My Dearest

K-Drama was so good I felt compelled to write a review

For the sake of my own mental health, I'm never re-watching this show. It's got taboo written all over it, just like moon lovers. The story starts with a beautiful young woman who seduces the men in the village, who's prideful, spoiled, and yet it felt great to see her develop into such a resilient levelheaded woman right before our eyes. It stuck with me, and I enjoyed every aspect of her character.
Now, I've noticed on the internet many people were blaming her for not leaving with Jang Hyeon at the end. Have we watched the same show? She undoubtedly had feelings for him but she didn't feel the stability and security she had longed for in a man which was addressed early on in the drama.
Jang Hyeon is flamboyant, has a bad reputation of being a misogamist, and is bouncing everywhere and nowhere all at once. Only us, the audience, are aware of the intensity of his feelings for Gil Chae thus we can't fault her for no trusting in him and choosing to stay with her family instead. She had a steady income and was rebuilding her family from the verge of bankruptcy while shouldering the responsibility of caring for her mentally unwell father. Choosing to stay with them not only shows how far she had come as a character, but also that Jang Hyeon doesn't understand her as much as he had claimed to.
Now, now, don't get me wrong. That man had me giggling and running laps around the house but his love for her was all consuming and at the end, it was borderline selfish. For Gil Chae, he was the only variable in her life while everything else was a constant. It's the reason why she held onto Yeon Jun for so long despite not loving him romantically.
I don't remember the last time I yapped a lot about a K-drama but it's phenomenal. I'm excited to see where their story would head next. (and clutching my pearls in fear.)
P.S the show isn't for the faint hearted, I was subjected to it as a sacrificial lamb by mother dearest to test the angst level. It left me with crippling dread and depression, don't say you weren't warned.

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My dearest series, indeed!

It took me forever to finally watch this show. I have had this on my watchlist for a while and I finally had time, energy, and fortitude to be able to watch this. And let me tell you - it was well worth it. I was both sorry I waited so long to watch it, and sorry I already watched it and it finally ended. It was a masterpiece, for lack of a more eloquent term to describe it.

Lately, I have been on a K-drama slump and have really been struggling finding good series to watch and so I have been either rewatching old favorites or watching C-dramas or J-dramas. However, this one really made me remember the good old days of K-drama, especially the really fantastical storytelling of historical dramas of the past like Jewel in the Palace, Empress Ki, Jumong, The Great Queen Seondeok, to name a few.

My Dearest is one of the best historical dramas I have seen so far. It had all the right elements to make the series into such a beautiful saga of love, loyalty, friendship, found family, and fealty. The leads did such an amazing job - I fell in love with Lee Jang Hyun and Yoo Gil Chae. Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-Jin were phenomenal. The supporting cast also made the whole series flow beautifully. The cinematography was the perfect backdrop to the storytelling. The soundtrack just wrapped your heart and soul. I swear, this series has me on a chokehold. I love this show so much.

WATCH IT. YOU WILL CRY. BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

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Conflicting yet Desiring

Period dramas always bring various conflicts that heightens to an uprising or a war. My Dearest may be such a tender title for it gives us the story of two people who had pushed and pulled their feelings for one another, not admitting that they are attracted to each other.

Like any Korean period drama, it depicts the women to be more desirable if one has various talents while the men being scholars or of high-ranking official. There is a caste system which causes the singles to choose only those within their societal levels. But Gil Chae isn't your typical leading lading. In fact, she is not the 'artistic' type and is somewhat mischievous and manipulative. She knows she is beautiful and can attract any man, except the one her eyes delight in. Jang Hyeon, rightfully described in the synopsis is mysterious. No one knows his roots, or his abilities. What people think is that he is a playboy, enjoys the company of women without being married to. Both Gil Chae and Jang Hyeon have already pre-conceived ideas of each other. They may be drawn to each other, but what they say is not what is in their hearts. The circumstances surrounding them, the Qing invasion, the war, the survival, the escape all contributed to the push and pull of their relationship.

My heartaches when Ryang Eum had not been truthful to Gil Chae. Does he not really want her to be with Jang Hyeon? Does he not want to part from him? Is it bias or selfishness? There are unspoken reasons for the actions of Ryang Eum. The timing of their meeting was really bad. And I can feel Jang Hyeon's pain as he heard and saw who the bride is. Gil Chae chose to marry someone else - was it for survival of her family? or was it out of gratitude to save them? or was it to save face as everyone knew already of this engagement? Will there be even a reason for Jang Hyeon to fight the Qing? Will there be any reason for him to hope in reuniting with Gil Chae?

What I love about Gil Chae is her courage that shone when she tried to save her friend. She is ingenuous, and a creative person which made her good in business. She learned that from Jang Hyeon. She does not know how much Jang Hyeon had to go through in order to survive, even to be an instrument to save the king, despite not his aim. She does not know how skillful he is in combat and all along, she thought someone else saved her.

Namkoong Min is right in saying that he does not consider Ahn Eun Jin as a junior but an equal (when he accepted his best actor award). We have seen that Ahn Eun Jin embraced her character and is an equal of Namkoong Min 's character. Their characters unfolded and little by little developed as they continue to find each other.

About the production, this is immense. Locations, costumes, the Korean army and the Qing army may not be the main thing but surely completed the feel of a period drama. The music, especially Ryang Eum's singing is haunting. I wonder if Kim Yoon Woo really sings.

This drama also shows that those who go to war also fear - fear to die and they depicted this especially for the scholars who were never trained in battle. So, we should be reminded to honor those who defended our countrymen in the past for their sacrifices.

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A devastatingly beautiful drama that stays with you long after it’s over.

✅ What Makes My Dearest Exceptional

🔥 A Perfect Blend of Epic Storytelling and Deep Emotion
• This isn’t just a love story—it’s a story about war, survival, sacrifice, and longing.
• Every character feels real, flawed, and deeply human.
• The scale of the war and the intensity of the emotions hit equally hard.

💔 A Love Story That Feels Earned
• Some dramas tell you that two characters love each other—this one makes you FEEL it.
• Every moment between them is filled with tension, heartbreak, and the weight of everything they’ve been through.
• This isn’t a simple, easy love—it’s the kind that is fought for, stolen, and torn apart by fate.

⚔️ The Fighting Spirit of Korean Dramas at Its Best
• Unlike One and Only, where confidence in battle is a given, here, every survival moment feels desperate and earned.
• The struggle to live, to love, to protect—it’s all intense, and you feel every second of it.

🎭 Acting That Lives on Screen—Especially the Female Lead
• The acting is absolutely breathtaking, but the female lead (Ahn Eun-jin) delivers one of the most incredibly nuanced performances.
• She has that rare, doll-like beauty that feels perfect for the historical period—but what makes her performance even more astonishing is how she transforms.
• At first, she looks soft, youthful, and delicate—almost untouched by hardship.
• But as the story progresses, her eyes change.
• She carries every emotion—pain, resilience, heartbreak, and love—just in her expressions.
• It’s an extraordinary performance that makes you feel every moment of her journey.

👥 Themes of Emotional Maturity & Patience
• This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about growth, patience, and emotional depth.
• The male lead’s quiet, unwavering patience with her maturity makes their relationship even more layered.
• It’s not just about love—it’s about understanding, waiting, and loving someone through all of life’s hardships.

❌ Where My Dearest Wrecks You

💔 It’s Brutal, Emotionally and Physically
• There’s no “safety net” in this story.
• People suffer, die, lose everything.
• The heartbreak isn’t just one scene—it’s the entire experience.
• Prepare to be wrecked.

🐌 The Pacing May Feel Slow at Times
• The drama takes its time developing everything—which makes it all hit harder, but requires patience.
• Some parts could have been slightly tighter, but in the end, it all pays off.

👑 A Drama That Refuses to Let You Go

💡 It’s not just a drama—it’s an emotional experience.
• After watching My Dearest, I couldn’t move on for days.
• It’s the kind of story that leaves you staring at the ceiling, haunted by what you just witnessed.
• Some dramas you forget—this one lingers, refusing to leave you.

💡 It has the kind of heartbreak that feels like real life.
• No forced tragedy, no exaggerated melodrama—just pure, raw, human devastation.
• The kind of love that should have worked but was never meant to be.
• The war, the time period, the struggle—it all feels painfully real.

🚨 Final Verdict: An Unforgettable, Devastating Masterpiece

⭐ Rating: 4.75/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ One star for the raw, breathtaking performances.
✅ One star for the sheer emotional depth.
✅ One star for the realistic, heartbreaking love story.
✅ One star for the intensity of the war and survival themes.
✅ Half a star for the extraordinary transformation of the female lead.
❌ Minus quarter of a star for the pacing—some moments could have been tightened.

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THIS HAS BECOME ONE OF MY FAVES OF ALL TIME!!!

This show was amazing. So entertaining, so romantic, and so well done. I will be doing a full review here and not splitting it up by parts btw.

Firstly, I was surprised to watch the whole show and not really see any big kdrama actors. Even the old usual side actors weren’t really present. They utilized a lot of fresh faces (at least to me anyways and I’ve been a kdrama fan for 6 years) and I appreciate that.

Secondly, the characters were amazing. Obviously the ml and fl were great and I really appreciate their performances. I knew Eunjin from Strangers From Hell and I feel like she was able to keep the same freshness and youthfulness to her character. Her performance is also one of my favorite fell characters of all time. The character, Gil Chae, is so inspiring because she has such a great self esteem and at the very core knows what she’s capable of and what she deserves. She also has an entrepreneurial spirit which I feel like is rarely shown in kdramas. She’s a total girl boss.

And Namkoong made me want to watch the show because as an nctzen, I can’t help but be drawn to him, he looks so much like Jaemin lol. Even his portrayal of the character reminded me of Jaemin and every scene Namkoong was in made me feel satisfied. The beginning scene of him on that beach still brings tears to my eyes. I could just see the exhaustion with the fight and life in general on his face and those tears slipping down was amazing.

The side characters killed it aswell. I was surprised to see how much second leads there were. Ryanguem really was so loyal and beautiful and to have a gay second lead was unconventional but I love it. It makes the perfect sense of his character’s actions and the show wasn’t afraid to show a person like him in Joseon Korea as well as not write his actions off as brotherly like most show wills do. Chungah I know from watching Heart Pairing this year but had never really seen her before. I really liked her performance as well but I still don’t understand why she was chasing down captives. She was a bit of a weird character. Yeongjun was annoying but surprisingly I cried for him on the last ep so I guess he wasn’t all that bad. He’s just one of those overly honorable characters that has no room for gray area which bores me. Eun Ae was sweet but I didn’t like how she kept downplaying Gil Chae’s feelings for Yeongjun as if that’s not her best friend smh.Will forever be a fan of Gu Jam cause he has a lot of aura and is so cute. Big Hyungnim was a cute character as well.

The progression of the show was pretty good to me but I did feel like the dialogue was kinda weird at point. Like when Jang Hyeon comes back and Gil Chae is getting married. I feel like neither of them actually expressed their feelings toward each other. And I watched all 21 episodes and I don’t recall ever seeing or hearing a “saranghe” from either of the characters. Also to use the memory loss trope 2x in one drama is kind of lazy but I’ll take it. I also felt rather let down with Janghyeon’s past and expected something more exciting.

The show is long but genuinely I watched every episode with eagerness and never ONCE got bored of it. I enjoyed the themes of chastity and nationalism. I also enjoyed the soundtrack. I do like the ost in Ryanguem’s voice the most cause it brings me to tears.

This show is a 10/10 and I’ll recommend it to everyone

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A great war story, with a touch of romance, action, and so much crying. I watched this drama because of Namkoong Min, stay because of the amazing cast and story. The supporting cast was so talented and I love the small knitted female group that formed and took huge chunk of my heart.

I started this drama liking Yoo Kil Chae right off the bat. Although a little spoiled and bratty, I still found her very confident, witty and sassy. Watching her grow from a little princess in her village to a humble person surviving to get back to her family was such a great journey. Her courage, resilient, and leadership was the reason why her little group made it.

Lee Jang Hyun, what can I say? He was the perfect man. Brave, strong, and oh so handsome. No, but for real though, he did so much for her in the background that it hurts when he didn't get credit for it.

This is the drama would definitely recommend to my non- drama loving friends.

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I think I never gave a historical kdrama a perfect score before

I think I never gave a historical kdrama a perfect score before. This one deserves it. The portrayal of a Joseon in ruins during and after war with the Qing and how the war deeply wounded its people from the lowest to the highest ranks of society was poignantly breathtaking. Everything about the production is top notch. Performances throughout were excellent.

I went in having no expectations and expected a nice romcom, but I was served the most epic love story I've ever seen in kdrama. I highly recommend this drama to anyone ready for an epic tale of love in the time of war.

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i need a cigarette

every tongue that rises against yu gil chae shall fall.

no, but in all seriousness, this was one of the best historical k-dramas i have ever watched, i love how saeguks are making a comeback! the first half of the show was cinematic and excellent in every way, but falls apart a bit in the second half plot-wise.

i felt so emotionally drained by the end that i couldn't even enjoy GC and JH's (umpteenth) reunion. i also felt very confused about how some things were left off (i.e. who put RE in the asylum, who succeeded the king, the resolution between eun ae and yeon jun).

i would rate it like this: the first half was 9/10, but the second half was a 5.5/10 for me. a strong start with a mediocre, albeit happy, finish.

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Maybe the best Kdrama of all times.

Ok, I have watched many K-dramas so far—many stories, many romances, many dramas.
I have to say that this might be the best K-drama ever. Everything is in the title: "My Dearest"… The romance is "romancing" and It is not the childish romance you often encounter; it is a mature, healthy romance— it is ride or die.
You get attached to all the characters, even those you’re supposed to hate. You feel the pain, the struggle, the love, the hate… Everything is so well written that it’s scary. One episode, I’m laughing; the next minute, I’m crying.

I don’t know why, but this K-drama reminds me so much of Alchemy of Souls. The same loneliness after finishing it… It was hard to go through all the episodes because I knew I would suffer.

If you’re hesitating, don’t. It is worth watching.

One thing I learned is that true love can never fade, even in the face of all the hardships in the world.

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Blooming Flowers at War

This show is a stunning cinematographic experience with amazing soundtrack and acting. The start is slow but the show rewards the viewer later with its killer plot - tension, betrayal and desperation. It is a story of one man that risks it all for the woman he loves and holds on to his values no matter the consequences.

In all honesty, this is a frustratingly interesting story. It somehow keeps you watching long after you've given up on the characters. I did struggle with our main leads at times, but I have to say that it was a brilliant move to not make them perfect. The viewer gets to see them actually evolve and find what holds them together in a world divided by war and violence.

The actors did a wonderful job portraying such complex characters. Yoo Gil Chae was the epitome of a naive and entitled girl who had not yet seen life outside of her village. Only when Gil Chae meets a worldly man and has to fight to survive, does she finally start to face some hard truths and truly grow. The journey was long and painful, but she saved so many people on the way that I felt like she redeemed herself.

I was quite literally glued to my screen every time our main man, Lee Jang Hyun, had something to say. It felt like a message of utmost importance was being delivered as he masterfully built that tension through powerful body language and enunciation. I haven't seen such a talented actor in a long time. He was unrivaled, raw charisma.

This is no casual drama experience. It requires determination and willingness to power through some mind-blowingly maddening moments. However, Part 2 serves us even more madness, so this is just the appetizer. Enjoy!

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Super

My Dearest stands out for its ability to blend a great love story with a violent, cruel and deeply human historical context. The character of
Jang-hyun is too charming, cultured, ironic. The evolution of the character Yoo Gil-chae, from a vain flirtatious woman, who I didn't like at all, is surprising.
The historical context is not a simple background, but an active protagonist.
The direction is elegant and refined, with photography that enhances the natural landscapes, traditional costumes and the emotion of key moments. The soundtrack, melancholic and sweet.

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The yearning. The longing. The angst.

Someone should have given me a warning before I started this drama. OH LORD. This drama absolutely tore me apart.

Both leads — OMG — they each have their own charm.

Let’s start with the male lead, Jang Hyun.
BOY. I tell you. He is the ultimate walking red-and-green flag combo 😭💔

Green flag: He’s humble, never flashy. He would literally go to war just to save her. The way he talks??? The words he says??? I FOLDED AHAHAHA 💀
He even bought her SO MANY pairs of the flower shoes just because she asked for the prettiest one 🥺 He really, truly likes her.
Red flag: He keeps leaving her… WHY??? He could’ve stayed and fought beside her 😩
Now the female lead — at first, I found her annoying and kinda irritating.
BUT as the episodes went on, you realize her very personality is what saved not just herself, but everyone around her. She’s a keeper.
Yeah, she was blinded by her first crush, and sure, her attitude toward Jang Hyun sometimes made me scream into the void... BUT even after realizing she liked him, she still chose to hurt him 🔪
That said, I get it. She chose her family — a father with dementia and a young brother to care for. Ugh, poor thing 🥲

BUTTTT why didn’t Jang Hyun just ask her to bring the whole family with him???
Why didn't he say that??? I’m confused.
And then Part 1 ends with them separated... and both have new love interests??? WHYYYYYYYY 😭😭

Anyways,
Cinematography? 10/10
OST? 10/10
Quotes? 10/10
The acting? SOLID. Both of them delivered.
This drama has easily become one of my favourites.

Best quote:
“I swear by the moonlight. This time, wherever you are, I will make sure I find you.” 🌙
THIS. QUOTE. RIGHT. HERE. GIRL. I folded when he said that. And the fact that he actually did find her again and again... 😭

Top OST picks:
🎵 “My Star” – Kim Feel
🎵 “Unforgettable Love” – Yang Yo Seop

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