This will probably be an unpopular review but to each his/ her own. I'm still in the first few episodes but I would have preferred Zheng He Hui Zi instead of Ju Jung Yi as the FL...I am NOT hating on JJY b ut she never changes her "look" —it seems that all the characters sh e portrayed have the SAME makeup (IDK, maybe she likes it but it n ever changes & frankly, it's getting redundant). I used to root for her but she needs to be more versatile and willing to be "ugly"/ or look different —she's a beautiful girl but she can't keep looking the same all the time. Again, nothing bad against JJY, she's a good actress but she could improve with her appearance/ makeup for various roles. This is just MY opinion. I will update my rating once I complete the series.
***UPDATE:
Finally finished the series but still decided to keep the same rating. I just can’t get over how unsuitable JJY was for the role. IMHO.
I'm a sucker for the visuals and the plot but would have appreciated it MORE if the production/ makeup (for when they were in their 40* s was more realistic), hence the lower rating.
Pleasantly satisfied with this! Loved both the FL & ML for their performances and chemistry! I thought it was a slow burn at first but realized that there had to be a buildup—“she fell first but he fell harder" trope. I loved that she's a strong woman who knows her mind and wasn't afraid to show it and he, in spite of his mistakes earlier, strove desperately to win her back with humility and dedication. I loved how they both refused to bow down to society & their families' dictates about their personal lives. I would've loved to see more (fan service: i.e. a baby or a growing family for them, the emperor finally falling for the kind empress & the physician and porcelain lady friend having an actual wedding.
**UPDATE: Completed the series and I must say that this was a surprisingly good watch! Both the FL & ML have sizzling chemistry. My only gripe is they added a “war at the border” and killed off a couple of much liked side characters—I would have otherwise given a 10 rating.
I would’ve given a higher rating if it wasn’t such a tragic ending…I’m a sucker for happy endings. I get that it had to end the way it ended but “I “ would have preferred an alternative ending—just saying…
This will probably be an unpopular review but to each his/ her own. I’m still in the first few episodes but I would have preferred Zheng He Hui Zi instead of Ju Jung Yi as the FL…I am NOT hating on JJY but she never changes her “look” —it seems that all the characters she portrayed have the SAME makeup (IDK, maybe she likes it but it never changes & frankly, it’s getting redundant). I used to root for her but she needs to be more versatile and willing to be “ugly “/ or look different —she’s a beautiful girl but she can’t keep looking the same all the time. Again, nothing bad against JJY, she’s a good actress but she could improve with her appearance/ makeup for various roles. This is just MY opinion. I will update my rating once I complete the series.
A definite rewatch and new favorite series for me! I’m hoping for a second season so we can see more of everyone and have a conclusion to the story :o)
you can figure then out most of them on your own... he used the drug to look dead and as this all his plan, he…
Jinman using a drug to appear dead was a given especially when he appeared in the end but there’s still some unanswered details which makes it an open-ended story. I don’t mind it ending with that but I would be interested in watching a second season where there’s a definitive conclusion to everything. The series was interesting and I liked the actors and actresses portraying the different characters.
I was frustrated with (episode 7), all the rehashing wasn’t necessary—the death of Honda and Jian’s parents could’ve been inserted without having to show what was already in early episodes. I felt that I was rewatching episodes 2 & 4. I really hope that there’s a second season because there were a lot of unanswered and unresolved issues which are too many to mention here. I’m looking forward to seeing the same cast as well as newer characters in the future.
When Bale & Jin man were fighting and when Bale said he better finish the job or he’ll come after all the people that Jin Man cared about, he should’ve just taken the knife that he used and made sure by slicing off Bale’s jugular for sure IMHO …too gory but if I wanted to protect my loved ones, I would eliminate the possibility of someone who threatened them for good; IMHO
So after a couple of days of finishing this, I must confess that I’m going through a withdrawal that I find myself looking in various social media apps for any & all clips/ topics about LYF…I don’t know why I’m so vested with this series 😩 & I can’t wait for season 2 to come out.
I think Ok Taec-yeon got the short-end of this series…I watched this because I liked him in “Secret Royal Inspector & Joy” and “Vincenzo”…the writers wasted his talent —IMO 😵💫
I'm still in the first few episodes but I would have preferred Zheng He Hui Zi instead of Ju Jung Yi as the FL...I am NOT hating on JJY b ut she never changes her "look" —it seems that all the characters sh e portrayed have the SAME makeup (IDK, maybe she likes it but it n ever changes & frankly, it's getting redundant). I used to root for her but she needs to be more versatile and willing to be "ugly"/ or look different —she's a beautiful girl but she can't keep looking the same all the time. Again, nothing bad against JJY, she's a good actress but she could improve with her appearance/ makeup for various roles.
This is just MY opinion.
I will update my rating once I complete the series.
***UPDATE:
Finally finished the series but still decided to keep the same rating. I just can’t get over how unsuitable JJY was for the role. IMHO.
I will update my rating once I complete the series.