I watched this drama elsewhere but I would like to add in my review here. I enjoyed this rewatchable 2-episode drama from beginning to end and it left me wanting more 🙂 it was short, sweet and charming. There are plenty of funny scenes that made me burst out in laughter. It’s not just all humor as there are also plenty of serious moments and tear-jerking scenes. This drama does not waste time so do no worry about being bored.

The FL Danbi is super cute and silly. Her character is what one would expect from a quirky and adorable high school senior trying to find her footing. The king is young, handsome and strong headed. Their interactions are full of chemistry and you can see how the king admires every little thing about Danbi. She is the most precious person to him. Even the queen has found friendship with her. Through modern lenses, it can feel awkward or displeasing at the king not consummating with the queen and instead falling in love with another woman (Danbi). It’s even more uncomfortable to see Danbi falling in love with the king despite her knowing he is already married- doesn’t matter if he doesn’t love the queen, it’s still cheating. But, but! It’s the Joseon period and it’s normal for a king to have many wives. And, and! This is a romcom so I can forgive Danbi for being the other woman. 🙃

IMPACTING EACH OTHER:
1) Danbi escaped her modern period feeling defeated in life. But to survive in the Joseon dynasty, she had to think on her feet and be a person of valuable contribution to the king and kingdom. It just shows that she always had the potential and she just needed to believe in herself. With the King by her side and believing in her, it brought out the best in her that she never knew.

2) The King’s determination and drive to learn superseded gender discrimination and superstition. As long as Danbi was there, he felt he could change the world. She gave him hope. I really, really liked how her hoodie with the letters L, O, V, E was what inspired him to create the characters for their first writing system. It’s like... the Hangul came from his love for his people, the future of a new Korea and his woman. I’m melting ❣️

THE CORRIDOR:
When Danbi has learned that she’s to become the king’s concubine, she ran to that (secret?) corridor that I think connects his bed room and his study room. Something about this scene felt pure and sweet. Danbi has been hiding and running away from her problems then and now. But it was with the king whom she couldn’t runaway from or hide from. Whatever the matter was, they face it together. The music in this scene was perfect. Felt like the plucking of heartstrings.

OMG THE BEACH:
I love their time together at the beach. The first time at the beach when Danbi was on the run and the king meets her there, their reunion was moving. There needn’t be any words as they stared at each other affectionately. That moment when king rushes to her and kisses her passionately, I felt like I was Danbi fluttering 😂😍. This scene reminds me of the old American film Somewhere in Time (also a time-traveling love story) where there are times words are not enough when you are standing in front of the one you love. The last time Danbi and the king were at the beach together, he held on to her so lovingly and tightly as his tears flowed down his cheeks. It’s the goodbye he dreaded. And with a couple of nods exchanged between them, he let me her go through the portal. This is where I really appreciate the camera work here to show what the king may be feeling: He stood on the beach forlorn. My heart ached for him as he promised to himself that he will find her no matter how many years it takes. This lonely stance reminds me of Wang So from Moon Lovers as he stood alone thinking of Hae Soo and promising himself he will find her in the future. Life feels long when you yearn for the one you love that cannot return to you.