Overall -

The suspense is what kept me coming back. The beginning and middle of the series was great, but the ending was very unexpected and very frustrating for me. it felt rushed and all over the place. There were times where I thought some of the characters "origin" stories needed more spotlight or more details on certain characters POV's before certain scenes (Na Wang Shik's Demise; before bomb explosion). This drama also would've been better had the episodes been longer, but ig the short episodes added onto that suspense. Other than feeling rushed, this makjang was pretty good.

The Empress Dowager (The real Villain) -

I've never hated a fictional character so much in my life, she chose power over others (even her own blood). Killed and ruined so many lives because of her greed and pride. She wanted everything in her control, everything to be perfect. She was willing to use/throw anyone if it meant her success, truly a despicable woman.

The Emperor (The Villain turned Hero; still a piece of shit tho)-

When I finished the series, my heart ached for the Emperor. I hated what he did to the Empress and others, but loved his character development. I'm not trying to dismiss his wrongs, but when you think about it, he truly is pitiful. He was caught up in others schemes since day one. The pressure of having to be perfect is truly damaging to people as a child. Caught in his mothers web of lies, wrapped around her fingers, so easily manipulated because of his traumas. He was a puppet king. Although it cost him his life, at least he knows his wrongs and helped expose his mother in the end.

The Empress (The Main Character) -

Our naive and happy mc had to adapt to the palace in such a short time. Experienced so many betrayals and near death experiences. She had to become hard as steel to survive and find out the truth about the imperial family. Whenever she cried, I cried. Her stubborn attitude made me admire her even more, she stood her ground and didn't give up after everything that happened to her. The true definition of a strong female character.

The Guard (Na Wang Shik/ Chun Woo Bin) -

His death near the end was way too unexpected (i mean he was gonna die in a few months anyway, but still thought he'd survive after exposing the imperial family), I was super mad when he was just killed off. But one thing that makes me super mad, is that his romance with the Empress didn't go any further. They were super cute, but chose to disregard their feelings for the truth and revenge. What he had to go through was super unjust. He died before seeing his mission finished.

*Gotta say, Min Yu Ra is on par with the empress dowager. But her character development was surprising to me. Thought she would've died off a villain. The nanny was also super evil as well. But I applaud her for her actions at the end. Not wanting the little princess to remember her was the best decision as the princess's mother. She finally thought about her childs best interests instead of hers.