My Dearest

Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin made this look like reality

The producers and director captured and presented exactly what this story told. It's cinematography is spectacular & makes you feel like you're right there amidst the jangle and luxury of 1636. Try not to read reviews that spoil the crafting of this story's characters; just let this one happen to you for it is sublime & epic. There are dramas/movies where the wonder and appeal cannot be easily described, only experienced. And if you're a lover of Classic Art in any format, once the soundtrack and ballads begin it will touch your senses deeply.

The main characters are unaware they will start a journey of recognition and self discovery . Gil Chae is immature & thinks she already has life figured out because of her beauty. Jang Hyeun is a man with deep convictions learned from real life encounters, to him love is sacred & humans are incapable of it. He thinks the woman he desires doesn't exist; he's seen them all. Yet the mystery of recognition starts once these characters meet. I found myself speaking to them out loud. Many times I wanted to advise and comfort Jang Hyeon; or give Gil Chae a wake-up call. The casting is phenomenal; each role delights, disgusts, infuriates, intoxicates, puzzles, and surprises you as needed. And if any role gives that icky uncertain feeling, time will expose their true nature. One in particular (Ryang Eum) will capture your enduring empathy as a tragic character. Whatever attracts us to dramas is very subjective; if actors Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin don't capture your imagination immediately this drama might not be for you.

The romance involves a lot of characters vying for our two main characters affections; sometimes very tenderly and sweetly, sometimes brutally; sometimes in an covert manner. Jealousy will reveal or defeat itself in countless ways - tenderly or brutally. I would have watched this sooner had synopsis been better. But there are true heroes within the realm of humanity (warts and all). Even though romance is my main draw, the historical backdrop is eye opening and educational (about politics, philosophy & culture). Psychological conflicts, mental instability and insanity abounds.

It isn't obvious this is a 2 season series. Series 1 ends in the storyline where things are almost too confused to see forward. So although it backtracks a bit in Series 2, DO NOT use any fast forwarding when scenes get uncomfortable because the story is told in a way you will miss important information and dialogue. And because dream sequences are a prominent theme throughout, you will get the wrong idea or make assumptions especially towards the end.

After watching this to completion, I have two criticisms:
(1) the happy ending is scrunched up in the last 10 minutes. I don't know why this is a constant in many long dramas!!!! It would be more satisfying if "the END" took at least half of the last episode's runtime - say 35 minutes. Viewers would WELCOME that reward having persevered through the nerve wracking twists, turns, and angst of a 21 episode battle for the main characters.
(2) this story took place over 23 years. But the passage of time isn't always obvious with vast distances back and forth between Joseon and the Qing dynasty. A date given at the end of this story means our lead characters are in their 40s at the very end.

So this is a VERY ‼️sad tale if the timeline is taken into account. And especially why producers should give viewers more in the way of satisfaction. We want to see what "happily ever after" looks like by golly!!!!. Still, this really is a 10 ⭐️ production.

Additional warning ⚠️ : watching Jang Hyeun's character express and welcome feelings he's never had before is dazzling. If you're very sensitive, it will be emotionally exhausting to watch when he repeatedly risks his life for the people/person he loves. Actor Namkoong Min dupes you into thinking his role is non-fiction. Be forewarned, your empathy will pour out in buckets. He is self sufficient, clear thinking but misses well deserved happiness by seconds countless times. Yet from the beginning to the end he remained true to his nature against he backdrop of such a horrific time in history.

This is now, the MOST BEAUTIFUL historical (sageuk) drama I've ever seen.

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Different from anything I've watched before

I think I may have said this before in another review but my all-time favourite Korean drama genre is historical. I'm a huge fan of Korean dramas of any kind but there's something about historical dramas. This one was different in the best way possible!

First of all, the story. It is basically about the war between Joseon and the Qing dynasty. There are many bloody and ruthless scenes which give authenticity to the plot. There are some sad moments too. The war is presented so realistically! Of course, you have the love story: even though you might not see the chemistry between the leads, as episodes pass, everything is natural. Unfortunately, the ending was really sad to me but I'm getting high hopes since there's season 2.

Acting was very good, to be honest, Nam Goong Min is so good in everything I've seen him play. The other actors did a great job too!

Pretty OST. Hoping for a happy ending although I quite doubt it.

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It's a good thing there's a Season 2 ...

Season 1 ending where it did would have really made me angry, so I'm glad there was a Season 2 ready to go right away. I haven't finished S2 yet, but Season 1 was terrific. The prickly relationship between the two main characters is funny, infuriating, sad, and beautiful ... engaging at every turn.

But the story is so much more than that. It's historically engaging, and emotive, too.
Images you can't unsee make you think about the incredibly difficult lives of Korea's ancestors.

It is an honest, well told story I will probably watch again in the future.

Highly recommended. Namkoong Min is incredible. Just superb in this role.
Choi Moo Sung also brings a moving character to the story.

I hope Season 2 ends well. In any case, I will not regret having watched it.

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MASTERPIECE PAINFUL AND HISTORICALLY REALISTIC

PLOT: FL, a very beautiful girl, attracts the attention of every man in her village, except that of the man she loves, engaged to her best friend. A mysterious man arrives, the ML, a little jaded, but who is intrigued by the FL. Nevertheless, war comes (king besieged in his fortress) and barbarians invade the territory...

PROS:
+ great actors: Namkoong Min as ML, accompanied by his 2 friends, and Ahn Eun Jin as FL.
+ the characters are complex, divided between their desires and their responsibilities, tossed around by events.
+ The OSTs are now on my playlist (I particularly like “With you” by Kai).
+ The production is excellent: credible and bloody war scenes ; the tensed, heavy atmosphere of these times of war is well rendered; the cinematography is exceptional.
+ The storyline is solid and the historical aspect seems respected. It is a period which has never or rarely (to my knowledge) been brought to the screen.

=> Don't miss this gem !! ╰(✿´⌣`✿)╯♡
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PLOT: La FL, une très belle fille, fait tourner toutes les têtes dans son village, sauf celle de celui qu'elle aime, fiancé à sa meilleure amie. Arrive un homme mystérieux, le ML, un peu blasé, mais qui est intrigué par la FL. Mais la guerre arrive (roi assiégé dans sa forteresse) et les barbares envahissent le territoire ...

PROS:
+ des acteurs géniaux : Namkoong Min en ML, accompagné de ses 2 potes, et Ahn Eun Jin en FL.
+ les personnages sont complexes, partagés entre leurs désirs et leurs responsabilités, ballotés par les évènements.
+ Les OST sont désormais sur ma playlist (j'aime particulièrement "With with you" de Kai).
+ La réalisation est excellente : des scènes de guerre crédibles et sanglantes : l'atmosphère lourde, pesante de ces temps de guerre est bien rendue; la cinématographie est exceptionnelle.
+ La storyline est solide et l'aspect historique semble respecté et c'est une période qui n'a jamais ou peu (à ma connaissance), été porté à l'écran.

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My Comparative analysis: My Dearest and Gone with the Wind

For me, Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable are one of the most legendary couples in the history of world cinema. Therefore, the Korean series, which reinterprets the story in its own way and according to its cultural codes, could convince me to forget the first version and immerse myself in its story. The answer is yes: this series can be classified in the category of a major work of so-called “minor art” (popular art), because although there are differences, there are also similarities. Hence, I took the time to make a comparative analysis of two major works.

My Dearest, a 17th-century Korean sageuk, and Gone with the Wind, the emblematic novel and film of the American Civil War, both tell stories where passion and destiny intertwine at the heart of turmoil.

Historical Context: a reversed mirror of society

In My Dearest, the Joseon kingdom is shaken by the Manchu invasion. Confucian social structures collapse, and women become targets of violence and abuse imposed brutally by war. Every choice becomes a matter of survival. Love appears as a fragile luxury, threatened by chaos and social conventions.

In contrast, Gone with the Wind depicts the American South in the 19th century, during the Civil War. Southern aristocrats see their plantations and power crumble. Famine, violence, and human losses disrupt a world once structured and reassuring. Here, there is a glorifying view of the slavery system, which I personally consider the film's major flaw. Scarlett O’Hara, like Gil‑chae, must learn to survive and make decisions that define her, often against society’s expected morality.

This war shows the strength of heroines—women like Gil‑chae, who suddenly grows up, much like Scarlett shedding her carelessness. It also shows how men perceive war and what patriotism means: one fights for the king and ideology, the other only for the suffering people, otherwise abstaining.

Male Heroes: Jang‑hyun and Rhett Butler

Jang‑hyun and Rhett Butler share the archetype of the charismatic, wounded, and elusive man. Classic anti-heroes: charismatic, mysterious, often distant. Jang‑hyun hides his heart behind a mask of indifference and sarcasm. His loyalty and depth appear in times of crisis, revealing a love that only those who can understand him truly perceive. Rhett Butler, cynical and brilliant, feigns indifference to survive but burns internally with an intense passion for Scarlett.

Both fall in love not with appearances or social conformity, but with the heroine’s strength and lively spirit. They are deeply feminist, disregard the opinions of others, and possess a rare, admirable sense of loyalty in love.

Cinematically, both are filmed splendidly with wide shots but also isolated ones to capture the actors’ full range of emotions. Scenes in the fields are magnificent and poetic.

Heroines: Gil‑chae and Scarlett O’Hara

Both women embody the survivor archetype. Gil‑chae, at first coquettish, carefree, and social, quickly reveals herself as strategic, courageous, and resilient. Scarlett O’Hara, though often criticized for her selfishness, shares the same ability to adapt and survive despite loss and humiliation. Their love for the hero is paradoxical: it is both a refuge and a catalyst for their evolution.

Gil‑chae’s love for Nam Yeon‑Jun is more literary and imagined, a nostalgia for her carefree youth. Yet unconsciously, both women always loved the main hero because they share the same moral codes and values. Gil‑chae’s relationship with Jang‑hyun often relies on dialogue without space for sincere emotional exchange, as both egos clash; no one wants to yield or open their heart.

Psychological Evolution: The Arc of Redemption

Gil‑chae transforms her vulnerability into strength and her fear into conscious choice.
Scarlett, through her pain and failed romances, learns to distinguish material survival from emotional fulfillment, maintaining positivity despite life’s obstacles.
These arcs of redemption are not only individual: they concern how each learns to love and stand upright in a broken world.

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GIL CHAE IS HERE!!!

If you want to be attached to a drama then you need to watch this! I was looking for something that could change my life, some kdrama that would be one of my favorites since I couldn’t find anything new and My Dearest really showed its potential, it’s an incredible experience watching this. All the episodes had their own meaning, all of them changed the way we see every character and empathize with them. To be honest I even rethought my purpose as a woman because of Gil Chae’s development and how she was just a futile and immature girl who wanted a luxurious life with the man of her dreams and then turned into a woman who just wanted to survive (and she gave all she had to protect those she loved and to keep her head up even in times of despair). And then we have the Male lead who we thought was a jerk bc he didn’t wanted to live a married life and enjoyed flirting with other girls turned to be one of the greenest flags ever, a man who gave up all he believed to love the girl that showed him the sound of flowers. He fought a whole was he couldn’t care less to protect her from getting hurt, he was against all prejudice concerning women to make gil chae feel protected. This was definitely amazing and a 10/10 overall, people can’t miss on this no matter how slow or boring the first episodes seem to be. Everyone should know their story.

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Tense fight or flight scenes to yearning romance

This brought me back to those historical kdramas I used to watch around 2016. Those ones that you get invested in the characters and story and it flows so well.
I think it has an interesting angle on war during this era from perspectives of royalty, invaders, civilians, women, scholars, soldiers. It can get so tense on some episodes and I love it lol. The fight and flight scenes are gripping to watch in themselves (forget the romance for a second).
The ML is such a cool guy and he knows many things with an unclear backstory (I guess we will see in season 2). FL comes off a bit arrogant to begin with but when the war comes she really proves herself, I guess she just needs to mature in terms of love and romance. Either way they have great chemistry. I would definitely recommend this drama for the action and the romance and everything in between.

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A 10/10 drama .. Literally

This Drama is one of the best i’ve watched since years. Lately, everything is repeating it self almost. K dramas are becoming alike somehow and it feels like we’ve hit a wall and ran out of ideas . unlike how it used to be. This Drama is honestly a breath of fresh air.. itss different .. the production .. the quality.. the story.. the depth.. THE CASST… everything about this is just chef’s kiss . it is a sorrowful story that will not feel like it in the first couple of episodes i really like the development of characters.. the male lead was someone who is playful and never took anyone seriously.. but once the u progress through the episodes another side of him reveals by how much he cares about the female lead and how much he is ready to give for her. The female lead on the other hand, the spoiled girl.. goes through horrible unexpected experience and becomes a literal badass .. she also said she will never fall for the main lead at first but welp .. they all lied . honestly this show is great just watch it

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Chasing Dreams, Facing War: A Love Story Forged

A sweeping romantic saga set against the backdrop of war, this drama captivates with charm, conflict, and character growth that defies first impressions.

Flirtatious, pretty, and radiantly confident, Yoo Gil-Chae is the kind of noblewoman who turns heads—and stirs envy. Known in her hometown of Neunggun-ri as the “99-tailed fox,” she is adored by the local men and quietly resented by the women. Yet behind her coquettish façade lies a recurring dream: chasing a red thread across the land to a man whose face she cannot see. Convinced it is Nam Yeon-Jun—the scholarly gentleman she has long admired and the student of her father’s academy—Gil-Chae is certain her romantic future is with him.

Enter Lee Jang-Hyun, a dashing yet enigmatic merchant whose origins are shrouded in rumour. To some, he is a nobleman. To others, a charming rogue with a lover in every province. Charming and witty, he claims he has no interest in marriage—but his curiosity is piqued by the spirited Gil-Chae. Their flirtation is laced with tension, humour, and an undeniable attraction that neither is willing to admit.

What begins as a light-hearted romantic comedy quickly shifts tone when the Qing invasion plunges their world into chaos. As the war escalates, Gil-Chae is separated from her fleeing family—only to be saved, more than once, by the elusive Jang-Hyun. Yet one fateful secret he withholds becomes the seed of misunderstanding, leading to a wrong choice later.

But it is in these moments that the characters reveal their true selves. The frivolous prove strong. The self-righteous collapse. Gil-Chae, once dismissed as a spoiled beauty, emerges as a fierce leader. And Jang-Hyun, who vowed never to fight or love, becomes a wartime strategist and a man transformed.

The emotional weight of the story lies in how love is tested under pressure. Misguided acts of protection, lies told “for your own good,” and the tragic consequences of miscommunication play out in heart-wrenching ways.

Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-Jin, playing the lead couple, absolutely light up the screen—their chemistry crackles with intensity, tenderness, and everything in between. Every glance, every silence between them is charged with unspoken emotion. The supporting cast is just as compelling: the idealistic scholar, the gracious best friend, the bitter rival, and the quietly tormented closeted lover—all portrayed with surprising depth and complexity. And yes, it must be said—Namkoong Min is not only magnetic in presence but also irresistibly handsome. Total eye candy, no doubt about it.

And the music? Sublime. Especially the haunting track sung by Ryang Eum—it lingers long after the credits roll.

What keeps you watching is not just the scale of history or the suspense of battle, but the burning question: Will Gil-Chae and Jang-Hyun find their way back to each other?

This drama is beautifully layered, emotionally rich, and packed with surprises. I give it a strong recommendation—and a high rating.

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This drama has mastered how to pull out every one of your emotions

This show is painful to watch. It is so real and heartbreaking and makes me constantly recall how truly callous and inhumane humans truly are; be it then or even now. This show drags all the nasty parts out and shows them exactly as they are. Its realistic and heartbreaking and shows human emotions and human viciousness in a way that makes me ache. The director has mastered how to pull your emotions out of you as a viewer and I went through a slew of them as I watched this. Anger, disgust, annoyance, sympathy. This is the kind of show that you feel your way through and will leave a lasting impression.

For me, I can not say I found this enjoyable or entertaining to watch, it's depiction of real life struggles and brutality left me feeling raw and utterly devastated. But it is so heart achingly beautiful that I could not stop myself from watching it. The acting in this from every person is superb. I can not think of any flaw in the way that this show was written, executed, acted, or shot. There are several scenes that are stunningly beautiful. The characters are all thought out, flawed, and experience true character growth. Even the way the production showed the change in color from pastels in the beginning during happy times to the greys and browns during and after war just added to how expertly composed this show is.

-Gil Chae: for me she was truly an unlikable character for the majority of this season and I found myself so frustrated with her specifically in regards to her almost ridiculous adoration and chase of Yeon Jun. Her actions are spurted forward in her pursuit of the man she could not get. She is a spoiled nobleman's daughter that says and does whatever she wants because she is beautiful and noble. But then war breaks out and you start to see her change. She is still ridiculous in her chase of Yeon Jun but she proves herself to be a survivor and a protector. Her character development is the type I want to see in all shows. The kind that is gradual and realistic. She changes as her world around her changes and the circumstances she is put through changes her.

-Yeon Jun: I never at any point like this character. He is weak but believes he is strong. Is selfish but thinks he is honorable. But in how much I hate him, I also know how very real his portrayal is of the men of that time. He stubbornly sticks to his 'loyalty' and 'honor' for himself, never putting anyone or anything over his own agenda.

-Jang Hyun: he is mysterious and seemingly acts out of his own personal interest at every turn. He is a bit of a cad but loyal to those dearest to him with a soft heart and strong mind. A business man that is cunning enough to end up in important circles but chooses to use that power for the powerless. He does find an obstacle in Gil Chae and I think that is part of his interest in her, very like how she is so adamant about someone she can not get as well. But his actions speak far louder than any others in this drama. He is willing to sacrifice himself in exchange for her but will not go down easily.

In terms of the political progression of this story it does flow in a coherent way. You understand the movements, the predicaments, and some of the choices. I personally do not love a politically heavy drama but I was so drawn to Jang Hyun that I kept watching.

If you are looking for a drama that will make you feel something, not matter the emotion then you will find it here. Most o the time you will not enjoy what the characters are going through or the choices they make and you will feel frustrated. The point being that it will make you feel. Out of so many dramas that I have seen there are few that pull out this level of emotions from its viewers.

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We written story and good drama

It is good drama
Fl:- given her best
Ml :- given his best
Ambience:- up to the timeline

What I find odd:-
In episode three at starting the invaders ( qing Dynasty warriors) Armor is waving in wing like cloths, that type of Armor had steel plating inside and even if steel plating were absent the harden leather doesn't flap in wind , editor shoul have spotted this little things
Everything else is all right What I find odd:-
In episode three at starting the invaders ( qing Dynasty warriors) Armor is waving in wing like cloths, that type of Armor had steel plating inside and even if steel plating were absent the harden leather doesn't flap in wind , editor shoul have spotted this little things
Everything else is all right
Ending look to commercial ( abrupt change in personality of both main character hence I reduced overall rating from 10 to 7.5



Word filler( to make 500 words)

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good

Iam purely watching only for
NAM GOONG MIN
As usual NAM GOONG MIN the way of speech acting style is ultimate
Slightly disappointed script dialog writers they didn't use [ Ahn Eun Jin ] her potential acting fully
Why [ Lee Chung Ah ] making her gest roles or negative roles in many dramas
Making cinematography is rich in class
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