The beginning 16 episodes are somewhat solid. Decent storyline, decent acting, beautiful costumes and set, and decent fighting scenes. However, as the story goes on, it felt like the Male lead lost his place. They tried to keep the love story between the two leads solid (I.e no one can really come in between them in term of how they feel for one another), however, with the lack of maybe strong acting, strong chemistry between the two leads, you end up not really feeling for the leads. You don’t feel happy when they realise they still love each other, and you don’t feel heartbroken when they break up again. I just don’t feel sad or heart breaking for this couple, which is strange, because I do enjoy the drama, yet somehow I don’t feel it 0.o

And as the story goes on, somehow my heart is ache for the second male lead. He’s selfish, he doesn’t know how to love her, but at the same time, how can you fault him when every time he tries, the female lead would just coldly shut him out. When you see her heart is slightly moved by his actions, she turned away, and again pour cold water all over him. And knowing the general’s story background makes you feel for him even more. When telling the story, the prince might have witness his mother being murder by his dad, and because of that, develop a woman phobia. But his dad loves him, and adores him, and the girl he loves, love him back, and he’s always on time to save her (of course, because he’s main lead lol). Compare to the general, who dad also killed mom, his dad did not acknowledge him. The girl who he loves, rather bear the bad mouths of the world just to be with her (sure there are other scheming reasons, but time and times he stood by her), always wants to save her but always a step late (typical second lead lol). Seeing the prince gets pardoned for any wrong things he did, and he gets punished for just one time being wrong. Anyone would turn psychopath. And you really feel his pains.

Long story short: the love story runs out of steam for me by 16, the will they won’t they is a bit old (this part takes place from 16-32), also not much of it when it seems pretty solid that the prince only has heart for the princess and vice versus. Is it bad? Not necessarily but need to be done well, and require great chemistry between the two leads, which as I mentioned before, totally lacking. And so in this case, it’s boring. I started watching and continue for the female lead mainly, she’s literally carrying the show. But as the show goes on after 16, it’s the second male lead that carry the show. It’s just because his character is the only one that has layers, that is complex, and you just don’t know how his heart acts, he has to follow his revenge plan, yet his heart couldn’t be ruthless, though sometimes he tried (he failed because he’s second lead, and he can’t win lol). And the actor who portrayed the General did a really good job, I think I will continue to watch for the general, and even if he turns out to be very terrible, it’s understandable. And this brings another minus for this show. My impression of the drama title is that the female lead was so heart broken that her hair turn white (yup, a rip off of the famous white hair maiden story), however, so far, I felt like her pains aren’t great enough (and with 23 eps to go, I’m not sure we have room to develop that great pain either). Considering the background and literally 9 mo of emotional turmoils the General has to face (the various events happen in that 9 mo), he is the only person so far qualifying to go white hair lol.

And because of this reason, the rewatch value for this series is like almost zero. The music is ok, suitable but not memorisable. Oh last and not least, this series has zero kissing scene that is passionate. We finally get 1 kissing scene but it was a rush one and virtually no emotion =_=

Change my score to be 1 lower than the original score I gave because of the ending. While the ending was not rush, it was lacklustre! And they follow the usual cliche cdrama style where everyone but the main leads die! And 1 other insignificant couple. When you have the old emperor, who caused all these tragedies, who has been poisoned and has no strength to stand up, managed to hold 2 babies (total weight let say 12kg), then about 10mins later, die conveniently as the ML got to him, just to say BS stuff like: remember don’t follow my mistake =_= I rolled my eyes so hard when this last episode is trying to be all high and mighty and try to give moral lessons -.- the ML’s face when his dad die resembles of a smile rather than being sad and devastated -.- the FL’s cry scene when she remembered her first love was also not convincing, and follow the usual trope of cry loudly, holding on tight to the memory object, then finally hitting the floor >_> At least one thing could feel her pain....the floor >_>

Do I recommend this series? Yes for the general’s acting, and for Leo’s fans. I don’t feel much for leo’s Character because the chemistry between Leo and the FL, while better than with the ML, was not enough, and it is mainly the FL’s fault. She couldn’t do certain scenes right, and so you don’t feel connected with this couple, and they didn’t tie that end right either. Didn’t show she’s that heartbroken for RQ, so what she has not been living with her husband for a few years to be with RQ’s grave? But you don’t see it, you don’t feel it, it likes trying to show off screen. Leo’s best acting to me was the pose he did as he die on the throne. It is heartbreaking scene, a lifeless king, the epitome of his life, always the puppet, even in death. So watch the series, but be prepared to feel annoyed at the 2 leads, and FF their scenes. If you enjoy the 2 leads and their storyline, bonus :)