My Notes / Opinions
This drama has a solid core concept and works best when it leans into its strengths: the cooking elements, the ML and FL dynamic, and lighter comedic moments. Early on, it’s fairly charming and even makes the food aspect a major draw. However, the romance progresses very slowly and is repeatedly sidelined by palace scheming and villain driven conflict, which becomes exhausting over time. By the middle stretch, it feels like the show relies heavily on familiar historical drama plotting rather than letting the relationship breathe. While the romance does pick up slightly later, it never fully escapes being overshadowed, and the final stretch leans into an unconventional resolution that feels more confusing than rewarding. Overall, it may work for viewers who enjoy historical settings and food focused stories, but for romance first viewers, it drags and underdelivers.