This is the second time I watch this drama. The first one was back when it aired. I didn't hate it. I just couldn't understand the hype of it. There were extremely good reviews and others not so good. At first I was very hesitant to watch this again as I remembered I didn't like it enough to rewatch it. Made a bet with a friend to watch this and she would watch one I liked but she didn't like, fair enough. We had one month to watch it and it only took me a week. I was hooked after episode 3? I cursed nonstop 18 year old me for not liking this back then, I just ordered a few minutes ago the director's cut.

Definitely the most remarkable thing about this drama is the male lead's acting. Kyungsoo is delightful to watch! And no, I'm not an EXO fan before you tell me I'm being biased, I used to be a whole anti when I was 14 (mind you, I'm 20 now and those days are forever gone). This was his first period drama and he really did an amazing job, he's a natural! As Yul or as Wondeuk, he owned those characters and he showed a different side of each. Can't wait until he comes back !! The rest of the cast deserves to be praised too! Our female lead was fantastic, never disappointed by Jihyun! The royals, ministers, the people from Songju Village, they were all splendid.

One could say the story is very cliche, memory loss, hidden identity, lovers since childhood, etc etc. While that is true, and I do hate cliches myself as well, they all worked for me! I liked how they were both nobles but for their own reasons were living as commoners, loved how the love triangle was not a thing here and that our "second male lead" preferred his friendship with him over the girl, loved how the minister and the Queen weren't working together this time, loved how the political conflict was developed, loved how some events were carried out and were taken from cliche to something unique.

A strong 5 stars to this drama and hope I can watch it again in the future (not a near one tho I'm still missing them)

Note: Remember this is my own opinion and you're very much allowed to disagree, of course. However I do not wish to discuss about my opinion with anyone else. If you disagree, keep it to yourself please, or idc reply to this but I will not answer.