Arihant D

Great work though for what is one of the few saeguks I have really loved !

Wow! An entire article dedicated to the show!

Hope you are prepared for the long haul SFD is with its many eps.It is a class apart kind of a show and totally worth it otherwise

Really solid actor and CT is an all time fave

While the show got weaker in the ending episodes, One of the biggest pluses for me in this show was Kim Kwon and his character.

EP 2 /16 betters Ep 1 which was almost perfect !The drama is using old style solid storytelling with perfectly paced scenes. NGM is keeping his character mysterious as delivering the results. The best airing show right now hands down !

Ep 1 was almost flawless.The show is made with high quality production values (almost movie like !) ,strong characters ,NGM is at his poker face but combative best and the story has an interesting set up. Gave me a deja Vu of watching Brad Pitt's Moneyball,which is one of the best sports based movies of recent times
Looks like SBS has made a superior cable quality show this time .Am predicting that many awards will be due to this show in 2020.

The opening scene of Ep 45 is all kinds of hilarious!

Also, Joo Hwi's workplace has quite a good amount of nice comic scenes.

I felt that "My Fellow Citizens" starring Choi Siwon as a conman forced to turn aspiring politician had quite a different comic plot.

Also, Tale of Nokdu was also quite different from what you may think it is.

I get that the aunt is a villainous character but some of the best comedy from the show is in her scenes

All the references by the Aunt to Tom Yum Goong and the comebacks from the Thai maid are hilarious!

The story arc of Chung Ah and her life till Ep 8 is very well done.Some of the best melodrama in recent times..The cliffhanger at end of Ep 8 was sheer brilliance.I only wish this show was a 16 ep one focusing only on Chung Ah and the Joo Hwi-they have a superb arc

Just started this.Am at Ep 3 and am shook by what I have seen happening in Ep 2. This show is beautifully shot and that further heightens the sense of tragedy that had occurred.
Never expected a KBS show to shock me like this.Am hooked to see what happens next.

I had started this show purely based on the fact that this was written by Park Pil Joo whose last drama "House of Bluebird" I enjoyed a lot.Am upto Ep 11 and am happy to say the writing is very strong so far and I am really enjoying the work of the actors,many of whom I am seeing for the first time in main roles. Kim Seung Soo as the male lead especially is the most impressive with his delivery and expressions.

I think Hwarang was strongest of recent dramas in the flower boy department.

Quite true.Great OTP pairing.

Not seen others except
1. Fiery priest (have watched first quarter-started very well but story started dragging and kept on hold-may pick up again as am a Kim Nam Gil fan since Bad Guy )
2. Touch your heart (kind of lost interest after ep 9 and I am a Lee Dong Wook fan!)
3. Confession (started but kept on hold after 4 post-but it is a good show and well made )


My list for 2019 includes :
1. Angel's last mission: love (Hands down one of the best romance dramas in recent years and an OST which is superlative.Lead pair (Shin Hye Sun and L really did superb!)

2. Tale of Nokdu (Plain fantastic act by Jang Dong Yoon ,awesome young romantic saeguk elements and great drama as well-plus superb OST music)

3. Doctor Prisoner (NGM and other actors slayed in this thriler)

4. Doctor John-Ji Sung is superlative here as the titular doctor-very good plot as well

5. I wanna Hear your Song -Enjoyed this little watched thriller super OST here

6. Haechi -Great Saeguk drama and Jung Il Woo was superb and so were the supporting actors

7. My Fellow Citizens -Mad comic caper of a crook forced to turn politician and his wife is a cop who doesn't know his past -Really entertaining and showed what Choi Si Won can do with the right material.

8. When the camellia Blooms : I am not a fan of melodramas but this one pulled me in with its superb cast,real life like story ,beautiful fresh scenery and awesome writing.KHN was sensational in a Gong Hye Jin drama.

9. Clean with Passion for now : I loved this little watched gem of a show -The romance fit well and the leads really acted well.

10.Secret life of my Secretary : Another little watched but very good show.KYK was superb as the befuddled male lead

There were also some shows I havent watched due to lack of time and hence may have overlooked like Watcher , Be Meolodramatic, VIP, My Country,Nokdu Flower etc.

All the awards are well deserved for this one.Esp.Jang Dong Yoon
The OST (esp instrumental music) is phenomenal.

One of best of 2019 dramas.Great performances,music and story.Underrated.