I want to start this review by saying, when grey/white haired Song Mo appeared on screen... BOOOMMM SHAKALAKA YES GODDD! YESS GOD! HE CAN STEP ON ME SH**T ME WITH AN ARROW AND I WOULD THANK HIM. I'm a changed woman by that one episode.

I saw this series in a Tiktok comment and the Tiktok video isn't even about them but thank the universe cause I love it. I'm hesitant to start cdramas cause the episodes are mostly like 40+ but this time I thought, if it's not good I can just drop it but oh boy first episode and it's hitting!!!

The main characters are eating, the aura is so good I could kiss the ground they walk on. It's so good to see a FL that challenges the villains head on, like girl I was scared FOR YOU what if they retaliate but our FL is a genius I love her character so much.

The story is also fast-paced which I love love especially with a series that has this many episodes. No boring fillers, resolving the problem then adds another conflict after another conflict while also mixing in romance. Makes me anticipate what happens next. The FL and ML are both amazing and resolves their own problems and each other's. They actually help each other AND YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THAT AND GET COMMUNICATED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. Some dramas, one character does something behind someone's back to solve the problem like no let us see how you'll help one another and work together.

AND A WEDDING IN THE MIDDLE OF A SERIES?! Sometimes I get bored when the couple confesses their feelings so now they're okay but my god, I was still giggling and kicking my feet whenever they came on screen.

The cinematic shots? Worthy of a museum. Just breathtaking. And that kiss from the intro was one of my favorite shots. I didn't like some transitions but overall, the costumes, design, set up just make sense.

I don't particularly find grey/white haired attractive but Song Mo really made it hot especially how it contrasts with his armor. That was a very smart choice. I wanted that look to come back but I knew it wouldn't after learning it was poison ㅜㅜ

I'm not usually attentive with the acting, the only thing that would bother me is if it gets cringey or if they make it so obvious they can't act. The main characters are both fine, sometimes stiff but idgaf they made me believe they're in love so I'm also in love.

Maybe it's because I'm new to cdramas and haven't understand their historical nuances or political situations, but sometimes some of the plot twist or decisions made in the series didn't make sense to me. Also, why does the death of most villains were sad? Do they want us to feel bad because I don't lol. But I still see that some of those were tragic. Song Han really pmo, and lowkey Ji Yong too.

I heard most historical dramas have either an open-ending or a sad one, thank god this has a satisfying one.

Anyway, I didn’t like some aspects but still gonna rate it a 10 because the good weighs more and they deserve it. Now I don't know what to do anymore.