First of all, this drama is categorized as action and comedy. And here's why:
The first half of the drama is more on the comedic side - mainly due to the male main character disguising himself as a woman and trying to keep up the act. The second half of the show is much more dramatic, action-filled and sometimes even a little bloody. So just keep this in mind when you consider watching this drama.
The drama openly disclaims that all of its characters, organizations etc. are fiction. So far, so good. Yet, some characters have the same name and position as historical figures but are portrayed completely different than historical facts display them. One of those characters is the king in this drama, a very important character in the second half of the show. While the name giver was provenly one of the best kings of the Joseon era, the one in this drama is a complete nutjob. So I did wonder why they even bothered to name some characters after historic figures if the show and its plot is completely fictional.
The plot itself isn't very original either. One main character finds out who its true parents are, the other is the only survivor of its family and is out to get revenge. And of course the royal family is involved with the both of them. The dressing up as the opposite sex part isn't new either. The only thing different is that this time it's a man dressing up as a woman and not a woman dressing up as a man. Veeeery original!
Adding to that, most of the issues between crucial characters and especially between the main couple were created by one thing and one thing only: lack of communication. So you can imagine how FRUSTRATING it is to watch them creating more and more problems by just not talking and being honest with each other when you just know that all of it is so UNNECESSARY and could be resolved if they only started TALKING TO EACH OTHER.
Last but not least, some parts of the storyline didn't make much sense or were left unresolved (talking about you, Grand Prince Junior).
So why did I keep watching?
I fell in love with some characters (Jeon Nokdu, Jeon Yun-jeo, Aeng-du and her father, Kim Ssuk and a few widows), I loved the soundtrack and I loved the main couple, at least when they weren't fighting or pushing each other away like 75% of the show. Their chemistry was great and from all the dramas I've watched so far, this couple is definitely the one with the most kisses and the most physical affection shown between them (in a not too sexual way of course, this is still a korean drama!)
Conclusion: While you probably need good nerves to get through this show because of the many frustrating situations, miscommunication and crazy characters and the plot itself isn't very special, some characters are gonna steal your heart for sure - underlined by an awesome soundtrack.
The drama openly disclaims that all of its characters, organizations etc. are fiction. So far, so good. Yet, some characters have the same name and position as historical figures but are portrayed completely different than historical facts display them. One of those characters is the king in this drama, a very important character in the second half of the show. While the name giver was provenly one of the best kings of the Joseon era, the one in this drama is a complete nutjob. So I did wonder why they even bothered to name some characters after historic figures if the show and its plot is completely fictional.
The plot itself isn't very original either. One main character finds out who its true parents are, the other is the only survivor of its family and is out to get revenge. And of course the royal family is involved with the both of them. The dressing up as the opposite sex part isn't new either. The only thing different is that this time it's a man dressing up as a woman and not a woman dressing up as a man. Veeeery original!
Adding to that, most of the issues between crucial characters and especially between the main couple were created by one thing and one thing only: lack of communication. So you can imagine how FRUSTRATING it is to watch them creating more and more problems by just not talking and being honest with each other when you just know that all of it is so UNNECESSARY and could be resolved if they only started TALKING TO EACH OTHER.
Last but not least, some parts of the storyline didn't make much sense or were left unresolved (talking about you, Grand Prince Junior).
So why did I keep watching?
I fell in love with some characters (Jeon Nokdu, Jeon Yun-jeo, Aeng-du and her father, Kim Ssuk and a few widows), I loved the soundtrack and I loved the main couple, at least when they weren't fighting or pushing each other away like 75% of the show. Their chemistry was great and from all the dramas I've watched so far, this couple is definitely the one with the most kisses and the most physical affection shown between them (in a not too sexual way of course, this is still a korean drama!)
Conclusion: While you probably need good nerves to get through this show because of the many frustrating situations, miscommunication and crazy characters and the plot itself isn't very special, some characters are gonna steal your heart for sure - underlined by an awesome soundtrack.