Yay! Thanks, Ally! Ohhhh where do I start?! I love this drama so much. It's obviously still early to rate it but I'm just glad that Shin Sekyung is back. She's my girl! The setup seems good so far. What's not to like about this girl who speaks up towards this very patriarchal society? Haeryung is quirky, smart, brave, and kind. I'm rooting for her no matter what!

The set up is solid so far. An outspoken noble daughter, raised by her brother to be outspoken, much to his own chagrin. (I'm wondering if they'll be pitted against one another due to his relationship with the "evil" minister.) A cheeky prince who has a scandalous side hobby (romance novelist)! A well-intentioned crown prince who is also really cute! And a head historian/betrothed groom, who has some secrets of his own, I'm certain of that. Will there be a love qaudrangle? I kinda hope so! Everyone needs to fall for Haeryung because I am already! Ooohhh, and the mystery/not really mysterious author of Ho Dam's novel. We already know that the Queen Mother has her hands full trying to keep the King in check and I'm looking forward to the developments of the inner court in direct opposition of the outer court.

Favorite scene: Prince Lee Rim giving himself away as the author pretty early by being so dumfoundedly defensive when Haeryung gave him her reasons for disliking his novel. And her correcting his rude behavior when he kept talking to her in banmal. LOLOLOL! I'm glad that the mistaken identity of the author wasn't drawn out, but now I'm wondering what they're going to fill the rest of the 15/30 episodes with!

Actually, my favorite scenes are with the secondary characters, not between the main ones. For example, HR’s maid’s reaction when she hears HR met an interesting man in the palace...the whole scene was so funny!

Okay, so this is the second 1 hour episode, but episodes 3-4 by the not-so-new-but-still-confusing 30 minute episodes.

Who predicted that the betrothed groom that Haeryung's brother set her up with was the head historian??? Not me! I though he liked her, and it would have set up a love triangle in the palace when she gets there, but I totally didn't see that coming! Now, I wonder why he didn't go through with the wedding. Did he know it was her? Of course he did, right? He would have done his due diligence, right? But I love how close the two princes are that the Crown Prince would risk his own life to talk to his brother in the library. He already knows he's on thin ice with the King as well. I think all the actors are doing well, even if they are inexperienced. I like how mischievous Prince Lee Rin is and how he is with the eunuch. The scene with him trying to apply the salve on the eunuch's non-existent wounds had me rolling---"maybe it's on the other side!"

I think this is well-written so far, but I'm not Korean and can't understand 90% of what I'm hearing, so I may be totally off. @earthna? thoughts?

This set of episodes confirmed my devotion to this drama. Lol. I basically shipped Haeryung with four people. Seo Youngjoo's cameo was awesome. To think that such a nobleman existed in this Joseon, wow. It's not just calling off the wedding but respecting Haeryung's decision despite them meeting for the first time [and girls don't get to say their opinions in Joseon]. I would have wanted them together in a different dramaverse. I think they'd live a good life.

And then there's the Crown Prince! Park Kiwoong! Ahhhhh I've never seen the man since Gaksital. I don't know why but it's been so long! In a way, his character is like Haeryung, smart and brave yet not able to do anything against the laws of the land. I'm rooting for him and his path to being a sage king.

Drunk Haeryung FTW!

This is when my Haeryung-Woowon ship sailed. I know it will sink soon so maybe we can revive the Island Party? I'll get my life vest ready.

I am glad Rim's identify is known. And now I am worried about the Crown Prince. Those old men will do anything to stay in power and the last thing they need is a young buck who is empathetic and smart as hell.

Oh oh oh! I can't believe I forgot about this. Whenever Rim gets his nightmares, he's always wearing kingly robes. What's with that? Is he subconciously wanting to be Crown Prince or is this a foreshadowing (or surprise! a glimpse of his past life)?

I still find Rim's story arc a bit too vague and confusing. The next episodes will probably make things clearer but for now, thoughts on this?

Even in Joseon era men made the girls(they like) do ‘cleaning’. I rolled my eyes so hard but then thanks to GHR for smacking him hard more than twice.

Am so glad the mistaken identity is not going to continue any further! It was nice for a short period of time.
Wonder how GHR will respond to this now. Knowing he is crown Prince.

Her curious mind is going to get them solve mysteries together. Mostly she telling him what to do :)

This show is hitting all the right spots for me. Did not expect it!! Show, continue to be good :)

Did anyone catch any specifics on the death of HR’s parents? In response to a comment about HR’s orabonis protectiveness, I made the comment below:

Repeat post —-
There was an implied tragedy involving the death of their parents... and their lives are somewhat contingent on the brother’s “good behavior” towards the villain. I wonder if the parents’ death are involved with the mystery surrounding Ho Dam?

So Rim's and GHR meet cute was not that at all. The look of disappointment on her face when she saw him. Ahhhhhh....those two puppies.

It's Wednesday! Rookie Day!

This set of episodes was not as omg as other episodes were but I like it a lot. I wasn't very much into Rim's characters just because I found the other ones more interesting. I have questioned why Rim had to be male lead but now I know. Haeryung needs a friend. She does have the other historians but Rim is different. They understand each other without having to say anything. That last scene with Haeryung crying at Neoksodang sealed it for me. When Rim said, "Nobody ever comes here. It's okay to cry. Nobody would know or hear it," it was comforting yet heartbreaking. Rim knows this by experience. He's been stuck in this place his whole life. It reveals so much about his character and what he's been through this whole time.

I can foresee lot of frustrations for Haeryung. It's hard to break customs. People know it's wrong and they don't like it but nobody's brave enough to point it out.

Orabeoni's plot thickens though.

No.. so historian Song is a minion for Second State chancellor.. arghhhh... I was hoping she would be something more than that..

I really liked the interaction between Rim and GHR. It was sweet, playful and start of something more meaningful.

I am so happy that Rim finally gets to have some human interaction and has someone who he can talk to. I liked that it was GHR who first said that she thought they could be friends. It sure must have been emotional for Rim who has never had a friend before.. Awww,, someone take him away from this palace and go on a world tour ; )

Rim and Sam-bo - these two are just hilarious.. love their interactions and Sam-bo's expressions are priceless!

Also, is it a coincidence that the doctor-slave's name is 'Mo-Hwa' and Rim's pseudonym is Me-Hwa?

Queen Im....out here taking names and planning deaths. Her storyline is gonna be hella interesting.

@mayhemf. I agree with you GHR is doing what she can. The silence and quiet acquiescence of every one to the corruption around them was and continues to be a really hardcore problem of society. GHR is at least trying to do something, unlike the rest of them who are just making it worse.

I finally got this episode watched. I thought the political bribes to get paid was well done. It reminds me of lobbyists in the US government. Organizations employ lobbyists to wine and dine and from relationships with politicians to get their agendas on ballots, funding for non-profits, research monies, etc. This is why tobacco in my state is taxed the lowest, like <$0.20 per pack. It’s also all money-driven. Organizations with the most money usually win votes and influence. I believe the auS government is probably one of the least corrupt systems of government in the world, and if it’s prevalent here, how much more must it be in other countries?

Favorite scenes: all the ones where GHR and Prince Rim share screen time together. I agree that their chemistry is too good. Their banter is quick and crisp and they really feel like their are genuine with each other, and I’m sure there’s going to be a childhood connection, because how could there not? (Also, one of my least favorite tropes, but I forgive sageuks because people never moved from anywhere.)

Wow. poor Rim. I knew he was isolated, but he is straight up in exile ( I could just slap the king for that). To not even have senior members know what his looks like and to not even know the grounds of your home; I am just so sad for him and as I wrote before on my wall, he is too well adjusted. Naive, yes, but he is kind, self aware and also a bit self deprecating. I think that is part his brother and his court because they do seem to keep him in check.

I am also liking Female Historian Song's reason for becoming a historian, but I don't like how she is gaining traction with the Chancellor. That is not gonna end well for her because, let's be real, she is a woman. There is not a damn thing wrong with ambition but I do not want her to fall on a sword because she does not have the right anatomy to want it.

And I am liking Female Historian's Oh and Heo more and more. I knew they would step up to help out GHR with that workload. Kudos ladies to knowing what is up.

Why are these two so flipping cute!! GHR and Rim are just too adorable together. They are just like kids in a candy store.

Let's take a moment to cheer GHR's horny sidekick. Is she a hoot or what!! I almost fell off my chair when she said 'They are so unnecessarily modest'!!

I love Seom-Bo so much! as much as he cares for Prince Rim, he is also a very responsible person. Rim may be isolated and have no duty to perform, but he still has to live by the palace standards. SB is already making him aware of his feelings for historian and what consequences it may bring.

darn king. bad timing.

Wow. GHR’s oraboni called the mystery woman (Queen’s agent, Eunuch’s wife) sister! On Netflix, they inserted her name instead of literally translating 누이 to sister.

Eeeeep! Rim took my heart and ran away with it!

I mean why else wold someone stay up all night doing your homework for you? And be happy even though he didn't get to sleep and had ink all over his hands? He even wrote her a poem (I think he's bluffing about it being a poem he knows. I bet he wrote it himself).

I'm still on the fence regarding Song Sahui. I'm all for empowerment but I still can't root for her completely knowing she's reporting everything to Woowon's dad.

I wanna see more of Orabeoni's past. He seems veery close with Mohwa considering how he called her 누이 and she said she treated him like her own brother.

Shin Sekyung is the cutest! She's actually super cute in real life too. Check her out in Olive Pocha!

Who else died when the King walked in at the end of episode 12? Now I remember why I don't live watch shows. I don't want to wait an entire week to find out if people are getting beheaded or not!

These episodes were the cutest... I so so loved it. Can I go hug Prince Li Rim? I think he needs it & good to see a strong female lead. I am loving this show & cast

Does anyone know then song that plays in the end credits? I think it also played when GHR was crying. I can't find it anywhere.

The preview for next week is what drives me crazy. I am right all along that Lee Rim is not the king's son. Too early for such a birth secret reveal, but makes me so confused when I try to trace it with some historical facts. If Prince Dowon/Lee Rim is not the king's son, then which king do we have right now? King Sejo? He is the only King who killed his nephew and brothers; and the only King who fits the narrative. But history wise, Prince Dowon is older than his brother who became King after King Sejo died. Which made me really confused. Usually dramas keep the factual info and just add fictional characters.

Well, well, well, Rim was not a puppy this time around. I was super proud of him and GHR these two episodes. Acknowledgement of their privileged and wanting to change how they see the world...oh, I just adore these two.

Here are my side notes:

Soel-geum- Not enough. Seriously that one scene was not enough. They need to figure out a way for her to be in scenes with GHR and Rim.

Female Historian Heo- That burn was *chefs kiss*. She is speaking up and speaking out and I love it.

Crown Prince- Oh man, his face knowing where his brother is at. And also-don't fall for it dude, you are smarter than that and telling Historian Song she was out of line was the first step. Keep it going.

Historian Song- there can be hope for her yet. Her father was the OG Big Pharma and I was just as disgusted with him as she was.

Queen Dowanger- Yes, we are watching a series where Kim Min-sang, age 56 is calling Kim Yeo-jin, age 45, MOTHER.

Scholar Lee- It was good to see him again and you know, I would have been down for he and GHR going through with their marriage. I think those two would have been great and did great things together.

The big mystery for me is why Prince Rim is even alive. The power relationship between the king and dowager queen, the blood line of prince Rim, what happened to GHR’s parents, why GHR’s oraboni is indebted to the villain...I suspect they are all linked into the puzzle.

Welp, the ending of this episode took a dark turn ( I am so over the slap). I am glad Rim disobeyed orders and also that he did not break down into tears even though he wanted to. That was exactly what The King was looking for to further embarrass him.

Rim and Historian Min doing laborious work. HA...HA...HAHAHAHAHA.....HAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!

Min speaking with that child like it was an adult. HA....HAHAHA.....HAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!

Now to the questions:

How much does Seo-bo know about his wife?
Is he really a eunuch or is it in title only?
GHR's brother, which side is he playing at this point?
Is Female Historian Song gonna keep playing the Chancellor's game for him?
Is Female Historian Heo gonna keep with the spontaneous zingers?

So many questions.

I expected Prince Dowon to take that big step, but still it was so satisfying to see him take that first step in getting vaccinated.. I cheered!
And even better that he disobeyed the kings order for benefitting the people. Yay!!

And GHR and the 2 men - If this was a series of test for picking the groom, both failed!! Epic fail you dudes..
It was hilarious.. Finally it was nice to see Min be human. We need to see more of human Min and less of historian Min.

Great move Crown Prince by signaling the historians. It may stop kings wrath at the moment, but I think things are starting to get ugly. Prince Dowon will not cower anymore.

And thankfully, no mandatory Ep 8 kiss!! yay to that!!