KatySarang_TGeyes
This review may contain spoilers
So this review contains some very minor spoilers. Most of these you figure out after a couple of episode.s
I hate joseon dramas. I really do, I hate them with a burning passion. I feel like usually joseon dramas have two main leads and every one else acts as though they are satan themselves. It's annoying and repetitive. I LOVED this drama though. I loved it so much. This isn't just "good for a joseon drama" this drama is amazing by itself. I'm glad that the premise of jang dong yoon acting as a female and adorable bts scenes finally swayed me to give this drama a shot. I binge watched it in a week and I have no regrets. It was my treat myself after finals, and it was one of the best treats ever.
Here is what I loved the most:
The Relationship
Now some people complain that these leads don't communicate. I wholeheartedly disagree. We figure out early on that they are in some dangerous schemes. It's realistic and respectful to protect those you love when you're involved in something that could get you executed for treason. The female lead is hesitant to start a relationship, but it's shown that she's been denying herself happiness all her life. It's realistic for her character to act like that. Also if I was planning to assassinate the king, I wouldn't start a relationship either. I would be even more hesitant if I actually liked him, because I wouldn't want to hurt him. If you think about it from her perspective it makes sense why she acts the way she does. What's beautiful about their relationship though, is that even though they don't lay out their plans, they still give each other emotional support. They laugh with each other, they cry with each other, they cover for each other, listen to each other and they are always there for one another. It's beautiful and natural. They are definitely one of my favorite kdrama couples.
Nokdu and Jang Dong Yoon
I love Nokdu. His character was more comedic in the beginning and more serious at the end. This didn't jar me too much. In the beginning he didn't know who he was and that allowed him a more lighthearted nature. Towards the middle and end he found out who he was and let's just say it became more personal. It makes sense for his nature to become more serious and hurt. Whether he was being romantic, funny, or serious his acting was on point. I have never seen a man act like such a convincing woman. Lady Kim is more feminine than I am lol. His acting in more serious moment was of course on point. I already knew that he was good with serious characters though from Solomon's Perjury and School 2017. He also did fantastic in the romantic department. I don't usually like romantic dramas and I tend to stick to crime.s the Nokdu definitely made me swoon though and I found myself squeeling over him and his relationship with dong joo. Overall, the acting was great. I also loved Nokdu as a character. I found myself rooting for him since the very beginning. He is so kind and loyal to those he loves. When his heart broke my heart broke, I just love Nokdu so much.
Dong Joo and Kim Seo Hyun
Some people don't like her character, though I don't understand why. I thought her story of "happiness or revenge" was really poignant. The actress did a good job from the very first scene establishing the internal conflict in Dong Joo. I loved how human she felt. Sometimes characters are so bent on revenge that they feel less human. Dong Joo felt very well-rounded and real. I was always rooting for her character too, and hoping that she would find happiness.
Side Characters
The side characters were good people! I loved all of them and was rooting for their personal happiness too! I'm glad this drama added in side characters, instead of just focusing on our leads. I love our leads, but good side characters balance out the melodrama. I wish all joseon dramas had a healthy set of comedic and lovable side characters.
The Villains
They weren't just the spawn of satan. Perhaps the writing could've been a bit tighter on their characterization. I'll be forgiving though since it was different from just "he's evil." I enjoyed our villains and didn't get bored when they were on screen. This is enough for me, since usually I tune out when villains appear on screen in joseon dramas.
Overall, this drama was amazing. It is definitely my most favorite joseon drama. I recommend it to all, and hope you give it a chance like I did!
I hate joseon dramas. I really do, I hate them with a burning passion. I feel like usually joseon dramas have two main leads and every one else acts as though they are satan themselves. It's annoying and repetitive. I LOVED this drama though. I loved it so much. This isn't just "good for a joseon drama" this drama is amazing by itself. I'm glad that the premise of jang dong yoon acting as a female and adorable bts scenes finally swayed me to give this drama a shot. I binge watched it in a week and I have no regrets. It was my treat myself after finals, and it was one of the best treats ever.
Here is what I loved the most:
The Relationship
Now some people complain that these leads don't communicate. I wholeheartedly disagree. We figure out early on that they are in some dangerous schemes. It's realistic and respectful to protect those you love when you're involved in something that could get you executed for treason. The female lead is hesitant to start a relationship, but it's shown that she's been denying herself happiness all her life. It's realistic for her character to act like that. Also if I was planning to assassinate the king, I wouldn't start a relationship either. I would be even more hesitant if I actually liked him, because I wouldn't want to hurt him. If you think about it from her perspective it makes sense why she acts the way she does. What's beautiful about their relationship though, is that even though they don't lay out their plans, they still give each other emotional support. They laugh with each other, they cry with each other, they cover for each other, listen to each other and they are always there for one another. It's beautiful and natural. They are definitely one of my favorite kdrama couples.
Nokdu and Jang Dong Yoon
I love Nokdu. His character was more comedic in the beginning and more serious at the end. This didn't jar me too much. In the beginning he didn't know who he was and that allowed him a more lighthearted nature. Towards the middle and end he found out who he was and let's just say it became more personal. It makes sense for his nature to become more serious and hurt. Whether he was being romantic, funny, or serious his acting was on point. I have never seen a man act like such a convincing woman. Lady Kim is more feminine than I am lol. His acting in more serious moment was of course on point. I already knew that he was good with serious characters though from Solomon's Perjury and School 2017. He also did fantastic in the romantic department. I don't usually like romantic dramas and I tend to stick to crime.s the Nokdu definitely made me swoon though and I found myself squeeling over him and his relationship with dong joo. Overall, the acting was great. I also loved Nokdu as a character. I found myself rooting for him since the very beginning. He is so kind and loyal to those he loves. When his heart broke my heart broke, I just love Nokdu so much.
Dong Joo and Kim Seo Hyun
Some people don't like her character, though I don't understand why. I thought her story of "happiness or revenge" was really poignant. The actress did a good job from the very first scene establishing the internal conflict in Dong Joo. I loved how human she felt. Sometimes characters are so bent on revenge that they feel less human. Dong Joo felt very well-rounded and real. I was always rooting for her character too, and hoping that she would find happiness.
Side Characters
The side characters were good people! I loved all of them and was rooting for their personal happiness too! I'm glad this drama added in side characters, instead of just focusing on our leads. I love our leads, but good side characters balance out the melodrama. I wish all joseon dramas had a healthy set of comedic and lovable side characters.
The Villains
They weren't just the spawn of satan. Perhaps the writing could've been a bit tighter on their characterization. I'll be forgiving though since it was different from just "he's evil." I enjoyed our villains and didn't get bored when they were on screen. This is enough for me, since usually I tune out when villains appear on screen in joseon dramas.
Overall, this drama was amazing. It is definitely my most favorite joseon drama. I recommend it to all, and hope you give it a chance like I did!
Was this review helpful to you?
