
Oh my fucking god.
The art is simply breathtaking, not only in style, but in subject matter. The fashion, the hair and the scenes all work together to create a mysterious atmosphere. The story is also phenomenal and very relevant. What beautiful art, ancient history and incredible people have we lost to war and fire this year alone?
Like all the other characters, I fell in love with Yoiko. I adore her personality, her charm and her drive. At the start of the story she seems so fragile, yet as we see more of her life, it's obvious she was a great and brave person. I really like it when stories depict extremely conflicting values, here with Yoiko's dedication to art being greater than that to human life.
Ishimoro is a great character and it's tragic when you realize, that the two people who genuinely loved Yoiko couldn't never be with her while she was alive.
My last favorite thing is Yoiko's impact on Hana. In the last chapter it's just so obvious how much Hana loved and admired her. From the way she dresses to her demeanor, it all screams Yoiko! And there are other great parallels!! Yoiko commanded Ishimoro to live for her sake and Hana, desperate to be as important as he was to her, begs Yoiko to command her to do the same. God!!!!! I just love stories that are so full of love!

Obviously this manhwa is around the most realistic out there in comparison to other historical romances, what with the natural colored hair, tame neutral dresses and lack of magical powers, but even putting that aside, I love how realistic the characters are written. I love how the confines of their social status are constantly affecting her and the other women of the story, both in public and in private. How none of the characters are particularly malicious, but merely looking out for their own interests. How families aren't just the side characters, but a large part of how the main character are forced to live in their society .
Just the scene with him reading the letter kind of moved me! He's not this apathetic murder child of most historical manhwas, he's a little kid, who's big sister is about to leave him behind and it makes him so sad :,((

This author is so good at pacing humor, smut and angst it's insane. The artist too, the minute expressions are fucking phenomenal and convey the complex thoughts of the characters perfectly. That moment when Kihoon's eyes went blank and he clearly had some traumatic flashback? Mwah, chef's kiss. Completely delivers on the vibe of whumpy AO3 fan fiction.
"I love complex characters and I love complex relationships in fiction and I especially love it when well meaning characters hurt each other despite loving each other dearly" I say through gritted teeth as the grandma invites Paula's abusive piece of shit uncle to make peace with him.
It's her last will.. she's dying. It's not like she purposely wanted to torment Laura.
Yes bbg, that's what complex characters with complex relationships means. That's what being a well meaning character who hurts someone despite loving them dearly means. Did you even read the comment.