This has got to be one of the best drama's of all time. I have wanted to watch this for a long time because of Kim Nam Gil, but I never committed because of the episode count. I am now sorry that I didn't watch it sooner. Seon Duk was an amazing woman, in a time when women took the back seat to history. This story serves as an inspiration. It was written superbly, even the tragedy of it was beautiful. I made the comment to my husband that if there was ever anything anyone studying politics or war needed to know, they should watch this. This drama is a prime example of life then and now. We have come a long way as a people, yet we have a long way to go, life now has a higher value than it did then. However, life would have no meaning/value without trust, love, respect/honor, and sacrifice. This story tackles that perfectly. The only complaint about the story was the romance, or seemingly lack there of. The acting/cast have put me at a loss for words. Some of the best acting I have ever seen in my entire life. Kim Nam Gil as Bidam, magnificent, just short of perfection. Lee Yo Won as the Queen, heartbreaking. Ko Hyun Jung as Mishil, as much as I hated the character, the actress portrayed her to the point of perfection. But, there was a great supporting cast as well, small characters that made the main characters seem even greater. One of those characters was Lee Mun Shik as Jook Bang, as flighty and crazy as he seemed, he was an inspirational man to all. The music was great, I have no idea who the male opera singer was, but whenever that music would play I would get chills. I will NEVER re-watch this. No matter how great it is, one time is enough for this emotional roller coaster of a drama. And yet, it still deserves a perfect 10 rating.