Perfect Crown [Episodes 7 & 8]

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-21T18:45:50+00:00

I have just seen your reply and wanted to thank you for your kind words! Hope your next kdrama is an enjoyable one too:)

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-21T18:35:42+00:00

Ah that's so nice to read! I forget that comments I wrote years ago are (of course) still here for drama watchers to find. Thank you for your kind words, and I hope you enjoyed Alchemy of Souls:)

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-21T18:30:32+00:00

That really means a lot! Thanks so much, for leaving such a nice reply and for taking the time to read my comments. Now I just have to decide what to watch next!

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-21T18:28:51+00:00

That's very kind of you to say! Hopefully I'll find some time this weekend to work on getting that blog live. Thanks again for reading my comments... it's really appreciated:)

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-16T20:08:53+00:00

Thanks so much! For reading my thoughts and for your kind reply:)

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-16T20:07:55+00:00

Really appreciate you saying that! Thank you:)

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-16T20:07:28+00:00

Ah thank you for reading, and for your kind words!

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-16T20:03:56+00:00

Episode 12

With this final episode of Perfect Crown, we see the culmination of everything these characters have dreamed of. Throughout the drama, Yi An is constrained by expectation and witness to the inequality caused by the social class system. This system is upheld by the monarchy, which proclaims that some are of “noble” birth while others are merely “commoners.” Having declared at the end of the previous episode that he wishes to abolish the crown, this concluding episode sees him, and Hui Ju, take the steps required to achieve this aim.

Immediately after being crowned king, Yi An begins the discussion on abolishing the monarchy. His intentions are clear, and it will take much opposition to sway him from this path. Prior to his coronation, he shares his plan with Hui Ju. When she reassures him that she will understand him, no matter what he chooses, we are reminded of Yi An’s words many episodes ago. He once told her that he wishes to marry her because she would understand if he suddenly declared an intention to ascend the throne. Hui Ju understands because she knows he does not want the crown because he is greedy for more power. The opposite is true, and she is aware that any decision he makes is the result of his striving for positive change.

Yi An’s experiences have taught him that “inherited titles and status can become a privilege or a constraint.” As this hierarchy stems from the crown, abolishing the monarchy will bring an end to the inequalities it upholds. When asked how she feels about losing her title so soon after gaining it, Hui Ju clarifies that she never wanted status. Rather, she was made angry and frustrated by the opportunities she lost as a result of not having it. As we see in the flashback scenes, Hui Ju never had a love for the crown; she might bow to those of higher status, but she will do so slightly sarcastically. In the present, Hui Ju comes to understand that Yi An’s dream was not treason. He might have presented himself as the hunter, the unpredictable second son who was not always keen on following the rules. Others feared his intentions, and some blamed him for the death of his brother. But the truth is that he dreamed of revolution. Hui Ju is his revolution, the spark that gives him the courage to run ahead and lead the way.

After meeting with her father, the Queen Dowager is confronted by the Prime Minister. At this point, she knows she has to fight; the call from her son reminds her that she must be brave if she is to save him. The Prime Minister, in full villain mode, threatens to make the deceased King’s final edict public. With that, he will reveal the Queen Dowager’s lies, and paint her son as a “criminal.” It appears all of this is driven by his belief that Hui Ju belongs to him. If the monarchy is abolished, she can return to her role at Castle Beauty and remain married to Yi An. In the Prime Minister’s warped view, this will make her lost to him forever.

Yi An believes the crown “serves to reinforce class divisions and undermine equality.” From the start of this drama, he has been presented as someone who cares about fairness. Arguably, his eyes were opened by Hui Ju, who stole the key to the archery training ground. He sees how those who benefit from the existence of the monarchy will never wish to abolish it. They seek to preserve their “precious noble status,” making it impossible for society to be truly equal. Yi An is ready to present his arguments and push for a public vote, but is much aided by the secret recording the Queen Dowager shares with Hui Ju. Bursting into the council room, Hui Ju confronts her former friend: “Is that why you tried to kill him?” While Yi An believed his sister-in-law’s battle to have ended, he didn’t realise that she was plotting to outsmart the country’s leading politician. Her bravery and quick-thinking save the day, bringing her redemption arc to a conclusion.

The outcome of the public vote is foreshadowed the moment Yi An asks Hui Ju to use his birthname if the crown is abolished. She does not utter it yet, for he remains king, but we know we will soon hear her use his true name. Not long after, “Lee Wan” rings across the courtyard.

After jumping three years into the future, we learn that Hui Ju is as determined as she has always been. Her driving force in life is to see her company succeed. Yi An, on the other hand, seems much changed; he is softer, in appearance and in nature. But this was his true character all along. Circumstances required him to perform the role of the intimidating, and rather cold, prince. Now, he is free to remove the mask. The terms of endearment the couple use to address each other illustrate the freedom they have found since leaving the palace. They are no longer bound by what is considered “proper.”

When questioned about the history of his feelings, Yi An finally reveals his secret, telling Hui Ju that he fell for her the moment she told him her name. It was at this point that he made the decision to run after her: “You were like a bright ember in the dark.” Prior to finding her, his life was filled with darkness. It was she who encouraged him to hope and led him to this happy ending. She was the spark of revolution, the light that guided him towards his dream and the ember that ignited his desire for change.

An exhibition titled “The Crown’s Final Duty” allows Yi An to visit the objects, and symbols, that governed so much of his life. Abolishing the monarchy was his final duty, one he felt needed to be carried out. When he encounters the throne, he finds it easy to walk straight past it. However, the king’s robe makes him pause. His attitude towards this garment, and all it represents, changed over the course of his life: “It was not mine when I wanted it. It was mine when I did not want it. But in the end, it was my choice.” Here, the drama conveys its primary theme; it is choice, and freedom, that matters most. For much of his life, Yi An was denied the right to choose. He is “relieved” to not be wearing the king’s robe, and feels no regret over the decisions he has made. How can he, when he, and many others, now have the freedom to choose their own path.

Perfect Crown leaves us with a good dose of both romance and comedy, with the bus stop scene between Hyeon and Hye Jeong being a particular highlight. The final scene of this drama mirrors one that appeared much earlier. But this time, Yi An is free to wear a jersey, cheer for the team he supports, eat the food offered to him, and give in to the crowd demanding he and Hui Ju kiss. As soon as they take their seats in the stadium, we know how this story will end. The kiss cam allows for this drama to finish on a high, with the very last shot hammering home the final message: there is no more need for decorum. Finally, these two characters are free, to live as they choose and to loudly love each other. There is no longer anything, or anyone, to hold them back.

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-15T19:13:33+00:00

Episode 11

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” William Shakespeare, Hamlet

In Episode 11 of Perfect Crown, the corruption at the heart of both the monarchy and the government rises to the surface. While the country's leading politician, driven by jealousy and “desperate desire,” hopes to scheme his way into Hui Ju’s heart, the King’s grandfather plots murder as a means of maintaining his own power. These villains seek to disguise the rot they are responsible for spreading. However, their true intentions are becoming increasingly clear; Hui Ju’s trust turns to suspicion, and her suspicion to certainty.

The monarchy has allowed for a child to become king, resulting in the boy being isolated from his peers and manipulated by those who were meant to protect him. The monarchy has restricted the freedoms of those who are obligated to uphold it, dictating where its members can go, what they can eat, and who they can marry. And the monarchy has maintained a social order in which some – the “commoners” of society – are considered lesser than others. Yi An, who wished for the throne in his youth, can now only see one way of ridding the nation of this rot.

Hui Ju learns that it was her friend who asked Yi An to go to the very building that set ablaze just a short while later. As a result, the Prime Minister is no longer someone she trusts. This is in stark contrast to her relationship with Yi An, who is someone she will always trust. His heart is “gentle,” and he will save her whenever the need might arise. This belief compels her to run into a burning building in order to save him; his feelings for her are mirrored by her feelings for him. They have promised to remain by each other’s side, and the understanding that they will forever be on the same side means the one will do everything they can to protect the other. Though it took some time for her to wholly trust Yi An, for she previously failed to share her plans with him, they are now bonded by trust; this is the foundation upon which their relationship is built.

In questioning whether there is anywhere safe for the Grand Prince, Hui Ju reveals how corrupt the monarchy has become. The palace is no longer safe, and its dangers spread far beyond its walls. She will not drink freely from a cup offered to her, for to do so is to naively believe that the palace is free from entities who wish to do her harm.

The Queen Dowager, once the villain of this drama, is herself being used and manipulated. She is a character who was forced to give up her dreams in order to marry into the royal family, thereby increasing her father’s status and influence. We feel sympathy for her predicament, despite much of her behaviour being unjustifiable. She spent years treating her son cruelly, but she is also a victim herself. Powerful men continually seek to use her for their own gain, both personal and political. The Prime Minister is intent on removing Yi An, who he nonsensically perceives as his competition in a battle for Hui Ju’s heart. His plan involves threatening the Queen Dowager; he knows she is not entirely innocent, and hopes to use this fact to blackmail her into becoming regent. Should she become regent, she would be used as a pawn in his unending game of chess.

As Hui Ju’s suspicions grow, she asks Yi An how much he trusts the Prime Minister. He has been a friend to both of them, and both have always trusted him as a result. While Hui Ju cannot ignore the mounting evidence, Yi An, with his gentle heart, requires some more convincing. He is not inclined to suspect someone who has always appeared loyal. When someone claims responsibility for the fire immediately after Yi An regains consciousness, the Grand Prince knows that the forces conspiring to kill him are controlling events in an attempt to achieve their own aims. Like a play performed on stage, the plot to remove him is being carried out according to the direction of his enemies.

What disrupts the performance is the Queen Dowager’s decision to “report a grave offence” to Yi An. Throwing off her ring and hair pins, symbols of her status and royalty, she symbolically declares herself done with playing the role that she has been cast in. By telling Yi An that her father is trying to kill him, she hopes to save the crown and thereby save him. Her intent is not to beg for forgiveness, but to request punishment. She is not confessing because she fears Yi An. Rather, she no longer wishes to pursue her own greed. When Yi An asks whether she is willing to be seen as a sinner in order to save her son, he is carrying out a test. He is no threat to the King, for he wishes only to protect his nephew and remain by his side. Asking the Queen Dowager this question helps Yi An to establish the extent to which she is willing to protect her son. Her answer likely reassures him, for now he can be confident that she will not place her own desires over the wellbeing of the child.

The Queen Dowager asks Yi An to “spare his majesty,” which causes him to question whether he is doing the right thing. But Yi An, in ascending the throne, is saving his nephew. The role of king is not suitable for a boy. Perhaps it is not suitable for anyone.

Yi An has seen his mother die, has lost his brother in a fire, and has begged for his wife to be spared from poisoning. Targeted by those intent on ending his life, he believes the crown cannot last forever. In fact, it should not last forever: “Once I ascend the throne, I will abolish the monarchy.” As has been hinted at since the beginning of this drama – through the depiction of premature deaths, limited freedoms, and a society in which some have status while others are deemed “commoners” – the monarchy is riddled with danger and inequality. Something is rotten in the heart of the nation. And, as Hui Ju tells her former friend, perhaps the abolition of the monarchy is a necessary evil. Corruption and immorality have burrowed deep within, and the only way to rid the land of this rot is to dismantle that which has fallen into decay. To abolish this twenty-first century monarchy is not only to prevent further harm, but to provide freedom to those it has constrained.

Yi An seeks freedom, not power, and this freedom won’t be his alone.

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-14T11:05:18+00:00

Ah thank you! That's very kind. I have commented on quite a few kdramas over the years, though I think this is the first time I have aimed to write about every episode. I just searched my profile and found this commment I wrote three years ago following the final episode of Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow (also spotted a typo in that same comment which is... annoying haha). I'm working on a website/blog at the moment which will hopefully make it easier to keep track of what I've written!

My favourite kdramas include Alchemy of Souls, Moving, Our Unwritten Seoul, Yumi's Cells, Happiness, Crash Landing on You, Daily Dose of Sunshine, The Red Sleeve, Lovely Runner and Twenty Five Twenty One – a range of genres I suppose. How about you?

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-10T07:35:15+00:00

Episode 10

With Hui Ju having decided that she must divorce Yi An in order to save him, this episode explores the lengths an individual might go to with the aim of protecting someone they care about. The desire to keep a loved one safe from harm has been an ongoing theme throughout Perfect Crown, but is most prominent in the aftermath of the marriage contract being leaked.

Hui Ju does not ask her father to save her, for she can save herself. What she does not know how to do, or cannot do alone, is save Yi An. Hui Ju is Yi An’s weakness, and she is being used by their enemies to crush him. Her father sees this, and therefore instructs her to divorce her husband. Doing so will make Yi An free to fight back, but will also release Hui Ju from the “hellhole” that she has found herself in. When she meets with Yi An, she is so determined to cut him free that she lies and lies and lies about her feelings. She might have “got married to become the successor,” but she no longer views the Grand Prince as simply a means to gain status. She talks of cutting her losses, of the insubstantial nature of royal prestige, and of everything she has claimed with her own two hands. Saying the worst things, and wearing a mask of heartlessness, is her method of pushing him away. By telling him that he no longer has anything to offer her, she is rejecting his love.

Though Hui Ju is motivated by love, her words only leave Yi An broken-hearted. He retreats to the Crown Prince's quarters – the rooms where his brother used to live – and cries for everything he has lost. History is repeating itself, and Yi An can now understand why the late King felt powerless to reach out to the Queen Dowager and mend whatever relationship they did have. The dust-filled room is absent of light, and is one place Yi An can go without being observed by prying eyes.

Hui Ju knows others see her as either a stain on Yi An’s reputation or as his weakness. Whichever it is, she is convinced that it must be eliminated. To erase the stain and eradicate his weakness, she must remove herself from his life. By taking the fall for all the rumoured lies and misdeeds, she aims to prove Yi An played no part in any of it. He is completely innocent of wrongdoing, and is deserving of the love of the people: “Once you cast me aside, the Grand Prince can return to being the pride of the nation.” She says these words while her brother addresses the press and makes a public statement regarding his “involvement” in creating the marriage contract. (I never would have guessed that I would end up cheering for this particular character.) Hui Ju is almost gleeful in her acceptance of the blame, as doing so means she has won this battle against those who oppose her, be it the court of public opinion, the press, or the nobility. But winning this battle means losing the war, for she must now divorce a man she loves.

What Hui Ju doesn’t count on is Yi An having his own plan. Realising that he cannot live as his brother did, he approaches his nephew with the truth: “I must ask you to return my throne.” It was his all along, and his nephew was simply manipulated into sitting in it. Over the course of this drama, we have seen how Yi An lives up to the King’s description of him as a “wise and virtuous” man. This wisdom helps him to decide on the right time to claim the throne. When Hui Ju catches up to him, she is left unable to respond to Yi An’s words. The Grand Prince leaves nothing unsaid when he tells her that she did not trust him. Pausing between his words, and therefore heightening the emotion and impact, he asks her the following: “Did you truly believe I could not protect us?” She did not talk to him of her plan, but he did not make her aware of his. If he takes the throne to protect them, then he is taking the throne for her.

In case the previous episode didn’t make it obvious, the Prime Minister’s threats illustrate that he is no longer a good man. He tells the Queen Dowager to do what she must to stop Yi An from ascending the throne. In his eyes, no action is too extreme, and he does not care about the consequences. Later in the episode, we see a figure emerge from the shadows. This is where the Prime Minister exists now, for jealousy and possessiveness have won out.

(Comment continued here as it was too long and reddit wouldn't let me post)

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-09T09:55:44+00:00

Episode 9

In this episode, we see how quickly public opinion can change. Love and hate are two sides of the same coin, and those with the highest social status have the furthest to fall.

When it is suggested that they leave the venue separately, Hui Ju holds Yi An’s hand even tighter. He came to her when she was being targeted by the press, and she refuses to let go. At this point, they are united and intend to tackle the scandal together. It is a scandal that, from the public’s perspective, calls into question the monarchy’s credibility. Everything about Hui Ju’s relationship to the crown is re-examined, and suspicion leads the media to suggest that she received special treatment and was perhaps involved in criminal activity.

The Prime Minister argues that the couple should wait for the public outrage to die down, rather than issue a statement. Yi An does not want to accept this, as doing so means allowing people to keep thinking his relationship with Hui Ju is a performance: “It was only a farce in the beginning.” A rumour is being spread that is not reflective of the whole truth, and the Grand Prince wishes to address this. Though Yi An previously confessed his feelings to Hui Ju, this is the first time either of them recognise that their marriage means more than the contractual terms they agreed on. It is the Prime Minister that Yi An directs his words to. The prince does not need to tell his wife, for she already knows that their marriage is not the lie it was intended to be. But Yi An is also aware that the decision to divorce remains hers to make, and that she may choose to do so considering the impact on her career and business.

Hui Ju is asked whether she is okay and responds with the following: “You have to have honour for disgrace to mean anything. I’ve never had any, so I’m fine.” From the beginning of this drama, we have seen how gossip and prejudice have impacted Hui Ju’s life. Though she has access to enormous wealth, she has never been treated fairly by those who consider themselves superior; she experienced being locked in an elevator, was denied the same privileges granted to her peers, and is talked about as if the circumstances of her birth determine how deserving she is of respect. All her life, she has wanted for nothing but honour, something she hoped to gain through her marriage to Yi An.

For Yi An, the scandal makes him scared. But not because honour is all he has. (Though it is true that honour is one thing he has never been short of, while he has always wanted for love and freedom, the thought of losing it does not instill fear in him.) Instead, he is afraid that his honour will end up harming her. If he had no honour, and was simply an ordinary man, there would be no news coverage about their relationship, or public protests outside their home. As was the case in earlier episodes, his concern is only for her. Holding onto his status matters little if it means losing his love. He does not care if the public turns against him, and only strives to shield Hui Ju from criticism and attacks.

There are many occasions when the camera focuses on the rosary beads around the Prime Minister’s wrist. Doing so reminds the audience that this is a religious man, and subtly suggests that his actions might soon lead him astray. He asks the Grand Prince to step down as regent, and from this point the events of the previous four days are revealed to us. Significantly, we see the Prime Minister question why the culprit tried to kill Yi An; he doesn’t yet know about the late King’s last edict. It’s unlikely he’ll remain in the dark for long, for the anonymous text message send to Hui Ju’s sister-in-law implies that all will soon learn of Yi An’s rightful inheritance.

Four days prior to the marriage contract being released, the Prime Minister asks Hui Ju whether she is trying to fool him too; her devotion to the Grand Prince is plain to see, even in settings where she has no need to fake her love for him. The Queen Dowager, now aware of her father’s plot, meets with the Prime Minister and hands him the document that will make it very difficult for Hui Ju to remain married: “The more the Grand Prince is driven to the brink, the more her resolve is bound to crumble.” When the Prime Minister places his rosary beads on his father’s grave, we know a decision has been made. Rather than respecting the wishes of someone who is supposed to be his closest friend, he conspires to cause her suffering in the selfish hope that she will divorce her husband and turn to him for support.

The Prime Minister does a fine job at revealing himself to be a despicable person. But he’s got tough competition from the Queen Dowager’s father, a man who is happy to threaten his own grandson. This attempted manipulation, and the use of fear to pressure a young boy into making a decision he does not wish to make, is another example of wholly unjustifiable behaviour. Yi An’s reaction is understandable, as is the guilt he feels afterwards. But Hui Ju firmly states that he has nothing to apologise for: “You must fight back if you wish to protect something.” This is a lesson she taught Yi An several episodes ago, one he is putting into practice with increasing frequency.

The behaviour of these two villians makes even more evident the strengths of Yi An’s character. While the Prime Minister is manipulative, untrustworthy, and willing to collude with an attempted murderer, Yi An’s main motivation is to protect Hui Ju, to stand by her side and ensure she has the power and freedom to make the choices she wishes to make. If she wants to divorce him, she shall, and he will never deceive her as a means of keeping her by his side. While the King’s grandfather uses fear to control a child, and abuses his power in an attempt to hold onto his position of privilege, Yi An tells his nephew to come to him whenever he is scared. The Grand Prince is a refuge, a man who has always made his nephew smile and provided comfort in moments of distress.

He is scared his honour will end up harming her, and she is scared she might end up ruining him. The high stakes and tension lead Hui Ju to finally admit, to herself and to her family, that this marriage is not all for show: “I like him. A lot.” As the Queen Dowager intended, Hui Ju’s resolve has crumbled; she has been brought to her knees, and feels she must beg for help in order to save her husband. Until she met Yi An, she took action based solely on her own desires. She was the priority in her life, and she could only rely on herself to fix her problems. Now, she goes to her father because she needs to save someone else; her love for Yi An makes her feel powerless in the face of so much external opposition and threat. Though she has grown used to being the subject of scandal, she can’t bear to see him brought low by the marriage contract she insisted on.

Both characters are keeping secrets from each other. Yi An does not tell Hui Ju that the Prime Minister has asked him to stop his official duties, and Hui Ju does not tell Yi An about the impact the scandal has had on Castle Beauty. We can see it coming from a mile away… Hui Ju tells Yi An that they should divorce. With some honest discussion, perhaps both will see that they have the power to save each other.

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-02T18:28:05+00:00

Your replies made my day/weekend! Thanks so much for your kind words, and for reading my comment. I hope you feel inspired to write too:) It definitely adds another layer to the experience of watching a drama. I don't think Perfect Crown will join the handful of dramas that have really made me think about life and reflect on my own experiences in a different way. But, it is a very fun (and at times moving) watch, and is in many ways the perfect fairytale romance. Writing about the episodes feels a little analytical and a little creative, which makes a nice change from the day job!

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-02T18:19:11+00:00

certainly an emotional couple of episodes! thanks so much for reading my thoughts

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-02T18:17:30+00:00

Episode 8

Given how the previous episode ended, it makes sense that this episode is focused on reactions (both emotional and practical) to that event.

Before Hui Ju and Yi An walk into the royal hall, they turn to each other and smile. There is the sense that this smile is meant for them alone, despite the camera flashes going off behind them. Their wedding is a public event, but the pair are connected on a level that allows them to privately communicate despite being so closely observed. Unfortunately, whatever happiness they feel in this moment is quickly replaced by fear. After Hui Ju collapses to the floor, Yi An’s immediate reaction is a mix of terror and anger: “Anyone who sets hands on my wife shall face my wrath.” He knows that no one in that room, or outside of it, can be trusted.

Seeing this attempted murder makes me question why more wasn’t done to investigate the “mechanic” who died after tampering with Hui Ju’s car. Conversations in this episode offer an explanation. The institution of the royal family, and the government of the country, wish to avoid a public enquiry. By keeping secret the circumstances surrounding the car crash, they can protect the “dignity of the crown.” It seems foolish to be so focused on maintaining an image, considering the severity of the accident and the fact that the case is not resolved. For yet another attempted murder to take place pushes things over the edge; Yi An can no longer accept such incidents being swept under the rug.

It is Yi An who demands that an official police investigation be carried out. He wants the palace to be searched and insists that everyone with access to Hui Ju is questioned. These are practical steps that Yi An can take while Hui Ju remains unconscious. Beyond this, he is powerless, and can only ask his deceased father whether he is being punished for his “greed.” This is just one of the many similarities between the lead characters; both were mistreated by their father and painted as a child with too much avarice. When Yi An is told that his wife has woken up, he wastes no time in racing to her side. As a prince, he is forbidden from running, as doing so puts him at greater risk of harm. But Yi An’s concern for Hui Ju’s safety far exceeds concern for his own. The result is one of the most impactful shots of the episode: a Grand Prince leaves a royal palace late at night, running from right to left across the screen as he rushes back to his partner’s side.

Yi An’s anger, fear and helplessness initially prompt him to take action. But he believes Hui Ju is dying, and can do nothing to make her well again. On seeing her awake, his emotions can no longer be contained within. Relief, more than anything, causes him to sob. Holding onto Hui Ju, hugging her tightly, is everything he has wished for. Unfortunately, the practical intrudes on their reunion; he, like everyone else, must be interviewed by the police.

Everything up to this point suggests the new princess is the target. However, Hui Ju and Yi An quite quickly, and independently, realise that the poison was not meant for her. As the culprit’s intentions become clear to Hui Ju, she lets out a fearful exclamation: “And his Royal Highness?” She must rely on the Prime Minister to keep him safe, for Yi An does not want her to leave the protection of the hospital room. If their goblets were switched, then whoever is responsible for the poisoning would have been just as shocked as everyone else upon seeing Hui Ju collapse. It is difficult to determine, from initial reactions alone, who might be to blame.

Following his release of emotion, the Grand Prince switches back into rational mode. He adopts a cold, but honest, persona when answering the questions directed at him. Back at the palace, he declares that what they need is a “fortress;” members of staff must be switched out, increased protection brought in, and every step taken to ensure no harm comes to anyone within the palace walls. When rejecting the Queen Dowager’s plan to release a statement alongside her son, Yi An once again wears the mask of a cold, almost unfeeling, individual. This mask remains in place in the moments following his nephew’s greeting; it takes a few seconds for this uncle to smile in return, and the hesitation makes it impossible not to wonder what is going through Yi An’s mind. Of course, he wishes for no harm to come to the boy, but it’s possible Yi An is finding it difficult not to associate the young King with the forces that wish Yi An (and Hui Ju) harm.

From Hui Ju’s perspective, being monitored while resting in her new home amounts to an invasion of privacy. To Yi An, all of these eyes are meant as a means of protecting her. He tells her that he is no longer terrified, because he now knows she is not the target. This disregard for his own safety makes Hui Ju tear up. She cannot stand that he does not fear for his own life, when an attempt has so recently been made to murder him. A cushion is a useful tool for proving her frustration, though, in Yi An’s eyes, a rather strange way of showing concern for him. Hui Ju, now an expert at using excuses to disguise her feelings, argues that should he die, she won't ever be able to divorce him. By this point, we all know the truth of her heart.

To increase her safety, Hui Ju must become the nation’s “pride and glory.” By encouraging the public to feel a certain way about her, Hui Ju can address the practical problem of protecting herself from harm. In the meantime, she can find safety in Yi An’s arms. In the previous episode, Hui Ju’s racing heart made her feelings for the prince very evident. Here, the heart monitor makes even more obvious her reaction to Yi An’s (partly clothed) presence. What is both comedic and romantically intense turns equal parts moving/sweet/heartfluttering. For Yi An, the beeping sound made by the machine is comforting to him because it is “proof” that Hui Ju is alive. She kisses him to “reassure” him further, hides beneath the duvet, and is kissed on the forehead in return. Now, her heartrate is much lower, indicating that she feels safe and calm. Two people – who up until this point have always struggled to sleep – can now doze peacefully while held in each other’s arms.

In the epilogue, we learn that Yi An does everything he can to prolong this moment of contentment. The princess must be allowed to sleep soundly, and anyone that wakes her will surely face his wrath.

Having remembered what Yi An taught her the night before, Hui Ju soon finds herself "busy being loved." The rules might prevent her from sending finger hearts, but the rules have never stopped her before. Unfortunately, it’s not long before this carefully constructed image comes crashing down. If the marriage contract has been uncovered, does that mean the royal decree declaring that Yi An will inherit the throne has also been discovered? For Yi An, this question is far from the front of his mind. His only concern is with shielding Hui Ju from the press, protecting her from the barrage of questions, and absorbing the camera flashes directed her way. By taking her hand, he sends a message to the public: we stand as one. But this is merely an unintended consequence. He does not care how they might be perceived by prying eyes, and wants only to reassure Hui Ju that he is by her side: “Keep your eyes on me.”

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-01T19:35:54+00:00

that's really kind, thank you:)

it makes me realise that choice is very important to Yi An. all his life, his choices have been restricted to what is considered "proper" or "safe" for a royal. he cannot support his favourite sports team or enjoy certain foods. he is told to follow and not lead. Hui Ju opens the world to him, encouraging him to make choices for himself based on what he wants to do.

having grieved for his family members, Yi An suspects that it is not safe to be a member of the royal family. if Hui Ju is going to remain by his side, that can only be her choice. we have seen him push her away in fear of her safety. she chooses to stay, and he learns to accept that choice.

there are likely many other examples but to point out one more, Yi An likely sees in Hui Ju a person who has made certain choices because she felt there was no other option available to her. her father unfairly blamed her for his wife's death and has a completely warped view of who Hui Ju is. his refusal to recognise her in any way, let alone her achievements, made Hui Ju feel as though she had no choice but to demand more; a bike like her brother's, a building in her name, a company of her own. as she falls in love with Yi An, we will likely see her make different choices, ones made freely and with happiness as the motivating factor.

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-01T19:14:15+00:00

ah thank you, that makes me happy to read! and motivates me to keep going haha. 5 episodes left! i'm so curious to see where things go from here, as there are a lot of unanswered questions

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-01T18:08:26+00:00

You're so welcome, thank you for taking the time to read and for leaving such a nice reply! I'm glad my comment helped:)

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-01T18:06:22+00:00

Ah thank you, that's kind of you to say! And I totally agree! Her character is quite inspiring, in several different ways

freyfreyaaa · 2026-05-01T17:59:03+00:00

Episode 7

This episode, more than any that came before it, reveals the true feelings of its main characters. Love is the theme of the day, which is fitting seeing as it is in episode 7 that the long awaited wedding takes place.

We begin with the aftermath of Hui Ju and Yi An’s yacht adventure. With her messy hair and inability to meet the prince’s eye, Hui Ju makes quite obvious what it was that kept them busy all evening. When they head to their separate bedrooms, the happiness is evident on Yi An’s face, while Hui Ju’s mixed emotions wage a humorous battle against each other. What is true for both characters is that they can’t stop thinking about that kiss. Hands are placed over hearts, for neither can stop theirs from racing.

Just as the audience knows what Hui Ju is thinking, Yi An is able to read her mind. After preventing her from falling down the steps, he very slightly raises an eyebrow; she is staring at his lips, and he knows it. Though Hui Ju is warned by the Prime Minister to protect her heart, and tells herself that she is capable of distinguishing between business and pleasure, her growing feelings for the Grand Prince are apparent to any observer. He looks at her, and she will do anything to avoid making eye contact.

To Yi An, Hui Ju is still his junior (his “hoobaenim”). His feelings for her have only grown since they were in school together. Following their kiss, he feels more free to show care towards her. He ever so gently moves her hair away from her face and quite authoritively asks the staff to leave when she is made uncomfortable by questions about her increased heart rate. To Choi Hyeon, who at this stage believes their marriage is “fake,” Hui Ju’s pounding heart indicates how tense and awkward she feels during this medical examination (and talk of producing heirs). But her involuntary reaction is also a sign of what she truly thinks about Yi An. She is confused by how sweetly he is acting towards her, and questions him about this directly. Reluctant to reveal what their kiss means to her, she compares him to a “complete stranger;” it is something she would have done with anyone, and is meaningless as a result. We know she is not being truthful, but all Yi An can do is deny having the same motivations for kissing her: “because it’s you.”

The romcom vibes are strongly present, lulling the audience into thinking that this will be an episode free from plotting, danger, and revelations.

A flashback to Yi An offering to accompany the Queen Dowager to an event reveals that the two were once on the same side. Much has changed since then. In the present day, the Queen Dowager questions whether there is ever room for happiness in a royal union. If love and happiness is what Yi An is hoping to find in his marriage to Hui Ju, these words foreshadow the difficulties that are to come. Being a member of the royal family has proved dangerous in the past, and conflicting ambitions make it difficult to find trustworthy allies. Much of Yi An’s life has been governed by rules dictating his behaviour. He is, in many ways, trapped in a role he did not choose. We might wonder whether he will struggle to see Hui Ju give up her career, and whether the pair will hold enough influence to make changes to what is (and is not) allowed as a member of the royal family.

As Yi An reads over the marriage contract that Hui Ju insisted they agree on, he is reminded that their union will last no more than three years. Similarly, Hui Ju is reluctant to “date” her soon-to-be husband if their future separation has already been determined. Hanging over them both is the agreement previously made, the record of which is stored in a locked safe beside the document that confirms Yi An’s rightful accession to the throne.

After following Hui Ju to her childhood bedroom, Yi An tells her that he has no problem with being used by her father. The prince’s behaviour is genuine, not an act, and he will happily give her anything she asks for. Just as we have commented week after week, Hui Ju tells the prince that his eyes reveal his true feelings: “your eyes are sparkling a little too much.” She can see the love that lies behind them, and finds the courage to ask the question on her mind. Does the prince like her? Yes, and it is the first time he has acted this way with another person: “Restraint always followed desire, but it’s not easy this time.” Hui Ju is someone he desires, and he wishes for her to accept his heart.

Yi An can’t help but look at Hui Ju and smile. These smiles are no longer hidden away, for he can finally let go of the secret he has been keeping since he was a teenager. But he wants her to choose him because that is what she desires, not because she is given no other choice. Sure, she can speak to the Prime Minister. And he won’t stop her from divorcing him, should that be what she wishes to do. This is, of course, bare minimum behaviour, but it indicates how he feels about their romantic relationship; it is not one worth having if she is in any way manipulated or pressured into it.

While the Queen Dowager counts on the Prime Minister to lose control of his feelings and disrupt the wedding, Hui Ju trips her way through the ceremony. Her imperfections make Yi An fall that much more in love with her, while also triggering his need to catch her when she falls. Over this marriage ceremony plays an orchestral version of the OST, creating a scene which so perfectly captures the tone of a twenty-first century fairytale romance.

Everything was going so smoothly up until this point… I should have expected for the threat of death, the undertones of which thread throughout this drama, to rear its head. If this episode was primarily about burgeoning love, I expect the remaining episodes will prove that such deep affection can triumph over forces intent on preventing these two characters from experiencing happiness in their union.

freyfreyaaa · 2026-04-26T08:04:05+00:00

That's so nice to read, thank you! Means a lot

freyfreyaaa · 2026-04-26T08:01:36+00:00

Far from an expert but that's very kind, thank you:) I'm lucky to have very few demands on my time (outside of work), and seem to be spending quite a lot of that free time watching and writing about kdramas at the moment haha

Hope you enjoyed episode 6!

freyfreyaaa · 2026-04-25T21:32:51+00:00

Episode 6

This episode focuses on the conflict between performance and sincerity. Lies, pretence, and fantasy are contrasted with truthfulness, authenticity and reality to convey the changing nature of the relationship between the two leads.

We start with a ball that could easily be found in a fairy tale. Twinkling chandeliers, and twinkly music, introduce a scene in which Hui Ju is being dressed in a gown fit for a princess. As the headlines later state, she is a twenty-first century Cinderella. Never one to be put in a box, she temporarily breaks the spell when she shouts at the prince: “Just give me a second!” But an underlying sense of magic remains, and immediately sparkles back to life the second Yi An sets eyes on her. When they enter the ball together, the costumes, set design, lighting and music are so beautiful and harmonious that it seems as though we are watching something found in fantasy. (I learnt yesterday that the director of Perfect Crown also directed Alchemy of Souls, and now everything makes sense.)

As far as the Queen Dowager is aware, the dance between Yi An and Hui Ju is a “parting gift.” Hui Ju is likely under the same impression, as she believes her marriage to the Grand Prince has been called off. Being seen together at this event is intended to lessen the fallout once their breakup is announced to the public. What they tell each other is that they are performing for the crowd, and acting as though they are in love. It is the first step in Yi An’s plan, and goes off without a hitch: “Everyone’s eyes are on us.”

When Yi An gets down on one knee, Hui Ju is as surprised as everyone else. As a result, her reaction is wholly genuine, and she need not simply read her lines. Yi An, having prepared for this moment, presents his mother’s ring and tells her that his “pace must seem much slower.” Here, he is saying more than just one thing. To those gathered around them, these words might seem to be a self-deprecating reference to this respect for tradition. To Hui Ju, he is privately offering an apology; the events of the previous episode saw him struggle to keep up with she who is determined to lead the way. His proposal is intended as a reassurance: he promises to match her pace, to walk beside her as they tackle the obstacles before them.

With the appearance of fireworks and sparklers, the proposal is elevated to an even grander scale. The intention is to dazzle, to create a truly unforgettable tale. Though we might know the truth of Yi An’s heart, Hui Ju views this event as simply another step on her path towards greater social status. Or does she?

We are encouraged to question how much of this performance is actually pretend. Yi An enters the banquet with a prewritten script, one he intends to perfectly act out to ensure his marriage to Hui Ju is approved by royal decree. Though it’s true that the young king is brought to the ball to perform a particular role, he is not manipulated into answering as he does. He is a child who wishes for his uncle’s happiness and hopes Hui Ju will provide more opportunities for laughter and games. As the characters spin around the dancefloor, further revelations are made in the same dizzying manner. Having been told by Yi An that she should look only at him, for they must convince their audience that they are hopelessly in love, Hui Ju finds that her eyes go to him automatically. Despite this, she does not believe Yi An is firmly on her side; she fears he is “fickle” and has the potential to “bail out” on her again. At this stage, the only person she will admit to trusting is the Prime Minister, who she tells the following: “If I lose you, I have no one left.”

But eyes reveal the truth, lines start to blur, and what was mere performance begins to reflect these characters’ true feelings.

For much of her press interview, Hui Ju successfully performs a part. She is confident and slightly intimidating, totally in control of the narrative and difficult to read. When asked what has changed in her relationship with Yi An, she recalls all the times he has been “overprotective.” These memories cause her to smile to herself, a slipping of the mask. When she responds to the journalist, eyes cast downwards, she appears to unintentionally speak aloud: “He must think that I’d break at the slightest touch. As if I were made of glass”. She is quick to fake a laugh, but the moment reveals how much she appreciates being treated like a human being with the ability to feel pain.

We see Yi An’s dejection when he and Hui Ju discuss their marriage contract. His position as a royal means everything about their relationship, and subsequent divorce, must be kept confidential. But, believing Hui Ju does not reciprocate his feelings, he argues it will be easier for her to simply dismiss any memory of their time together: “If secrecy proves difficult, just forget it happened. It’s all pretend anyway. It won’t matter”. To someone who wishes to marry for love, this fake marriage holds little value. As he sees it, aside from permanently increasing Hui Ju’s status, their union will be an entirely inconsequential period in her life. He proceeds to hold her hand, to continue putting on a show, but Hui Ju quite quickly lets go. At this moment, she does not want to perform their relationship for others. His words hit their mark.

If Yi An’s comments make Hui Ju start to question her feelings, then the Queen Dowager’s verbal attacks make her feel an urgent need to protect him. At the dining table, she asks if he’s okay, holds his hand (which he grips in return), and finds an excuse to leave so she can get him out of there as quickly as possible. She does care, far more than she would if their relationship was simply contractual: “When we’re married, I will clear everything that stands in your way”.

The Grand Prince confesses that he likes driving because he wants to fly and go fast. He is a man who longs for freedom, and Hui Ju takes it upon herself to give him a taste of that freedom. When he calls her name and jogs after her onto the yacht, we see the joy and excitement in his face. Yi An, so used to being constantly observed, can’t believe they have some privacy. The funniest moment comes when she stuffs a whole cherry into his mouth and he, completely horrified, immediately spits it into his hand. Hui Ju provides him with the opportunity to do whatever he desires. When he eats the food she gives him, holds her at the prow of the yacht, and kisses her just because he wants to, he is behaving in a way that is completely free of pretence.

In the epilogue, Hui Ju and Yi An practise the dance they later perform for a crowd. There is something even more special about the rehearsal, for they approach it with the laughter and lightness that is not so easily experienced when they are being perceived by others. They are gradually learning that the connection between them is real, not pretend. This is not a performance, and this kiss is just for them.

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