Caution! This will mangle your heart.
I needed a few days to process what I had just seen before writing a proper review. My heart was way too invested in this and I needed some clarity before proceeding...If you are a sucker for a good romantic melodrama, this one tops the list. The heat in the room gets turned up by the smoldering male lead, Jang Hyun, played by Namkoong Min. He falls for his lady the moment he set eyes on her and sets out to steal her heart by any means necessary. Our female lead, Gil Chae, is aptly played by Ahn Eun Jin (Hospital Playlist). Gil Chae has no interest in our ML, however, because she has her eyes set elsewhere. What is obvious to us, though, is that our FL has fallen head over heels for our ML but she is the only fool who doesn't realize it. What transpires is a delicious game of push/pull and how Jang Hyun would cut his heart out of his body for Gil Chae if she wasn't so self-absorbed to appreciate it.
We get a sweeping epic of historical fiction that will throw our leads together or tear them apart. We get lost in the intense gaze of Jang Hyun telling his lady he resents the hell out of her, while granting her the simplest of wishes. We are swept along in the tidal wave of their love and it is beautiful.
Unfortunately, this beautiful epic love story has its flaws. Most of the plot was taken from Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, in the first part and then riddled with cliches and sloppy writing in the second, leaving us confused and asking a ton of questions. There were time lapse issues, abandoned story arcs, and implausible scenarios. How is it that Jang Hyun can fight so well? He hates war and is a bit of a dandy, so when did he train to be so deadly with a sword? His past is alluded to but not clear. The storyline gets muddled and repetitive, so it would have been better to just stick with a simpler plot. After all, it was delivering spectacularly in the romantic aspect.
The OST...what an OST!! It was sonorous, sweeping, simple, and unforgettable. It conveyed the romantic emotions, the angst, the desperation, and the deep longing of two people who can't live without the other. Bravo!
Then there are unforgettable lines like, "I tried to hate you when you left me, but I couldn't, So, I hated myself instead." "I never left you, I just couldn't bring myself to have you." Add these to the stellar acting and breathtaking cinematography and you have yourself a noteworthy production despite its flaws, deserving of its many awards for best actors and best drama of 2023.
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"My Dearest" is one of the best period k-drama. From Cinematography, story, set up, locations, customs, action, actors and of course the main leads. It is a roller coaster of emotion from episode 1 to episode 21.
I love the character development of the female and male lead. Their love story is a series of love, longing, pain, suffering and dedication. It breaks you and heal you then break you again and heal you over and over again. Lee Jang-hyun unwavering love to Gil-chae is one of the highlight of the story. As a women you will eventually realize you want to experience that kind of love in this lifetime.
You will feel so much emotions in every scene. It was perfectly written and beautifully acted.
Namkoong Min performance as Lee Jang-hyun is exceptional. His smile, his action, his facial expression, his longing face. They deserve all the awards!
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A Korean "Gone With The Wind"?
This alternately heart-warming and heart-wrenching spectacular maybe the best sageuk I've ever seen. But keep the tissues handy. The heart-wrenching moments are some of the most difficult to endure. The two leads, Namkoong Min as Lee Jang Hyun and Ahn Eun Jin as Yoo Gil Chae are simply perfection. The push and pull between their characters is the very heart of the story and their chemistry is absolutely wonderful.Early in season 1, the story began to feel somehow familiar. Then I realized that the interplay between the two leads and the secondary leads bore a striking similarity to one of the greatest movies of all time, "Gone With The Wind." The rogue Jang Hyun (Rhett) is intrigued by pampered aristocrat Gil Chae (Scarlett) who futilely throws herself after her childhood love Yeon Jun (Ashley) who only has eyes for her best friend Eun Ae (Melanie). When the barbarians (yankees) come and wreck their world leaving them destitute, Gil Chae (Scarlett) rises up from the ashes to save those around her who are too weak to fend for themselves, including her dementia addled father and Eun Ae (Melanie) Meanwhile, cynical opportunist, Jang Hyun (Rhett), showing no particular loyalty to either side of the conflict, uses the riches he makes as a "blockade runner" between Joseon and Qing to help those around him.
Thankfully, My Dearest eventually transcends the Gone With The Wind parallels and as their love story slowly unfolds, poor Gil Chae and Jang Hyun are forced to endure hardships far greater than Scarlett or Rhett ever did. It is an emotional rollercoaster that is both riveting and exhausting.
The hauntingly beautiful OST supports the drama in ways that makes it feel almost like another character. There are two versions of the theme song, "With my heart". One features the voice of EXO member Kai; the other features the lovely voice of the Ahn Eun Jin (Gil Chae) herself. (Is there anything these incredible Korean actors can't do?!)
My only quibble is with the very end. To take advantage of the show's popularity, the producers added another episode to stretch out the ending, but the added melodrama and the use and reuse of an unwelcome trope in the final episodes marred an otherwise perfect drama. Nevertheless, this one is well worth a watch.
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THE BEST DRAMA EVER MADE!!!!
this is the first ever review i have written on this site and especially my first review for a kdrama. i am going to say the same line several people have said before, but truthfully, this was on my list to watch from a year and i picked it up only because i was bored. It changed my life, yes, i have cried before for shows and movies and a lot of them have always stayed with me. i have always talked about how so many movies, so many things i have watched have changed me, and even better, became a part of me, My Dearest is truly one of those that becomes a part of you.Movies and dramas have, till this drama, only made me cry on the saddest parts, but My Dearest made me sob and cry on a happy note, i kept on crying until it ended and even after it ended. No, I am not a crybaby and honestly only a few chosen ones get me like this. I RECOMMEND THIS ON LIKE A A 1000000000000000000000000/10 IT WAS THAT GOOD
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A Gem in Kdrama-World
Well, this is the end of a long journey and yearning. I absolutely loved Part 1. I did not expect to love it that much and in my humble opinion... it's a masterpiece. But it was not completed and we obviously needed a Part 2. Even though I was scared how it will play out. I think Part 1 is stronger than Part 2, but I still loved it. I gave Part 1 a 10/10 and Part 2 a 9.5/10. It's hard to be subjective, since My Dearest is already on my list of all-time-favourites.Before going into my thought on Part 2, I want to add a few of my thoughts of art 1 since they are still the same show and actually not a different season or anything:
- After watching the first two episodes I was not sure if I would like it or not and could not tell where the story was going
- Episodes 3 & 4 of Part 1 are brilliant: The happiness and "naivety" of people living in peace and then showing the horrors of war
- I love love love the characters! They are flawed, this is what makes them interesting. I could feel all the emotions they were feeling. The acting was amazing.
- Slowburn Romance at its best. The chemistry between the leads is wonderful
- The Show pulls you in and you won't be able to leave
- Beautiful music
These points are still relevant for Part 2. But here are a few thoughts on Part 2 to explain why I think it is "flawed":
- Gag Hwa... I did not need her in the story. She adds Drama, which causes for more yearning and angst between the leads... but I really disliked her
- Side Characters from Part 1 were not that relevant in Part 2
- Part 2 sometimes felt a bit draggy in comparison to Part 1, but maybe that's just me
- The Ending. I feel warm and happy. It's happier than I ever imagined it would be. I still wished for more ending scenes of the other side characters. But I don't want to get greedy.
- A beautiful and capturing show, an underrated gem in Kdrama-World. It's been a long time since I saw a show like this. And right now I am not sure if I ever did.
Has Part 2 flaws? Yes. Do I love and adore it anyway? YES.
What am I supposed to do now? It's over and I feel quite melancholic.
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ongoing
OngoingBut i stopped at 10 episode to me this drama it has happy ending
Both of them going to NEUNGGUNRI her hometown then married live LONG
SO HAPPY ENDING
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I'm being super generous.
This is a cohesive review for both parts of the show.This show means business when it comes to tragedy, so watch out!
As some other people have pointed out this show is wayyyy better in the first half. I think the main issue that comes up in ep 10 onwards, is that the story relies on people making dumb choices for drama's sake. Characters that you've gotten to know will dead-ass look at the camera and make the dumbest choices you've ever seen.
Due to that there are a lot of scenes where I'm bored or angry. Not to mention how many coincidences there are to help the characters float along.
Despites the flaws this drama was still incredibly compelling. Every episode moved me or made me physically ill from the stress of watching. I thought the ending was pushing the limits of believability, BUT I was satisfied!
One of the best Korean dramas in YEARS!
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CAMBIO LA TRAYECTORIA DE MI VIDA
la cinematografía 10/10la actuación 10/10
y claramente 10 para la historia también, este drama sabe como mantenerte atrapado durante una hora y q los capítulos se sientan eternos pero no in bad way, la historia es tan desgarradora y grafica en algunos momentos que me dieron ganas de vomitarme y llorar al mismo tiempo.
creo firmemente que la temporada 2 es mucho mejor que la , empezando por el desarrollo de personaje de gilchae, el como paso de ser una niña mimada rodeada de flores a una mujer valiente que sufrio TANTO.
El protagonista una total green flag definitivamente mi fav boy de kdrama historico, el amor tan genuino que él tenia hacia ella es imposible no patalear de emoción al verlo.
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amazing story
if you want something to cry about this drama is it but I loved every second of it. his love for her is the best I hadn’t watched a drama lately that captured my attention as much as this one. it’s funny, all characters have amazing personalities, emotional, and I especially loved the soundtrack on this even that I was amazing. everything down to the acting just had me hooked I think everyone should watch this especially if you’re a romance lover these two will have you on an emotional rollercoaster but so worth itWas this review helpful to you?
Good Enough
Korean Drama " My Dearest part 2" is the second part of the popular tv series, giving the story a proper ending.The drama is a turbulence of a story, with a melodramatic plot with many twists. However, this time around, they tended to repeat things and plot twists. They also focused too much on the palace politics and deprived screen time from other main side characters, thus, leaving their stories half baked.
Still, the story was enjoyable and the ending just right for the mood of the drama.
The performances, finally, were great by everyone.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
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MASTERPIECE
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.
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Part 1: ASTOUNDING–Part 2: DRIFTED OFF....
Hands down to the emotional rollercoaster throughout the drama, the actors are stupendous. I'm like so doubtful I even saw emotions through my screen due to the splendid performance from ALL SIDES. Each character had their moments, each actor/actress, whether good or bad, all had their moments of splendor and disgust, which is what makes them all SO. MUCH. MORE. REAL. Unpopular opinion, I personally LOVE the Qing Princess character for being the most complex and well misunderstood/understood character. Her character has the equivalent complexity as the male lead which I find is a great accomplishment to the storyline. I wish script writer would add more characters like hers, it just makes a cliche storyline so much more intriguing and with more plot twists––better yet make a character like her the main character, aka strong FL (omg I would so watch that!).However, I have to say, with the extremely high expectations from Part 1, Part 2 definitely drifted off. Although not as believable, was still enjoyable to watch. There were points there I find were a bit incredulous, and some things didn't quite make sense or they didn't quite round it off, especially with the character Ryang Eum, but overall the performance of each character was what ultimately made this drama an enjoyable ride.
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