First Real Historical K-Drama

So I randomly decided to watch this drama because I liked the summary, but I wasn't sure how I would like a historical K-drama. The closest thing I've watched was Kingdom and obviously that had more of a fantasy aspect.

But I am so happy I decided to watch it. I was hooked with the first couple of episodes. The main leads acting was amazing. I could feel their emotions. I loved how the FL was loyal to her friends right to the end. It was just as refreshing to see that each one of her friends were just as loyal and there wasn't one that became jealous or petty.

I was so conflicted about how I felt about how they end up. I reaallly wanted them to have a happy ending, but a little glad that they didn't because it was a bit more realistic. Back in those days, King's affections were fickle and they had multiple concubines etc. Its nice to think that a King can have his one true love and live happily after but it doesn't always work that way. Honestly, though I did like the King , he was definitely selfish and just dumb to think she didn't truly love him at all. He wanted her and got her, but at the cost of everything she had -as she mentioned in the drama. She made that sacrifice because she really loved him and unfortunately she did have to shoulder things that came along with being a concubine/ having the kings love. Its sad because if you really think about it, this all stemmed from the Senior Court Lady's Plans. If she didn't purposely have the FL meet up with the Prince who knows. She may have not have fallen in love with him and just continued to live her life happily as a normal maid (but then this wouldn't have been a drama lol). I think that's the saddest part of it all-that she didn't want any of that in the first place.

This drama was truly a great story and to have it done within 17 episodes is great lol. Usually with Kdramas I find the emotional connection slightly lacking because I wish there were a bit more episodes to really delve into the characters/stories more but this was not the case with this drama for me (like cdramas-although cdramas sometimes have wayy too many episodes lol buutt you know when you see a c-drama have 40+ episodes and its a wuxia drama you know your emotions are going to be all over the place).

The only thing I didn't like too much was the character of Hong Deok Ro. It could be because I wanted a little more of a love triangle (i'm guilty-I love them, when done right), but I just didn't get his character. like was he bad? not bad? did he like her? not like her? it was a bit weird to me. Like the things he said to her were mad harsh but he never gave any positive comments to clear the air or anything. His character threw me off a bit. He kind of reminded me of a watered down Tuo Ba Yu from Princess Wei Young. But Tuo Ba Yu's character you knew he grew to love the princess in his own way.

All in all, I literally just finished this drama and had to come here and write a review because it was just that good. In my opinion, if you are like me , thinking of watching your first historical drama definitely watch this one. You will fall in love with the stories and main characters without feeling too depressed afterwards because its still a light 17 episodes lol.

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ok watch as a filler

Had this drama on hold because I was waiting for it to be completed subbed. I saw that it was finally completed and decided to finish it. I want to put it out there that I judge dramas pretty leniently compared to other reviewers . I'm that person that knows they're watching a show that's pretty bad but will still try and finish it (unless its just plain terrible lol).

TBH really started watching this drama because of Vin Zhang. I do agree with most of the issues that other reviewers mentioned. So without further ado here are somethings I liked and what I didn't like about the drama.

Lets start with the good :)

1. I did somewhat like main leads relationship-(Xu Cheng Yi and Xia Yan)they had a few cute moments. Some people may think him hanging on to a random girls bracelet for 3 years is stalkerish, but hey its the world of c-drama. I think its the pretty much norm lol it wouldn't be a drama if it didn't have something like this so I didn't mind it too much

2. Contrary to popular belief, I actually liked Han Shuang's character. I liked that she's fiesty and is always ready to defend her friends. She's absolutely dramatic but she also speaks her mind. She's literally said some of the more realistic/common sense things in this drama-ex. when Zhao Xiao Lei was debating about dating the older man because she didn't want to break up their "happy family"- Han Shuang reminded her that he was already divorced.

3. I do like that the girls are always there for each other even after fights and what not. --this is also a catch 22 because their friendship is also in my not so good list lol.

4. I also kind of liked Yan Chang Jun's character mostly for the simple fact he was the smartest one out of all the leads. He also mostly had all the answers . He would've sort of fit the typical main lead CEO that I described below, but the drama didn't really give his character enough depth. Again I get what the writer was trying to get across- he is supposed to be the old competitive friend that seems hostile but actually will defend and protect his "brother". The execution of it just fell flat. They could've done so much more with him. I would've even accepted him as a SML.


So on to the not so good

1. I truly did not really care too much for Vin Zhang's character. Usually the CEO in dramas are usually unrealistically smarter and more calculating than most of the characters in the drama. In this case, he was lowkey powerless, had no back up plan -like when he was framed and had to take extended leave. Usually the CEO at this point already had a back up or working on one (lets reference Sweet Love for the type of CEO I was expecting him to be). Also he never even suspected his ex-girl friend at all--like.. AT ALL? thats just unrealistic. His character here low key reminded me of his character in Flame's daughter. (also the same thing can also be said about the character of Xia Yan. She wasn't super clever or anything like the qualities of the mfl)

2. The part where they cornered the ex-girlfriend to expose her. This is supposed to be the climax of the show where the main leads put together everything she did and explain/prove why she was the culprit. but this part was done so badly in my opinion . The dialogue lasted what seemed like 20mins of pure going back and forth with her and multiple people coming in with new information or "proof" but she had a come back for all of it. and then on top of that Vin Zhang's character still didn't believe she did it until he saw the papers? no satisfaction at all. Usually I like this part in dramas because it shows the cleverness of the main leads on outing the culprit but this scene was not it.

3. The girls friendship is great at some points and other points just a no. Especially with Zhao Xiao Lei-who was clearly getting abused physically, but in the end they still left her with Lin Hao... after all that yelling they could've forced her to leave but no they just left? smh. also when Han Shuang believed that Xia Yan exposed that video during her wedding? for all her protectiveness she's shown in the show she should've known better.

4. all the other randomness that other reviewers mentioned-like Xiang Nan may having breast cancer in like episode 30 and Huo Kai randomly appearing at the end. Xue Ning randomly coming back just to help and leave? like there was no real point in my opinion in having her come back unless she was going back to the company as a director again.


All in all, even with all the faults it was an ok watch if you have nothing else to watch. Also I get what this drama was trying to do. Having the different type of girlfriends- the wild, crazy but fiercely protective friend, the sweet, naive friend, the successful office friend, and the mature not willing to take risks friend. i just don't think they did the character development right as well as issues with the storyline for each character and overall. If done correctly this drama would've been so much better. So I gave this a 6 mainly because of Vin Zhang lol, a few cute/funny moments, and what the director was trying to portray story wise.

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great high school drama

I don't normally go looking for high school dramas, but I have watched a few and this has got to be one of my favorite ones aside from Meeting You. What I loved most about this drama is that the FML is not over the top. Some of the high school dramas I've seen, the FML is usually borderline annoying at first (yes I know character development and all lol). She's a pretty chill character-which I love.

Also the main leads have such a cute chemistry, that I definitely felt nostalgic about my high school years just like other people have commented.

What I also liked is that she didn't total disregard the SML-after all they did grow up together. One of my pet peeves-although I do like love triangles, is that some dramas are quick to right off the SML once they do something wrong. Like ok lets just forget how much you helped me in the past and how you were basically one of my best friends.

I am happy as always when I find something that I wasn't expecting to be a great drama lol.

Its definitely a fun and quick watch.

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Surprisingly ended up loving this drama

Honestly, I was hesitant about watching this version only because its a bit older. Like you know when the episodes just look old like the coloring is off lol but seeing others recommend this through feeds I decided to try it and I am happy I did! I will agree with some of the comments that the acting is pretty cringe worthy at times and Ku Hye-sun's acting was a bit over the top sometimes but if you can get past that then I believe you'll love this version like I did. Its hilarious and heartbreaking-but its still overall a light watch. Here are a few key things I liked:

1. Jan Di had a hobby-she was good at swimming
2. Ji-hu's character. period lol. I literally fell in love with him and I honestly wished that Jan Di picked him instead
3. Jan Di's character isn't as frustrating as Shan Cai's character when it came to expressing her feelings. In Meteor Garden it took her forever to express her feelings and it became overwhelmingly frustrating that I was talking out loud like girl you like him enough. Here Jan Di's feelings are more natural, even though she doesn't say it until later in the show you still get the vibe and when she finally says it, there's no dragging it. She just said it.
4. the show fit everything it needed without it being draggy- at least in my opinion

There's not too much that I didn't particularly like in the drama aside from the things I already mentioned before. But I think the one that stands out the most is Jun-pyo's character. He just didn't win me over. In Meteor Garden Dao Mi Sing literally kept giving up everything and didn't care, but I feel like Jun-pyo actually went through the motions that his mom wanted him to do. I get he was trying to be more mature and so forth but still.

Anyway, I always love when I try a drama I don't think I'm going to like and end up loving it lol. Give this drama a try and you might love it like I do :)

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