7.0/10 - Really starting to take shape.

Wouldn't the biggest reveal be that there's nothing in "The Story of Ho Dam". It's just another romance novel. Now that would be a scary twist!

Ooooo, it looks like "The Story of Ho Dam" is in fact the true story of how the current King took over the throne. With the help of Second. Well that's the power of literature. The truth can always come out. Fear it, but you can never suppress it. I like that we're also introduced to what the book might be through Queen Dowager Yim's eyes.

Poor Yi Rim that was so heart breaking to watch. Following him in there to see the King as his fear builds. It built in me! The worry, anxiety, and fear. Somehow actor Cha Eun Woo conveys this anxiety missed with knowledge that the King hates him so much that nothing he does is good enough. You know he feels like a waste of space. Yep! First the King is off his rocker and evil. You can tell he loves to break apart the Prince and take away anything that makes him happy. I don't think Yi Rim is his real son. I have a theory . . .

. . . that Crown Prince Yi Jin and Yi Rim are the sons of the real King! You know the King that the current king and the Second State Councilor killed. Killed secretly I'm assume. So technically the usurper, the current King, is not their father? So many questions! So many theories! Clearly the King bullies and picks on Yi Rim to get to Crown Yi Jin. Which means that they're trying to break the Crown Prince.

I love seeing Yi Jin lean on Yi Rim for help. It's great to see royal siblings not only like each other, but help one another. Not to mention interact! Like how happy Yi Jin is to see Queen Dowager Yim! Happily offering her his seat. Talking about the day and events stressing him. Not to mention her advice! Which he expertly takes. So that Second State Councillor's trap to have women historians be his spies might actually work for Yi Jin. Or at least make it so that there won't be female historians, or at the very least if there are they won't be Second State Councillor's spies. Yi Jin might have a chance! (I mean them being spies had to be Yi Jin's objection. Right? He clearly trusts his Grandmother's council and advice. So he knows women are strong and intelligent.)

I'm all for runaway Brides! And runaway grooms too! Ha-ha! The groom was hilarious. I almost hope to see him pop up again! The best part is seeing Hae Ryung's maid try and comfort her about the marriage and get Hae Ryung ready. You can see when the night before comes it's hitting home. Then on the wedding day she's crying in her room. More than willing now to help Hae Ryung make her escape! Her runaway bride escape to enter the exams! Where we know she'll be stubborn and fearless enough to pass.

I am now convinced that this is a more mature version of Sungkyunkwan Scandal. Sungkyunkwan is even mentioned! Is anyone else getting the vibes? I'm okay with it. Actually happy. Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung has already done a great job of creating its own identity.

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