I’m a sucker when it come to dramas that have monarchs, crime, corruption, mystery, or love. This show had it all. I literally watched all 52 episodes with in 24hrs. A drama with a monarchy in modern society, I was hella excited.
Even though the acting was a bit over dramatic, it fit for a over dramatic plot!


STORY:

I loved the beginning, catching the audiences’ attention with a crime, corruption and set in some what modern times. It so excited that I had no sleep!

Showing how Empress Dowager is a tiger mom, watching the Emperor every single move. Already knowing how controlling and crazy Empress Dowager is, I was some what cheering for her. Hoping that one day she would come to love Sunny and stop her ways.

What was interesting was that instead of fight for his love for the female lead character, the male lead was fight for his love with the second lead. It was like a tasteful surprise spice for the beginning.

The pure hearted, naive Sunny fallen into the Imperial family hot mess.

I honestly didn’t see Hyuk and YuRa as an item from the beginning. I saw it as they were just using each other, which they were.

They show how strong willed Woobin is to get revenge since day 1, both when he’s fat or fit. He had the same mind set.

Sunny getting the shock of what is like to be a royal was amazing.

The crime with Woobin’s mom was amazing. It was well executed and with a character like YuRa, it shows how sneaky the characters is goin to be. YuRa’s quick thinking left me speechless. Some of the things she did, backfired even when it was suggested that she should carry out those plans.

Flashing back to Empress SoHyun shows how much when Hyuk love, it’s strong. Lines that Sunny said and it was like SoHyun, shows how Hyuk is trying to protect Sunny and don’t want the same fate as SoHyun for her.

I really wish that the love story between Sunny and Woobin development more. But I think Sunny was just to wrapped up with Hyuk!! And I honestly was hoping to see the love story of Sunny and Hyuk really bloom, but Sunny couldn’t forgive him for his terrible crime. How could she?

Grand Empress Dowager's death was a mess.

The end was a lil rush not gonna lie. They a wrote Woobin off, it was a mess!!! He could have a better written story ending for his character. The rush to show the corruption of the Family, was ok, but they could have made it last longer.


THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENTS!!!

Was a innocent naive girl turned to a badass. Sunny was it! I thought she would going to be annoying at first, but she blossom to a badass! From a carefree girl to someone who can piece puzzles together, standing up for herself and beliefs. she wasn’t willing to back down. When she face bad times, it made her stronger. Her have a charm to her character. She developed beautiful to a strong woman!

YuRa’s character was so interesting! A ruthless woman in the beginning, but turned out to be a lost soul. Precious things was taken from her, leading her to use her sexuality to get her way; using that to get back control and power through the most powerful person she can seduce.

Woobin is inspiring me to go to the gym more. He was so messy, but he soon became well disciplined. He’s way of approach to his enemy was gold. You know what they said, “keep your friends close, but keep yours enemies closer”. I wish he had more expression though.

Hyuk was such an evil psycho person. Created by his own mother. Even though Hyuk and Empress Donwager fought. They still protected each other. You can see his character development, trying so hard to become a better person for Sunny. His own mother mess up him so bad that it was hard for him to change till the very end. His character was so complex, I love it!


ACTING/CAST:

NaRa as Sunny was prefect! She have such a innocent looking face, and it helps playing for Sunny character. She was amazing when she have to show the character’s emotional pain.

Elliya is so good that she made me hated her so much in the beginning as YuRa. She made it seem like is the person that will be evil to the very end, and had no compassion.

JinHyuk made his character amazing. He did a good job at playing a cold hearted Woobin, but let the character soft and tender side shine through in areas.

SUNGROK WAS BEST SIT FOR THIS ROLE! He really sold the character to me. SungRok playing a psycho and mess up person is beyond prefect. He knows how and when to give a psycho expression. And when Hyuk was trying to change to a better person, SungRok really made me feel sorry for Hyuk. He sold Hyuk’s pain amazingly.


MUSIC:

I love the vibe of the music. It gives me a 2010s vibes, which a love!
My favorite song from the OST is “Low Voice” by Jimin Park


REWATCH VALUE:

Definitely would watch again!