This review may contain spoilers
A modern Cinderella story where the female lead takes control of her own fate
This is a classic romcom drama filled with comedy, romance, and plenty of tender, charming moments.
The story follows Seong Huiju, a wealthy young woman who, despite her status, has been denied respect and recognition her entire life. The drama takes place in an alternate universe with a constitutional monarchy, similar to England, where the themes of legitimacy, noble lineage, and social hierarchy are central. Huiju is looked down on, even by her own father, because she is the daughter of his mistress, a commoner. Although she works incredibly hard and rises to the top of her company, she is still denied her rightful place as heir. Her brother, born to her father’s legal wife and married into nobility, is favored instead despite not being fit for the job. When her father attempts to arrange a marriage for her, Huiju basically decides to take matters into her own hands and choose a husband who can give her the status and opportunities she’s been denied.
Enter Grand Prince Yi An, the regent. With the king still a child and unable to rule, as the previous king died mysteriously in a fire few years prior, Yi An holds the true power in the kingdom. However, there is tension beneath the surface, he basically disagree that his young nephew should rule, even though he clearly cares for him. Meanwhile, the Queen Dowager exerts pressure on the child king, creating a power struggle between her and Yi An because she doesn't want her son to be kept from holding the power. Caught in the middle is the young king himself, who is too young to understand the political games around him and simply wants a normal childhood.
Yi An and Huiju share a past as schoolmates, and they reunite at the king’s birthday celebration. Huiju quickly decides he is the man she wants to marry and begins pursuing him. Of course he agrees eventually, and they enter into a public relationship while secretly aligning their own ambitions. Their marriage is as much a strategic partnership as it is building their romance, with both planning to support each other even though they initially planning to divorce later. Together, they must navigate public scrutiny, royal expectations, protocol, and political factions.
It’s an endearing, easy-to-root-for the leads kind of drama. IU perfectly captures Huiju as an entitled/arrogant yet ultimately kind-hearted heiress, while Wooseok delivers a great performance as Yi An, someone cold, composed, and calculating, but with a mischievous edge and genuine warmth underneath.
The story follows Seong Huiju, a wealthy young woman who, despite her status, has been denied respect and recognition her entire life. The drama takes place in an alternate universe with a constitutional monarchy, similar to England, where the themes of legitimacy, noble lineage, and social hierarchy are central. Huiju is looked down on, even by her own father, because she is the daughter of his mistress, a commoner. Although she works incredibly hard and rises to the top of her company, she is still denied her rightful place as heir. Her brother, born to her father’s legal wife and married into nobility, is favored instead despite not being fit for the job. When her father attempts to arrange a marriage for her, Huiju basically decides to take matters into her own hands and choose a husband who can give her the status and opportunities she’s been denied.
Enter Grand Prince Yi An, the regent. With the king still a child and unable to rule, as the previous king died mysteriously in a fire few years prior, Yi An holds the true power in the kingdom. However, there is tension beneath the surface, he basically disagree that his young nephew should rule, even though he clearly cares for him. Meanwhile, the Queen Dowager exerts pressure on the child king, creating a power struggle between her and Yi An because she doesn't want her son to be kept from holding the power. Caught in the middle is the young king himself, who is too young to understand the political games around him and simply wants a normal childhood.
Yi An and Huiju share a past as schoolmates, and they reunite at the king’s birthday celebration. Huiju quickly decides he is the man she wants to marry and begins pursuing him. Of course he agrees eventually, and they enter into a public relationship while secretly aligning their own ambitions. Their marriage is as much a strategic partnership as it is building their romance, with both planning to support each other even though they initially planning to divorce later. Together, they must navigate public scrutiny, royal expectations, protocol, and political factions.
It’s an endearing, easy-to-root-for the leads kind of drama. IU perfectly captures Huiju as an entitled/arrogant yet ultimately kind-hearted heiress, while Wooseok delivers a great performance as Yi An, someone cold, composed, and calculating, but with a mischievous edge and genuine warmth underneath.
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