Everything about it was well done. ML was antihero from start to finish. Romance did not bug the story down at all. Loved FL too. Every issue was brought properly to conclusion. I could really see that the show cost 20 billion. Also, the screenwriter, director, and entire cast down to the wardrobe did not waste the investment. I barely skipped anything. If i skipped it is cos i got a bit squeamish to see some things unfold. The villain was well thought out too. The female villain really was a villain. Totally worth a future rewatch. May take in all the finer details next watch. Only downside is that the morale of the story is that villainy cannot be punished by the standard justice system. It leaves normal folk somewhat hopeless as normal people do not role with Mafia boss. Plus, mafia is almost painted positively. Almost, which is not really a good thing. Nevertheless, as a work of fiction, it was excellently executed.
ML was just somehow difficult to watch. His acting was awkward at best and he looks sad even when smiling. Second ML did a great job... however, the the show made me see the not at all cute part of possessiveness and obsessiveness though i normally like a pretty good dose of such.. Dude was just ill and searching for his mum. The level of obsession was indeed next level. Empress Ki Ji Chang wook doesn't hold a candle to the second ML's lunacy. Not at all.
ML and music was phenomenal. Everything from writing, to execution was well done. The only drawback and reason it gets 8 is simply that the romance was skewed and cringe worthy from start. It was in fact ML coveting someone else's wife... it was troubling. Also neglecting his family and prioritizing the queen who once again is someone else's wife was unsettling at times. Romance was not quite necessary in this show tbh. However i loved everything else. Actors and cast were great. It should have gotten a 9 or 9.5 but the romance cut the score to 8. Coveting a married woman no matter the situation is simply just not okay no matter how they try to spin it.
i like the main leads and the mother character. They always deliver. JCW is my fav after watching Empress Ki. The second female lead was a disaster to watch. My goodness! Very tiring behavior. Stuck up and irritating. Her character and the bullies and parts of the writing brought the score down by 2.
I checked it out cos of the character from goblin and touch your heart... but all the characters and most times himself included, the environment, music, everything is off putting. The crazy twins are even worse... the whole thing is just overdone or distasteful. Even worse, there is no morale or salvation to the story. Nothing positive whatsoever to write home about. Horror for horror sake really isn't my cup of tea afterall.