Honestly, I don’t even know how to begin this review. Considering this drama is divided in 2 parts, it is quite hard for me to judge only the first half of such a beautiful and angsty drama. BUT I think it deserves all the love it is getting and I really hope that the rumors surrounding the ending of part 1 will not deter other viewers to at least try watching it.

!!!!!! SPOILERS INCOMING BEWARE !!!!!! Not even a proper review, more of an “essay” regarding episode 10 lol

Of course, I understand why many were confused and disappointed about the ending (for a moment I was too) but like I said before, it is only the first half of a story with 10 more episodes airing in October and the love story between the FL and the ML isn’t finished at all, I would even say that it didn’t fully begin yet. I feel like the character growth of the FL will be even more obvious in part 2, moreover considering the fact that the FL at the beginning of part 1 and at its ending is no longer the same person already. Of course, she has flaws and it shows but the ML isn’t perfect either! I think they both have their rights and their wrongs in the events following the ML departure to follow the Crown Prince.

I don’t exactly know how much time passed between his departure and his return but how is a young girl, who became against her wishes the new head of the family, supposed to take care of a bunch of people on her own? Even so, she clearly said many times to the general that she couldn’t and wouldn’t love him like he did. She even thought, like all of them, that the ML was dead! But then, he returned, and she wavered of course, because it was very tempting to leave all her responsibilities behind and follow the man of her dreams (literally!). Unfortunately (or fortunately), this story isn’t all about the lovey-dovey stuff, they are living in times of war, with famine and violence knocking at their door nearly each day, so it was perfectly rational of her to choose to stay with her family and friends.

I also saw some comments saying that her letter toward the ML was awful but I believe that it was a brave choice coming from her: she told him that she didn’t love him enough to follow him, but it was the perfect trick to make him “forget” about her, and to live on with his life, completely devoid of regrets or sadness. They will meet again for sure, but for now, this is the ending of this uncertain relationship, in which neither is fully committed to the other, because there are more urgent matters that need to be dealt with first (like the war for the ML and the need to protect one’s family for the FL).

It's not a good look for me but, watching the final episode, I was ready to throw hands with the FL for seemingly toying with the ML’s feelings like that. Then, after calming down a little and doing a serious introspection, I couldn’t stay mad at the FL, because despite her somewhat childish and harsh character, she still risked her life many times to protect her family, all alone at that! And to throw this fact away just to follow a man she doesn’t know very well (even the viewers don’t have a clue about his past, how is she supposed to know that he is 100% truthful?) it would have been very stupid (in my opinion).

On the other hand, I don’t have much to say about the ML, he is perfectly dreamy and his lines always make my heart melt like snow under the sun, but he’s still a total mystery for now, and I really hope his past life will be addressed correctly in part 2. The appearance of a potential “SFL” made me worry for a little bit, I can’t lie, but honestly, I don’t think the ML have any space in his heart left for a woman other than the FL. I could be wrong, but considering the very beginning of episode 1 when he’s surrounded by soldiers on the beach, he clearly loves her still. Now, will it have a happy ending or a sad one…? I want to believe some theories about them living happily even after but my brain is already telling me to wake up and already prepare for the worst lol.

The only downside about this first part is the weird editing, making it hard to follow the story and its specific timeline. For example, during episode 10, the FL and ML meet a few times during her wedding’s preparations, but for me it felt like they met 3-4 times during the same night, even if logically, it would make more sense if it all happened during the course of a week or so. Also, the editing isn’t very well done during some scenes: hands aren’t positioned the same in different angles, the same motion is repeated at different angles, and sometimes little “zooms” are added in, which made me quite confused. Maybe part 2 will be better in this aspect. So yeah, that’s all for me guys!! I will certainly watch part 1 again before part 2 airs, and maybe I will add some other thoughts in this “review”.