It will not stir your nerves, but neither involve your heart

This is little bit older story, so the plot is as it was at the 2015s: the ML is a spoilt child who never learned how to play nicely and be true to his feelings, and FL ready to be stupid and obedient for/to the man she agreed to be hers.
So him being manipulative, selfish abuser is vindicated by his 'love' for her. He basically destroys her business and any chance for her independent income and home in order to make her work for him and live with him.
When he finally succeedes, his mother comes along unhappy with FL's background. Mother and son together pressure FL to sign a pre-nup promising, among other things, to leave future children with them in the case of divorce.
Here FL's gets an Epiphany (because being MOTHER is above all) and finally refuses, to what ML gets a fit or rage accusing her of selfishness.
I won't spoil any more. Something that could heve been an interesting story (two people from different walks of life, with woman being educated and independent) became yet another poisonous Cinderella story.

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I gave up

They say that girls love bad boys but this was way too much - I gave up after 15th episode, tired of waiting for FL to find her spine. The writers try to sell us the story of Cinderella doing everything short of suicide for her love, but that is not my cup of tea.
The reasons for ML's presonality problems are nicely explained, however that means that ML neeeds a good psychiatrist, not a love-struck girl to feed his narcissism through obedience.
I think that such stories, without a clear stand-point that such (male or female, same thing) behavior is wrong and unacceptable, is dangerous for both girls and boys in audience.
The acting is nice but that makes my point even more important.

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Excellent if you like great female leads

I enjoy this drama thoroughly. The story is, if not totally realistic then at least very beliavable while at the same time keeping the historical romance frame intact.
There are at least 3 strong female characters, 1st one warrior/strategist, 2nd army medic and the 3rd concubine who decided to fight the enemy from within. Not much hate in the harem; female characters have friends and colleagues and they mutualy support each other.
The love story is sweet and enjoyable; I loved the war of wits between the main couple that starts from the 1st episode. Their love grows naturaly and is not forced like in some dramas where you ask youself till the end why the heck does s/he love her/him. The setbacks are reasonable depicted and you feel that portrayed reasons would work for us, too.
Politics and the war are the big part of the story but for me, not overly complicated so they are easy to follow. There are even some traces of social issues (disappointed veterans-turn-bandits). The overall situation of multiple forces fighting for the ultimate power and ever changing loyalties are a faithful representation of the historical period.
Acting is great, not sure whether I enjoy more young couples' lively nteractions or the low-key, full of danger and deceit elder couple of chancellor and his lady.
Looking forward to 24 more episodes and how our main couple with develop and grow in such dangerous times.

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Romeo and Juliet lost in thinking, plus lots of cliches

The story has some interesting starting points (adopted children, disfunctional families and upbringing, social classes, nepotism, fear of incest between adopted siblings, etc.), however it all loses meaning due to main characters' back-and-forth bickering that is, besides leading nowhere, difficult to understand or follow.
FL clearly does not know what does she want, but she wants it.
ML is, basicaly, barking his way through it all.
On the top of it, lots of 'correct' cliches: brave, honest firefighters, blood-thirsty media, strict father-like doctor mentor, crying and/or screaming girls, ect.
It seems all involved in production tried their best, but were losing the battle with a confusing script.
Finally, the poor dog should not be kept on chain!!! Don't encourage unscrupulous dog owners.

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Another ML hypnotized by... who knows what

Dropped the drama but not because of the male lead casting choice (I acctualy like the variety in the cast, the good story and acting are not determined by the age or beauty). I am more dissapointed by the story which is, once again, concentrated on the female lead bewiched by an one-moment-adoring-and-another-moment-abusive male lead. Not that she does not hate him; but she at the same time embroiders flowers for him, navigates him in political fights and saves him from stupid decisions.
Perfectly normal woman with a functional brain goes back time and again to the guy who kills the whole family of her ex, blackmails her, r**es her, not to mention has s** with another woman while she's in labor. Which is even worse, I cannnot find any reason why would she be attached to him. I hope from the bottom of my heart that the reason behind her love for him is not the r**e, or 'being branded' for life with her first (and only, in many years to come) se**al encounter.
I understand there could be more explanation in the episodes I missed because I dropped the drama half-way, but I lost the patience to wait.
And I sincerely hope that young people (of either gender) do not look at this kind of plot for a role model to their relationships; being too patient with abusive partners brings only more and more misery.

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Jane Austin would roll her eyes

I wonder why the writters/directors still believe that the general public is not ready for modern storylines, strong FLs and mature MLs. Because in spite of excellent photography and acting, this drama is still based on a 'Naive Everygirl and abusive, but handsome Chaebol'.
Jane Austin's Elizabeth said to such a guy, some 210 years ago: '...And I might as well enquire why, with so evident a design of insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your better judgment.' - That is the best description for Mr. Jang as well, a man who did not grow up enough to own his feelings so he puts all the responsibility on the FL, and she is nice (stupid?) enough to pick it up every time.
Eliza had a change of heart only when Fitzwilliam prooved he matured enough to be her equal (seeing his large estate was, ehmmm, welcome addition to his personal change). Let's see what proof will Ms. Hong-Jo reqire.

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