship between the ML and FL. They're mature, capable, and communicate with one another, all while being open about their confusion about expressing themselves in their first formal relationship and the limited time they can make for each other in their busy schedules. They don't judge each other's faults and overall have a really fun relationship, filled with so much teasing, testing the waters, learning each other, shyness, and banter on both sides all reminiscent of the beautiful and nostalgic nature of a first relationship.

I think it was such a perfect idea for them to act so naturally in their roles, and even the fact that the FL uses no makeup really makes her feel realer as a doctor that's single-minded and devoted to medicine and saving lives over superficial appearances. I really, really love how talented at expressions both BJT and MSC are, and there is so much chemistry between the two. Mi Ka reacts like a normal girl, and her smile and laughter really make me laugh and smile along with her. I didn't even think they would work as a couple, but I'm now having a blast with this drama. I HIGHLY recommend pushing through the first 10 episodes or so if you still really enjoy the storyline. That ONE scene in Ep 11 first sold them as a couple and it's just gotten better since. They feel so naturally perfect with one another, and it's refreshing to see a modern drama feeling so authentic without pointless drama or conflicts.

Ep 30-34: Still don't like the 2ML/2FL, but the third couple, and many other characters have really grown on me. However, these sisters are so infuriating, and I hope they don't stay longer.
Ep 39-40: Perfect finale. I didn't think Mi Ka could get any cooler, but then she did. No boring moments at all. These two are seriously perfect for one another and it's been a blast to watch them change from the moment they awkwardly acted together at the beginning to how free and comfortable they are with each other by the end.

Yes, but I think it's just really badly shown in the drama. I've been reading a little of the novel and I'm enjoying those later parts a lot more with the politics and rebuilding. Seems like the serious parts of the novel were just not adapted that well.

This drama mainly shines through very well-written character development for main couple and side characters, an incredible cast, cinematography, and well-placed soundtracks. The track sung by BJT is really great, and this is also one of his hardest performances. Gu Jiusi is such a complex, interesting, and fun character with many sides from his sincere views toward women and love, to his confident and carefree attitude as a playboy, to a charismatic, cruel, and intelligent hidden nature revealed in challenging scenes like the whipping, gambling, wars, desert, and shiver-inducing speeches that BJT pulls off effortlessly. The FL (Song Yi) did almost make me drop this at the start with her bland acting, but I later realized it was very purposeful. Over time, she does bring out the large growth of her initially empty and one-note character with many standout and emotional moments as she finds her path in life and the FL herself becomes very independent, powerful, free-willed, brave, ambitious, etc.

First half is a 10/10 for me as a lighthearted romantic comedy that makes you care about all the characters while building the ML and FL’s loyal, trustworthy bond through meaningful and well-written moments. I really didn’t expect to like them as a couple, but their open, loyal, and caring dynamic quickly won me over. BJT plays yet another green flag ML to perfection. With no annoying misunderstandings or drama, it becomes clear they’re a perfect match as they're both smart, capable, and kind yet ruthless and brave when needed. Even without exchanging words, they see through each other's plans, and scheme and lie for one another when needed. They influence each other in very positive ways seeing the ML teach the FL to care for herself, be more free, selfish, and embrace her joys of the world despite her family background, while the FL directs the ML’s unique talents onto the right path as a hero, giving him a much needed sense of responsibility. The first kiss is so unique and great.

Unfortunately, the second half is like a 7.5/10. The pacing is poor and the politics feel really repetitive and rushed, likely due to cuts from the novel. While the ML and FL still show excellent character growth and deliver cute and emotional scenes, the overly serious and cliche politics drag it down. The schemes aren’t that entertaining, and by the end I was only watching mostly for the strong character developments.

I'm sure you'll be satisfied with the later outcome!

Things get very heavy and intense in a couple episodes from where you are. Also I felt the same about the FL's acting, but then she has a lot more intense moments for her acting to shine as the drama goes on. I think her playing her character so stoic and serious at the start is just part of her character, because she continues to grow and excels in so many great moments later.

I don't really understand your comment. Do you not agree with my complaints? Yes, you're right about her exploring her family while the ML focuses on finding the killer and saving himself. But she is trying to be a force of change, from the moment she starts interfering in the past to give her mother a better future.

This drama has made it to one of the TOP of my 10/10 dramas list. Perfect mix of comedy that made my cheeks hurt from laughing coupled with romance that gives me butterflies, and historical, life and family plots with long-lasting life lessons! Easily the most comforting and wholesome drama I've seen in a long while. Please IGNORE the spoiler comments below that call this misandry. The men in this drama aren't only hated and unfairly treated as many claim. This drama is about females creating real change and learning to be the the master of themselves in an environment where common prejudices won't let them. There's lots of hilarious antics and emotional moments between all the well-developed couples. I had some problems getting started from Ep 1, but I was hooked a few episodes in once I couldn't stop laughing. It's likely I'll never again find anything as magical as this, but this is a comfort drama that's worth watching or rewatching on any happy or rainy day.

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You CANNOT get a better large cast of actors for this kind of women empowerment storyline. Actors carry with their best in every scene with so, so much talent and chemistry with one another. From the first episode to the last, you'll get to witness an incredible hilarious, emotional, and life-changing journey of women banding and supporting each other, real brotherhood, harsh imperial decisions by an emperor sacrificing for the people, and so much great romance between the couples with a perfect emotional sendoff to the bright future as life changes. Every character has complex development, and even the villains aren't just treated as purely evil, but as regular people who made awful choices. The drama even addresses postpartum depression which is something I really think people need to know more about. At first, I even found Li Wei really annoying (alongside Song Wu who I disliked for much longer at first), but it's really shocking to see her personal growth as she becomes sophisticated, and finds her ambition keeping true-to-herself alongside many of the other amazing women in this drama. She pairs so well with the ML (BJT) who is one of the greenest flags ever with so much love and care for Li Wei despite his cruel political side exposed in political battles with his brothers. Every moment between the two made me smile (especially the passionate kisses) and it's great to see how they're so smart and capable but really lovable at the same time.

I feel like you can't put yourself into the shoes of other characters.

So it's wrong for a guy to be good-hearted and kind to the girl he loves? I don't even see what you mean by the FL getting jealous, because what else would you feel when you finally made a promise to monogamously marry, stay, and become the wife of the one you love and then a surprise wedding is suddenly dropped on you without a real explanation? Of course, the ML had to explain the reason for it, and she's very understanding.

Also about the ML getting jealous which happens very shortly somewhere in the last 10 episodes, the FL just didn't realize that was the case. She literally misunderstood that he knew about her connection with the chef, and he did act childishly compared to her. FL never insulted Yuan Ying the way the ML insulted her cooking. They still easily patched up by apologizing to one another. Also about her mom seducing her father, it was before she was born, and it's not exactly deceit. Her mother just impressed her father by playing the hero, and it's only played for laughs.

I honestly haven't seen any problems with how the women deal with men in this drama, but it seems like you don't try to understand from the perspective of the women.

I don't think you can put yourself into the shoes of other characters.

So it's wrong for a guy to be good-hearted and kind to the girl he loves? I don't even see what you guys mean by the FL getting jealous, because what else would you feel when you finally made a promise to monogamously marry, stay, and become the wife of the one you love and then a surprise wedding is suddenly dropped on you without a real explanation? Of course, the ML had to explain the reason for it, and she calms down quickly after Yuan Ying talks to her.

Also about the ML getting jealous which is like the last 10 episodes, the FL just didn't realize that was the case. She literally misunderstood that he knew about her connection with the chef, and he did act childishly compared to her. FL never insulted Yuan Ying the way the ML insulted her cooking. They still easily patched up by apologizing to one another. Also about her mom seducing her father, it was before she was born, and it's not exactly deceit. Her mother just impressed her father by playing the hero, and it's only played for laughs.

They didn't want to marry him in the first place. Did you not watch the drama? He kept on pitying the women, and then forcefully marrying them without even asking them if they wanted to be with him. Only Haitang had to be married to him for an alliance, but in Xin State, it was common knowledge for men to own women so it's very shameful for their reputations if they denied their owner. It's true that they lived off him, but it's good they were able to finally find the courage to leave and they did pay him completely back. It's never too late to make amends. Seems like you dropped before that point though.

Yin An was just not a faithful husband and did not deserve to impregnate one of his wives. He broke all his promises to all his wives by continuing to take on more and more concubines, and he wouldn't even care enough to remember their names. He had no respect or real love for his wives, and he was just owning them without even letting them have the decision of being with him. Why would they not revolt against that?

I honestly haven't seen any problems with how the women deal with men in this drama, but it seems like you guys don't try to understand from the perspective of the women.

I feel like you can't put yourself into the shoes of other characters.

Yin Qi was beaten by Shangguan Ying because he did very stupid things at first, and it's understandable because she comes from a culture where females are dominant so she doesn't know how to control herself. That was literally the point, that she was alone and new in Xin State, but Yin Qi wanted to abandon her after marrying her to take concubines.

Yin Song's wife also didn't deserve what Yin Song did to her, because she was a faithful wife. Yin An was not a faithful husband and did not deserve to impregnate one of his wives. He broke all his promises to all his wives by continuing to take on more and more concubines, and he wouldn't even care enough to remember their names. He had no respect or real love for his wives, and he was just owning them without even letting them have the decision of being with him. Why would they not revolt against that?

No, it goes by fast once you're hooked a couple episodes in

Definitely more passionate that I expected.

1. Yeah Yuan Ying is really smart, but she's too capable and competent to be tied down as a wife in inner court. She's way better off going back and becoming an official. Her goal is to train the FL while she's with the ML. The marriage between the three looks okay, but Yuan Ying and the ML are only teammates not lovers
2. Well it's a historical drama. When women are given no freedom other than to be married off to men that choose them, it's obvious there's going to be a lot of concubines. An didn't deserve to get any of them pregnant and needed to repent first
3. Why the ML's birth mother wasn't able to care for the ML is explained later down around ep 28 and it's not really her fault.
4. Well the FL loves the ML and wants to be with him...

Sweet, simple, and light-hearted. Mainly enjoyed interactions between the two FLs and the love line of Tian and Ye Wen for which BJT takes all credit with his whimsical self that hilariously plays off the FL's serious personality. I couldn't bring myself to connect with any other characters. More scenes and romance between BJT and the FL would have been best for me, since the chemistry between the two is really great. There were unnecessary plots and the drama feels very rushed towards the end, especially with the abrupt but decent conclusion the love line got. Couple unanswered questions. The poor script and writing brings the rating down a lot, but the main cast did their best.

Additionally, I really think the western music that would play whenever the ML and FL meet is a little off-putting. It would have also been better for BJT and the FL to act out their younger selves in the drama, since the actors playing their younger selves look really different, and have a lot less chemistry. I really disliked seeing the backstory break the immersion for me. I think The First Frost did this so much better by having BJT and ZRN play their normal and highschool selves. 7/10

Another of BJT's versatile and impressive performances! Like others have said, I cannot imagine anyone playing San Shuang better than him. He's so hilarious and adorable as a goofball, but then there's serious moments where he's there for people, and you can sense how much sadness he hides behind his smile. Also haven't seen a ML this open with his feelings towards a girl he pursues. Janice Wu's chemistry with him is great and the chemistry between the whole cast. Great picks for all the hilarious elders. The storylines were great and so was the bond you can see forming between the ML and FL even through all their couple bickering, but I most appreciated the ones about their families like her grandma and his grandpa. Such great families that made me cry for them. I do just really hate how easy his dad got off, because that's not a person I could ever forgive. Feels like they rushed his conclusion since they had to end the drama, which drops the rating for me. 8/10

I almost didn't watch this cause of the other comment, but their comment is very misleading. The ML is really open about his feelings towards the FL as he pursues her and it's obvious the FL likes him too from the start, but she's just very stubborn about admitting her feelings cause he can be a dork. The way she teases and plays with him is pretty adorable, and the chemistry and growth between the two leads is great to watch. Very satisfying conclusion to their love line too. Just don't expect anything more intimate than hugs between the two.

The slowburn build-up between the ML and FL until ep 34 or so is not even that bad, but then the end has an unnecessary and annoyingly over-the-top and poorly-written revenge plot that catapults into one of the worst cliffhanger endings I've seen. Writers completely chickened out on the main thing I was looking forward to seeing in the family drama. Also I'm really surprised with how the writers seem to have only brainstormed that head-on-the-shoulder moments are all you need in a romance drama. Only watched this for BJT whose acting is still commendable compared to everything lackluster and horrible in this excuse of a story

How would you say it's better?