This story was very sweet but the trajectory of my thoughts while watching was basically:

Oh no. Yoon Shi Yoon is crying.

Oh man, Yoon Shi Yoon can really cry.

Damn, all the crying.

So. Much. Crying.

For real though.

I wasn’t impressed with the writing…the story wasn’t all that original or exciting. I never really developed much emotional attachment to any of the characters.

Having said that, many of the moments between Lee Hwi and Ja Hyun were very sweet and endearing. I won’t go so far as to say they had “sizzling chemistry” or anything like that but their devotion to one another was inspiring and they did have some moments that made my heartbeat speed up.

I think this was an interesting role for Yoon Shi Yoon. He was great as Lee Hwi but…I don’t know, maybe it was the facial hair? I just didn’t quite buy it. I’m so used to him playing cute, bubbly characters that seeing him in a more serious role was…weird. His gentle demeanor was spot on though and one of my favorite scenes was when Lee Hwi and Ja Hyun spend what they thought could be their last night together and he laid her back and just…stared at her in the gentlest, sweetest way. Gawd, that scene was perfect and HIGH FIVE to the director and Yoon Shi Yoon for that!

Since Lee Hwi and Ja Hyun’s relationship progressed so quickly though, a lot of the tension fizzled early on and it made many of the moments between them throughout the later part of the series pretty dull and repetitive. They managed to bring it back here and there but overall it just wasn’t that epic. Even though it was very different in many ways, this story and relationship dynamic reminded me a lot of The Princess’ Man (which was much more intense and impressive, in my opinion).

Hats off to Jin Se Yun and the first time I’ve watched her play a character I don’t loath (Bridal Mask—this is me, looking at you…) Ja Hyun had some good development but I would have liked to have seen her grow so much more, instead of just talking about how much she’s changed. Oh well.

Overall it was worth the watch and I don’t regret it. I just probably won’t bother ever coming back.