Phoebe

I blinked part way through this latest episode (28) and 11 years passed just like that lol.

I agree it's not entirely perfect (partly for reasons I've already stated), but it's still a beautifully crafted drama nonetheless. So yeah sure I will admit that my overall rating is a smidge too high, but in my defense, it’s hard to think clearly when an exceptionally talented and mesmerizing ML is in the picture.

I know what plagiarism is. I also know that the plethora of similarities between My Dearest and Gone with the Wind not only exceed mere ‘inspiration’, they also extend well into Part 2. But to address your accusations, I did not call the writer a liar, although I do deem her less than sincere. As for my ‘seeds of discontent’ not reflecting my actions, I initially dropped the drama because it was difficult to avoid off-putting comparisons between the two works. After a couple more attempts, I was able to detach and give credit where credit was due. The execution of the drama itself (acting, cinematography, etc.) merits the high score. The high score you saw for the second half of the series was not for the entirety of Part 2, it was for Episode 7. Finally, with respect to your comments, please note that whilst I have no issue having my opinions challenged, I do not appreciate being attacked for them. I’ll not again give you the courtesy of a reply if you continue along that vein.

There's long been an unwritten rule in Hollywood about killing children in movies. It's just not something (with a few rare exceptions) that's done. Yet in some Korean dramas (such as this one), kids are getting killed left, right and centre lol. But I do think that this particular child will be spared that fate, no matter how hard LBY tries to do away with him.

The child is indeed a human, but his mother, being a classic sociopath, viewed him more as a means to an end. To her, the baby was initially an asset, but she did not hesitate to get rid of him the minute he became a liability. But I don't believe one has to be evil to survive palace pitfalls as there are many other options that can be just as effective.

'Inspired' is a polite way to explain what would otherwise be considered plagiarism. The writer is being disingenuous in this regard. But the novel Gone With the Wind is now free of copyright restrictions in most countries (with the exception of the US), so the writer has not violated any copyright laws. For me personally, however, the numerous similarities between the two works tainted what would have otherwise been a perfect drama.

Oh yes that's right, she did say that to her maid. That poor child was a means to an end from the get.

He's a possibility as well.

He apparently died from an asthma attack, although I suspect his mother may have indeed killed him as his death was the only way to get herself out of the jam she was in. She may have slipped something into his mouth when she bent down to kiss him or found a way to stifle his breathing whilst she held him. Either way, it sucks to be an infant in this drama.

The FL may very well have been reminiscing with JJ, although I did not sense she was hiding any knowledge of the ML's whereabouts. But then again, we don’t have a time stamp for that discussion and for all we know she could have been reminiscing years after having lived a happy life with him. I doubt it, but hey, anything is possible at this point!

@Isa2 - The impression I got was that she was speaking to someone who was also present at the time as she begins her voice over by recalling a question they once asked her (about what she was thinking that day when riding the swing). That’s not to suggest your scenario is an unlikely one, but as I see it, the ML comes full circle in that episode. He meets the FL (to the sound of flowers) and gets involved in a war he initially wanted no part of, but did so to protect her. Interestingly, the beach is the place where the red string ultimately led the FL and where the ML (perhaps for the last time) once again hears the sound of the flowers.

There wasn't anything that definitively indicated his ultimate fate, but there were hints during scenes when past and presented blended that the ML’s ending would most likely be a tragic (or at the very least, a sad) one. The beach scene is the most obvious where alone, outnumbered, and in a situation where his survival was contingent on a miracle, his final thoughts before facing the enemy were of the woman he loved. Then there’s the FL’s voice over at the end of the first episode where she’s reminiscing about the day she first met him. He’s not been seen in years and whilst that doesn’t necessarily indicate he’s dead, the drama has been marked by a bleakness so unrelenting, such an outcome would not be at all surprising.

I don't know, but think there's often a bit of the real person in every character they play.

The one scene that has stayed with me the longest is the one in the very first episode in Part 1 of the series where an exhausted and bloodied Lee Jang Hyun is on the beach in what appears to be a last stand situation. The snippets of additional information we receive at the start of this series indicate he is dead in present day. Whilst not the most desirable outcome, it fits the trajectory of this drama.

All hope is indeed lost! I have yet to see a drama where the ML has as captivating a presence. Namkoong Min is outstanding in this role.

Loved this drama so much! Everyone was outstanding in it, but the FL was truly exceptional.

You and me both!

I agree with your earlier comment that the timing of her sister's appearance is suspicious, and at first wondered if it was for some nefarious purpose. Whatever her purpose in being there, she ended up serving her sister well (be it willingly or inadvertently). I'm convinced it's a grand scheme as I don't think the FL is in any way stupid, nor do I think she would have tolerated the continued abuse of her staff.

The FL and her male servant are such clever schemers. Loved their 'infiltration' tactics.