Nirali Bandaru

I just love everything about this drama. It raises important issues like blind trust in friendship, abuse, standing up for yourself and really taking care of yourself! Although there’s the fantasy element, the story is so beautifully crafted. The actors are so good at their roles that you really do end up hating them so much. Highly recommend it!

I finished watching it but left feeling like something was missing. They did a good job of setting up the characters of the baduk girl and the prince. But the relationship between hongjang and hee soo was not developed enough that I could feel any empathy or sympathize with events that followed. Later the King’s character was also a bit contradictory and confusing. I didn’t really like that Hee Soo’s cleverness was a convenient plot device placing her in a role of almost a strategist for multiple people. It became a bit bland and underwhelming later. Nevertheless, it was intriguing at times and at others even gripping. The climax was dragged out but also the revelations could have unfolded gradually rather than be dumped all at once. Overall, acting was fantastic and story was okay.

TLDR; Suicide theme is too graphic and heavy. Can’t continue watching. I am not actively struggling with mental health problems, but this show is way too elaborate in showing mental struggles and suicide topics. They are too heavy. 4 star acting, 3 star story, 1 star for the lack of warning when I started watching. Not at all what I expected from this show. Maybe kind of my fault for not knowing or reading about it ahead of time, but it’s a no-no for me. I feel depressed at the end of 10 episodes and I am not going to put myself through this mental distress when I could be watching something lighthearted and laugh during my free time. Bad choice of drama. Another thing is the way the team dealt with suicidal people. Don’t agree with how it was portrayed and people might actually think that urging someone to go ahead and die as a “bold statement” that will bring about “ultimate realization” that life is a gift and people must go on and not think of death as a solution. It’s kind of haphazard and not well-researched. I was also not aware they used real people and birthdays for the list. That’s crazy. Shame on creators. All of these aside, acting was phenomenal in each “story.” The RM team itself lacks a bit of chemistry so far but it’s okay. Watch it at your own discretion and only if you do not easily get dragged into fictional emotional stories heavily focused on death and suicide.

I was going to write a review along with a response to some mysoginistic reviews but it’s not worth it. The bottom line is: go watch it. It’s a great movie that shows the gradual decline of a marriage and how an innocent woman musters up the courage to face her reality and stands up for herself.

I’ve watched many many historical korean dramas. This one was different. First, it isn’t the classic poor girl rich guy storyline. The protagonist is a noblewoman. Second, she expresses her strong ideals as a woman and does not cross-dress like in some other fictional sageuk dramas. Third, the relationships, conflicts, and resolutions seem very realistic from a certain perspective. I’m not going to spoil it here, but I would say it was worth the watch. I enjoyed it a lot. I deduct one star just because I think it lacked the intensity I like that comes with political intrigue in historical dramas.

Heart-wrenching. There was a time when I hated the movie because it seemed like a tragic end. It took me a while to truly understand the beauty of it and the love that filled the story. The songs from this movie are some of my favorite songs all time. They not only have meaning but truly amplify the experience. I'd recommend that anyone and everyone watch it at some point in their life.

I'm writing this review after re-watching this drama a third time. The beginning was a bit boring for me, but once the elements from the past begin to be revealed, the drama takes a turn and grips your attention. I love the storyline of the 1930's Korea more than the present and wish they had more of it. The OST is phenomenal. Overall, it's a masterpiece and deserves more attention and love. Yoo Ah In's choice of work is unquestionable.

I think for those women who are in constant search of "the one," and never get a break from being with somebody, this movie is a blessing. It teaches how to love oneself and how to truly be comfortable with oneself in a realistic way. The story shows the whole "life is unexpected- you often bump into love when you least expect it" quite well, with all the different characters and their take on love. The only weird and stupid thing about this movie was that the protagonist couldn't zip/unzip her own dress and built a machine to do it for her in the end to demonstrate that she knows how to be single. Other than that, I loved it.

While apparently staying close to historical facts, the drama's production level was high and the acting was top-notch. The plots and politics in the drama were very intriguing and helped me understand more about the working of Joseon Korea. I loved the fact that our hero, Crown Prince Yi San, wasn't portrayed as invincible and was allowed to have very human flaws. Although Yi San is a real historical figure, his characterization in the drama was done well and his development as a political leader was also depicted well. Overall, this drama is for those who enjoy closely following political ploys. It may be too long or too slow for some, and at some points, repetitive. To me, however, it's one of the best historical dramas ever made , with one of the best background ost tracks. I enjoyed watching every second of it.

Drama has more plusses than minuses. Grabbed my attention from beginning to end for its intriguing plot and twists. The world of Arthdal is genuinely creative and well-thought out. I enjoyed every bit. Waiting for part 3. Much love for Song Joong Ki for playing the twins Saya and Eunseom. His acting skills are truly brilliant. Cheers!