iaria

+ Shin is so frustrating! I should have known he'd react in the worst way. I get him being upset that she brought up divorce even though he asked her to and feeling betrayed over it but also - ugh. Him refusing to help her during her seokog daejo was true to character but made me want to shake him. Him basically throwing Chae-kyung under the bus (not having learned properly) during the initial scene with his parents while at the same time turning their ire on him and getting the two of them out of the scolding also made me want to shake him. It's like he can't help her without being an asshole in the process!

+ I do have to give Shin points in saving the interview after Chae-kyung brought up divorce. The way he turned that around by being open and honest, at least about his feelings, was pretty amazing. Also he was finally clear and honest about his feelings to her face which is a good step.

+ I actually loved Chae-kyung doing seokgo daejo. It was wonderfully dramatic and angsty in the best way. I loved seeing everyone react to it. I loved the Queen Mother telling her "you know how much I love you".

+ I really loved that little scene where Chae-kyung's maids are begging her to get up and Yul walks up to the doorway and stares at her, and then the camera pulls back to show Shin sitting in the next room also watching her. A+ scene.

+ Yul in love continues to tug at my heart-strings. I liked his guilt over her being in this situation. I liked him freaking out at Shin to never insult his love again. I loved him breaking first and refusing to let Chae-kyung continue and going to the Queen Mother to beg for her to intercede for her. I loved him resolutely telling everyone he loves her deeply.

+ Yul confessing his love to the whole family was great. Excited to see where that goes.

+ I don't understand Hwa-young's move in manipulating Chae-kyung into doing penance. Why would she be so shocked at Yul confessing his love? Why wouldn't she know that he would break first in order to help her? She should have known how this would go. Was she acting? If so how does this help her end goal?

+ I did feel a lot of satisfaction when Shin blamed the scandal on the elders and then stated he did nothing wrong and refused to be scolded more. The expression on the King's face - ha!

+ How could anyone look at Chae-kyung during the interview and be 'yup this is going well'? She looked like she was forced to be there at gunpoint. This is not the look of a happy princess!

+ 'marriage of convenience', I thought it was clear from the beginning to the nation that it was an arranged marriage? A completely different situation. But I guess not.

+ I liked the shot of their personal guards during the interview and how obviously moved they were. They've seen more of the royal relationship than anyone except the maids/Officer Kong. I actually wish we'd gotten a little more of them over the series.

+ I loved the Queen declaring she would protect their son to the King. I was so sad for her when she confessed she was envious of Chae-kyung.

+ I liked the King wondering at the fact that Shin hadn't been to visit Chae-kyung and I hope that goes somewhere.

+ I find the King deeply annoying. Glass houses!