A great story with an underwhelming finale!

The first 5-6 episodes are the strongest. We have a different set of actors and they’ve all done a splendid job. So much so, you have a hard time accepting the new cast as they go past their adolescence.

The love the young Yeon-woo pours into her dying letter is so much more believable than the “inert” chemistry we get to see later on. It’s hard to connect with those “sounds-silly-so-perhaps-it-is” responses from the grown up but immature Yeon-woo. In fact, you feel for the Queen’s unrequited love vying for our Crown-Prince-turned-King more until she’s driven mad with jealousy.

Same goes with Yeon-woo’s brother; a charming, prominent character reduced to an accessory. The young cast have done such a great job, it actually ruins the show. Ah, the irony! The Prince’s attendant, on the other hand, leaves a mark on the whole show. The subtle humor he brings is so peachy.

But, towards the end you realize this needed to be a 16 episode series. It loses steam with some pointless conversations and the climax is disappointing. When Ari-a said those words – something about the moonlight while she was strapped to a chair – it sounds promising that you’ll witness a befitting revenge but it doesn’t even come close.

[spoiler]Instead you witness so many characters dying for no good reason. So, the Head Shaman doesn’t die while practicing Witchcraft, doesn’t die while blocking black magic, but drops dead offering a peace prayer. Come on! And, don’t even get me started on Prince Yang-myung-u![/spoiler]

So, I’ve berated the show a lot but I wouldn’t say it’s unwatchable. The underlying story is really good and, so, I do recommend a watch. 7.5/8 Honestly :)