So first off, this is not a drama for the faint hearted. This is a all in commitment. Initially I was hesitant on the first 3 episodes.. then it started to draw me in and as story unfolded I loved it. It so rare that you get a drama that sucks you in and you are waiting impatiently for the next one finding yourself day dreaming about what’s going to happen next, putting the puzzle pieces together :) it’s an all in fun ride.
You really have to pay attention(especially the uncles evil schemes in the beginning) he is ssoooo evil and did it sooo good) and there’s other side stories.. (which do not take away from the main story but add to it.. ) it should have been 17 or 18 episodes but they wrapped it up nicely in 16. Certain people are fundamental to the story and when you get the flow you start to see how deep/good it really is.
I didn’t get the romance at first.. but then I realized; the King saw the FL as his champion at a very vulnerable sad time in his life and as “she” had saved him from death and killed some of the traitors. She was larger than life to him and I’m sure that looking at her picture everyday... after a while he probably felt like he “knew “ her.
So. when he sees her ; It’s like a long lost friend/savior who means so much to him. Also FL is kind of tough. She’s not a damsel in distress (which I love:) , So until she knows him and can trust that he is for real about his story and his feelings toward her. She’s not gonna give him an inch. Obviously she is somewhat interested in him because she spends time with him and listens to his story (at first she thinks he’s nuts and then she starts to research different things that make her question her reality) I loved that she did that and then you see the wheels in her mind turning and things making her REALLY question that lead her to answers .. soon they are thinking out loud together .. so one more thing about this relationship he’s a really smart wise compassionate capable strong good looking man who is not about power..but about justice.. what’s not to love in him:):):D Omo.. also loved loved his horse :) he was beautiful

Let’s face it, there’s a lot to consider and the writers tried to give you an authentic point of view from the characters personalities Sometimes when we watch dramas we take it for granted that everyone accepts the impossible slightly implausible crazy story that two worlds that are similar parallel and exist.
I liked that FL really did her due diligence and she has a smart mind so the gathers her info. When she accepts that he is authentic and honest with her and she realizes that he is what she has been looking for, she commits to the relationship. I liked the romance, it wasn’t a “needy” relationship it was a “i really like you wanna get to know you but I still have a job a family and a life.(aka I’m a King..hehe) .how do we manage that?” Kind of romance.
Then throw in a REALLY evil homicidal uncle who replaces people from each world ( people swapping killer,) close friends/protectors workers/palace people/ and you got a fun ...all out ....what’s gonna happen next story. Also humor was thrown in so it had some really funny moments :)

The FL as a co- and all her people were excellent and the King in his world with all his people were excellent.. to have friends and people like these in your life really made the story about them all:)

Like I said not for the faint of heart. But the story really comes together and you realize the main couple are in love and they’ve never been in love, /so they are finding out not only about each other but they and others are also threatened and have to save/protect/ figure out the next step in the tine line and solve the chaos in the past somehow.
I thought each actor was really good. I love the Main leads and have seen all their dramas. I must say they have matured and I loved them and totally got their relationship, because it’s not easy to date Fall in love, keep in touch and save two worlds. Once she committed she totally committed ..(it was sweet)

The other leads (FL best friend who is in love with her.. Kings right hand man , nice Uncle , Grandmother ) (I totally LOVE the grandmother.she is the icon for all grandmas in k dramas) I thought all were really good.
SPOILER ** The ending was perfect. It showed you how well the leads understood each other/worked well and independently and did what needed to be done ; how things changed and ended up...(a few of them I LOL’d how they changed)
Once the FL got the gist of how things were panning out she was way ahead of the game and started to work out how she needed to proceed (a woman with a tactical mind herself) and the ML respected her ..her job , independence and her intelligence. You just knew they were gonna enjoy life together:)

Soooo.. what I’m saying is the drama is done you can binge watch it and have fun.. if in the first 4-6 episodes you don’t connect... no harm done but I am so happy I watched it and will rewatch some of the episodes again

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Not your typical “into the book” adventure ..sooo much better :D

Ireine song is a favorite of mine so she drew me to the drama initially. . I’m a sucker for going back in time, transmigration and such. , ive seen her in other dramas and to me her characters seem like they are similar to her personality in real life., She’s quirky, street smart, funny , pretty and capable. . In this drama she has her “thinking cap” on from the very first episode as shes trying to figure out where to be and what comes next.. all the while the story seems to be re-written right in front of her and that’s challenging her to know how to respond.. add to that - not revealing her “character identity “ and evading the ML who’se trying to figure out who she is and him pondering .. how does she know what he’s planning….?
.When we first meet the ML (Ju) he’s the “main villain” the one FL created in her story. Initially he behaves as if he is that character but then he starts to become his own person and in some way she challenges him to become smarter to outwit her (i love the snarky way he deals with her and yet one can see that he is somewhat initially attracted to her -even as he is aware/not aware of it in the beginning. He’s the character that has a difficult background and every reason to be resentful…no one seems to understand him and the 4 royal siblings /step sibling seem to have a happy life unlike him ..they expect him to return home happy content like them
Qing (FL) seems to know his every move before he makes it and she is determined to stay alive and reveal his plots so she can go back home. . He is pretty sure she’s his “consort” who has escaped his place (because the “real Qing was a spy planted there” and he was trying to kill her ) he is determined to play cat and mouse with her (it was seriously enjoyable to see the two of them go at it :)
I loved that it wasn’t a story where the FL “ is like “i hatenyou & never fall for you..” it was more of a “ let me see what I need to do to stay one step ahead of ML ..save myself from being killed by him and change the story as I go along.” ML seemed to be intrigued by her ability to “see” him & he was determined to outsmart her. His best friend is an interesting character - he has his own story also very sad. While both are deserving of their resentment - in their plot to take down certain people other people unfortunately become collateral damage.
The moment FL realizes that a person is never angry/resentful for “no reason” and all things in life create who we are …she makes an attempt to give him a conscience.. that was actually interesting to watch bc that move changes his view of her…as in “why should she care about me ?” And we see the beginning of trust growing in him.. he’s a hard nut but she’s no frail flower and it’s those moments of challenge with opening to possible trust that sucked me in deeper. His eyes and ability to reflect his feelings through those eyes that seemed to reveal his desire to be understood and have someone believe in him .. her understanding of his character allows her to open doors that others couldn’t. There is one scene where she sings him a lullaby his mom used to sing to him to help him fall asleep that I really loved ..it was heartfelt and he falls deeper for her .
The relationships of all the characters are really fleshed out and no one is left undone. To me, the writers seemed to pull me into the story and see from many sides the strengths and weaknesses of all the main characters. This was really well done. Some characters had to follow a path that unfortunately didn’t turn out well. Throughout the story there’s a hint of romance and one could say it’s a slow burn for the leads but when the relationship starts to form -it becomes more apparent .. his focus is her and his actions show that .. I was surprised that you actually get to see real kisses, beautiful confessions ..honest understandings (and some intimacy that normally I won’t see in Chinese dramas:)
. I loved how honest they become with each other and how the trust is built to allow change to flow and some forgiveness to happen.
The ending is challenging because we all want a happy ending for all couples but I think some of the message was ..resentment and getting even doesn’t always end well. Sometimes there’s a price to pay…Whereas the ML is able to temper himself and understand the big picture (not always l.but he tries) lol …another character is unable to stop himself from trying to end his nemesis’s life and it’s that move that causes heartbreak for him .
The ending for the leads was a bit rushed for me but I :”got” the ending and thought it was cute. I would have liked more time with the leads but was happy it was not an open ending. The main consensus is the two leads need a modern drama because the chemistry was fabulous and they did an awesome job from beginning to end . I’ve watched a-lot of dramas and this one will go down as one of my favorites. I already rewatched it and plan to rewatch some episodes to see what I missed. It gets better and better as it progresses and reveals more plot, schemes, struggles , romantic feelings and sweetness
Some things happen that make you go …” wow.. did not expect that .” as well as “ oh my gosh.. he really really loves her”
so enjoy and let the story unfold ….

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