Usually, shows or movies with a top-tier, good-looking cast that get hyped from the beginning tend to suffer from weak storytelling. However, so far, this modern ‘Cinderella’ story has been a fun ride. The charming cast, romantic vibes, subtle comedy, and royal backdrop—elevated by the catchy soundtrack—instantly remind viewers of ‘Princess Hours’. While some have claimed the show to be an overhyped script that relies on the actors’ popularity, others feel that the K-drama industry is finally back in its groove.
Viewers love the contrast between the two main leads. While Prince Yi An comes from a royal background and suffers under the burden of it, Hui Ju, although labelled as ‘illegitimate’, has bravely faced society.
After watching six episodes, it’s clear that the production is visually stunning and the story is engaging, but the show lacks real emotion, as the delivery feels underwhelming. Nevertheless, fans are loving IU‘s character, her fashion sense, the sister-brother love-hate relationship, Min Jeon Woo’s conflicted feelings, and Queen Yi Rang‘s failed attempts to break up the main couple.
So, let’s take a look at this week’s recap!
Episode 5
The episode picks up exactly where the previous one left off. Prince Yi An takes the full impact of the accident, thus saving Hui Ju and the Crown Prince. All three of them are rushed to the hospital, and as soon as she learns the news, Queen Yi Rang also heads there. When she hears about Hui Ju being involved, she goes to confront her but is stopped by Minister Min Jeong Woo.
Upon learning that Yi An is in surgery, Hui Ju rushes to see him and looks at his bruised face. Back in her own room, Hui Ju is visited by her secretary, who blames Yi An for the misfortune in her boss’ life and asks her to reconsider their ‘fake’ marriage. Jeong Woo overhears their conversation and confronts Hui Ju, who finally reveals the truth.
It is later revealed that Yi An also overheard their conversation, including how Jeong Woo asked Hui Ju to marry him instead.
The shocking part of this episode was how Yi An not only kicked Hui Ju out of his residence but also met up with her to say he was breaking their engagement. The excuse? He was doing it to protect her! While Jeong Woo had asked the Grand Prince to break things off for Hui Ju’s safety, his mother’s accident and death also played a part in his decision.
For viewers, this particular episode must have been painful to watch, as we later witnessed how Hui Ju’s family didn’t seem to care about her condition after the accident. What made it even worse was her father calling her an attention-seeker and claiming that the prince had merely used her. Prince Yi An gave Hui Ju an invitation to the exclusive Inner Court Banquet as a sort of ‘parting gift’, and hats off to the latter’s reaction. She kept refusing the invitation, while also ignoring and rejecting the prince’s calls for a meeting. Prince Yi An definitely deserved that cold shoulder!
And when they did meet up, it was hard not to admire the way Hui Ju called Yi An out for being a coward and not knowing the true meaning of ‘protecting someone’. (P.S. No spoilers will be given because, so far, it could be a fan-favorite scene in the show, and it is definitely worth watching for yourself.)
Eventually, Hui Ju agrees to go to the event, and the night before the banquet, the main leads go for a walk where Hui Ju challenges Yi An, offering to teach him how to lead the way (by being at her side, of course!).
On the day of the banquet, Hui Ju shows up late in a stunning modern white suit rather than pink traditional attire. As the subjects are walking along with Queen Yi Rang in the royal garden, she intentionally proposes a long walk to make Hui Ju suffer more. The episode ends as Prince Yi An suddenly shows up by Hui Ju’s side and asks her to teach him how to lead the way, meaning that they are back together!
Episode 6
It starts at the after-party, where Queen Yi Rang arrives with Min Jeong Woo, while Prince Yi An is accompanied by Hui Ju (her after-party gown was truly stunning!).
As the main couple shares a dance, Queen Yi Rang smiles in a devilish way, believing that they have already broken up. Little does she know that Yi An has a proposal plan of his own. Again, no spoilers will be given, but right after the royal proposal scene, Queen Yi Rang immediately asks Jeong Woo to revoke the wedding decision. However, the latter refuses, as he is still on Hui Ju’s side and clearly does not want to go against the Crown Prince’s decision to bless the new couple.
This episode gave viewers a few surprising moments. For instance, there is the fact that Prince Yi An might not be as unaware as previously thought. He knew about a spy at his private residence, and during his dance with Queen Yi Rang, he mentioned his late brother’s amended will. There is also an interesting moment where Hui Ju’s father asked his daughter-in-law if someone from her family could watch over Hui Ju back at the palace.
And, of course, one scene fans might have cherished is the way Yi An got jealous and overprotective of Hui Ju when he saw her with Jeong Woo.
As the main couple drafts a marriage contract, Queen Yi Rang arrives and invites them to dinner. As expected from the evil queen, she makes sure the dinner is anything but peaceful. At one point, she even says that Yi An’s late father would have been against this marriage and goes even further by asking if he killed his own brother. Honestly, it would have been better if Hui Ju had defended the prince and given Yi Rang the reply she deserved. But instead, the main couple excuses themselves from the dinner table. Later, Hui Ju takes Yi An out on a yacht to give him the experience of ‘flying’.
Eventually, the whole romantic setup does exactly what you would expect, and sparks start to fly, leading to their second kiss—but a much more passionate one compared to the first peck.
I seriously can’t wait for the next episodes. Until then, stay tuned!
Written by Diksha Gangadeen
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