After the tragic loss of her parents, a young noblewoman opens an inn for scholars to help her make ends meet.  But, despite her best efforts, business at Ihwawon is almost non-existent.  So she is thrilled when she suddenly has 3 handsome, mysterious scholars  staying at the same time.  As the group gets to know each other, they find that they not only share a very important connection from their past, but also a role in the future they are working toward.  And as danger and turmoil close in around them, they will need to rely on each other to stay alive and make their dreams come true.  

Ryeoun as Kang San

Kang San meets Dan Oh in town, but after she steals his bag, he is forced to go to Ihwawon Inn and get it back.  Dan Oh persuades him to stay longer and, although he pretends to resist, he doesn’t put up much fight.  Later we find out that is because San is the missing Crown Prince and the boy Dan Oh met years ago in the dog house.  But although he is thrilled to be reunited with his first crush, he refuses to do anything that interferes with his goal of getting revenge for the death of his father and taking back his rightful throne.  And it turns out that he will have plenty of support from his new friends at the Inn, who are actually his half-brother and his sworn bodyguard.  

Kang San has grown up alone and in fear of being discovered.  Because of that, at first he seems to be emotionally closed off and distant.  But as he opens up to his new family at Ihwawon, we see a very caring and loyal side to him.  He feels grateful to both Shi Yeol and Yoo Ha for their support, protection, and friendship.  I really liked Ryeoun in this part.  His ability to seem earnest without appearing overly stuffy made his character very charming and likable.  I would love to see him in another historical role in the future.  

Jung Gun Joo as Jung Yoo Ha

Jung Yoo Ha has been staying at the inn for quite some time.  He has a crush on Dan Oh, but he is waiting until he can pass his exam before confessing his feelings.  He is shocked when he learns that his father is the dead King and his mother is the gisaeng who runs Buyeonggak.  And he is even more shocked to find out that San is his brother.  But rather than fight against San for royal power, the pair end up working together and San eventually gives Yoo Ha the throne.  

 ♥ Male Leads

The three male leads in this drama were so fun and they had great chemistry together.  Each friendship had its own strengths and challenges, so that there was a unique interaction between each pair that kept it interesting.  While I did like the romances in this drama, I feel like the relationships between each of the guys was even better.  The bond of their destiny was such an integral part of this story and I enjoyed every scene that put them in the same frame.  

 ♥ Whose Who

This drama did such a nice job of keeping us guessing as far as who was the Crown Prince, who was the Watchman, and how the third guy fit into the story.  I liked the way just when I thought I knew who was who, they would turn it all upside down again.  The writers really strung this element out without ever making it feel frustrating.  And then, once we knew who the Crown Prince was, there was a new part of the story to focus on.  The way they were able to introduce the characters from the beginning and still keep some mystery to their identities was well done and kept me engaged in the plot.

San’s Lack of Backstory

I felt like it was a little strange that we found out bits and pieces from both Shi Yeol and Yoo Ha’s youth, but we really learned almost nothing about the life San had lived.  As the main lead, it just seems like we would have heard more about who raised him and what kind of life he had been living.  Has San’s mysterious body guard been raising him this whole time?  Or did he have an adopted family somewhere?  Obviously, he lived a very lonely life, but I wanted to know more.  

More Watchmen

Honestly, I really loved Shi Yeol’s character and the idea of his life as a watchmen was so interesting. I feel like it could have been its own drama.  Between him and the boys training to be future watchmen, there was a whole story and way of life waiting to be told.  While we did see glimpses of it, there was potential for so much more. Of course, you have to love a story that leaves you wanting more, but, more Kang Hoon please!! 

 “The Secret Romantic Guesthouse” gives us the happy ending that I think we all expected.  The rebel forces arrive at the palace to defeat the palace guard and take control.  San and his uncle, the King, come face to face for a sword fight.  After losing the fight, Lee Chang kills himself with his own sword.  Once San’s role as the Crown Prince is safe, Shi Yeol gives up his role as watchman, and after setting the children training to be future watchmen free, he leaves to live the life he has always dreamed of.  At the urging of both the Queen Dowager and Dan Oh, Yoo Ha agrees to take the throne.  Too bad his mother wasn’t there to see it!  Two years later, Dan Oh and San return from their travels to visit the family.  The guesthouse is brimming with visitors, after the success of San, Yoo Ha, and more recently Yook Ho, who has finally passed the test and is working at the palace.  Ban Ya’s status has been restored and she stops by to thank San for helping her get her life back.  Hong Joo hears someone singing Shi Yeol’s song, chases Shi Yeol down at the docks, and begs him to come home with her, which he does.  Hong Joo and Shi Yeol finally get engaged and Yook Ho and Ju Daek get married.  And with that, San and Dan Oh are ready to hit the road again, leaving Ihwawon in the capable hands of Hong Joo and the gang.