Yupon68

Love Ji Sung, and he never disappoints. This one is not the best KDrama, or of his own, but enjoyable from beginning to end. He always makes good choices. For me, he is the greatest Korean actor, and that is saying a lot because there are so many in this, my favorite genre. Also love his wife Lee Bo Young’s work, and like many think “Mother” is brilliant.

I know all of this.

Agree. There are episodes I enjoyed that work, which pulled me in, but basically this is a muddled series that gets worse with pt 3 after we waited a month for it. I watched for SJK. He spends more than half the series captured and being given the thankless role of watching other actors take over. There are too many KDramas to enjoy, so I won’t be anticipating another season of this mediocre one. Besides, SJK deserves better.

I love the two male leads, most of the cast. The romance was lukewarm until the end when it was playful, but still not very believable. Jang Hyuk is already an established, great actor, but he wasn’t used well. JunHo is even better in Rain or Shine and Confession; has a terrific future because he’s super gifted. Enjoyed much of the series but found the writing erratic especially in the final episodes. Really tired of intrusive mother figures, and this one is a dolt. Good series, but not great.

I love all the actors and enjoy historical dramas. Cinematography and martial arts/sword play/fantasy in this one are excellent. For me, the weakness and lowered score are because of murky writing leading to uneven plotting and unclear storyline. It’s a shame because the actors deserved better.

I gave the series a high rating because of the historical story handled so well, and the leads, whose love story is so poignant, but the sub-plots left me cold, and I wish the FL had been more passionate with Jun Ho's character. No woman being loved by that wonderful man is going to just stand there when he kisses her. I think instead the director and actors created a beautiful, mature romance, but there was no passion, which I found strange. Perhaps the actors just weren't that into each other. But I do like Jin Ah in every other scene with him and co-stars. And what a lovely voice she has. Jun Ho....I don't usually indulge in superlatives, but this actor is so incredibly gifted, not a misstep anywhere, totally immersed in his heartbroken yet strong character. What he’s doing is beyond acting classes, instead an inborn talent that brings the audience deep into his character. In Jun Ho, we are blessed with one of the finest actors in SK, which is the highest praise.

Two of South Korea's finest actors, beautifully choreographed and shot, gentle, sweet, and sexy. And, dammit, once again the man pursues the woman, she gives up everything for him, and he finally abandons her even though he loves her.

Sigh..... The ending is two women together, of course, one taking care of the other, smoking in the cold lonely woods, alone. Once again. The man made the right decision, but didn’t even knock on the door to hold her one last time. He starts to run after her a year later, but the daughter needs him. And the woman will never know. So they are alone in the snowy woods because of his pursuit, and abandonment for all the right reasons, even though he loves her. Once again. Wrenching. And infuriating. And it’s always the woman who is left alone, crushed. Once again.

Yet I still like the rest because they are both so good. They broke my heart.

They’re is no better cast, writer, or production crew in KDrama.

Gong Yoo is one of my favorites, so I watched though I was surprised he made a zombie movie. Never mind that, for sure, because of course it’s an actual movie, brilliant and tragic. And because it’s Korean and Gong Yoo.

I don’t care for corporate dramas, but I watched because I like all the leads. The writing is uneven, and sometimes plotted slowly. There are some nice scenes—especially strong women characters and three interesting love stories. However: being a strong woman does not mean you repeatedly hurt the man who loves you. Either love him, or leave him alone, because no one deserves to be continually hurt. I think the writer blew this truth.

Love LJG, but thought this series was mediocre compared to earlier ones going back at least ten years as among the very best. And he is so thin in this one I was distracted the whole time, worrying about him.

I mostly liked the series, and I appreciate how hard and well the actors worked. Well done. My problem is with the writing, which for me is uneven and too often filled with gaffes. Major issue 1: No criminal, much less a serial killer, will be allowed to go anywhere without handcuffs, much less be allowed to attack visitors or escape. The fact this resulted in horror just makes the stupidity that much worse. It happens too many times to the point of silliness. Issue 2: JKY is a beautiful, talented actor, yet he is often reduced to long, boring scenes of staring at people, especially JKJ’s lovely character. The child actor had to do the same. That might be touching for a bit, but it was used to the point of annoyance. I bet if we pulled those scenes, they would constitute a couple of episodes of staring adoringly. The actors deserved better scripts. Frankly, there is just too much repetition: this could have been a shorter series or even a movie.

Excellent series with both leads very strong, but it is Jang Ki Yong, who plays the villain, who knocked my socks off in a chilling performance. He can do this, then turn around and play tender romantic leads. He’s a fine actor already with a great future.

Second series is wrenching and brilliant with SJK doing his greatest acting and KJW also wonderful. All the actors are truly good, but these two are at a different level.

I have loved SJK in all his performances: he’s always been a fine actor and of course a beautiful man. But in Arthdal, playing essentially two parts, he has moved to a new level in his acting. He has to work through so many experiences and emotions, and he both delighted me and broke my heart. He is a great actor in this series—phenomenal.

Yoo Ah In at a young age is one of Korea’s greatest actors, and this is one of its finest dramas. It is slow and leisurely, with great classical music the brilliant leads play themselves. The “love affair” is truly love, but there is also a love affair with music. My only point off is because I found the sub plots tedious when all I wanted was these two characters to play the music and love one another. The actors do both and create a masterpiece together, filled with tenderness, passion, and beauty.

Talented, charming actor who more than held his own with Yoo Ah-In. No small feat.

I agree. I love him, too, but for me he has never matched his performance in “I Hear Your Voice”. Ever since, he has been playing the same or a similar role. He always looks and sounds the same: charming, beautiful, and talented, yes, but the same expressions, body language, stance, etc. I can see the acting, and the brilliant smile never reaches his eyes. Never. He is a performer playing himself. I’m hoping as he matures, he will learn to disappear into characters, each one different in every way. Then he will be the great actor we know he has in him.

Excellent action, powerhouse story, wonderful actors. Strongly recommended as it is so enjoyable, and also more need to know about Korean resistance against Japanese occupation.