Amazing enough to garner my first review on MDL heh.

*ps minus the last 15 mins as others have noted, I'll forget that ever happened ok ok~

The drama is gripping and well-paced. Chemistry and angst, the eye gazes and sexual tension are killer. The actors (even without a lot of your usual "A" listers or typical ones we've been seeing lately giving lackluster performance...IYKYK!!) have gone over and beyond to connect deeply with their roles and deliver on an outstanding level. They make many references to how they're putting on "a show/play" and they definitely put on an amazing one at that! The occasional arc to build towards the end were however a little long but there wasn't much downtime for a show which was good. Yes, the last maybe 10 ish eps had more scenes cut to fit the 40ep timeline but it delivers much better than some of the other shows lately in the post 2020 era of Cdramas.

I did want to note that I think all of our villains had such "positive" backlighting to their -sad- histories and pasts. They really wanted to humanize them and tbh I think all our bad guys got it off easy. Not much time to sit on their "regrets" but with easy things like suicide (x2) and going mad!? Anyways - I felt that could have been a bit more fleshed out to see their character truly repent and apologize.
Also some people didn't really like the fact there were some "plotholes" to the FL's identity and how it was slightly glossed over (albeit revisited) and not pursued. Even the Emperor, did he know??! He's in on it I figured! Hah! Cute.

Anyways Here to also say I could have definitely wished for more fan service or skinship but I'll give it to them for building a strong enough ship that I'm okay without it. They were really firing up the screen and I was always so giddy for their glances, smiles and little moments. Could do with more of 'em for sure. I'll be adding this to my top to-rewatch/recommend dramas! I will miss this. The cast, the plot, the OST, the action scenes, and the overall energy this gave to my rather sad 2024 Cdrama year. I will see you guys hopefully on the next! I'm always looking for other good rec's like this. Cheers!

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