Judilyn Casipong (Judie)

-SPOILER ALERT- I do like historically-themed drama. What I loved in this series is the importance and the presence of women in politics can drive men into madness, into envy, into insecurity, into war. Princess Pyeonggang is not your stereotypical princess. Though her past molded her into a fighter especially she was under care of Cheonjubang, a group extremely opposed to royalties and plans to assassinate them. Her presence charms her followers and infuriates her opponent. This was my first time to see Kim So-hyun on fighting scenes, too, adding awesomeness to a war full of swords and men. Hae Mo-yong is an herb trader but with a secret mission. Fostered under the Sono Tribe of Goguryeo, a Silla spy, and built a connection to Baekje kingdom (as revealed in the last episode) she's the living proof of 'unification of three kingdoms' as Princess Pyeonggang said. A woman treading on thin ice. Tara Jin, a Cheonjubang killer but later one of the great warriors who fought a lot of wars with Princess Pyeonggang. Her fighting scenes is also admirable since I've only seen her as a brat girl in other korean drama series. Queen Jin, a mistress of Gochuga and a concubine of King Pyeongwon, a mother of Geon Mu. Her delivery of a contemptuous letter of Queen Yeon inciting love affair make way on the death of Queen Yeon and the fate of Princess Pyeonggang. She's a necessary witch in the drama to ignite the fire of the story. I admire her extreme care to her son's safety but she's treacherous in the end as she willed to protect her son's crown. Lady Sa, foster mother of On Dal. Her guidance strengthens On Dal's sense of morality of which trait Princess Pyeonggang fell in love with. Lady Sa is the epitome of warmth of a mother that you don't want to leave behind. She loves On Dal so much that any harm to her son she would not allow as long as she can prevent it. Her passing strongly changed On Dal's confusion and anxiety to finally go back where he belongs. It is always praiseworthy to men who rules the kingdom and who fights for the kingdom. In this series, there's a shed of light on the influence of women to rule men and to fight for the kingdom. This series is worth watching.

My officemate recommended this series to me awhile back. Though skeptic about it but proceeded to watch anyway. While watching the ep1, my intense likeness towards the drama developed. The actor was charming, too charming that I can't help swooning over everytime he smiles in any scene. Or when he got mad. There were casts that I disliked too. Even they are part of the story and they made the series better as the plot unfolds, I get fired up! Taboos are really a sensitive topic to talk about. I love how they deliver it and solve it realistically. I have taken into account some problems, real-life problems in a drama always have a dramatic solution into it. But here, it seemed their ground is how society and other people solves it in real life situations. No other brouhahas involved. I love how the actress here evolved as a confident woman when someone is supporting her. I see other kdramas too where mothers are manipulative and arrange their children's lives according to what they want, who they marry not knowing how can she make her child happy without pulling threads. I did see Jin-ah slowly pulls out from the grasp of her mother though not immediate but adults became adults when they stand on their decisions. Firm and hard stand. Romantic scenes are awesome and exciting. Little thrills while in love gave me butterflies all over. And when the drama ended, there's still a clingy syndrome on me. This drama is indeed superb!

recently, i claimed to like coming-of-age movies. i appreciate this film second to Better Days. Even the film, The Left Ear, has fast transition of the story to sum it all up within two hours duration time, its still packed with the most important parts - plot, conflict, consequences and emotional investment when cherishing a friend and losing one, regrets, helplessness, and forgiving other people as well as forgiving yourself. When one of the characters met a tragic end, it created a wave of misfortunes to those who were left behind. As the film ended, the last words unheard by the left ear was still a mystery to my eyes but moved my heart.

Better Days struck me. The film focused on bullying and its consequences to the orderliness of the society and a character seek refuge to an out-of-school guy living alone. As the film unveils, Better Days is a hopeful film. Whatever your problems were sometimes we only need someone, even just one, who we can count on. And that security is so overwhelming already that perhaps you can say 'I am still lucky' even we don't have everything we wished for.