I really liked this drama. The production values, costumes, acting and music were all top-notch. But I found the characterization of the female lead too problematic. She was wholly toxic as a character- stubborn, selfish, insensitive, cold and simply hateful. I don’t think she apologized even once during the whole drama or tried to make amends for anything she did wrong.

She takes the ML to task for every little thing he does but gives the 2ML a pass for everything. Even when 2ML tries to assassinate someone at her loving adoptive family’s home or is being shot for participating in nefarious activities she doesn’t say one sharp word to him and instead rescues him but if the ML did one silly little thing she found objectionable she would give him the silent treatment for a month or simply run away and leave him . She never thought of all the times he saved her life while punishing him - only the one petty little thing he did. How could he trust her when she never behaved in a trustworthy way? You just don’t believe in her love for him at all. I know the script probably means to portray the 2 ML as an ordinary friend but her actions are very misleading - no wonder the ML, 2ML and even some of ML’s family think she loves 2 ML.

And also the ML why oh why would he continue to obsessively love such a woman? I don’t think in real life anybody would put up with a woman like that. Especially a guy so rich, powerful and good looking with options - are you telling me he wouldn’t be able to replace this sorry excuse for a wife in one hot minute with someone much better? He deserved someone like Aunt Qi - supportive,loyal, loving and understanding.

Seriously though I don’t understand why they write characters like this FL? Wouldn’t the audience like to see her doing some loving and supportive things for her husband and then maybe a big misunderstanding tearing them apart instead of having the FL always being cold , hard hearted and oppositional? I think she once makes gloves for him - that’s the only nice thing she did for him the entirety of their marriage until the last couple of episodes. Wouldn’t making the FL less selfish and more supportive be a better selling point to audiences than a cold , hard hearted woman who had no problem constantly chasing after the 2 ML and doing things for him that she wouldn’t have done for the ML.?They really did the actress dirty on this one. And the actor too because you have to wonder what kind of nut job would continue to chase after such a woman.

I found the details on the war and their strategizing interesting. I wouldn’t rewatch this but I liked watching it the first time despite all the frustration.