Table122000

Sorry to be late responding here... real life got in the way. Yes, the decision to make a romantic pairing between the 14 year old Crown Prince and 24 year old Oldest Maid Ha Na was very uncomfortable for many viewers, me included. Watching actors who have a real-life age gap of 17 years (he is 12, she is 29) just made it worse. The writers did not have to include it in this drama which is a fantasy rom com using historical backdrop with a fictional royal family, not a straight saeguk. Following history isn't necessary. This particular subplot could have been handled differently. At the very least, they could have aged up the CP a few years. Make him 17-18 to her 24. At least then he would not be a minor. The decision to promote a pairing of a minor and an adult was for me a writing fail in an otherwise enjoyable series. It was interesting to me that even the people who were okay with this pairing (Saying that marriages between minors and adults happened in the Joseon era and they accepted this pairing within that context) were making excuses in their own heads, saying that even though the CP-Ha Na were married, the marriage wouldn't be consummated until CP was "older." So, in my opinion, actually nobody liked this subplot which was totally unnecessary. Overall, this drama was okay. Things I liked: I liked the comedy, characters had depth, villain was a layered character, happy ending for everyone, including the old batchelors who were not chosen and the friend with the daughter. Sweet romance between the two leads, and cute moments for the other couples. Things I didn't like: Creepy and unnecessary pairing of a minor and adult subplot. Drama had a slow pace and was draggy and boring at times, palace politics/mystery elements were confusing at times, as were the relationships between some characters, disappointing kiss scenes between main leads, the ending, while happy, was a little unsatisfying. I don't regret watching this drama, but I don't think I will be rewatching it over and over again. It was more of a "watch it once" drama for me.

Ep. 8: The interactions between the main leads continue to be cute. I wonder if her identity as the Left State Minister Daughter-in-law will be revealed next episode. Obviously, the matchmaking dates will not go as planned since most of the couples are liking other people. It looks like, yes, they are pairing the 14yr old Crown Prince with 24 yr old Eldest daughter, which I find uncomfortable. I don't like age gap couples in general, and I especially don't like it when they do it with young teenagers. Who is the man looking for the Friend with the daughter? Also, is the friend with the daughter the Oldest Daughter-in-law who was murdered by the FL mother-in law? If so, wouldn't the Female Lead's son be the friend's biological child? I'm confused on this side plot. Otherwise, Ep. 9 preview seems to have much angst. Hopefully, the comedy will not go away completely for the second half of the drama.

Yes, that couple was too cute this episode. Although I have to question FL abilities as a matchmaker if she couldn't see how much those two liked each other. I had the same question. The Romance tropes by the river of Eldest Maid catching the Crown Prince and then the long stare was a huge turnoff for me. Are they really going to match up a 14 yr old boy with a 24 yr old woman? Yuck!

Thanks for the info @rocher22 So the Ep. 8 is postponed due to soccer game. Ugh! So frustrating! Hopefully the drama won't be pre-empted anymore after this week. Ep. 7 was cute, I do wonder how Rowoon became Hwa Rok. Perhaps they will sow us next week.

Is it true there is only 1 episode this week? Why?

I have watched up to Ep. 5: I'm enjoying the comedy. So far the palace politics has been lightly dealt with, which I appreciate. The three Maeng sisters are fun to watch. Youngest "old maid" sister will end up with the Female lead's older brother, I'm guessing. The 2nd "old maid" sister is going to end up with the Scholar whom the Female Lead is trying to match up with her Sister-in-law. I think. The Sister-in-law likes the Gentleman Farmer. I'm not sure why he is unacceptable match to her family as they seem to have known each other since childhood, so I think he must be from noble or wealthy family? Did we meet the Eldest "old maid" Sister's match yet? I don't remember her meeting anyone at the temple. I don't understand about the Female Lead's son. I don't think he is her biological child. Did her husband have a first wife who died? Also unclear about the friend with the little girl. She was afraid the Female Lead's Mother-in-law would recognize her? Who is she supposed to be? Anyway, looking forward to Ep. 6