
I immediately thought about Palace of Bardo when I started reading this. I think the darkness in Palace of Bardo is more unrelenting, though. The main character comes from a sh*tty neglectful family with an obsessively dangerous stepbrother. He doesn't really have another person who he can rely upon, except his personal maid, and he has a whole court of back stabbers and jealous people.
In this story, Yeo-dam has a really caring decent father and a loyal best friend, and maids and insiders who are on his side and think he's a good influence.
I think what both MCs have in common is that they are good with kids, animals and people. People gravitate to them. They're both very pure of heart and don't want to see other people around them get hurt due to a volatile ruler. The stories also have the theme of the MC changing things for the better, the second time around
This story kinda reminds me of Palace of Bardo, so if u guys like these kinda story where the emperor tries to make amends from his previous life u should check it out.