It started of well, got lost in middle

First of all I want to say, if you are looking for politics? Skip this one. For romance? Watch on your own account, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this.

I had started this drama even if historical isn't my go to because everyone was talking about it, praising it and plot sounded interesting enough. Drama had so much potential in the beginning with switching twins, the king being secretly a woman storyline. The beginning was paced well and you get sucked into this drama pretty quickly, just enough events to keep you interested, but not too much to leave "how will they execute 20 eps?". Yes it had cliché storyline in the beginning but it was well executed, you will likely not mind it at all. However, if you don't like first few episodes and wondering if it gets better? Do not continue.

Most storylines of characters were presented well right off and it just makes you care and wonder about everyone, not only the two leads. Lee Hwi and the male trio were done well (well, Hyun was more later on rather than the beginning), but issue was with the female duo, So Eun and Ha Kyung. They were supposted to be important characters, even have main role listed on here, but they lacked depth, motivation. It is kinda like the writer got lazy writing their characters. Actress did well with their roles, kudos especially to idol turned actress, Chae Yeon, but they just didn't have space to do anything more noticeable, they were just used as plot devices rather than them influencing the plot. Even what was supposted to be So Eun's growth as chatacter wasn't well done, it felt forced and unnatural. Sadly, for those two it didn't change until the end.

My issue considering writing is great with Ji Woon's and Ga On's characters. Ji Woon went from brave, admirable and interesting character to just Lee Hwi's loyal puppy. He lost all dimensions he had on the start and just became bland character, his father in the end had more depth and dimensions. Ga On had amazing potential, his storyline was great, I would say even the best one of the show, but it was badly executed. His, what was supposted to be great revelation, was underwhelming and after it, he was just there, for eye candy I guess. However, both Rowoon and Choi Byung Chan did well in their roles, their blandness in second half is writer's fault, not lack of their acting skills.

Chemistry of leads was great in first half, you care for them and their relationship so much, you root for them. Even tho Ji Woon's sexuality could have been dealt with better, it didn't impact the main couple. And just like everything else, it was also ruined in second half, to the point I didn't feel anything for them anymore, I didn't care if they end up together, all I felt was annoyance with their storyline.

My another great issue is pacing. It was well done for almost entirety of first half of the drama, and second half was just marked with unnecessary and out of place events that didn't serve the plot nothing but to drag it to 20 episodes. It could have easily been 16 eps drama, if even that much.

Last few episodes I was just annoyed watching it and often skipped through some scenes. I hoped the ending will make up for some of this drama, but it left bitter taste, to put it nicely. It was NOT well done and it was so unrealistic. Kinda like they created a whole mess with everyone included, and they just ended it with everything solved but with a million questions of how.

Rewatch is definitely not in my plans.

Lastly, I want to say a few good things to justify an 6 rather than lower number. As I said, first half was just well done. Outside of it, actors did great job, from mains to supports, all were good or outstanding in their roles, especially Park Eun Bin and Bae Soo Bin, and even new actor Kim Taek whose first role is this one, what a start! Also, some support characters like Grand Queen Dowager, Jil Geum, Eunuch Cho and Court Lady Kim just made the drama better. Even tho I skipped some scenes, I still watched an episode as soon as it airs, so it was interesting enough, or I am a masochist.

Overall the drama is just badly executed cliché after a cliché with many known and respectable faces. So if you are expecting great story, great historical drama? You will likely be disappointed. But if you can make through pointed minuses of drama, you can give it a try, to waste your time, to bless your eyes, an easy time passing drama (if you give up on expectations) with great names and great visuals with OSTs worthy of your library.

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