I enjoyed the novel “The Golden Hairpin” also. It was in 2021 so it has been awhile. The group pic at the end (which is very nice) jogged my memory for the one gender bender character. What’s the second?
I am concerned that making the prince into a CP and being stuck in the palace would limit his ability operate outside. These guys seem to find a way to get out.

what if she is a ghost of a murdered gisaeng who used to be a princess

😂😂😂 Also no to the bright coral that dominated early 2021, please!

LOL

The book is Golden Hairpin which reportedly has 4 books but only book 1 has been translated into English and available on Amazon. Sadly I don’t read Chinese so maybe someone who does has read the series in the original language. In the first book the FL plays a large role with the ML more a support but so far the teasers suggest a larger role for the ML. In the book the ML is only a prince but not the crown price so that is new!

Unwanted arranged marriage? Of course, I expected no less from an angsty palace intrigue about struggling CP))) Though at the stage when reluctant groom has to wear wedding robes it's usually WAY too late to try getting out of the whole thing - one does not simply walk out from the altar in Joseon^^ But hope dies last.

If rumors are to be trusted, producers wanted him from the get-go, even contacted him before he was officially discharged from army... That must've meant something. Pity we'll never know how the original script he was offered to looked like.

Some of his previous roles were hot-tempered/mischievous, but not the extent of being outright mean to everyone around him for sure. Promos did say that he's doing it all deliberately for self-protection - to create "don't mess with me" reputation. Which is a totally valid reason for someone of his birth status. I'm still waiting for HS to play a really bad guy though (very challenging for someone so naturally charming and he expressed such desire repeatedly), but I don't really see it happening in the near future, tho who knows...

That's... a bit complicated. I'm a no expert ofc (10+ years of watching sageuks and some research is all I have), but from what I can tell he's wearing 3 types of royal robes in promos (maybe 4, archery scenes are too zoomed-in):
1) the basic everyday Crown Prince robe (poster and that shot of him on the throne);
2) what I call "action dress" robe for training/battle/hunting - the more fitting one with a prominent belt and short-sleeved outer piece (forest scenes);
3) and the most formal one among them all - blue-white-red robe with a beaded hat. This one is reserved purely for huge celebratory occasions like marriage, crowning, religious rituals etc. Him wearing that means big event for sure.

Yeah, as a Crown Prince he's supposed to wear royal robes on a daily basis, but there's still some variety to them, thankfully. And all sageuk princes love to underdress for obligatory sneaking out of the palace fun... So we can still expect a bit of a fashion show from him - both to please beauty lovers and confuse assassins (those guys really have it too easy with royals, you're 100% right).