I really did love this show. I think it was better at the start than towards the end, I know it was meant to be sad but it did get a little slow. Additionally, some of the plot points felt a bit rushed. I’m conflicted about the king because he was attractive and well written but at the same time he was inconsiderate and most of the time only thought of himself. Plus the parts where he almost forced himself on Deok Im really put me off. I get that it’s probably historically accurate for him to be this way but in a fictional drama that focuses more on the romance, it wasn’t really necessary. The acting and visuals however were incredible! I also enjoyed the balance between the romance and political side, neither felt like too much.

I’m sad now, in two ways. One is that of course the ending in general is sad for explicit reasons. The other is due to how the drama portrayed the misogyny of the past, and how all women no matter their standing or class never got to have the life they truly wanted. My heart pained so much for Deok Im and the other women in the palace. Even the Dowager Queen who was trapped forever and not able to leave for her brother’s funeral. It makes me understand more perhaps why they decided to make the king forceful towards Deok Im, emphasising how little power women had to make their own decisions (still didn’t like it though bc we were then meant to love this guy). Anyway I definitely think I will find myself rewatching this.