When I first started watching this drama, I wondered why the title "Mine," pretty soon it became clear why; despite all its riches, nothing this family owns is truly their own, not even themselves. More than Mine's premise, what drew me to it was an article I read where the writer Baek Mi Kyung explained why she cast the two female leads in their respective roles. She said that “As a writer, the fact that I’m able to work with the unfailingly talented actresses Lee Bo Young and Kim Seo Hyung is an honor in and of itself." “Because they’re actresses who are powerful in terms of both their acting and their auras, I think the script was even more empowered after they were cast. Also, they’re so well-suited to their roles that they leave nothing to be desired in terms of matching up with their characters. I think of [their casting] as a blessing.” True to the last word.

Many elements made this show, everything from the high-end production design, the set, the beautiful outfits and styles, and even the OST, sets the tempo and brings character to the drama, Kim Seo Hyung, though elevates Mine with her performance. She thoroughly embodies the layered character of Seo Hyun so brilliantly that without her, Mine wouldn't be as good as it has become. And the same goes for Ok Ja Yeon in the role of Kang Ja Kyung / Lee Hye Jin, who was thrilling to watch in The Uncanny Counter but even more so in this drama. I loved how this show depicted women - fearless, kind, compassionate, capable of giving and receiving love, but most importantly, admitting to one's mistakes. As they say, never underestimate the power of a kind woman; kindness is a choice that comes from incredible strength. There is nothing more thrilling than strong wounded women steadfastly facing their demons and winning, even if it's just the beginning of the fight.

Mine was a great drama to the end; kudos to the screenwriter, director, and actors for bringing this fantastic story to life. However, as sad as I was to see it come to an end as appreciative of the important message it left behind in that one can ever truly own anything if they don't own themselves first, and to love others, one must first love themself. And that just as love is a learned behavior, if one never learns how to receive it, they will never know how to give it back.

Mine could've been a multitude of stores, but I liked that rather than be a story about sexual minorities, it was a story about love and finding one's true self in themself. And what elevated it to the status of brilliant was the way the drama portrayed Jung Seo Hyun and Seo Hee Soo’s relationship not as sisters-in-law fueled by jealousy or hierarchy but as sisters who find themselves stuck in a world filled with hatred but learn through it all to care and protect each other to the end deeply. Brilliant drama! I enjoyed and relished all the actors who did a great job making me believe them each in their own way but Kim Seo Hyung the most.