So much potential
I had to give this 5.x because my policy for DNF due to fatal flaws is lower than 6. I won't finish this series even though it has a lot of positive qualities. I'm happy for the female lead to actually have this lead role, as she's been working in numerous shows through many types of characters! At the same time, I don't think that the assigned actors are glamorous enough or have enough gravitas to successfully carry the shifts of the show - although they really put their hearts into it and I admire them. There was just something about most scenes that felt like they were practicing on set - so not totally convincing.I love all the red colors, the cinematography, and the music is inspiring and appropriate.
It's just that the story is so utterly predictable.
The mistakes that are made while pursuing intrigue are almost childish. I quit watching when the princess' pass was handed to the enemy, it was so stupid, it didn't make any sense in terms of the actors' role, objectives, and inside information, and it creates an opportunity for a bunch of nonsense and problems that serve only to drag out the drama. Such a choice, like several before that, just lead to more predictable and unnecessary hijinks. I chalk this up to poor writing and that's the main issue with this series.
The actors are acting deep, as if they're really involved with complex decisions and profound implications, but the things that they choose to do to further their ambitions, and the responses from their opponents are quite simple, and frankly, boring. Nothing is as complex as they behave, so the story alludes to depth but doesn't achieve the richness suggested.
How could the characters, declared to be so smart, really make continuous weak choices? We've been told repeatedly within the show that they are amazing and powerful, only because the written actions fail to demonstrate it.
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Mature actor plays child in insane grotesquerie
I cannot stand to watch this actress repeatedly cast as an unconvincing child, while there is nothing about her that bespeaks youth or innocence. It seems grotesque and clown-like to me.This was probably a bad decision all-around. She can't carry the game. It literally makes her seem like the caricatures of very old Hollywood stars who can't face ageism or loss of fame gracefully, so they go insane.
Mind you, I have seen hundreds of C-dramas, I love all types, but this casting, and watching a grown woman act petty, childish, and bratty, makes me seriously queasy.
DNF, 2 EPS and I was sickened.
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