I picked this series up on a whim: I thought that the series looked quirky and its leads looked attractive. It didn't star the heavy-hitters of Korean cinema and there wasn't much noise regarding it. However, it is honestly the best series of 2021 I've seen (even better than the more popular Hometown Cha-cha-cha), and is also one of the best romantic comedies I've seen.
Let's face it: we tend to like series that reflect our own sensibilities, and this series reflected many of mine. It features a business savant and intellectual boor meeting and falling for a classy, elegant, and beautiful polymath; however, she is also socially insulated and ignorant.

One of the foremost reasons why I love the series is that the characterization of the main leads was so well-written: they both are flawed individuals who grow naturally over the course of the series without losing their identities. Their mistakes that allow the plot to progress are natural consequences of their personalities, but this allows them to improve as people.
It's also extremely refreshing to see main characters communicate so well. There are many series that rely on misunderstandings and communication to propel the plot forward, but this isn't the case in Da-li and the Cocky Prince: as someone who has dabbled in psychology (and read up on it, of course), I loved how these characters broke free from Eric Berne's "games" and instead talk with true intimacy in mind. Every time there's a confrontation between the two leads - and with the people relevant in their lives - there is always the goal of understanding each other.

I also loved how the two leads could defer confronting their significant other if they're still uncertain: like any good scientist - and lover - they ascertain facts and obtain data before they confront each other. I knew that they would last long because they both were able to hold back from emotional outbursts as their love for each other grew. However, if immediate action was necessary, they also did not hesitate.

While Da-li is, to me, one of my ideal women, I greatly appreciated how Moo-hak (the male lead) was written. As an audience surrogate, Da-li herself understood that she had a keeper with her. Like Ryan Gold in Her Private Life, Moo-hak openly empowers and wishes for Da-li to succeed in what she loves and nurtures. He nevertheless retains his independence when it comes to his own expertise, but trusts that Da-li is an intelligent lady who can deal with her problems. I enjoyed seeing a male lead avoid infantilizing the lady he loves (which is why I also loved Into the Ring).

Finally, the series's writing was, to me, brilliant. All major plot points introduced are addressed by the series's end, and the series capably obeyed Chekhov's gun. Small details that are mentioned in the series are addressed over the course of the series. I especially admired how dialogue mentioned episodes prior would be recalled and applied later: it also shows the growth of feeling between the leads towards each other, because a sign of love is remembering.

It's definitely a series I'd re-watch soon (like my other favorite, My Mister). I enjoy series that feature mature and understanding couples, and this features a hallmark of one. 10/10.