Unidentifiable

I tried to watch this, but about 30 minutes in, there's more instances of, "Why? That makes no sense!" than I can count.

episode 2 was painful

This drama was easy to like. The setting made it feel surreal, like a fantasy, and therefore it was easy to forgive a few inconsistencies. I liked all the main characters, their dynamic was fascinating. The antagonists had the potential to shape up to be equally interesting. But 3/4 of the way in, all those very minor inconsistencies added up, as though the story telling didn't give enough details on so many little things, the the characters who at the start, felt so close, started to get really distant... and not particularly comprehensible.
I started with no expectations, was pleasantly surprised and thought that, perhaps, I might actually succeed in finishing a saguek . Oh well, I don't regret it, I still love these characters, but I'd prefer to write my own interpretations, and come to my own conclusions rather than convince myself to swallow whatever the writers are trying to feed me.

On a side note, I spoiled myself for the love triangle before hand, because I hate romantic tension, and I love how much of the drama is not the romance, but the politics. It was obvious from the start who So Ah was going to end up with, and I agree with that; it just could have been better executed.

I must be in the minority. I didn't love this, I found myself skipping more than I watched, and I looked forward to it ending. I can see the appeal, but it's not for everyone, it was too long, far too drawn out for me to enjoy.

I dislike cheesy too. I haven't seen much historical, but I also recommend Haechi - I haven't finished it, it was airing at the time and I got distracted, but it had a brilliant, well constructed start.
I liked Defendant too, and Life on Mars was pretty good, I agree. Watch my favourite drama, Stranger(AKA Secret Forest) also The Guardians, and Solomon's Purjury (Don't be fooled, it's the best school mystery I've ever seen). I also enjoyed Cross, which for all its faults, had a great revenge and redemption story. For hospital politics, try Life, same writer as Stranger, it's a bit weaker, but still far, far better than most.
And I'm currently watching WATCHER , Confession (Loved the start, mystery petered out a bit, but not bad), Designated Survivor:60 Days (Politics A+ though NIS stuff a bit weak), and Children of Nobody. Also, the drama Beautiful World aired earlier this year, I haven't been able to work up the courage just yet, but it looks really, really good.

I hope that's enough. Romance is either nonexistent or minor in all these recommendations, that itself removes a lot of cheese.

EDIT: Also, Nirvana in Fire if you haven't already. Very, very highly rated Chinese historical fantasy, with a revenge plot being a main focal point. And great characters.

Seems more like a rumour. There's been no confirmation.

Are you after just historical? Or is any genre good? I can list more.

The currently airing My Country: The New Age is great.

This was really good, but could have been condensed to half this long.

What episode are you on? because that's not a little spoiler, it's THE spoiler. I'm reluctant to give it away. It's a spoiler which explains the title, which is revealed after all the foreshadowing. Though don't worry, this mix-up makes total sense once it's revealed. If you still want to know, I'll explain.

Consistently fun and serious enough to make me care.

I've only got to that ep myself, but there's a few reasons I can think of:
a) he can easily catch something and not notice. Dangerous to himself.
b) he can pass things on, and not notice. Dangerous to his patients and colleagues.
and c) there'd probably be a lot of hooha about someone who works in pain management not feeling pain and then therefore not necessarily understanding/empathising with it. Of course, we know that's not true, but others, prospective patients may feel uneasy.
With a career that works directly with illness, it may be controversial for him to have CIPA. As mentioned, most people with the illness don't live long enough to get a career, but there'd still be options available.

Thankfully, it is averted.

Every time I see him, I get shivers up my spine. Simply can't get his role as the serial killer in Come and Hug Me out of my mind. He plays a great antagonist.

Interesting, cause in the manga it's somewhat an open ending -> you don't see the end of the surgery. I felt like it was implied that he died and the final panel is merely wishful thinking. That said, I haven't seen the drama and I do hope it's happy after all they go through.

Thanks!

Where did you watch this? It looks good, but I can't find it.

It's my favourite so far this year, so not everyone. People who ignore it are missing out xD It's just a shame subtitles are so slow, I check every few hours, but not yet even for ep 11. This may be one of the reasons.

This was really interesting. Thanks for the article, I would certainly read another analysis.

ML redeemed himself in episode 3. I really disliked him in the first two.