Well, I dropped this drama for a reason: it was too dark for me. Maybe some people would love the story, but it felt so gloomy and unfair that I was left without hope and quite depressed after going somewhere towards the middle of the series. I skipped the rest hoping things would turn around, but the ending was even more depressing. As I was saying, the ratings are more emotional than rational, therefore take this as a review from somebody who is sensitive to stories that are unbalanced and frustrating - which I felt her story was! But, then again, so was the era in which the Empress lived in... If you are like me and want to see a story that has both dark and light moments, both tears and laughter and some hope in the end (something like in the Emperor of the Sea when they flee with the child), then try to avoid this drama or prepare yourself with a thread to lead you out of the depression maze.