Nelly
Canada
This review may contain spoilers
OVERALL
Great drama. Watch if 1) You're looking for a historical where the love story complements the political intrigue (usually the romance is secondary and/or disconnected from the main plot), 2) You like strong female leads, 3) You're up for something truly dramatic. Don't watch if 1) You have low tolerance for deaths, 2) You can't stand when the guy's mean to the girl, 3) You don't like when things don't go the way they should (but I won't say more).
THE STORY
From the beginning, you know the story's not going to be a comedy, because it's meant to be a Korean Romeo and Juliet. Also, if you google the part of Korean history the drama focuses on, you know it's not going to be a fun ride. Indeed, the story is sad, depressing and frustrating. But it's just SO good. The beginning focuses on the love story while the intrigue gradually grows from background to front line, then from the turning point to the end the intrigue remains constant. The love stories are either passionate or touching (or both); the characters, coherent and well-written, are the ones leading all story elements with their decisions and personality. There's a few characters you can't help but like, and not one character that you can only hate, even though I can tell you there's at least one you'll wish dead most of the time. Everything feels real and is executed flawlessly. The ending is surprisingly satisfying, at least for me it was.
THE ACTING
Fab, fab, fab. But I was expecting it. Moon Chaewon and Park Shihoo are not part of my list of favorite actors for nothing. Their chemistry was no joke. I saw Hong Soohyun here for the first time, and she left a good impression. Song Jong Ho was great too. But seriously, I think all cast did an excellent job. The selection was very well done, because not only do they play their roles perfectly well, but their interactions seem so real.
THE MUSIC
Innovative and addicting. Innovative because in addition to very nice instrumental tracks, there's two-three songs in Italian (I think), which is very uncommon in Korean dramas, and they're dramatic enough to fit perfectly well with the show. Addicting because the soundtrack stays stuck in your head, and you end up humming it at the randomest times.
REWATCH VALUE
Rewatched. Twice. But I can't give it a 10, because the drama's so heavy that a part of me never wants to rewatch it, even if it's so good. Of course, that part of me always loses against the one that is dying to watch it again, but...
Great drama. Watch if 1) You're looking for a historical where the love story complements the political intrigue (usually the romance is secondary and/or disconnected from the main plot), 2) You like strong female leads, 3) You're up for something truly dramatic. Don't watch if 1) You have low tolerance for deaths, 2) You can't stand when the guy's mean to the girl, 3) You don't like when things don't go the way they should (but I won't say more).
THE STORY
From the beginning, you know the story's not going to be a comedy, because it's meant to be a Korean Romeo and Juliet. Also, if you google the part of Korean history the drama focuses on, you know it's not going to be a fun ride. Indeed, the story is sad, depressing and frustrating. But it's just SO good. The beginning focuses on the love story while the intrigue gradually grows from background to front line, then from the turning point to the end the intrigue remains constant. The love stories are either passionate or touching (or both); the characters, coherent and well-written, are the ones leading all story elements with their decisions and personality. There's a few characters you can't help but like, and not one character that you can only hate, even though I can tell you there's at least one you'll wish dead most of the time. Everything feels real and is executed flawlessly. The ending is surprisingly satisfying, at least for me it was.
THE ACTING
Fab, fab, fab. But I was expecting it. Moon Chaewon and Park Shihoo are not part of my list of favorite actors for nothing. Their chemistry was no joke. I saw Hong Soohyun here for the first time, and she left a good impression. Song Jong Ho was great too. But seriously, I think all cast did an excellent job. The selection was very well done, because not only do they play their roles perfectly well, but their interactions seem so real.
THE MUSIC
Innovative and addicting. Innovative because in addition to very nice instrumental tracks, there's two-three songs in Italian (I think), which is very uncommon in Korean dramas, and they're dramatic enough to fit perfectly well with the show. Addicting because the soundtrack stays stuck in your head, and you end up humming it at the randomest times.
REWATCH VALUE
Rewatched. Twice. But I can't give it a 10, because the drama's so heavy that a part of me never wants to rewatch it, even if it's so good. Of course, that part of me always loses against the one that is dying to watch it again, but...
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