a new take on a non serious sageuk!

this drama doesn't take itself too seriously which is one of the reasons that i really enjoyed it. there's obviously a horrible minister planning to take political power and meddling people in the palace. the things that made this drama so good is that it doesn't take itself to seriously as they make jokes.

they weren't afraid to lean into the charmingly boyish side of men with their two leads.the small mannerisms from each definitely made it better.
lee heon and shinwon were really shy for the woman they had affects for, especially lee heon. which brings me to my next point...

the characterization and story of the king is what really made this for me. lee heon being head over heels for his queen, who is rather indifferent to him and his really affectionate form of loving, suffering for almost a decade because he is haunted by what he knows is the wrongful death of someone he loved was so MOVING. this haunting is obviously done by the people wanting to destabilize his power and hoping to drive him to insanity. being haunted by that wrongful death since he felt he failed to protect her, seeing women constantly die in the same way thus not letting him forget it, and depriving him of sleep.

it was so nice to see the way he was reanimated with life and love after meeting so rang + to see so rang allow herself to return to her life and actually live it. and they're such a good match. heon can express his love and affection to someone who is very reciprocate of it :)

anyway, the show obviously has its issues (some loose ends w the political plot going on) and some things not explained well(which results into this feeling lower budget and web series like for me) but i still enjoyed it. made me super sympathetic towards the main three and made me laugh a lot! definitely recommend!