Is it just me or is the pacing and writing of this show just CHEFS kiss. I feel like I know everything but also know nothing lol. None of the characters are ready to put all of their cards on the table so it really does feel like it’s building up to be an intense game of poker.

The way the central mystery has been written though especially is masterclass (if they pull the landing off well) because it keeps evolving without staying one note - the audience is told/clued into things at the right time, but the air of mysteriousness is steadily increasing. Plus the pace is moving along just right so that the plot doesn’t feel like it’s dragging or worse filling up with loopholes/inconsistencies. This was the perfect week to have Dan-oh catch up to what the audience know/are assuming anyways about who Lee Seol and Kang San are - she’s too smart to not notice anything for another 10 episodes (unlike another show involving a disguised fiancée and a clueless fiancé 👀😪). Same could be said for Administrator Jang, he’s a pretty smart bad dude the way he’s piecing things together - I didn’t expect him to drag in Shi Yeol for an interrogation this early on.

BUT IS IT JUST ME OR IS THERE A TWIST COMING ABOUT YOO-HA??? Because of the fact that the head courtesan lady, who I assume is his mum maybe, is linked to the Grand Prince and also the tooth thing that Yoo-ha was left in his inheritance - is that what Administrator Jang was talking about when they were trying to find the ‘thing’ that would prove Lee Seol’s identity?? I’m trying to make sense of it but if somehow HE is the real Lee Seol, then who tf is Shi Yeol, because the watchman (assumed watchman) called Shi Yeol your highness right?? Either way, this is a good mystery done right because even though they’ve “told us” supposedly who Lee Seol is, it doesn’t feel exactly like an ‘ah ok the mystery is solved’ vibe, it’s more of a ‘I’m second guessing everything right now, wait is that what they want me to do??’ vibe.

Shi Yeol is fast taking centre stage for me though because I’m so invested in seeing how his arc develops - whoever he may be - but I’m not without love for our other leads and their blooming love (I’m torn between the two but leaning towards team San because that exchange in the little hideaway hut was so cuteee). Also I’ve got to hand it to the writers - that ep 5 scene was one of the most creative, heart-racing and plot sensible way to have the classic ‘boy teaches girl how to shoot an arrow’ scene 👏

The King is a tad on the cardboard cut out villain side but he did scare me this week, plus it’s nice change to have a presumably Good Dowager Queen & ‘I’m not actually sure if you’re bad or good’ Left State Councillor and Head Eunuch. I also just realised the evil Administrator dude is the same actor who played the evil guy in Crash Landing on You and in Youth of May - all three characters are also kind of similar now that I think about it.

I can't agree more with the pacing point. I also thought we will be treading for more than half of the show about who is Seol but it is almost out in the open now.

We have also other interesting plot lines, the love story between San and Dan-oh, and the potential romance we might get between Hong-joo and Shi-yeol, which is more complicated and interesting than having a love triangle or square.

There is also the matter of the keepsake Yoo-ha's father left him and his tie to the head courtesan. I just need the king and the consort scenes pushed to the background. They are both infuriating.

Thanks for the recaps!

I agree: Shi Yeol is stealing the show for me too. At this moment he is the most charismatic among the main characters and the one who seems to be hiding more surprises. And I am looking forward to knowing how the relationship with Dan Oh's sister evolves.

The show is playing with us, even by changing the order of appearance of the four characters in the intro. Now it seems they want us to believe that Yoo Ha is "jade dust". And he could be, for sure.

This drama is binge-watching material. When one episode ends, I'm looking forward to watching the next one.
There is no place for boredom for now and I hope it keeps this way.

I would like this drama to be about Shi-Yeol getting on the throne. I don't really care about the inn and Dan-O. She's not so good with secrets. She should have given up on the inn sooner. It's not like her sister could live like this her whole life. They needed to leave the capital far from Tae-hwa.

If San is a watchman, it was really reckless to act like this at the end of the episode. He put Dan-O and his Prince in danger by putting the focus on them.

Just popping in to say that after feeling a bit let down by the first two episodes, I am loving this show. The pacing is great, the relationships between the three men and Dan-oh all feel authentic and interesting, and I also appreciate that those three men have arcs and identities outside of her. At the same time, romance permeates the story at several levels, which for me as a viewer is a treat. As for the central mystery, I'm not entirely sure we can trust that we know who is who yet, although I do like the idea of San actually being a watchman and NOT the prince. But he and Dan-oh work well together regardless of his actual identity.

Mistyisles, thanks for the recap.

The show and the story moves right along !
other dramas, please take note .
I hope Dan-oh and San are a true pair.

This show had no business being as tightly-written and well-paced as it currently is, but I'm loving it! I really, really, really hope they don't let me down moving forward because this has fast become one of my favourites currently-airing. Just a few weeks ago, I could never have imagined being so gripped about the central mysteries of the plot and was only here for the pretty flower boys and look at me now. I'm legit theory-crafting and reading through the ones others have made and it feels great. I love it when an unexpected gem comes out of nowhere and exceeds all expectations. IMO, some of the more "serious" sageuks out there should be taking notes. It's so great how I came out of the first two episodes thinking that the characterization of the main leads seemed weak and trope-y, and now I'm heavily invested in nearly every character. This is brilliant.

Loving the drama zipping along this week. I'm surprised (and happy) with the pace. Also loving the fact, like others, that so much is being surfaced but I still feel there's lots to find out. I also love that the writer is putting doubt in my mind with the tiger tooth showing up, who does it really belong to? Keep it coming!

Thank you for recapping! I am really enjoying this show! I love the pacing and as others have said, I feel like secrets are being revealed and yet not revealed. San seems to be the watchman for Dan-oh. And I think Shi-yeol must be the prince or why would he want to leave? But why was the triangle with Yooha?

I am deep thoughts of who is the real Lee Seol. So many things to consider. One Kang thinks she left the inn because of him. But then Kim Yi Seol was called Majesty by the old man and was saved with the note. And then Yu Han receiving something from his mother... ugh who is its really! Could it be that Kang is the prince, Yi Seol pretending to be the kind but actually the watchman and Yu Han the Crown Prince son with the gisaeng? Could it be that the watchman is the one that Kang San was talking at the gambling place? or the watchman is the old man that called Yi Seol his majesty? I do not believe it will be Yu Han. Yu Han could be the crown prince son from the gisaeng which is unknown. All of the scholars are adopted and/or son from a mistress or concubine... ahh I can't wait for the next episodes.