I'll never get over Yook Sung Jae (School 2015). It still hurts! I'm putting 'Refresh Man'…
I agree, Yook Sung Jae in School 2015 totally deserved the girl - the writers were crazy to put her with the other guy! That was my strongest SLS ever!
I don't think I have ever watched a drama this long before. The longest I have watched so far are Japanese…
I think this is the longest drama I've ever watched too - I mean, I've watched a couple of dramas that had 170ish episodes but they were only 30mins per episode, so they even seemed shorter than this one :P But I definitely don't regret watching it as it was very good. Like you said it is definitely demanding, the only way to possibly get through it is to marathon it straight and not really watch much else when watching this lol
I'm glad that you will keep it in mind :)
2 very different characters -
Dae Jo Yeong: A man full of love, honor, selflessness - driven for his people, & sought power for all = a good and right dream.
Kaigu: A man full of hatred, envy and greed - driven by revenge and a lust for power to glorify himself = a bad and wrong dream.
I loved my man Gulsabiwu ^_^ I'm so glad the drama writers didn't break my heart with him <3
This is a very good but very long historical drama, it never drags or gets dull - but there are characters you will hate [Chulin, Kaigu, Shin Hong, Sa Bugu, the other Shin guy, Bu Kiwon, and more]. but the characters you love make everything worthwhile [Dae Jo Yeong, Gulsabiwu, Geom, Mimosa, Geumlan, Jungsang, Dolbal, Jang Sanhae, Bojang, Mo Jang, Dae Dan, Suk Yeong and even Jing Chung of the Khitans later in the series].
This series definitely veers off facts lol *DON'T READ THIS PART IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE HISTORICAL SPOILERISH FACTS* In Wikepedia it states that Xue Rengui doesn't last as long as they made him in this drama - it says he died a long time before this drama shows him. And in history, it says Gulsabiwu (my man) and Dae Jungsang both died at the same time on some mountain (can't remember why right now) - this fact had me worried throughout the drama b/c I loved him so much lol - but this drama goes so far off actual history that they made his character meet Joyeong almost immediately in the drama and they become sworn brothers that last all the way to the very end ^^ I personally was very happy they veered off history for this one ;)
I contemplated dropping this drama around episode 40-50 - I was dragging my feet through mud at that point in the drama for no reason but the fact that I hated Chulin and Joyeong's romance - luckily, I was able to continue after episode 50 b/c that ended thank heavens! and the drama got much better for me ^^
I could have done with less of the jibber jabber between the "stoneheads" as I like to call them [Heuk Sudol, Gaepilsamun, Tung So and Kye Do] - they were all kind of stupid and had big heads and all were basically on the same "level" - they never said anything productive when gripping at one another... :/ Heuk Sudol was a good friend to Joyeong and Gulsabiwu - but other than that, he didn't bring much to the table, he was loyal and a good friend not much more (for me anyways), I did not like the voices of Sudol, or Kye Do when they yelled. Also, I swear Kye Do was the replica of a Billy Goat - that's what he reminded me of whenever he'd shake his head that weird way or sort of "ram" someone with his body.
I first watched him in 'Queen Seonduk' just last year, fell head over heels for his character Bidam <3 I have yet to watch his other dramas. I also saw him in 'Public Enemy Returns', I didn't know he was in the movie but I immediately recognized him when I saw him ^_^ He's a very handsome guy, but I do prefer him without the mustache lol ;) (personal preference)
Keum Mo Jang :'( Broke my heart! That evil "king" Anseung needs to die for that!!! >_<
Dae Jo Yeong is now severely injured, Mo Jang is dead :'( and my favorite Geolsabiu is stuck in the Khitan Tang camp :'( (I know he won't go bad b/c I read the history) but I want him back with his blood brothers!!!
I seriously feel like dropping this drama :/ I hate the love story between Chulin and Jo Yeong so much >_< If that wasn't in this drama I'd be so worth watching for a historical war type drama but this girl, this romance ruins the drama for me - I get more bitter every time I them together >_< Gosh, I hate feeling that way in a drama :/ I came into the drama for Choi Soo Jong (but his romance ruins his performance for me) and I came to love Geolsabiu <3 So he's making me tempted to at least skip watch his scenes.... but I don't know if I can bear doing that... ugh, this is so frustrating! Why did the writer have to put that horrid romance into this drama?! Out of the girls I like the princess (and only the princess)! I'm on episode 45 and I really just don't know if I can go on with it anymore... :/
The Cover Photo is very misleading - It looks like a fun adventurous ride but in reality it was boring and we barely saw the kids and they never met in person. :/
This is apparently based on a real life story (as it showed the real guy in the end). The way it is filmed is almost documentary like in the way it's presented. I found it rather boring and not much of a story - which is obvious when it's a real story with not much or if anything added to it for a more interesting watch. I didn't care for Choi Soo Jong's character as he was quite strange (to be honest, I just prefer him in more serious roles. In this one his acting is boring but over the top at the same time.) :/
Spoiler Story-line > *What happens during the duration of the movie* >>>>>
Basically, he's an orphan who was dropped off as an infant at a church, he grows up bitter and angry, wants to die and ends up in prison b/c of an attempt and then he finds a book - and starts supporting 3 siblings he read about and then receives a letter in jail from them thanking him for helping them. He then gets released from jail and he starts working in a delivery restaurant and delivers peoples meals to them. and then one day he gets into a fatal car accident and dies. > End of story.
Noble Idiocy is the one I hate the most - it can make my rating fall drastically.
The Truck of Doom can make me laugh sometimes b/c I could just sense it :P But it really makes me think Korean drivers need to go back to drivers Ed. Because obviously they forgot they had breaks.
Amnesia is a two way street with me, it can work if done right and it can ruin or drag a drama if done wrong - so I'm always skeptical when it appears.
Some or most 2nd female leads can drive me up the wall and I just want to send them to Timbuktu -_-
The useless misunderstanding b/c of lack of communication is probably my 2nd most hated thing in dramas. Why can't they just SPEAK?! It's really not that hard lol
Overall, a good political based drama that made you constantly question the morals and actions of it's characters - namely 2 Jang Il Joon and his wife Jo Sohui (who happen to be a real married couple in real life) - I was pretty sure Il Joon was a good guy (as I have never seen the actor play a bad guy role before lol) and I was sure his wife was a bad person (as I've only ever seen her play evil characters) - this drama throws you this way and that way and you can never cast judgement before you get confirmation (that's one thing I loved about this) - it was a constant guessing game and it was never boring.
There were 2 characters that I did not like and I thought they wasted screen time on them (the righteous duo of the campaign group - ugh, I seriously did not like them). Also there was really bad acting delivered by Kim Jay who plays Yoo Min Ki - I swear it's the worst acting I've ever seen by an "actor" He'd put you in pain just by watching his strained expressions. *Definitely the worst acting I've ever seen by an "idol".* and Wang Ji Hye whom I usually like in dramas (whether she plays a good character or a bad one) her acting is usually really good - but she must have been affected by Kim Jay's bad acting b/c it showed up in her quite a few times as well in this... :/
Choi Soo Jong stole the show - I really enjoy this actor in serious leader based shows (President, Comrades and my first drama with him 'Into the Fire'.) His acting is at it's finest in these kinds of roles. I can only hope he will land another powerful leader type drama in the very near future.
The music was good - I particularity recall and liked the ones by Super Junior, 4Men, and I'm pretty sure I heard Bobby Kim but I can't be sure - but I liked those songs the most. The other songs were just there - they weren't bad but they didn't catch me like those ones did. and then there were a couple random new songs in the last episode O.o
I also agree with bmore's comment - it's not as good as Assembly but it was still a good precursor ;)
Insooni "I Will Come Back" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apfgb50kDYU
Youngjun (Brown Eyed Soul) "We Will Meet Again" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCTfPoQgH3g
MtoM "Why Us" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35EIXAlBfCk
And my personal favorite OSTS:
The Comrades of the 1st Squad "Friends" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=943Gp91Ho6A
Kim Jang Hoon "Friends" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjHi8bRb6XI
The ending had me in tears, I couldn't stop crying :'( It's too sad :'(
I'm glad that you will keep it in mind :)
Dae Jo Yeong: A man full of love, honor, selflessness - driven for his people, & sought power for all = a good and right dream.
Kaigu: A man full of hatred, envy and greed - driven by revenge and a lust for power to glorify himself = a bad and wrong dream.
I loved my man Gulsabiwu ^_^ I'm so glad the drama writers didn't break my heart with him <3
This is a very good but very long historical drama, it never drags or gets dull - but there are characters you will hate [Chulin, Kaigu, Shin Hong, Sa Bugu, the other Shin guy, Bu Kiwon, and more]. but the characters you love make everything worthwhile [Dae Jo Yeong, Gulsabiwu, Geom, Mimosa, Geumlan, Jungsang, Dolbal, Jang Sanhae, Bojang, Mo Jang, Dae Dan, Suk Yeong and even Jing Chung of the Khitans later in the series].
This series definitely veers off facts lol *DON'T READ THIS PART IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE HISTORICAL SPOILERISH FACTS* In Wikepedia it states that Xue Rengui doesn't last as long as they made him in this drama - it says he died a long time before this drama shows him. And in history, it says Gulsabiwu (my man) and Dae Jungsang both died at the same time on some mountain (can't remember why right now) - this fact had me worried throughout the drama b/c I loved him so much lol - but this drama goes so far off actual history that they made his character meet Joyeong almost immediately in the drama and they become sworn brothers that last all the way to the very end ^^ I personally was very happy they veered off history for this one ;)
I contemplated dropping this drama around episode 40-50 - I was dragging my feet through mud at that point in the drama for no reason but the fact that I hated Chulin and Joyeong's romance - luckily, I was able to continue after episode 50 b/c that ended thank heavens! and the drama got much better for me ^^
I could have done with less of the jibber jabber between the "stoneheads" as I like to call them [Heuk Sudol, Gaepilsamun, Tung So and Kye Do] - they were all kind of stupid and had big heads and all were basically on the same "level" - they never said anything productive when gripping at one another... :/ Heuk Sudol was a good friend to Joyeong and Gulsabiwu - but other than that, he didn't bring much to the table, he was loyal and a good friend not much more (for me anyways), I did not like the voices of Sudol, or Kye Do when they yelled. Also, I swear Kye Do was the replica of a Billy Goat - that's what he reminded me of whenever he'd shake his head that weird way or sort of "ram" someone with his body.
End rating: 9.0
Dae Jo Yeong is now severely injured, Mo Jang is dead :'( and my favorite Geolsabiu is stuck in the Khitan Tang camp :'( (I know he won't go bad b/c I read the history) but I want him back with his blood brothers!!!
Spoiler Story-line > *What happens during the duration of the movie* >>>>>
Basically, he's an orphan who was dropped off as an infant at a church, he grows up bitter and angry, wants to die and ends up in prison b/c of an attempt and then he finds a book - and starts supporting 3 siblings he read about and then receives a letter in jail from them thanking him for helping them. He then gets released from jail and he starts working in a delivery restaurant and delivers peoples meals to them. and then one day he gets into a fatal car accident and dies. > End of story.
The Truck of Doom can make me laugh sometimes b/c I could just sense it :P But it really makes me think Korean drivers need to go back to drivers Ed. Because obviously they forgot they had breaks.
Amnesia is a two way street with me, it can work if done right and it can ruin or drag a drama if done wrong - so I'm always skeptical when it appears.
Some or most 2nd female leads can drive me up the wall and I just want to send them to Timbuktu -_-
The useless misunderstanding b/c of lack of communication is probably my 2nd most hated thing in dramas. Why can't they just SPEAK?! It's really not that hard lol
There were 2 characters that I did not like and I thought they wasted screen time on them (the righteous duo of the campaign group - ugh, I seriously did not like them). Also there was really bad acting delivered by Kim Jay who plays Yoo Min Ki - I swear it's the worst acting I've ever seen by an "actor" He'd put you in pain just by watching his strained expressions. *Definitely the worst acting I've ever seen by an "idol".* and Wang Ji Hye whom I usually like in dramas (whether she plays a good character or a bad one) her acting is usually really good - but she must have been affected by Kim Jay's bad acting b/c it showed up in her quite a few times as well in this... :/
Choi Soo Jong stole the show - I really enjoy this actor in serious leader based shows (President, Comrades and my first drama with him 'Into the Fire'.) His acting is at it's finest in these kinds of roles. I can only hope he will land another powerful leader type drama in the very near future.
The music was good - I particularity recall and liked the ones by Super Junior, 4Men, and I'm pretty sure I heard Bobby Kim but I can't be sure - but I liked those songs the most. The other songs were just there - they weren't bad but they didn't catch me like those ones did. and then there were a couple random new songs in the last episode O.o
I also agree with bmore's comment - it's not as good as Assembly but it was still a good precursor ;)