AnicsiRoscoe

Is it the same tree as in Faith?? I was like: I KNOW THIS PLACE haha

'The ones who preserve the world are not people like me, who fight.
It's the people who protect and raise life, so that it grows in a blood covered ground.'

I really cannot agree with all the comments claiming that this drama is the worst of its kind. It has flaws, yes, but it was also highly entertaining and deeper than one would think at first glance. The quote perfectly brings across one of the aspects in the drama. If you belittle it, thinking it's just your average Vampire-Villain drama, you wouldn't do it justice. I think the reign of the Vampire just stands symbolic for a higher, blinding power, that we weak humans succumb to. It could be a dictatorship somewhere in the world today: the thematics would still be the same. Where people are afraid and unknowing, they will follow blindly and suppress the weak.

The action scenes and cinematography in this drama are really well done. So is most of the acting. I truly loved the development of characters, and that even the villains had their share of reasoning for the deeds they committed. I did appreciate the chemistry between the main couple and there were some interesting plot twists as well. Then again, there were moments so incredibly predictable, and some scenes seemed a bit forced and weird, especially to do with Gi, and sometimes Lee Yoon. The ending scene wasn't as epic as I could have been I think.
Generally I do recommend it, and I think the good things win over the flaws :)

I think that was intentional. From the beginning he was a despicable character, very weak in his decisions and merely a puppet king. He was just ruthlessly trying to keep his throne, but that was all he achieved. In the end when his right hand is dead, we clearly see him crumble and lose his mind. Personally, I thought he was the least likable character in the entire show, so they chose a fitting actor, I think.

So, after finishing it, I sort of have a love-hate relationship with this drama. It kept me on the edge of my seat at all times. The fighting scenes were superb, the acting great, the supporting characters incredibly funny, the parent-child relationships touching (Bong Soon, Yong and Ja Dol) and overall I just really loved the drama. On the other hand, episodes 2 to 6 were so utterly heartbreaking, the injustice so insuperable, that I could barely sit through them.

Even though there is a bit of light shed on the reasoning by the evil masterminds by the end, all through the show, I felt like they were flat and just purely despicable. I feel like those characters could have been fletched out more. Another thing I did not like was the noble sacrifices that kept repeating over and over again until at one point, it felt so forced, because they just weren't necessary. Iljimae's plans were thought out really well, but the execution was sometimes so amateurish, that there is no way it could have actually worked out that way. xD
I felt disappointed that the romance was left entirely unresolved, and generally I had at times the feeling that something was definitely missing to make the show as amazing as it could have been. It definitely reminded me of City Hunter, and even though City Hunter has flaws as well, it does deliver in the aspects that this show is missing.

Overall, I do recommend the show, but only with loads of tissues, a heart that can withstand torture and loss, and not too many expectations in the romance genre. Personally, I think maybe it should be labelled as tragedy as well.

I've watched up to episode 4 now, and I am so utterly disgusted by the corruption and violence of the so called 'nobles', that it makes it really hard to watch. They can get away with anything while the poor get accused for everything and have to suffer without being able to even raise a finger. I think the story is interesting, but the cruel fate just doesn't seem to stop, it's painful to see :( I know it's probably needed for the development of the story, but man, it's sort of too much...

jup, thanks :)

I do admit that Gwi looks reallly hot, especially when his robe is open showing off his body LMAOO But man, Lee Joon Gi's eyes are a well I just want to drown in. Seriously, it's like... pheww *fans air* I usually think eyeliner on guys looks a bit gay (hot, but gay), but here it's just perfection. *w*

OMG I'm laughing so much right now, those were exactly my thoughts, even after it happened the second time, I was like: Seriously??? And then, by the third, i was banging my head against the wall, like, HOW?? xD Thankfully so far, this was the only thing that really annoyed me lol (i'm at ep 12)

This sounds so depressing o.o

From what episode did you start to like it? I'm at episode 6 and it's boring me to death... I dunno if I should continue watching. I usually love dramas like this with comedy, romance and a crime sub-plot, i also don't mind chaebols that are nasty but change for the better... but despite all that I find this drama not exciting at all

I am at episode 6 and I am considering dropping. What did you like about it? I wrote in detail what my doubts are in a separate comment, do you think you could answer my questions so I know whether to continue? :(

So I didn't think I would say this, because this has such a high rating and good comments, but... I am on episode 6 and i am seriously considering dropping this. It's just SO boring. I really liked the first two episodes, I think the idea about him getting a new heart and being affected by the donor's habits and likes is such a unique idea, it would've been a great plot for a 2 hour movie or so.
But, quite honestly, I don't give a sh*t about the revenge plot with the factory and firm, all they ever do is have emergency meetings and talking about stocks and bonds and whatnot, it feels like 50 percent of screen time is given to that, and it's really boring me to death. Then 30 percent are about the hit-and-run case and, honestly, I think everyone knows by episode 2 who's the culprit, right? So no suspense here either. Some things are funny, but I wished I could feel more chemistry between the leads.

SO, big question: Is this going anywhere? will this stupid revenge end soon (I'm at episode 6) and will there be some actual action or plot twists or something, or is it likely that I won't enjoy the rest if I am already bored with it? :( I want to like it, but it seems like a waste of my time.

I didn't cry at all when her fiancé died in the second episode, but when Min Ho tapped that girl's nose, and then the flashback.... omg, ;__;

This drama is a unique gem in a bunch of stones that all appear the same. It is so original! I truly enjoyed every second of it. If you're hesitating to watch: Do it! There were so many things you wouldn't expect, which made you really feel with Ho Goo, and also Ho Gyeong and even Kang Cheol at some point. Just when you think you've figured out what happened that certain night, your view changes again. Besides that, it is just incredibly sweet some moments, and hearbreaking the next. It also dares to challenge some themes, that are usually not talked about and frowned about in Korean culture.

If there is one thing that made it somewhat confusing and difficult to follow sometimes, it's the translations/subs. I get that it is really difficult to translate a show that is airing without an official script. However, because there is such a big difference in grammar between Korean and English, for example, some scenes lose their credibility due to the translation. When in Korean there is no way to differentiate between gender, talking about a third person, when it is translated with 'he' or 'she' instead of 'that person', or 'my son/daughter' instead of 'my child', some scenes and misunderstandings suddenly don't make sense anymore. That was a bit frustrating. I would also say it is definitely more focused on friendship and growing up, rather than romance. The romantic moments are sweet, but didn't really make my heart flutter, as I would expect from a romance show. Even so, it's truly worth a watch!

Haha, yes, I did watch it, and I loved it. The misunderstandings were actually quite funny most of the time, so they can be excused :D

Ah, and if I can give a recommendation: I am sorry to say, but the English translation/subs for this drama on dramafever are very weak, compared to viki. Sometimes my player didn't work, so I kept switching between the two sites, and the viki translations were much better in my opinion. The wording sounded more natural and befitting for a historical drama. Thanks to all the translators working on the show, though :)

That ending, though... The final show-down between the prince and Choi Young should have been more epic. And then when she came back I was all smiles and like *squeaaaal* And then.... THEY JUST STAND THERE AND LOOK AT EACH OTHER. wtf??? that's not a time to be standing and staring. That's the time to be kissing. Ahhhhhh, I really wanna tell the writer and director and thing or two. That's NOT how you end such a series. My romance heart is disappointed ;'(

I really enjoyed this drama a lot, especially the beginning. I think at some point it was a bit too much of politics and treason and poisoning and going back and forth. Even though I love action, there need to be times of healing and rest as well. In that aspect, the drama was somewhat lacking. There wasn't a moment of peace in the latter episodes, which made it somewhat tiring, to be always kept on the edge of your seat. I also didn't like that the pledged brother and sister were like invincible, they could always come and go from the palace as they wished and nobody noticed, that didn't make sense. I really loved the doctor's character, though, and her interaction with the General. I just expected more from the romantic scenes in the end. Overall, a solid drama with flaws. I'd give it an 8, because I still enjoyed it a lot. I really recommend it.

ME TOO! I mean, come on, they only shared that one kiss and it was in front of all those people... Sometimes I want to smack the writers. We had to go through so much suffering until now, they should have rewarded us with the most awesome kiss in history T__T

Oh God, when she went to the grave in episode 11 and everything was finally revealed, my heart broke into a thousand pieces. That's just too cruel ;'( I never would have imagined that...