My Dearest

Riveting Romance and Resilience

"My Dearest" is a captivating Korean drama that skillfully blends romance, drama, and character growth. From the very first episode, the series hooks its audience with an engaging storyline and richly developed characters, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
The drama follows the intertwined lives of two protagonists whose unexpected meeting sets the stage for a deep and evolving relationship. Their journey is marked by heartwarming moments and harrowing challenges that test their resilience and commitment to one another. As they navigate their personal struggles and external challenges, their bond is tested and strengthened, creating a compelling narrative that keeps viewers invested.

Lee stands out with their complex blend of strength and vulnerability. Their journey of self-discovery and growth is a central pillar of the series. The actor's nuanced performance brings depth and authenticity, making the character's experiences and emotions highly relatable.
Yoo character defined by their intelligence and unwavering loyalty, they complement Protagonist A beautifully. Their interactions are a highlight of the series, filled with chemistry and emotional resonance. Their development throughout the series adds an extra layer of intrigue and depth.And The supporting cast is equally impressive, each contributing to the richness of the story with their unique backgrounds and subplots. Their interactions and relationships with the main characters enhance the overall narrative, providing a well-rounded viewing experience.

**Visual and Sound Design:**

The cinematography of "My Dearest" is nothing short of stunning. Each scene is meticulously crafted, capturing the beauty of the settings and the subtleties of the characters' emotions. The vibrant settings serve as a dynamic backdrop, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the series. The visual aesthetics are complemented by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that perfectly underscores the drama's emotional highs and lows..

"My Dearest" is a standout in the world of Korean dramas, offering a blend of heartfelt romance, gripping drama, and profound character development. Its strong performances, beautiful visuals, and emotional depth make it a series that resonates long after the final episode. Whether you are a seasoned fan of Korean dramas or new to the genre, "My Dearest" is a series that should not be missed.

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EMOTION

The exceptional melodrama, "My Dearest." With each episode, this remarkable series evokes a unique spectrum of emotions.

The drama's consistent portrayal of pain is interwoven with diverse themes, creating a captivating narrative that resonates deeply with viewers. As the story unfolds, it takes us on a journey of emotional growth and self-discovery.

Your emotions rise with every episode and in the end it floods.

As an individual who is deeply attuned to emotions, I found an immediate connection with "My Dearest." It has become a part of my life, and I cherish the impact it has had on me.

I want everybody to please refrain themselves from comparing "MY DEAREST" with other works.
"My Dearest" exists in a realm of its own, OFFERING profound emotional experience.

While there is much I could express, I believe the single word, "emotion," encapsulates the essence of this extraordinary drama.

Furthermore, I would like to highlight the exceptional characterization of Lee Jang Hyun.

THE BEST CHARACTER ONE CAN WRITE, I ADMIRE HIM THE MOST.

NAMKOONG MIN WAS THE GREAT CHOICE FOR LEE JANG HYUN.


The slow motions used between episodes to express emotions were particularly effective.
I COULD LITERALLY FEEL MY HEART BEATING LOUDLY.

THIS REVIEW IS FOR BOTH PARTS

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MY SOUL BELONGS TO THIS DRAMA

More than 15 years of watching television and almost 9 years of watching Kdramas, I've stumbled upon a million different stories and various cinematic masterpieces. Many dramas have made me feel like home and gave me the best experiences, but no drama or series has ever resonated with my soul the way this drama has. For many it might just be a love story amidst war and chaos but for me its a million times more than that. Every episode made me feel the emotions that I CANNOT even describe through words...My eyes are filled with tears as I write this...
This drama is everything I could ever want. The story is perfect, the cast is spot on( seriously I love Ahn EunJin and Nam GoongMin sooooooo much), everything is PERFECTION

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"It's time for you to stop playing hard to get" -Jang Hyun

My Dearest is about a noblewoman who is separated from a mysterious traveler upon the Qing invasion.

The pacing is great and I like that the external conflict is quickly set-up, along with Jang Hyun mysterious background. The fact that he’s a stranger coming to a new place is intriguing. The most enjoyable part in the series was the invasion, especially the one in ep 4. Regarding Gil Chae’s character, I’m a bit lukewarm to her as she’s a bit wild and too proud of herself.

Production-wise, it is stunning! Seeing as it is a miniseries, it doesn't have to worry about stretching its budget so every single shot looks like a movie. There are a lot of breathtaking scenery, everything is so wonderful. The use of color was both very artistic and engaging.

But to be honest, I was a bit struggling as I don't fall in love with the main plot which is the romance T.T
I enjoy the couple when they're together, but I was not enjoying their constant push and pull. So in most episodes I couldn't feel the emotional engagement of their scenes. Since the closure doesn't feel very "ending" as it is a two-part show, I'm curious on how the story goes; more on Jang Hyun’s story and I am anticipating for on point romance beyond all these emotional sufferings.

(SPOILER part) I think both of them need to be more honest. Gil Chae keeps in denial and does not confess her thoughts to Jang Hyun, while desperately crying for him when he's not around. However, I understand her hesitation because Jang Hyun chooses not to marry, so I agree with her final decision. Even though Jang Hyun finally shows his true feelings too, he still chooses to consistently leave, without enough explanations and believable promises.

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Following the Red Thread to You

When I first saw the title of this drama, I was all ready for the most beautiful love story, and I was not disappointed. We all wait for that exceptional love and to be swept up into an emotional storm of unbridled love; such is the case with this drama.

The backdrop is set in the 1600s during the Qing invasion where you have the young, bright and beautiful Yu Gil Chae (Auh Jin Lin) who has a propensity to attract every man in town, but her eyes are only set on one man--Nam Yeon Jun. She does everything to always garner his attention as well as make the other women in town not like her. They think her actions are inappropriate to say the least. But Nam Yeon Jun while knowing her feelings always makes her feel that he has a slight interest, but he finally put those feelings to rest at last when he marries Kyung Eun Ae.

Lee Jang Hyun (Namkoong Min) arrives in Neunggun-ri, and sees the attractive Yu Gil Chae for the first time as she is on a swing in the woods along with other suitors who are watching her as well. Lee Jang Hyun is instantly captivated as he watches her swing back and forth, smiling and laughing as she goes higher and higher. They both recollect this moment later: One day, I asked you my darling, "Do you recall the day you first saw me?" You answered, "Of course, I do. I heard a very rare sound that day." I asked you what sound you heard. "Do you hear it? This sound, the sound of flowers." Just at that moment the swing broke and he caught her in his arms. As he looked at her up close for the first time, he said thinkingly, "Have you ever heard the sound of spring flowers bloom? I heard that rare sound today." So, began the amazing love story of Yu Gil Chae and Lee Jang Hyun.

Each time this couple met it was always a lively banter of words between which was a growing love, more so for Lee Jang Hyun, but Yu Gil Chae for so long had her sights on Nam Yeon Jun she never allowed herself to even think another man could enter her heart. Lee Jang Hyun played many mind games and their "tug of war" where both their feelings were concerned fascinated him. He did not want her to lose interest in him, so this is how he kept and captured her to him.

But just as things began to heat up for them, war starts and so they are separated before they could even make sense of their feelings.

Many things happen once the war started. Lee Jang Hyun finds himself working for the Khan as well as the Crown Prince. He does save Yu Gil Chae, gets ill and then the worse of it all is that she believes he died. Those who would die, they would put their possession in a box. Yu Gil Chae went looking to see if there was something of that manner for Lee Jang Hyun. Well, she did find a box which contained her red ribbon most importantly--his fan that he was never without. Even though she had these items, a tiny part of her still held on that he was alive. She held onto his coat and even screamed and cried for him to come back but he didn't. Hence, she had to fend for her and the others due to Kyng Eun Ae's husband, Nam Yoon Jun being imprisoned, and they lost everything.

Picking herself up she found a way to make money and get everyone back from the brink of disaster. Enter Gu Won Moo who led her to believe that he was the one that saved her and the others when they were on the island, but we all know it was Lee Jang Hyun. She decides to marry him.

Meanwhile Lee Jang Hyun is finally able to come back to Yu Gil Chae because the Crown Prince has been allowed by the Khan to see his father. Well, Lee Jang Hyun ask Ryang Eum to tell her that he is coming. But because of the beliefs that Ryang Eum has, once he does see Yu Gil Chae not only does he tell her that he is dead, but also that he had another woman during that time. I believe that he had a love for him that exceeded friendship. He used the guise of saying he felt that she was bad for him and was going to hurt him, so he drove her away. I think he didn't want him to have anyone in his life but him. So, misunderstanding ensued.

Coming into town, Lee Jang Hyun is happy because he has all the flowered printed slippers that he promised her. As he is walking down the street, he hears a man calling out about the bride's chest and out comes Yu Gil Chae. To say he wasn't blown away and her too, because she sees him at the same time is an understatement.

They finally meet and he tries to explain things to her but again, she basically doesn't listen to him and believes he is playing games with her, and she is not hearing anything that he is saying. He does find out that Ryang Eum was the cause of him not telling her that he was alive and leading her to continue to believe he was dead. Ryang Eum said that she was already getting married so why should he have told her anything different in his mind. I believe at this point; their relationship was severed.

The final parting of Yu Gil Chae and Lee Jang Hyun was in this letter that she wrote him as he sailed down the river without her. She said, "It is true that I wavered for a moment, but I do not trust you nor love you enough to leave everything behind me. If any small affection for me remains in you, please forget everything about me."

After reading the letter he picks up her flowered printed slippers and remembers what he had told her when he left: "I will come back with the prettiest flower slippers in the world." He then just drops them in the water as they float away...so ends their story for now.

Ryang Eum who Lee Jang Hyun left is on the riverbank watching him leave without him, turning to leave, he looks up only to see Yu Gil Chae and cannot contain in his look his disgust and anger for her.

Yu Gil Chae feels tears running down her cheeks as she watches Lee Jang Hyun leave and thinks: "When I asked you if you ever hated me, you said this--the day you left me forever. I stared at you for a long time because I hated you so much. But no matter how long I stared at you, I did not feel hatred for you. So, I just hated myself. And you asked me, how cruel you are. Did you even fathom how I felt? I can tell you now. I could not even fathom, it is just that my heart shattered into a thousand pieces, and I wished that you would not feel like me. I prayed desperately so."

Two years later we find Lee Jang Hyun in Shenyang and he is once again chasing down escapees from the war.

This is where the drama ends for now. Such a beautifully crafted piece of work. Everyone in the cast gives superb performances. The lavish and breathtaking scenery is just amazing. I am thoroughly in awe of this drama. You will as well.

I did take a bit of my own spin when she had her dream, but this was the most poignant moment to me in this drama,

One day Yu Gil Chae was sewing an embroidery, as she got to the sun, she needed more red thread as she went to reach for the spool of red thread, it fell out of her hand and began to roll. As she watched it roll down the hill she began to run after it. The red spool of thread led her down a path of trees which were in full summertime bloom, through a field of lush yellow flowers, skipping on stones along a babbling brook, a grove of autumn trees with an array of vibrant colors in red and gold, a snow covered path with her feet crunching on newly fallen snow all the while feeling the breath of winter's wind on her face, and a dense forest of trees, where the red spool led her to the sandy beach and the sound of the ocean.

As she watched the blazing colors of the evening sunset against his silhouette, she saw laying at his feet the red spool of thread. Thinking she said, "Was all that I saw as I ran to you, the highs and lows of what was to be expected in our journey?" But as he stepped from the glow of the setting sun, she watched as he slowly reached down to pick up the spool. She asked him..."Who are you, Young Master?" He said, "I have been waiting for you. At this place...for a long time." As she watched his head lean down for a kiss, she thought, "I have waited for you a long time too...my dearest."

Such as the ending I would have liked to have but alas we have to wait for the red thread to continue its journey in October for the second part.

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Gone with the Wind, My Dearest…

It’s worth noting that the genre tags on MDL are historical, romance, drama, melodrama and not comedy, because even though the start has all the hallmarks of a romcom, as it progresses it gets a great deal more serious. I didn’t find the transition in Episode 4 altogether convincing and that is probably because the contrast in tone and overall production style between the start and what was to come is so marked that I couldn’t reconcile them. By the end, the impression was that I had watched two different dramas. Yes I do get that the writer wanted a contrast between peace and war, but for me, the frivolous approach to the opening didn’t lay a credible foundation for what was to come.

There is now a well established practice of sugar-coating a 21C story with pretty costumes and sets borrowed from an earlier era and dumping all the inconvenient things like the contemporaneous social rules and attitudes. The opening three episodes of this production sit very squarely in that camp. The costumes and sets are far too rich, clean and bright for the period and the social interactions are so far from the 17C that they had to script a line about how this village had lax attitudes to contact between men and women.

The story then transitions into sweeping epic mode and does a very creditable job of fulfilling the demands of flawed characters, poisoned chalices and lesser of two evils choices. At heart it is a love story and the character development of the two lead characters is the thread that binds it all together. This first part focuses more on how war and difficulty transforms our heroine from petulant, manipulative teenager to a strong and capable woman. And I suspect that the second half will focus on the male protagonist whose character also needs to grow somewhat.

The plot surrounding this love story is the politics of the time, which is given a creditable depth with a side serving of weeping melo. My gripe, which is not overly huge, is that the love story and the politics were not quite enmeshed enough for me. As a result it felt a little fragmented. The male protagonist was half-heartedly twisted into the political plot, which was correct for his character, but not helpful for overall cohesion.

I did enjoy the range of characters which offered the actors a chance to get their teeth into them with varying degrees of success. Namkoong Min can be smooth, slippery and enticing anywhere, and I think that Ahn Yun Jin stepped up to the plate with the later episodes, but her performance was a little patchy in places. Perhaps because of the irreconcilable styles I mentioned earlier. Another notable performance for me was Choi Young Woo as the barbarian general.

The music was a mixed bag. I liked the opening sequence, the low camera angle, the muted tones and the silence followed by strains of music that had echoes of history in it. But we soon graduated to the hackneyed swelling strings and a full-on Kolly-Bollywood dance. In general, the music disappointed. The introduction to the unsurpassable singer (Ryang Eum) in the story just felt ordinary to me, although later instances were more convincing. There were however, some good OST ballads, mostly used for the ending credits.

Overall, it would be churlish to call this production average. What stops it from being exceptional is the uneven writing that created a somewhat bumpy ride. However, it was good enough for me to want to embark on part 2 when it arrives.

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Biggest disappointment, last 2 episodes ruined the drama

At this point, dramas that fumble the ending just feel like a disrespect to the audience who invest hours into these shows. I'm shocked that people praise Gil Chae's actions as 'realistic' and 'powerful' when, for me, her actions seem pathetic. The root of her choices stems from her unwavering view that Jang Hyun is a womanizer who is unfaithful, it kills me to the core that even by the end she still doubts him. Of all the people I'd expect her to realise how true and deep his love for her is. This man went through physical torture when he was captured, for her sake. He would've never risked his life or joined the war if it wasn't for her sake, yet she has the audacity to say that he left her?? That he's always leaving her? The whole marriage plot at the end was so unnecessary and stupid. Ryum Eu's lie hits the nail on the head as another useless obstacle placed at the end for the sake of drama. I was hoping he'd develop a little, Ryum Eu, since he saw firsthand how much Jang Hyun risked for Gil Chae's sake, but for him to remain as stubborn and cruel in the end made me lose any form of respect I had for him.

I absolutely love Jang Hyun, he's a very nuanced character. First, he's known as a man who doesn't agree to marriage (finding that during that era many marriages were superficial) he comes across as a shallow man, but later on we realize that his love for Gil Chae changes his outlook on his stance, he finds true love and completely commits to it. I also understand why he didn't tell Gil Chae that he saved her, he wanted for once Gil Chae to want him for him, not because she felt indebted to him. It's like throughout the whole drama Gil Chae never matured enough to realize that she can love Jang Hyun because he's a kind soul who would sacrifice anything for her-instead she's always looking for reasons to doubt him, and when she finds any reasons (grasping at straws) she sticks with it.

Gil Chae only ever loves Jang Hyun when he's not with her. She's too immature to communicate her frustrations with him when they are face-to-face. It creates a predictable cycle where, only when, Jang Hyun leaves does Gil Chae realize how much she loves him and takes him for granted. Then when they are back all they do is argue, mostly because of Gil Chae's dobutfulness.

I'm so disappointed in Gil Chae's character development, it really felt like in episodes 6-8 she was finally realizing how wrong she had been in the past, and then in episodes 9-10 she reverts to her naive self who lacks communication. In the beginning, Gil Chae isn't a good person either, she manipulates the men around her for her benefit. Then when war breaks she's forced to mature and realize who she cares about. Yet every time she had any semblance of peace, she goes back to her naive self--finally, she breaks out of that when she realizes she does love Jang Hyun. So WHYYY in the last two episodes does she once again reverts to her immature self, it's just frustrating.

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Another jewel in the historical genre in the Korean dramas

Combined review for Part 1 & 2

What made this show largely watchable?

The material alone guaranteed a well-explored fictional story about the dynamics of love, heroism, politics, persecution, and oppression during the early times when the old Korea was under the control of another country.

The whole cast was amazing. Each character big or small showed a dedicated portrayal of the trace of life back then and can’t help but be affected by their sufferings while watching. Namkoong Min nailed it. I was in awe of his performance here. I had seen him many times in other dramas and with my standards of good looking, I found him a little unattractive before. But my opinion of him changed like a turn of 360 degrees after the show. He got me with that unspeakable charisma in the way he delivered all his dialogues. Indeed he was the best of choice for the role. His leading lady, Ahn Eun Jin, was equally notable. I thought it would be challenging for them to look good together on screen but I find it amusing that their chemistry was building up in every episode and that was something very distinctive about this show also. And those scenes with little pauses or moments of quietness before saying their lines among the main leads were another commendable element of the show.

Like other historical dramas, it practically walked us around again that leading a nation is one gigantic responsibility and it requires a genuine compassion for your people. If you become bound by the greed of the throne and power, destruction follows. Regardless, of whether you have the position or are just an ordinary person, if you’re hoping for a change, take courage and leap that step so others may follow.

I felt sort of on a journey watching this show because of the sophisticated layering of the conflicts and how it was refined in the end. Really one heck of a great show!

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Great drama

This has got to be one of my favorite historical dramas.

The story started out resembling Gone with the Wind. FL is a beautiful and spoiled noble woman who has a slew of young men pining after her and who loves attention, and who happens to idolize her childhood friend. ML is a mysterious older man who doesn't put up with her shenanigans and tells her how it is. Everyone enjoys a carefree life until the war breaks out. This is where the drama starts to get really interesting. FL is forced to flee her home and survive against the enemy onslaught and we get to find out that there is more to ML than we originally thought. The drama does a great job switching gears to a more serious and intense tone showing what people, especially women, had to do to survive and the absolute gender disparity between the sexes. On top of that, FL is forced to undergo some very intense character development and transitioned from a spoiled young brat to a serious, dependable, empathetic young woman with a strong sense of responsibility.

The first part is not so much about romance, but survival and building a bond. ML and FL did not spend very much time together, but the few moments together were very meaningful where he had to save her life allowing her to see him differently in a more positive way. Moreover, he didn't allow her to be spoiled with him and made her think, making their dynamic completely different from her relationship with other men around her.

The message here is that a person cannot be stuck in perpetual childhood and will eventually have to grow up either by virtue of life's circumstances or if they want to be taken seriously, as Jang Hyun told Gil Chae.

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If you are trying to decide if you should watch, this is your sign to start ?

I started this drama once before, made it through about 20 minutes, and felt like it was going to be too light (for me), so i turned it off. It wasn’t until i read someone else’s review (months later) explaining that it only starts off that way, and once you make it to the end of the first episode you will see things get much, much darker and intense. I am so glad i read that review! I’ve read so many beautifully written reviews on this site… this one will pale in comparison, but i will do my best 😊(bc someone’s review is what made me give it a second chance)


So just for reference i prefer more intense, dark, serious dramas - some favorites have been The Rebel Princess, Rise of the Phoenixes, Advisors Alliance, Crowned Clown, My Journey to You, Kunning Palace, My Country The New Age, Ruyi’s, Yanxi, The Double, Nirvana on Fire, Qin Dynasty Epic, Palace of Devotion etc… this has easily become one of my top 5 dramas I’ve ever watched!

This drama has it all (at least for me) - INCREDIBLE production, unbelievable casting, acting and costumes… political scheming, war, action, love, humor (that made sense), ups and downs of life, character growth and development, and so much more….

The production of every episode was truly like a movie - stunning, incredible music that helped narrate a beautifully written story….. beautiful landscapes, towns, palaces….. the costumes were incredible - things were not PERFECTLY NEW and crisp and clean, things looked handmade and worn and realistic. So many dramas look like they just cut the tags off of a brand new costume - but this one, everything looked authentic - from Emperor Hong Taiji’s elaborate costumes to normal everyday people.

The casting - i have never experienced a more perfect cast in any other drama (and possibly any show) I’ve ever watched. Every single person, from the leads to the extras to the children used in flashback scenes were absolutely spot on perfection. Obviously Lee Jamg-Hyun and Gil Chae were incredible, but for me, Ryang Eum was phenomenal. To be able to play that role the way he did, and still feel compassion and understanding towards him was amazing. It could have so easily been a character I hated and couldn’t stand, but that wasn’t the case. King Injo made me more and more frustrated and angry the further the drama went - which is a credit to his acting. He was perfect. The crown prince, Kyung Eun-Ae, Jong Jong, general Yong, Bang Doo, Gak Hwa…. i am not exaggerating when i say every single actor and performance in the entire production from start to finish was sensational. It was mind blowing 🤯

I admittedly do not care for light hearted, goofy dramas…. And try to avoid dramas with too much comedy all together, but the humor that was sprinkled into this was absolute perfection, and not overdone AT ALL. Characters personalities or playful banter between a couple - it all made sense! Of course there were things that some of the characters did that confused and frustrated me…. But people are complicated! to me this helped make the drama more and more believable. It felt like i was literally watching someone’s life, with their quirks and traumas, and how they deal with them. Absolutely incredible! People will not always do what makes sense in our mind, and that was definitely the case in this drama.

I could truly go on and on about this drama, but don’t want to ruin it or spoil anything for anybody who is planning on watching it. I cried like an idiot, laughed from my gut, and really truthfully enjoyed watching every second of this (i binged both parts in 3 days)… and if you’re watching it like i did, part 2 continues seamlessly from part 1… It was magnificent! An absolute masterpiece!

If i had to find something to criticize, it would be 2 things…. 1.) Ryang Eum’s grey wig in part 2 lol (which obviously isn’t a big deal lol). And 2.) trying to figure out what to watch after this absolute masterpiece….. i really don’t know what to watch now lol……. other than that it was truly an amazing experience! 10 out of 10!

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