I truly want to like this series. I force myself to keep watching hoping that it would get better and hopefully explain some of the questions that still lingered. But the ending clicked and a lot of the questions and build-up I felt were left unanswered. I am still trying to understand the feelings I’m feeling.

First off, I think this series is more symbolic than what it shows. For someone who didn’t read the book, it might have caused a lot of confusion and maybe even upset to the point where I can’t seem to enjoy the series as much as I would have liked. The storyline is great, I truly found it captivating but with the struggle between the FL and ML, I had a hard time comprehending why she was holding back.

So the good:
I adore the cast, I have never watched much of FL work so I’m very surprised by her acting. I also love our Junho, I mean who doesn’t?

Some of the symbolic scenes – The one that stood out the most was when she was saying goodbye to herself once she became the concubine. We know how free spirit she is, so to be tied back to the palace and having lost that freedom made me teared up a bit.

The unsure:
I was told they had chemistry that was off the chart, but I felt it more like he was chasing her, and she kept teasing and “played hard to get” even though we know she adore him. Did I miss a personality trait shown in the first few episodes? I think it didn’t really clear up until the end when her friend mentioned she likes to bluff. So I concluded it was just a personality trait that I probably didn’t catch???? I do love the sexual tension that Junho was giving but the FL just kept everything in check.

The open ending. Was it a dream? A nightmare he woke up from? Did he pass away? Was this him and her in their afterlife? The ending really upset me because of the buildup I felt along the way. I felt there was not enough information as time passed or the transition of how things went. For example, when three years passed after the death of the former king, we are suddenly switching to the marketplace. Why did their friend leave the court maid life? Was there really a marriage alliance with ML right man’s younger sister? Again, I think there were some symbolic things that happened that probably weren’t properly explained in the series or the director just couldn’t transition those scenes as smoothly for someone like me to understand. :D

The ending felt rushed to me. I didn’t like how FL and ML suddenly got together. How happy their lives were for the last few episodes and then the weird transition of how the crown prince died. Again, I just wish for a smooth transition and a deeper love connection between ML and FL.

As I’m writing this, one thing I do appreciate about the symbolic ending was how there were a lot of things that were hinted and it all happened in the “nightmare”. FL knew that ML loves his people as a king, he would be a great king just not a great husband because of the duties he has to shoulder. She even hinted that she wishes they were commoner and she often imagine it. He didn’t get the hint and just stated you’re a good court maid and he can’t imagine not being where he is at. This doubt continued to grow in her heart, but she also knew from the get-go if this is the decision she sticks with this is the path she’ll take. This is why when she visits her friend in prison, you can see the connection and the understanding she felt when her friend stated she doesn’t regret making the decision for the man she loves.

The directing and the way how this film was going have great potential, but I just wish things were a bit smooth. There were just a few scenes and a few transitions that caused confusion which is why my rating is a bit low. Again, I repeat my first line as I wrote the review; I truly want to like or even love this series but there are so many questions and doubts about how it was done. Simply I was just not that happy with how it went.

Rating:
4/10