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The Snake and the Flower
Long ago, an emperor suddenly decided to execute the members of his court. Only after being offered a girl named Aehwa, did the emperor’s rampage stop. The emperor cherishes his “flower” dearly. When Aehwa expresses an interest in music, the Emperor makes Harang Kang her personal court musician. However, the emperor decreed that only he can lay eyes on Aehwa and has Harang’s eyes destroyed. After finding out the true cause of his father’s death, Harang swears revenge on both Aehwa and the Emperor. In this twisted realm of snakes and flowers, who will prevail?
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 22, 2022
fast-pass read: minus 1 star for the ending 😔
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love the art.
the story is intriguing.
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love the art.
the story is intriguing.
August 5, 2023
4.5 stars
I absolutely loved this BUT I refuse to accept that ending!!
I absolutely loved this BUT I refuse to accept that ending!!
December 30, 2022
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
I was so intrigued by this because it isn't a romance, instead it's a tragedy. I'm no stranger to reading about political intrigue, heavy on the politics but this became so confusing to me at one point I considered dropping it.
Harang, Aehwa, Emperor Eun. These three people were inexplicably entangled; a snake, a flower and a tyrant. Revenge, freedom and power. Each of them had their own motive and hidden schemes. Like the concept of them being in a murder triangle was so good at the start! But as the story developed, it turns out that there were so much more in the murky waters of the palace. I think the plot was great but the execution of it fell short. The art and paneling were beautiful and while I think it would work amazing as a k-drama, the way scenes cut and jumped made the story seem like it was simultaneously moving but going nowhere. I would've liked it more if the story didn't jump around so much, but maybe that's just a "me" problem.
The three main characters were so compelling and as their pasts were revealed, and their bonds more entangled, I felt bad for all of them. I especially felt bad for Aehwa because she was the only innocent party caught in this complicated web. Eun wanted her because she resembled his mother who had planned to kill him, and Harang wanted to use her to hurt the emperor by killing her, while all Aehwa wanted was to live a free life of her own. I was rooting for her, Soa (her trusted maid) and Jeonggo (Harang's only/best friend) to leave the palace. Harang and Eun could just plan and scheme against each other however much they wanted as long as they left Aehwa out of it. Unfortunately the ending was massively disappointing when Harang accidentally killed her because he thought she was the emperor. I was so ???
In the epilogue, the author explained that "this story is about the invisible things that can be found and the visible things that are often overlooked. Although Eun was able to see, he never even noticed Aehwa's expressions and although Harang was blind, he was the only person to find Aehwa. But in the end, Harang becomes blinded by vengeance and doesn't recognize Aehwa despite his restored vision." Even so, I didn't like how Aehwa was just a tool for these 2 men, and I didn't like how Jeonggo died too. It was an utterly useless and unfair death. In fact, both Aehwa and Jeonggo's death could've been prevented if only Harang wasn't so blinded by his anger and need for vengeance and destruction. Oh wait...
Sigh. Anyway, it was truly a tragic ending for everyone involved. But this would be so good as a drama after a scriptwriter manages to clean it up and make the story less confusing and with a more solid storyline.
I was so intrigued by this because it isn't a romance, instead it's a tragedy. I'm no stranger to reading about political intrigue, heavy on the politics but this became so confusing to me at one point I considered dropping it.
Harang, Aehwa, Emperor Eun. These three people were inexplicably entangled; a snake, a flower and a tyrant. Revenge, freedom and power. Each of them had their own motive and hidden schemes. Like the concept of them being in a murder triangle was so good at the start! But as the story developed, it turns out that there were so much more in the murky waters of the palace. I think the plot was great but the execution of it fell short. The art and paneling were beautiful and while I think it would work amazing as a k-drama, the way scenes cut and jumped made the story seem like it was simultaneously moving but going nowhere. I would've liked it more if the story didn't jump around so much, but maybe that's just a "me" problem.
The three main characters were so compelling and as their pasts were revealed, and their bonds more entangled, I felt bad for all of them. I especially felt bad for Aehwa because she was the only innocent party caught in this complicated web. Eun wanted her because she resembled his mother who had planned to kill him, and Harang wanted to use her to hurt the emperor by killing her, while all Aehwa wanted was to live a free life of her own. I was rooting for her, Soa (her trusted maid) and Jeonggo (Harang's only/best friend) to leave the palace. Harang and Eun could just plan and scheme against each other however much they wanted as long as they left Aehwa out of it. Unfortunately the ending was massively disappointing when Harang accidentally killed her because he thought she was the emperor. I was so ???
In the epilogue, the author explained that "this story is about the invisible things that can be found and the visible things that are often overlooked. Although Eun was able to see, he never even noticed Aehwa's expressions and although Harang was blind, he was the only person to find Aehwa. But in the end, Harang becomes blinded by vengeance and doesn't recognize Aehwa despite his restored vision." Even so, I didn't like how Aehwa was just a tool for these 2 men, and I didn't like how Jeonggo died too. It was an utterly useless and unfair death. In fact, both Aehwa and Jeonggo's death could've been prevented if only Harang wasn't so blinded by his anger and need for vengeance and destruction. Oh wait...
Sigh. Anyway, it was truly a tragic ending for everyone involved. But this would be so good as a drama after a scriptwriter manages to clean it up and make the story less confusing and with a more solid storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2023
84 BÖLÜM BOYUNCA OLANLAR SIRALI TAM LİSTE:
-plan yapalım herkes bir plan yapsın
-intikam da alalım ama planlı intikam
-şimdi plan da yaptık ama biz ayrı ayrı plan yapmayalım bir toplanalım bir de öyle plan yapalım
-toplu plandan devam
-aralarda bölümlerrrrce süren festivaller bilmem neler
-plan yapmaya devam
-planlar işe yaramıyor
-olsun daha çok plan
-kapanış
-plan yapalım herkes bir plan yapsın
-intikam da alalım ama planlı intikam
-şimdi plan da yaptık ama biz ayrı ayrı plan yapmayalım bir toplanalım bir de öyle plan yapalım
-toplu plandan devam
-aralarda bölümlerrrrce süren festivaller bilmem neler
-plan yapmaya devam
-planlar işe yaramıyor
-olsun daha çok plan
-kapanış
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2021
#13 ongoing
amazing, I swore there were more episodes. Ever intrigued by the development of this story.
amazing, I swore there were more episodes. Ever intrigued by the development of this story.
October 22, 2022
The end was a little rushed, but it was a very well written story with a bittersweet ending.
December 15, 2022
I'm so glad I stuck with this till the end because it gets really engrossing AND THEN THE ENDING DESTROYS YOU. Ah the joys of historical tragedy :')
December 15, 2022
This story is a great story if you love tragic endings. I don’t. The art is beautiful and the story was very interesting, but the ending ruined it for me.
January 5, 2023
It was just not my cup of tea honestly. The pacing was annoyingly slow
July 29, 2023
The epilogue was truly comforting and a much needed one.
March 8, 2025
Loved all the art and how well the characters developed but I hated the ending.
May 7, 2025
ughhh it was perfect except the ending which I refuse to accept.
January 23, 2023
4.5 stars
Where do I even begin with this?
First of all, the art is amazing. I love the symbolism and imagery woven into the story-telling and the reddish overtones add to the danger and suspense, almost as if to indicate that all of the actions of the characters are coloured by the bloodshed of the court.
Secondly, this is how political intrigue should be done!! The twists and turns and reveals and betrayals make you suspicious of everyone's true intentions and watching the manipulations and machinations of the main characters unfold is also very satisfying.
The characters are also well-written. Even the side characters have some level of depth and subtlety to them, but Jeonggo, Harang, Aehwa and Eun (yes, even him) stole my heart, with Jeonggo and Harang's friendship being particularly compelling. The layers of the characters are peeled back slowly, making them sympathetic without excusing some of their actions. My only problem (and why I'm hesitant to give this a full five stars) is that the resolution between Aehwa and Eun's resolution felt undeserved and that it came out of nowhere.
Lastly, I think the revenge aspect of this story was executed brilliantly. As Confucius (maybe) said, "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” The Snake and the Flower kept to the destructive, cyclical nature of revenge right to the end and, as heartbreaking as this was (I still want to cry about the ending when I think about it), I appreciate that the author didn't opt for a magical happy-ever-after.
If you're looking for a story about loyalty and betrayal, love and death, then I definitely recommend this for you!
Where do I even begin with this?
First of all, the art is amazing. I love the symbolism and imagery woven into the story-telling and the reddish overtones add to the danger and suspense, almost as if to indicate that all of the actions of the characters are coloured by the bloodshed of the court.
Secondly, this is how political intrigue should be done!! The twists and turns and reveals and betrayals make you suspicious of everyone's true intentions and watching the manipulations and machinations of the main characters unfold is also very satisfying.
The characters are also well-written. Even the side characters have some level of depth and subtlety to them, but Jeonggo, Harang, Aehwa and Eun (yes, even him) stole my heart, with Jeonggo and Harang's friendship being particularly compelling. The layers of the characters are peeled back slowly, making them sympathetic without excusing some of their actions. My only problem (and why I'm hesitant to give this a full five stars) is that the resolution between Aehwa and Eun's resolution felt undeserved and that it came out of nowhere.
Lastly, I think the revenge aspect of this story was executed brilliantly. As Confucius (maybe) said, "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” The Snake and the Flower kept to the destructive, cyclical nature of revenge right to the end and, as heartbreaking as this was (I still want to cry about the ending when I think about it), I appreciate that the author didn't opt for a magical happy-ever-after.
If you're looking for a story about loyalty and betrayal, love and death, then I definitely recommend this for you!
Read
February 28, 2023Over time I've reached the conclusion that unless I'm reading a webtoon/manga/manhwa in one sitting or at least continuously until its end (and by that I mean that the series is already finished and I don't have to wait weekly for a new chapter), I won't give it a rating. Simply because my opinion can change over longer periods of time such as when I get busy and stop reading it for a while, I forget a lot of the details, especially if there is a hiatus between seasons. I'm simply too much of a perfectionist to give a rating that more or less reflects the last few chapters rather than the work as a whole.
With all that said, this was a bit of a confusing read, simply because of its weekly publishing. Something that is presented in a way in a chapter may actually turn out to be a plot twist a month later, but I don't actually recall enough from that scene to be sufficiently shocked (and that really annoys me :c). This is probably the main reason why I was always behind with the updates here in comparison to other more light hearted webtoons, with a more linear action.
The art is really, truly beautiful. One of the most beautiful art styles I've seen in webtoons. Very exquisite, very personal. A big plus.
The plot is engaging as well. If it was all available from the beginning I would've devoured it (which you can do now, since it's finished). Betrayal, plot twists, revenge story, a dash of unexpected romance, tragedy. I actually loved the ending, contrary to what most people said. I don't think I'd find this webtoon as memorable as I do now if things didn't go the way they actually went, however bittersweet. All in all, a pleasant surprise and an engaging read. Please make this a k-drama, it would be so different from what we usually see.
With all that said, this was a bit of a confusing read, simply because of its weekly publishing. Something that is presented in a way in a chapter may actually turn out to be a plot twist a month later, but I don't actually recall enough from that scene to be sufficiently shocked (and that really annoys me :c). This is probably the main reason why I was always behind with the updates here in comparison to other more light hearted webtoons, with a more linear action.
The art is really, truly beautiful. One of the most beautiful art styles I've seen in webtoons. Very exquisite, very personal. A big plus.
The plot is engaging as well. If it was all available from the beginning I would've devoured it (which you can do now, since it's finished). Betrayal, plot twists, revenge story, a dash of unexpected romance, tragedy. I actually loved the ending, contrary to what most people said. I don't think I'd find this webtoon as memorable as I do now if things didn't go the way they actually went, however bittersweet. All in all, a pleasant surprise and an engaging read. Please make this a k-drama, it would be so different from what we usually see.
March 24, 2023
how am i supposed to move on now 😭
I came upon this story by accident and first things first, the art style is AMAZING. it's sooo pretty. I'm obsessed with it. I took countless of screenshots just bc it's THAT pretty. The color schemes is also one of the things that made this webtoon stood out in my opinion.
Okay so let's get to the story. I have a love and hate relationship with it. The story is written so beautifully. It's like a tragic poem. Each character has their own motives and reasons, seeing it unravel was one of the most satisfying part about this story. They've developed an unexpected relationship/feelings with their problems still ringing in the background, which made it seemed impossible to work out at first.
the male lead definitely had some issues to sort out. I didnt even know if he could ever 'love' again?? But i was wrong. What he and the female lead had was so gut wrenching that it physically PAINS me to talk about it. I can feel my heart breaking as im typing this. When their backstory was revealed, it became apparent to me that they are DESTINED to meet each other. You could not deny it. They're destined to be with one another. It's like the red string of fate. Which made me SO FUCKING DEVASTATED at the ending 💀😭
This story is the ultimate slow burn. But i, ofc, had no problems with it. It's written so beautifully and i know ive said it before but i just. wont. stop. There are so many discreet messages that I feel like reading it once wont be enough to fully appreciate it 🥲
Now for the things i dont really like... i dont really like the "switch up" of the antagonist at the end. It just seemed kinda rushed and came out of nowhere. He was cruel as fuck before. Yes he did get some development towards the end, but STILL.
For the ending itself?? Yeah im just gonna cry in the corner 😭😭 righr from the start, i know its not going to be a fluffy romance story. So expecting a happy ending was kinda dumb of me. But im a sucker for angst. And i do feel like the ending was very fitting with the theme of this story. Although his eyes were healed, he failed to recognize the one he loved the most in front of him. And his greed... or rage.. whatever it is.. got him 'blinded' again despite his newly-working eyes. Like. Omfg. Im gonna bang my head into a wall.
And that epilog??? Ms/mr author you're literally trying to KILL me now. I CANNOT recover from that. I love the epilog so much. I've come back to it for a couple of times now. It makes me miserable but i still do it anyway.
Rest in peace, aehwa 😭
I came upon this story by accident and first things first, the art style is AMAZING. it's sooo pretty. I'm obsessed with it. I took countless of screenshots just bc it's THAT pretty. The color schemes is also one of the things that made this webtoon stood out in my opinion.
Okay so let's get to the story. I have a love and hate relationship with it. The story is written so beautifully. It's like a tragic poem. Each character has their own motives and reasons, seeing it unravel was one of the most satisfying part about this story. They've developed an unexpected relationship/feelings with their problems still ringing in the background, which made it seemed impossible to work out at first.
the male lead definitely had some issues to sort out. I didnt even know if he could ever 'love' again?? But i was wrong. What he and the female lead had was so gut wrenching that it physically PAINS me to talk about it. I can feel my heart breaking as im typing this. When their backstory was revealed, it became apparent to me that they are DESTINED to meet each other. You could not deny it. They're destined to be with one another. It's like the red string of fate. Which made me SO FUCKING DEVASTATED at the ending 💀😭
This story is the ultimate slow burn. But i, ofc, had no problems with it. It's written so beautifully and i know ive said it before but i just. wont. stop. There are so many discreet messages that I feel like reading it once wont be enough to fully appreciate it 🥲
Now for the things i dont really like... i dont really like the "switch up" of the antagonist at the end. It just seemed kinda rushed and came out of nowhere. He was cruel as fuck before. Yes he did get some development towards the end, but STILL.
For the ending itself?? Yeah im just gonna cry in the corner 😭😭 righr from the start, i know its not going to be a fluffy romance story. So expecting a happy ending was kinda dumb of me. But im a sucker for angst. And i do feel like the ending was very fitting with the theme of this story. Although his eyes were healed, he failed to recognize the one he loved the most in front of him. And his greed... or rage.. whatever it is.. got him 'blinded' again despite his newly-working eyes. Like. Omfg. Im gonna bang my head into a wall.
And that epilog??? Ms/mr author you're literally trying to KILL me now. I CANNOT recover from that. I love the epilog so much. I've come back to it for a couple of times now. It makes me miserable but i still do it anyway.
Rest in peace, aehwa 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
This was good until the ending sections really fumbled. I don't mind a tragedy but this ending felt forced like the author wanted a tragedy but couldn't figure out how to kill a character in a way that made sense. But Hey other then that a good webtoon that's sadly trapped on daily pass.
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