"The first English words she learned were gun, glory, and sad endings."

I'm not even sure where to start talking. EVERYTHING about this drama is excellent. It's got it all: Beautiful cinematography (the COLORS, the SETTINGS, the COSTUMES - ALL stunning), a perfect cast, intricate and complex plot/s (absolutely zero fillers - the intensity and suspense is Off The Charts), diverse characters with amazing dynamics, all the while immersing you in the historical setting and times of (the end of) Joseon Korea.

It's a time of shifting allegiances and complex politics and the inevitable shift from the ancient, dynastic/aristocratic society to the brave new modern world of electricity, trains, and guns. Not to mention the shift of power from the Joseon royals to colonialist, imperialistic Japan.

Love the fact that there are so many various nations and languages presented here in their original languages and cultures. The cultural crossroads being presented is flawlessly done. Not to mention the fact that characters from essentially all walks of life/all classes/backgrounds you can imagine are represented in their own right. All of which make for some extremely interesting and fantastic relations on-screen.

Probably the most beautiful and rewatchable historical kdrama ever. I love it so much that I want to imprint it in my mind and relive ALL the moments (actually I had rewatched many episodes twice already). Absolutely wrecked me with how solid it is. I love each and every one of the main characters: all very relatable and all very heartbreakingly REAL and ICONIC in their respective ways. There's family, friendship, bromance, companionship, brotherhood, (slow-burn and honestly THE MOST romantic) romance/s, and heartwarming and funny banter to balance out the seriousness of it all: it doesn't pull any punches in its intensity and realism.

Some may complain a bit about the pacing: I actually like it for what it is because the slower, more drawn-out scenes allow me to reflect back on previous, more fast-paced scenes and information. And also I think it's a great opportunity to ponder about what the characters are thinking (but which they're not saying aloud). No minute feels wasted here.

I've seen the other two Kim Eun Sook and Lee Eung Bok team-ups - GOBLIN as well as DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN - and those are great. Yet this is a Whole New Level in yet another completely different genre.

The more I think and reflect on this show the more I love it and appreciate its brilliancy and exceptionalism. I feel honored to be able to journey alongside these beautiful people.

Definitely the gold standard for historical dramas. I will never get over it.


"The steps we took resembled who we are.
The article one wrote instead of a will. Opium that burned through one's broken body in the amount of the life he had left. The Korean flag that was given to a man who was forever a foreigner.

Will our final destination be somewhere between glory and a sad ending?
Maybe we just didn't know how to stop. Or perhaps, we had no reason to stop. Maybe it was love of our own country."