Peridot83
This review may contain spoilers
Everyone loses everything . . . Touching characters and heartfelt acting are the reason to watch. In the first 10 or so episodes, we spend a lot of nostalgic 'golden' time, experience the innocence and courage of youth. Hae Soo inspires the brothers to hope that palace life could be different, and you the foolish audience member begins to hope too . . .
But, by the end, the show is racing through a Wikipedia of historical events with Hae Soo barely present. Scenes are chopped and spliced until the plot turns into simply everyone loses everything. Objectively, there's lots wrong with the show not just the plot, the themes are unclear, action scenes weak, and perhaps worst of all the romance between Hae Soo and 4th prince on paper is underdeveloped, toxic and not particularly inspiring. Despite the mess, the strength of the chemistry and the acting kept me watching.
It is worth sticking it out for some key touching moments: Hae Soo's song becoming a legendary classic sung throughout the land or the 14th prince revealing his commitment and deep love for Hae Soo all along.
Does this drama deserve it's legendary status? Overall no . . . but I'm glad I watched. These characters are going to live on in my head for years to come. And that made this drama a rare and precious watching experience.
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Modern love storylines often suffer from a lot of unrealistic danger, whereas historical/fantasy storylines often suffer from outdated romance ideals. So, what if you combine them?
This drama concept isn't new, but it's very well done. The leads have great chemistry, the plot is fast moving, there's lots of protectiveness/rescuing/sacrificing scenes blended with a lot of humor. As with all great dramas, I was reluctant to leave the characters and universe behind.
Music was competent, and while endearing, I'm not sure I'd ever be tempted to rewatch.
I grade on other criteria as well:
Complex Themes - 5
The clumsy (though well-intended) theme is exploring equality in gender roles for both society and relationships. The better executed themes are around learning to be your authentic self and trusting others, as well as what makes a kind and generous person.
Character Growth - 7.5
Both main leads grow and change as a result of the relationship and are transformed as people by the change from a fake relationship to a real one. The rest of the characters are fairly fixed, and second sister's character development is sudden and clumsy.
Complex Female Characters - 8
There's lots of relationships between women, women in leadership roles, and women with complex personalities. The city leader was a great blend of calculating and cruel vs. protective and generous
Production - 7
It did not get in the way. Limited sets and shooting outdoors, everything was shot fairly straight on, costuming was lower budget but in good taste.
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The set-up and mythology is very different and fun to watch. From the idea of a ghost inn, to a goddess with many avatars/faces, to the beauty & the beast type romance with the genders switched. I was blown away for the first eight episodes.
But, while the historical plots tie up nicely, the modern storylines were wrapped up quickly with no real suspense making the last couple episodes complete filler.
As to actors/characters, two of the main female characters are complex and multifaceted: Jang Man-Wol and the Goddess Mago. But, the main male character Koo Chan-Seong is especially flat and uninspiring as the person who always does the right thing.
The music fits well with the show, but it doesn't linger in my memory. There were no special scenes that I feel the need to rewatch.
I grade on other criteria as well:
Complex Themes: 7.0
The biggest letdown of the show. The theme is letting go leads to peace, and you should do it, even if terrible things happened to you while alive. But there isn't a complex inspection of this, forgiveness is just always the right thing to do - and always works out for the characters that do it.
Character Growth: 8.0
The transition from vengeful to letting go is especially touching for Jang Man-Wol, the housekeeper and the receptionist. It's a shame that Koo Chan-Seong gets no complexity or real transition at all. There are also very short, abrupt plot points for the bartender, Sanchez, and Lee Mi-Ra.
Complex Female Characters: 10.0
Jang Man-Wol is great playing vengeful and cynical, with a romantic heart. She is fascinating throughout the show as she develops increasing humour and sensitivity. A very well-rounded character. The housekeeper and the Goddess Mago also have great complexity. Indeed, generally the female characters and storyline were much better developed and well-rounded then the male ones.
Cinematography/Production Values: 10.0
It's gorgeous. Truly the most beautiful TV show I may have ever seen, the colour palette is vibrant and unusual, the clothes budget for Jang Man-Wol must have been unlimited, and there's a beautiful use of camera angles, movements and framing. It has a very stylistic, fairy-tale feel.
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The plot has an intriguing premise with the split personality element. But in practice the plot is: Overly-serious protective male lead, with spirited, loud female lead - what fun! (and it was fun - and addictive).
The main leads are what makes this show worth watching. Despite the overacting, they are endearing to watch, show some range, and are very at ease with each other. You believe that they are in a relationship together with lots of little looks and gestures.
I also liked the friendship between the maid Jing Xin and Qu Xiaotan.
The music, surprisingly, is pretty good esp. the end credits song.
Warning: There's definitely some ethical issues surrounding Qu Xiaotan's use of Qu Tan'er's body that are somewhat laughed off.
I score by other criteria as well:
Complex Themes - 3
(There could have been a lot of complex themes regarding two people sharing one body - but they don't really touch on that. There is no real theme besides be a good person and be loyal to who you love)
Character Growth -7
(As the show goes on, the main actors and characters do show some range, and the split personality part is done well)
Nuanced Women -7
(Lots of points for strong female friendship, but otherwise .. what nuance?)
Cinematography/Production Values - 3
(No money was spent, the costumes are terrible, there's only a few sets. The only reason this isn't a '1' is the producers/director seemed to realise their own budget limitations. )
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This is a really fun, unique premise and world. 2 friends from the outer borders make their way to the capital city to make their fortune.
In 60 episodes, however, it only barely starts .. . the show spends too much time on the multiple worlds and their hundreds of characters instead of really building and focusing on the main relationships.
My main issue is that Sang Sang was standout actor and character for me in this series, and she gets barely any screen time. Instead, there's more side characters than one can keep track of (including 12 spiritual siblings), plus a whole host of other characters from class mates, to mentors, to an emperor and various inner palace politics.
In addition, a lot of the quests are 'mental' quests, where one just watches the main character scrunch his brow a lot and stumble around - which isn't particularly appealing.
Other Criteria I score by
Complex Themes - 5
(There may be more in Season 2, but in Season 1 not so much. Some small themes of being true to who you are, and not being confused by fancy words/wealth/sophistication).
Character Growth -5
(None really, our main characters act the same in the beginning as they do at the end, but there's some hints this will not be true by Season 2)
Nuanced Women -6
(Though there's lots of women, none of the women get enough screen time to form a really nuanced portrayal, except Sang Sang - and even she is only beginning to show different sides of her personality.)
Cinematography/Production Values - 9
(This is beautifully done, a good mix of CGI and real world scenery, well choreographed fight scenes etc. It's not as aesthetically pretty as say Yanxi Palace or Rise of the Phoenixes, but it's a big budget done well).
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As the younger generation tries to negotiate new ways of organizing government, society and marriage, we get to feel the satisfaction of our main characters doing the right thing and never losing their way. But, this premise has no conflict, or tension, or character development, and at 40 episodes it's just way too long.
One strong point was a very accurate depiction of domestic abuse.
The main characters are all likeable enough, but the acting is very on the surface, and chemistry is more like good buddies trying to do a group project. Music was adequate and there isn't really anything to rewatch.
I grade on other criteria as well:
Complex Themes (7.5)
Why are we wasting the talents and strengths of women and failing to recognize their obvious complementary strengths? Why indeed. I am all for this theme, though it was bit simplistic done. I did deeply appreciate illustrating the pitfalls of trying to leave an abusive relationship in a traditional, patriarchal society and why leaving isn't easy.
Complex Characters (3.0)
Just no. There were too many characters and they all had one distinctive personality trait.
Complex women and relationships (8.5)
While all the characters are simply drawn, there were lots and lots of women collaborating and being in friendship, and it was a joy to see that so front and center.
Cinematography/Production values (7.5)
Average for a historical show produced in the last couple years. Nothing really stands out.
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This is full stop an advertisement for joining the firefighting service with a nod to other frontline emergency services. All the plot and lingering scenes are devoted to their heroic ever sacrificing adventures. There is no overarching plot or theme, just an 'episode of the week' emergency.
In the background is a truly addictive romantic plot, with the female lead's family being truly villainous in keeping our two main characters apart. The actors do have charisma and chemistry. But, this is stretched out so long and given so little time, that at 22 episodes in I just can't stick with it.
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I don't think anyone asked for another alpha CEO drama. Let alone one where all the characters are as morally and ethically suspect as the alpha CEO . . but this is what we have here.
All three people in this love triangle have emotionally cheating affairs with each other, try to have their cake and eat it too, lie, misrepresent and just generally act in infuriating ways every single episode.
What's worse, the message to women seems to be:
1) If you are ambitions and strong willed, you need a strong man who can 'handle' you and put you in your place.
2) It is foolish to think you can succeed in your career without men, and men who are not related to you or in a relationship with you will treat you badly, the best way to handle this is to get married and partner in work/business together. Our main female lead has been floundering for years, and it's because she just hasn't had the right male backing.
The one relationship lesson I agree with is that you truly don't know another person unless you allow conflict to occur. Avoiding conflict and always giving in delays finding out if a couple is truly compatible together. This lesson was not enough to keep me watching this show.
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What else is there to say that hasn't been said already about the primary romance? Male lead takes no action or initiative, Female lead bounces around the edges hoping he will take notice. Doesn't make for great chemistry or interesting watching.
HOWEVER, the secondary romance between Guan Ji and Bi Ruo Shan, is sexy, mature and intriguing. I really liked the intrigue there between two sophisticated people who have dated around. I also bought into the conflict! Two people used to being slick and superficial having trouble being vulnerable makes sense to me. But, in the end, this relationship wasn't given enough screen time to keep me watching . .
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