Very beautiful series. Really wanted to see how this series would stack up against "Dae Jang Geum (2003)" and "Dong Yi (2010)." I thought it did really well. Considering most of the actors were from "Dae Jang Geum." I also wanted to see how Han Ji Min (Seong Song Yeon) would do since I first saw her a month ago on "All In (2003)." Considering she had a rough ending in the series, the writers did a great job of using her as a damo in the art department and helping the Crown Prince/King on multiple occasions. This was also my first time seeing Lee Seo Jin (Yi San). Now this is one guy who no matter his age he will look older. It looked that way to me on the thumbnail pic for the series on here and on the next series I am going to watch which is "Phoenix (2004)." Now on that thumbnail he looked super old and he was 3 yours younger than in Yi San! Regardless, can't wait to see how he does on that romantic drama. I thought he was awesome as Yi San. He had this swagger and look about him similar to Barack Obama. And this was before Barack Obama became President! Also, for the first time seeing him, I was impressed with Lee Jong Soo (Park Dae Su). The timeline of friendship since kids between Yi San, Song Yeon and Dae Su was very special. I will never forget the snapshot of the 3 kids early in the series on the mountain when Dae Su found out Yi San was Crown Prince. He bowed down and asked for forgiveness and the rest was history. The supporting cast was awesome. Three I didn't know about and was impressed with and many of which I saw in Jang Geum. The three I didn't know was my favorite king ever in Lee Jong Soo (King Yeongjo), Hang Sin Jin (Hong Guk Yeong) and Ji Sang Ryeol (Lee Chun). King Y was smart, quick witted and funny and was instrumental in helping Yi San become that man he was. I did enjoy what Hong Guk Yeong offered on the show until he turned dark. I think it was too late in the series and should have had Song Chang Eui (Jong Yak Yong) relieve him at about the 60th episode mark. Ji Sang Ryeol was incredible comic relief. Now for the many actors I've seen previously on "Dae Jang Geum" and want to recognize are Kyeon Mi Ri (Lady Hyegyeong), Kim Yeo Jin (Queen Dowager), Kyeong Hwan Jo (Choi Seok Ju), Lee Do Eun (Yang Cho Bi), Maeng Sang Hoon (Nam Si Cho), Park Eun Hye (Queen Hyoui), Shin Gook (Chief Art Dept.), Im Hyun Sik (Retired Artist), Lee Hee Do (Dae Su's Uncle) and Kim So Yi (Queen Hyoui's Servant). Ultimately, it was my favorite male lead historical kdrama. However, for me #1 is still "Dae Jang Geum (2003)," #2 "Yi San, Wind in the Palace (2007)" and #3 "Dong Yi (2010)." Still got some monster historical kdramas to watch in "The Great Queen Seondeok (2009)," "Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)," "Tree With Deep Roots (2011)," "The Princess's Man (2011)," "Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)," "Tale of Arang (2012)," "Empress Ki (2013)" and a few others around this time but those are my top 3 for now.