if not only for the amazing, heart fluttering chemistry of the main leads, i would have dropped this drama long ago. oh, and cha dol, too. it's been so long since i've watched a drama (CLOY was the last) wherein their stare alone could make my heart melt. their affectionate stare for each other... oh my god. pls, it's making me ship them in real life🥲

anyway, the plot, character's action and words (esp Ba Wu) at the first episodes are truly problematic. so many times that i really just want to slap him in the face. and honestly, if in reality i met someone like him, i wont even think of falling in love with that kind of man despite his reasons lol. thank goodness it's fiction.

which brings me to the point that if only not for Cha Dol and the main leads (thanks to the actors) amazing chemistry, i was able to finish watching the drama. i was glad, too, that after the first few episodes that Ba Wu was such a jerk, his character drastically improved for the better.

i definitely prefered the first half more when they're hiding and poor. just the 5 of them together. tho, i know that the palace dramas and all that are needed because they cant hide forever (ironic because that still became the case towards the end haha) i dont really even care about the palace drama. actually, i dont even remember much of the plot, all i know is that i'm watching Yu Ri, Il Woo and Dong Ha😂

this is my first Yu Ri and Il Woo drama and i just want to give a huge round of applause, because, man, you truly saved the show. i dont even like bearded man, but boy, Jung Il Woo is so sexy with that beard. and honestly, i prefer the Ba Wu appearance more. bearded Jung Il Woo supremacy HAHA his acting was phenomenal, too. he fleshed our Kim Dae Seok/Ba Wu's character so well. his micro expressions, the way his lips curve ever so slightly, how he stares at the Princess, how he cry and all, he definitely nailed it. cant even imagine someone acting as Ba Wu other than him.

Kwon Yuri's portrayal of Princess Hwa In was amazing, too. she was beautiful even with her crying scene. her aura and appearance is perfect for the princess, brave, kind and fearless. and she definitely have chemistry with almost everyone.

lastly, Ko Dong Ha (Cha Dol) is the highlight of this show! such a promising young actor. i love him so much already. so many times that i want to squish his cheeks and hide him in my pocket. i honestly prefered the first half because there are more screentime for this trio being together than the second half where Cha Dol is getting less and less screentime.

tho i didnt like the plot and story as much, there are still scenes that truly captivates me. thanks to the amazing cinematography, too, i was able to appreciate it more.

spoilers ahead: special mention to the scene where the princess fell on the sea and they shot it as if she's a falling flower.

one of my favorite scene is when Ba Wu was captured. the way that his face lit up when Hwa In called him by his name for the first time despite being held by the guards, Jung Il Woo's expression was truly amazing with that. in between his fear, you can see how somehow, there's hope and happiness in his eyes hearing his name from her lips. lastly, and my most favorite, is the prison scene, i'm truly speechless watching that. it just feels so raw and pure. and you can truly feel their love, understanding and sincerity for each other. i may or may not tear up watching him trying to wipe away her tears with his tied hands, and how he cried for the first time while holding her hand.

indeed, there are a lot of times where i shout at my screen THAT IS THE MOMENT THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE KISSED HER! just watching at how they look at each other, and the number of hugs that they shared, i think i'm good with that. anyhow, they're not living in the modern era so that's totally understandable, plus the fact that she's a Princess so surely, he was being cautious.

20 chapters is already long for me, but it's still not enough so i'm truly truly glad to hear them starring together in a new drama which will be aired very soon! i just hope that i can still see them reunite with Cha Dol, too, and see bearded Jung Il Woo😭