Wow, i've only started watching this drama ...and gave up quickly when i realized how many ep it has.
But you definitely convinced me to give it another try.
One of the best articles i read on mydramalist
This drama literally has everything it needs but I'll wait until it ends before I continue watching it ... I just can't stand waiting every week for these types of dramas.
Great review!! IT certainly is a great drama. It's my 2nd sageuk I don't usually go for them for 2 things 1-their length 2-they get sidetracked by romance when their world is falling apart.
Now I don't know what made me start this drama. Probably curious about Kim Myung Min. I thought I'd probably drop it at one point, and oh boy was I wrong! This drama knows how to get you to the heart! Setting and story are intriguing, the characters are all nuanced and complicated, be it "good" or "evil". This drama teaches you not everything can be classified as such. Some characters became enemies, and that wasn't because they were evil. Probably just blinded from reality.
The acting though, from the whole cast is exceptional! The actors all working well together, making me fall in their with their characters. First time seeing Yoo Ah In and I'm totally in love. Byun Yo Han makes my heart hurt. Yoon Gyun Sang makes me smile. First time watching Shin Se Kyung as well and I think she's doing great with her characters. Chun Ho Jin he just makes this face where I want to tell him "it's going to be alright". Kim Myung Min though, he's a legend. It's as you say, he has a way of making you believe in him. I'm as pessimistic about the world as you are, but he makes me believe.
I agree with all the other actors you mentioned and their notable characters, and I'd like to add the actress who plays LBW's wife and the ajuma Mu hyol's grand mother.
Anyways great article you really nailed what makes it great! The writing, acting, pacing of the story, action. It breaks your heart in so many different ways, then revives it with touching moments. The chemistry between the cast is awesome as well :D
Really great review for a great series! Unfortunately while maybe this fictional founding of Joseon was more about equality, in reality women were much better off under Goryeo and every previous Korean dynasty. They could own land and generally had more rights, freedoms, and better treatment. Under the misogynist Confucian doctrines of Joseon, they lost all their freedoms and legal rights and were subordinated to their male relatives in everything. So even in a very fictional sageuk like this, I always have this voice in the back of my mind that wants to yell at the women fighting for a new country to just stop! Women were better off in Goryeo!
Thanks for the awesome article! You probably listed out all my favourite charcaters and described them so well .Although I haven't seen Tree with Deep Roots I'm familiar with other Saeguks and its been a while that I've immersed myself in a Saeguk which feels so out of this world and has me thinking about it all the time ! Pretty much all the characters in SFD capture my interest and even the villains have me understanding them esp Gil Tae Mi..How I loved this guy despite all the bad things he did. I never watch historical dramas as they're airing but I was forced to make an exception with this gem <3
"Not easily loved- genius for I needed time to fall into his trap" - I think KMM likes these kinds of roles, because that's how I've always felt so far. :) The reason I first put this on my ptw-list... but of course the drama is a lot more than him. Now a few of my MDL friends are watching this and of course I have noted their great love for this drama! Your article has, I think, given me the push I needed to finally start watching this.
Fantastic article...thanks for writing it. I never realized that the team of writers was the same as that of so many awesome saeguks and now I understand why this is so good. I am also enjoying it very much and savouring each episode every week, this is definitely one of the best saeguks released lately. I was trying to think which is my favourite of the six dragons but I really love them all...they are all unique in their own ways. :)
I've been downloading all episodes as they come out, I'm just waiting to start (what I already know will be a masterpiece) it when it gets closer to the end - when around at least 45 episodes are out - then it's marathon time for me :D
This drama is awesome! I haven't seen ATWDR but I watched Queen Seon Deok which is my all time favorite historical drama so far. SFD will be added to that list for sure. In the comment section for SFD's mydramalist page someone posted a tumblr link of someone writing the historical background to this drama. It's what I am reading while I wait for the new episodes :D
1 
But you definitely convinced me to give it another try.
One of the best articles i read on mydramalist
Now I don't know what made me start this drama. Probably curious about Kim Myung Min. I thought I'd probably drop it at one point, and oh boy was I wrong! This drama knows how to get you to the heart! Setting and story are intriguing, the characters are all nuanced and complicated, be it "good" or "evil". This drama teaches you not everything can be classified as such. Some characters became enemies, and that wasn't because they were evil. Probably just blinded from reality.
The acting though, from the whole cast is exceptional! The actors all working well together, making me fall in their with their characters. First time seeing Yoo Ah In and I'm totally in love. Byun Yo Han makes my heart hurt. Yoon Gyun Sang makes me smile. First time watching Shin Se Kyung as well and I think she's doing great with her characters. Chun Ho Jin he just makes this face where I want to tell him "it's going to be alright". Kim Myung Min though, he's a legend. It's as you say, he has a way of making you believe in him. I'm as pessimistic about the world as you are, but he makes me believe.
I agree with all the other actors you mentioned and their notable characters, and I'd like to add the actress who plays LBW's wife and the ajuma Mu hyol's grand mother.
Anyways great article you really nailed what makes it great! The writing, acting, pacing of the story, action. It breaks your heart in so many different ways, then revives it with touching moments. The chemistry between the cast is awesome as well :D