This is one of the reasons I can’t come out of hiding and legitimize my kdrama addiction. Many of the plots are utterly sophomoric that I’m embarrassed to have wasted my time over them. Unlike most fangirls, I’m too much of a bitch to ignore shoddy plot for the chance of ogling at and mooning over a handsome idol. (And I’m eyeing “Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon,” too.)

I’m allowing this show three more strikes before it’s indefinitely shelved on my Blacklist (or my Bleagh-list).

Bleagh!

Here are some of my complaints. To be kind, I’ll limit myself to three.

First, unsettling ambiguities.

When I say “ambiguities,” I’m not talking about the mystery concerning the Hong Shim’s brother.

Only a dunce would have considered JeYoon to be Hong Shim’s brother, given that he outrageously flirted with her on the bridge. Unless they’re disfigured or cosmetically enhanced, brothers and sisters should be able to recognize each other even after 16 years of being apart.

Instead, I’m talking about withholding KEY information from us, the audience. Twice, the writer (and/or director) LOCKED the viewers out of the conversation, literally and metaphorically.

I understand: writers are allowed the freedom to obscure facts to create mystery and suspense. However, in this case, the end result is frustration. The writer deliberately TEASED us about a “grand reveal” only to rudely slam the door on us at the last second. Why bother?

The first time was in Episode 2. The Minister pointedly asked MooYoung why he never questioned his orders. MooYoung evaded him by demanding a promise.

At this point, we were all ears. We were finally about to get a glimpse of the motives of this mysterious assassin, when…

Door slam!

The scene suddenly changed and we were left scratching our heads. What was the promise he extracted from the Minister? Did he ask to retire from the service of the Minister? We were left to speculate.

But why even bring up that scene with the Minister if nothing was going to be revealed anyway? Why whet our curiosity, show? 😤

In Episode 3, MooYoung’s brief encounter with the CPrincess would suggest that she was aware of his request to her father. She coldly told him, “Did you wish to leave? If you did, then you should have completed your task well.” Meaning, if he wanted to quit her father’s employment, then he shouldn’t have bungled the job and lost his target, the CP. However, her rebuke sounded personal. Why did it matter to her that he wished to leave?

Also, note this: there’s ambiguity here too but I didn’t mind it. Their conversation terminated naturally when she sashayed out of his sight.

This wasn’t the case in Episode 3 when Hong Shim called her foster Father aside to talk come clean about Won-Deuk. I was annoyed when their conversation once again shut us out.

HS: You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you? Tell me the truth.
Father: Well, the thing is…the truth about Won-Deuk is, well… (he dithers)

Then, door slam!

The scene abruptly changed again and we’re kept in the dark about the sort of MISINFORMATION he told Hong Shim.

Later in the episode, we see the father bury the CP’s clothes. But we weren’t told the relevant details: What exactly did he tell Hong Shin? Did he know that those were the garments of the Royal Guard? Or did he mistake them for just an ordinary nobleman’s clothes? Did he disclose where he found the CP and what bloody state CP was in?

Just like with previous conversation with MooYoung and the Minister, why bother execute this scene if we’re going to be left hanging anyway?

Moreover, what happened to the CP’s injuries? How was he miraculously healed? Didn’t he feel the sting from his wounds when he bathed in the hot water? And what about his amnesia? The CP was obviously concussed but they allowed him to trek here-there-and-everywhere, then coerced him into a marriage? Non compos mentis. He’s not legally competent to enter into a marriage.

Am I really supposed to find this plot credible?

Door slam!

The ambiguities in the story created frustration and dissatisfaction, instead of intrigue and suspense. In both examples I showed, the audience were MADE to feel like they were about to listen in on a secret and important conversation.

Instead, they were trolled, plain and simple.

Second, overdoing the Chinese riddle.

Six times, the script brought the riddle up.

1. Episode 1. To punish the sleepy minister, the CP made a riddle.

2. Episode 1. To introduce Je-Yoon into the plot, the writer contrived to have him innocently pass by and ask about the riddle.

3. Episode 2. JY happened to be solving the riddle when the CP passed by. And conveniently enough, the CP was also in search of JY because JY took away most of the Royal Pharmacy records.

4. Episode 2. The CP “happened” to spot the riddle shortly after he deduced the supposed reason for the CPrincess’ attempt to poison him. The riddle was like a divine sign.

5. Episode 3. Je-Yoon recounted his encounter with the CP to the sleepy minister and explained the real answer.

6. Episode 3. Because of the riddle, he finally received his promotion.

— But wait!!! He did NOT get the correct answer so why was he promoted?! And who promoted him when the CP wasn’t there?

At this point, I couldn’t care less about the riddle. The writer tried so hard to weave the riddle in all three episodes with some sort of monumental breakthrough or insight that this plot device has become predictable.

To wit: in the first episode, we were shown that JY was an ambitious guy because he perked up when he heard of the reward for solving it. In the second episode, we were shown that the CP was smart and intuitive because he deduced that his CPrincess was having an affair.

And now in the third episode, we’re shown how the CP’sand JY’s paths have been fatefully tied together by the riddle. That is, “To exist, To desire” means that both of them exist to desire one woman.

Ugh! Quit beating this riddle to death, scriptwriter.

Third, where’s the evidence of the drought?

The whole premise of the CP’s edict of forced marriage was to end the drought. But everywhere in these three episodes, I’m seeing signs of a beautiful springtime.

Far from wilting or decaying due to lack of water, all the plants and trees are blooming.

At first, I ignored the petal showers because that was part of the romance. Fine!

But this?

This, too.

And this. Facepalm. 

Where’s the freaking drought, director? Where are the defoliated forests and barren fields? Tsk tsk!

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Come on, show! Do better next time. This episode is a dud. No matter how good he is, I’m not staying for that EXO guy.