suprisingly an easy watch
i have been out of the loop with k-dramas for a while now. i stopped watching about a few years ago and have only missed watching IU in dramas this year so i gave this one a try since it was fairly short. i'm aware that it had multiple issues while airing, and that both leads even had to apologize for some trivial things i could not care about. but it was okay!
things i liked:
- the relationship was mature, and they didn't have unnecessary miscommunication. i guess since the drama is so short, if they suddenly add something to break them apart on the third act, it will ruin the experience altogether and i'm glad they didn't go down that road.
- the side characters, especially the palace maids and attendants, are hilarious and i love their relationship with the royals. i especially find both secretary do and secretary choi funny. i like the switcharoo that happened and it definitely made the episodes so much more fun.
- i'm glad the queen mother had a redemption. she of all people really needed it.
- iu's role somehow reminds me of the past roles she had. it seems like she's being typecasted, but i don't mind. i like most of her character e.g. in scarlet heart or in hotel del luna. i like how she's a strong character who also has her weak moments. her relationship with her family is one of the most realistic portrayals of complicated familial relationships i have ever seen, including her banter with her older brother. i'm glad they gave us that.
things i didn't like:
- quite predictable plot, e.g. the "big" reveal in the end. from the very start, you can very much feel that they're setting up the villain, so it wasn't a surprise at all for me.
- byeon woo-seok's acting is good, but i get why people say he has the same-face syndrome in some cases. he cries, but only his eyes are lonely. the rest of his body language doesn't seem to follow suit. maybe that's why the chemistry between him and iu can be a bit on and off in some cases. i can definitely see him matching more comedy-heavy dramas than serious ones. his comedic timing is golden, and that's where he shines the most.
- plot is almost a copy-paste of some of the famous historical dramas in the past that tackles the same thing, but with 12 episodes, i doubt they can do much anyway.
overall, highly digestible episodes! i was able to finish it in one day. hilarious watch, and definitely a good palate cleanser after watching something heavy. it's a shame iu won't be coming back to lead in hotel del luna 2.
things i liked:
- the relationship was mature, and they didn't have unnecessary miscommunication. i guess since the drama is so short, if they suddenly add something to break them apart on the third act, it will ruin the experience altogether and i'm glad they didn't go down that road.
- the side characters, especially the palace maids and attendants, are hilarious and i love their relationship with the royals. i especially find both secretary do and secretary choi funny. i like the switcharoo that happened and it definitely made the episodes so much more fun.
- i'm glad the queen mother had a redemption. she of all people really needed it.
- iu's role somehow reminds me of the past roles she had. it seems like she's being typecasted, but i don't mind. i like most of her character e.g. in scarlet heart or in hotel del luna. i like how she's a strong character who also has her weak moments. her relationship with her family is one of the most realistic portrayals of complicated familial relationships i have ever seen, including her banter with her older brother. i'm glad they gave us that.
things i didn't like:
- quite predictable plot, e.g. the "big" reveal in the end. from the very start, you can very much feel that they're setting up the villain, so it wasn't a surprise at all for me.
- byeon woo-seok's acting is good, but i get why people say he has the same-face syndrome in some cases. he cries, but only his eyes are lonely. the rest of his body language doesn't seem to follow suit. maybe that's why the chemistry between him and iu can be a bit on and off in some cases. i can definitely see him matching more comedy-heavy dramas than serious ones. his comedic timing is golden, and that's where he shines the most.
- plot is almost a copy-paste of some of the famous historical dramas in the past that tackles the same thing, but with 12 episodes, i doubt they can do much anyway.
overall, highly digestible episodes! i was able to finish it in one day. hilarious watch, and definitely a good palate cleanser after watching something heavy. it's a shame iu won't be coming back to lead in hotel del luna 2.
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