This is one of my all-time favorite Korean dramas.

Korean dramas rarely have a fake royal family or dynasty and I appreciate that this one did (at least I think this was a made up one). I feel this gives a bit more freedom to the plot when you're not bound by an actual person's story.

This was just a good, all round watch. The male lead did a good job of portraying someone who was struggling with his identity and slowly falling in love with his wife. The female lead was smart, brave, and funny (though not sure how she would have liked life as the queen with all its endless restrictions...). They were just cute together. I love the supporting characters, especially the FL's best friend and best friend's husband. I also liked her adoptive father a lot, they clearly had a good relationship.

The evil lead made me furious, which meant he was written and portrayed well. I understood the Crown Princess' plight--she had not wanted a loveless marriage, but that is what she got (though how she was ever alone long enough to get pregnant, I have no idea). The reason for taking off 0.5 points is that they killed off Yoon Seok Hwan. Yes he was an assassin, but only because that is the deal he had made to keep his sister alive. He loved his baby's mother and they should have gotten a happy ending, too. And we need more historical dramas with Kim Jae Young please! Especially of him shooting arrows and sword fighting. Lots and lots.

I got SMLS, of course, but I almost always do. It was not too horrible since I also liked the ML, but the SML was just so sweet. I wish they had found him a nice girl by the end...(though I'm not sure about the gisaeng?)

I highly recommend this one, its right up there with Moon Embracing the Sun for me.