Be prepared, this is a tragic story that is gut wrenching. I heard it was released as a web series, the actors and actresses were unknown at the time and it became a surprise hit. They spent a large portion of the budget on the cinematography, production, costumes, and settings . The beginning scenes with the princess in her red wedding garb and her red scarf flowing in the wind was beautiful. The settings and costumes that reflect the Eastern Palace were beautifully done and stood in contrast to the princess's home land. Also the OST was unique and on point for some of the scenes.

The ML is a complex and morally challenged character, he doesn't go around killing for the fun of it but he will be ruthless if necessary to consolidate his power to become the Crown Prince and to survive. He's ruthless to the point where he doesn't truly understand the pain he inflicts on his "true love". He sees she is in pain and he desperately wants her to love him but he doesn't have a full comprehension of why she cannot be with him. He is so obsessed with her he pushes things to a point where he hurts all the people around the FL and traps her.

The acting is decent, the ML overacts in some of the scenes which may cause a little bit of an eye roll. He does manage to pull it off, your jaw may drop with his villainous behavior but the writer and director layer and provide some depth to the character where you feel some level of emotion for the tragic love or whatever you want to call it between the ML and FL. The FL is supposed to be naïve and not too bright, she's kind and likeable enough that it solicits some level of empathy for her situation. I felt the FL did a better job acting than the ML. They did have good chemistry, enough to believe in their on screen attraction for each other.

Some parts did drag on which required fast forwarding, they could have easily removed some of those filler parts to tighten the storyline.

Overall its a wickedly twisted tragic story that is beautifully told.