elc2005

The first time i watched this, it was only my second or third drama ever. Not counting Squid Game cause that was before i even knew what a kdrama was.

I watched Extraordinary Atty Woo and like most people, i fell for Park Eun Bin so i jumped to watch the next show that had English dubbing with her.

Well first go round, being new to the genre, i was kinda bored and very impatient with the "slow burn". I must have shouted JUST KISS ALREADY at my TV a million times.

I didn't understand the Joseon era, all the side characters looked alike, and i thought Rowoon had on a distracting amount of makeup.

Not to mention the obvious miscasting of Eun Bin in this role. There was not a single masculine quality about her that could be played on. I know a Korean man can be beautiful, just look at the guard Kim Gaon. But Eunbin was also tiny. What they should have done was given the 'prince' a mysterious illness that would have explained his delicate features, no hair, and tiny frame.

Upon my rewatch, 3 years and 200 dramas later, the most important thing i realized over time is how much a difference it makes hearing the actors own voices. I only use subtitles these days and i hate most dubbed things.

Ive say all this to say, as a seasoned kdrama watcher, this gives you everything you could want in a period drama right to the very end.

I still believe the prince was miscast based on looks alone but i enjoyed her performance so much it didn't matter. Rowoon is an excellent popstar turned actor. He's def multitalented.

It's one of the most gorgeous dramas ever!

Sometimes I have the bar set low for kdramas. Like I automatically rate it higher if a drama omits things like "open eyed fish kisses" between adults.

Nevertheless, this drama earned all of its stars based on what it DID include. The twin thing was done very well and im so proud of Bo Young! She still has a small problem with unnecessarily speaking with her mouth closed, which I don't find cute at all. But I think the adorable way she acts the rest of the time cancelled out my irritation. She did fantastic playing each twin differently.

Kudos to teen portrayal of the twins and especially teen Hosu.

I am completely in love with Park Jin Young since Yumis Cells and I think I'll never rate any chemistry higher than he and Kim Go-Eun in that drama, yet i was pleased with what I saw between he and Bo Young. A very believable, adorable, loving relationship that handled ups and downs masterfully.

The moms were great! I love both actresses already and I loved them in these roles. I was so glad that they were written with modern values and not the kind of parents who interfered or were abusive to their grown children.

Last thing since I'm going on and on.

The story itself i thought was just fine. Several different issues going on simultaneously, but I didn't find it to be tedious or tiresome to follow.

So this is like a combo coming of age, slice of life, drama that thankfully, does not include a random murder mystery.

Thanks for reading!