I was thinking about watching this (I love most historical dramas) but nearly every comment and reviews are about…
*shrugs* I'm really starting to think that this drama appeals to those who love deeper analysis and actually paid attention to the characterization from the beginning. For casual viewers looking for a simple experience, this is not it. But you can see from the engagement that a lot of us loved it and were hopelessly waiting for the next episodes and replaying scenes many times.
What's so hard for k-drama writers to put as much effort in their ending as they did in the first episodes ? What…
The ML's plans were always implied right from the beginning because of his characterization. It is too bad that so many didn't understand. Not sure if it's culture or attention span or whatever factor...
I haven’t watched it but the MLs I do enjoy, should give it a chance? I don’t mind politics in the palace,…
It's more light romance until a very intense part midway, then it's back to light romance and mainly politics. I think that this drama deserves a chance. A lot of unhappy reviews are people who were high on the romance for the first 8 episodes and didn't pay attention to the underlying politics so they got lost after Ep. 10 and hated the show lol.
The ending was very romantic in a soft way but I think I expected more intensity in Ep.16 for the resolution between ML and FL. Like many, I was dearly hoping for a wedding or epilogue with their kids together in the palace. To clarify, it is a HE for me but I just wish I didn't need to do the mental lifting of imagining the specifics of their future together.
Wise words from your AI therapist if you're feeling a tiny bit empty after Ep. 16:
Experiencing mixed feelings after watching the finale of a highly anticipated drama is not uncommon, especially when the ending leaves some questions unanswered or provides an open resolution. Here are some strategies to help you process and resolve your feelings:
1. **Reflect on the Ending**
- **Process Your Feelings**: Take some time to reflect on why the ending left you feeling dissatisfied. Was it because certain storylines were not fully resolved? Or perhaps you were expecting a different outcome for the characters? Understanding the root of your dissatisfaction can help in addressing it.
2. **Engage with the Fandom**
- **Discussion Forums and Social Media**: Engaging with other fans can provide a sense of community and shared experience. Online forums, social media platforms, and fan sites are great places to express your thoughts, hear different interpretations of the ending, and maybe even find solace in shared sentiments.
3. **Seek Out Fan Theories and Alternate Endings**
- **Explore Fan Content**: Sometimes, fan theories or fan-written alternate endings can offer closure or a different perspective that resonates more with your expectations. Websites like Tumblr, Reddit, or AO3 host a wealth of fan-generated content that can extend the story beyond the official ending.
4. **Create Your Own Resolution**
- **Creative Outlet**: If you're inclined, try writing your own ending or resolution to the story. This can be a therapeutic way to address any unresolved issues you have with the finale. Drawing, creating a video, or composing music related to the drama are other creative outlets to explore.
5. **Re-watch the Series**
- **Gaining New Insights**: Sometimes, re-watching the series from the beginning can offer new perspectives and insights, making the ending feel more satisfying. Understanding the characters' journeys and the story's nuances more deeply might help you appreciate the open-ended conclusion.
6. **Distract Yourself with New Shows**
- **Find Something New**: Diving into a new series can help shift your focus and alleviate the dissatisfaction felt from the previous show's ending. Look for recommendations within the same genre or something completely different to engage your mind afresh.
7. **Express Your Thoughts through Reviews**
- **Write a Review**: Sharing your thoughts about the drama, including what you loved and what left you dissatisfied, can be cathartic. Websites like IMDb, MyDramaList, or even personal blogs, are platforms where you can articulate your feelings and connect with others who might feel the same.
8. **Understand the Artistic Intent**
- **Research Interviews and Behind-the-Scenes**: Sometimes, creators leave endings open for interpretation on purpose, or there are constraints that influenced how the story concluded. Looking up interviews with the writers, directors, or actors can provide context and maybe even appreciation for the choices made in the finale.
Conclusion
Feeling dissatisfied after a drama finale is a testament to your investment in the story and characters. By engaging creatively and critically with the work and its community, seeking alternative narratives, or moving on to new stories, you can resolve these lingering feelings and find fulfillment in the storytelling experience. Remember, the end of a series doesn't have to be the end of your engagement with its world or characters.
Ep. 8 ending. It is one of the most intense revelations in this genre. He earlier confesses his affections in Ep. 7 ending without knowing. This drama is unique in the sense that the ML feels for the person regardless of the gender.
Episode 15 was another intense ride! I am so glad that they have resolved many characters and issues, setting up the finale for a grand, romantic return to the main leads. <3 This is a really bold drama in the sense that the giant underlying crime only started to bubble up to its climax from Ep. 13,14,15, pushing back all the romance and couple scenes between our leads. However, the resolution is satisfying and the writers have charitably set up the finale for ML and FL exclusively. Looking forward to it so much!
To add to the last point...with possibly children around them or even the crown prince beside them.
I agree! I think the plot is set up such that the queen position can be taken by HS without any worry that their future children will be used to unseat the crown prince.
I really liked that scene between Sang Hwa and Jangguennyeon when she scolded him back. It's these little comedic moments that convince me this is ultimately a HE drama despite the intense angst.
Yoo Hyun Bo is getting betrayed by the Principal Director with re: the queen position. I wonder if he will backstab the PD like how he sold out Myung Ha's father.
Seems like the Border Defense Council investigation will shed light on the misunderstanding caused by Myung Ha's father's plot 3 years ago and exonerate the king in the eyes of MH. I hope it makes him realize that the king was truly innocent and his father was wrong.
Dowager empress scene with court lady dong: so CLD was "the sword" to protect Jinhan. Implications are that she administered the poison and the dowager was the mastermind. It is so intense how CLD knows that MW is a woman. I am both dreading and can't wait to see what she's going to do.
And I just know that tomorrow Ep. 14 is going to end on a cliffhanger and it will be an agonizing wait for the final week :( Would really like the story to end with them playing baduk in the palace with HS in her real identity.
Another intense episode 12...my sense is that the king knows that FL overheard his scary words to the uncle the other night. Rewatching the post-uncle scene, the king is looking around for her and you'll see that he sighs and then sits alone at the baduk table looking very forlorn. This scene suggests that he figured out that FL was hiding somewhere and overheard everything and freaked out, that's why she's not there as she should be.
So then, why did he not look for her right away and clarify what happened? I think he thinks it's lame and pointless to say to FL "Hey by the way what you saw was a lie." The king is probably used to being misunderstood and he's not at the point yet of laying all his cards on the table to anyone, not even FL. It would render him too vulnerable.
Gosh I can't wait a week. :( The wait is the hardest. And yes, I am still hopeful for HE because...there's this particular Netflix cover showing two hands playing baduk, one has a red sleeve (the king) and the other is a sleeve with luxurious brocade (it must be FL's hand). In Ep. 12, when the queen is dying and dressed in her white inner clothes, the sleeves of her garment have a similar type of embroidery. So, my stubborn bet is still on Hee Soo becoming queen. I am totally fine with any other satisfying ending though...it must wrap nicely for all the mini heart attacks this show has given me. I love the writers. They truly have no mercy with their surprises.
Edit: My guess is that he's not going to blame her for plotting his assassination because he knows that she heard him say that he will get rid of the crown prince. So, to him, her actions are actually to protect the crown prince and justified, even if it was a misunderstanding.
Edit 2: I actually like that the king is totally tolerant of Hee Soo's bumbling plots and feels so strongly for her. The innate power imbalance between them is so big given that he's the king and has all these brainiac qualities plus he's a great fighter and archer...by making him totally besotted with her, at least she has some leverage.
The drama title could totally be "Sejak: how to get away with treason" lol
The lightning hitting the exact same tree the late king planted for the current king does seem to be a sign and…
I would find a sad ending a real bummer, especially if they kill the king at the last minute with little resolution...so I'm hoping that the Chu Dal-Ha arc will play out tomorrow as suggested in the preview, because Ep. 12 is too early for the king to die from Dal-Ha's murderous feelings of revenge...
The lightning hitting the exact same tree the late king planted for the current king does seem to be a sign and…
I think that HS's character setup unfortunately does not afford equal footing with Yi In's experience, although the drama publicity tried to portray this as an enemies-to-lovers type. In such dramas (like Hyena, which I loved), the FL is older, been there done that, and just very different from the "young, idealistic intelligent" Candy type that HS is. If HS were to have the same skills as the King, her character would have to be some vagabond bandit/pirate queen...just a thought on the "why isn't HS matching the king" problem. Her amazing baduk skills are a testament to her mental abilities but it's all theory and no practical, unlike the king who's been to war and had to navigate politics all his life.
How can the king leave the throne without getting killed? I'm rooting for the happy ending, I just don't see how.
I am not sure if this has been done in K-drama for a powerful, "alpha"-type king but in the real ending of Rise of Phoenixes (the book version, not the drama), the king faked his death and reunited with the FL by tricking her to come to his "funeral". They eventually live away from the palace with their most loyal servants and the only people who know are their closest court ministers and the new King.
I find FL more and more frustrating each episode and I keep waiting for her to change and to finally start acting…
I can see where you're coming from, the story progression must feel very disappointing for viewers who expected an equally cunning HS compared to the King. Unfortunately I don't think that this drama was ever meant to be that...the vibes are very Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice doing big things in secret for his love despite her misunderstandings towards him. From this view, the writing is very consistent.
Episode 11 was so intense. I have a rather optimistic take on where this is all going and will probably be wrong, but it seemed from the preview that the burning tree will be used as an excuse by the king to name the grand prince as the crown prince -- when the lightning strikes at the end of Ep. 11, we can see it disturbing the senior court lady, the uncle and the empress dowager. Not any other prominent characters. The writers seem to tell us that retribution is coming from the heavens for those who had a hand in the late king's death.
I was really, really surprised by the sudden lightning move right after a romantic moment lol, the writers are awesome with their surprises. Because of this, I feel more confident that they will wrap this story well: the king might just get his way and reign for the rest of his long life with the queen (Hee Soo) by his side. With Hee Soo as queen, he can be assured that the grand prince will not be replaced as crown prince even if he and HS have kids of their own.
Ep. 11 also felt like a marriage proposal! And HS said yes, she is willing to undergo future suffering to be by his side forever. <3 Sorry people, I'm just really an optimistic person and see this line as HS implicitly giving her permission for him to use her as anything he needs for the sake of the country (i.e., the queen position).
Of course, for all that he has done for her, HS needs to suffer a bit for some narrative balance. Perhaps she will get injured while saving the king, and this is what they need to "kill" off MW to bring back real HS.
Ep. 11 is also delicious for me because we finally see the dowager empress start to lose control and power.
Not sure if I should begin this, can someone tell my what's it about, watched the trailer and it looks interesting,…
The history is not draggy here and serves only as a backdrop. The angsty romance and incredible chemistry between the leads are what this is about. It's totally worth a watch. If you like an angsty battle of honor (ML & FL) vs corruption, this is it. There are some really romantic moments too. Basically a masterclass.
Wise words from your AI therapist if you're feeling a tiny bit empty after Ep. 16:
Experiencing mixed feelings after watching the finale of a highly anticipated drama is not uncommon, especially when the ending leaves some questions unanswered or provides an open resolution. Here are some strategies to help you process and resolve your feelings:
1. **Reflect on the Ending**
- **Process Your Feelings**: Take some time to reflect on why the ending left you feeling dissatisfied. Was it because certain storylines were not fully resolved? Or perhaps you were expecting a different outcome for the characters? Understanding the root of your dissatisfaction can help in addressing it.
2. **Engage with the Fandom**
- **Discussion Forums and Social Media**: Engaging with other fans can provide a sense of community and shared experience. Online forums, social media platforms, and fan sites are great places to express your thoughts, hear different interpretations of the ending, and maybe even find solace in shared sentiments.
3. **Seek Out Fan Theories and Alternate Endings**
- **Explore Fan Content**: Sometimes, fan theories or fan-written alternate endings can offer closure or a different perspective that resonates more with your expectations. Websites like Tumblr, Reddit, or AO3 host a wealth of fan-generated content that can extend the story beyond the official ending.
4. **Create Your Own Resolution**
- **Creative Outlet**: If you're inclined, try writing your own ending or resolution to the story. This can be a therapeutic way to address any unresolved issues you have with the finale. Drawing, creating a video, or composing music related to the drama are other creative outlets to explore.
5. **Re-watch the Series**
- **Gaining New Insights**: Sometimes, re-watching the series from the beginning can offer new perspectives and insights, making the ending feel more satisfying. Understanding the characters' journeys and the story's nuances more deeply might help you appreciate the open-ended conclusion.
6. **Distract Yourself with New Shows**
- **Find Something New**: Diving into a new series can help shift your focus and alleviate the dissatisfaction felt from the previous show's ending. Look for recommendations within the same genre or something completely different to engage your mind afresh.
7. **Express Your Thoughts through Reviews**
- **Write a Review**: Sharing your thoughts about the drama, including what you loved and what left you dissatisfied, can be cathartic. Websites like IMDb, MyDramaList, or even personal blogs, are platforms where you can articulate your feelings and connect with others who might feel the same.
8. **Understand the Artistic Intent**
- **Research Interviews and Behind-the-Scenes**: Sometimes, creators leave endings open for interpretation on purpose, or there are constraints that influenced how the story concluded. Looking up interviews with the writers, directors, or actors can provide context and maybe even appreciation for the choices made in the finale.
Conclusion
Feeling dissatisfied after a drama finale is a testament to your investment in the story and characters. By engaging creatively and critically with the work and its community, seeking alternative narratives, or moving on to new stories, you can resolve these lingering feelings and find fulfillment in the storytelling experience. Remember, the end of a series doesn't have to be the end of your engagement with its world or characters.
He earlier confesses his affections in Ep. 7 ending without knowing. This drama is unique in the sense that the ML feels for the person regardless of the gender.
Yoo Hyun Bo is getting betrayed by the Principal Director with re: the queen position. I wonder if he will backstab the PD like how he sold out Myung Ha's father.
Seems like the Border Defense Council investigation will shed light on the misunderstanding caused by Myung Ha's father's plot 3 years ago and exonerate the king in the eyes of MH. I hope it makes him realize that the king was truly innocent and his father was wrong.
Dowager empress scene with court lady dong: so CLD was "the sword" to protect Jinhan. Implications are that she administered the poison and the dowager was the mastermind. It is so intense how CLD knows that MW is a woman. I am both dreading and can't wait to see what she's going to do.
And I just know that tomorrow Ep. 14 is going to end on a cliffhanger and it will be an agonizing wait for the final week :( Would really like the story to end with them playing baduk in the palace with HS in her real identity.
So then, why did he not look for her right away and clarify what happened? I think he thinks it's lame and pointless to say to FL "Hey by the way what you saw was a lie." The king is probably used to being misunderstood and he's not at the point yet of laying all his cards on the table to anyone, not even FL. It would render him too vulnerable.
Gosh I can't wait a week. :( The wait is the hardest. And yes, I am still hopeful for HE because...there's this particular Netflix cover showing two hands playing baduk, one has a red sleeve (the king) and the other is a sleeve with luxurious brocade (it must be FL's hand). In Ep. 12, when the queen is dying and dressed in her white inner clothes, the sleeves of her garment have a similar type of embroidery. So, my stubborn bet is still on Hee Soo becoming queen. I am totally fine with any other satisfying ending though...it must wrap nicely for all the mini heart attacks this show has given me. I love the writers. They truly have no mercy with their surprises.
Edit: My guess is that he's not going to blame her for plotting his assassination because he knows that she heard him say that he will get rid of the crown prince. So, to him, her actions are actually to protect the crown prince and justified, even if it was a misunderstanding.
Edit 2: I actually like that the king is totally tolerant of Hee Soo's bumbling plots and feels so strongly for her. The innate power imbalance between them is so big given that he's the king and has all these brainiac qualities plus he's a great fighter and archer...by making him totally besotted with her, at least she has some leverage.
The drama title could totally be "Sejak: how to get away with treason" lol
I was really, really surprised by the sudden lightning move right after a romantic moment lol, the writers are awesome with their surprises. Because of this, I feel more confident that they will wrap this story well: the king might just get his way and reign for the rest of his long life with the queen (Hee Soo) by his side. With Hee Soo as queen, he can be assured that the grand prince will not be replaced as crown prince even if he and HS have kids of their own.
Ep. 11 also felt like a marriage proposal! And HS said yes, she is willing to undergo future suffering to be by his side forever. <3 Sorry people, I'm just really an optimistic person and see this line as HS implicitly giving her permission for him to use her as anything he needs for the sake of the country (i.e., the queen position).
Of course, for all that he has done for her, HS needs to suffer a bit for some narrative balance. Perhaps she will get injured while saving the king, and this is what they need to "kill" off MW to bring back real HS.
Ep. 11 is also delicious for me because we finally see the dowager empress start to lose control and power.