Overall I’d rate this drama 6.5/10 .
If you’re not really a big fan of political dramas, you’d rate it even lower but I’m trying to be fair .
I appreciate the work everyone put into making this drama . From the cast to the crew . Well done ??

Personally I don’t think the drama deserves to win best drama or the actor should win best actor . There truly wasn’t any scene that he was in that I genuinely felt touched .

Funny enough I felt more affection towards the crown prince than anybody else in the drama .

This drama is a one time drama . It’s not something that you watch and then you reminisce and you miss the characters . I’m yet to understand why the TikTok community and others swear by this drama . Perhaps if I followed it weekly like them, I might have shared the same feelings and comradeship .

Personally I think Kim soo Hyun should’ve won that best actor role . He showed more diverse emotions in queen of tears than this actor did in my dearest but that might just be my personal preference.

Most of the political stuff was boring and sounded like I was attending a history class .

Surprisingly I didn’t find the fl to be annoying . Her actions were quite rational and thoughtful. It did feel a tiny bit frustrating to see the push and pull in their love life but if you’re a trained historical cdrama member , you’d see that they were just playing ??.
No serious misunderstandings or whatever .

This drama is the type that after a while, you won’t remember what happened. It’d just be one of the many dramas you’ve seen .

Would I recommend this drama to others ? I’m not sure . Except they say they’re looking for historical drama recommendations.

The first 3 episodes were quite boring but the drama truly picked up from episode 4 . The cliff hangers at the end would always want you to download the next episode. You’re better off dropping the drama in the middle of an episode than waiting for it to finish .

I actually binged watched 1-14 before sleeping around 8am to continue by 7pm . It was that engaging . But if you ask me what I can truly remember from all the episodes, it’s quite hazy.

The entire plot is Joseon getting invaded by foreigners, the foreigners taking the crown prince and others as slaves/ captives . The ml falling in love and creating some bitter/sad love triangles.
The delusional and sick king and conniving concubine .

The palace story was nothing new . Usual fight for the throne and fear of rebellion.

Character I hated : that good for nothing self righteous scholar?

Thoughts on the main couple: I take back what I said about the ml being very old . He’s quite mature looking but he honestly just looks his age and he has a nice smile . I’d say he’s quite manly and you’d like him if that’s your spec .

The fl is okay too . She’s pretty .

They have nice chemistry . There were some scenes that I was like to love is nice sha but that’s it .

Completing this drama felt like I completed an assignment that I’ve been postponing for a long time.

As kdrama lovers , do you have to watch this drama?
Honestly speaking ? No
It doesn’t add or remove anything from your life . It doesn’t change your views on anything either . I think it’s okay to let it go and don’t be pressured by others to watch it or feel like you’re missing out on something so amazing because you’re not .


Time to finally end this lengthy review .
If you made it this far, Great job ?
See you in my next review or not…
Hahahaha
Annyeong chingus!