This review may contain spoilers
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.
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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