The beginning of this drama was REALLY weird/strange & if I didn't know by other people how good the drama was despite the first 3-4 episodes (especially ep.1-2) I MIGHT have dropped it (I usually stick around until the main characters come on though lol) but by the middle of episode 5 I got hooked :) I really enjoyed this - I did get bored a little though around episode 46ish... (I think they were dragging to many scenes sometimes) and of course like I thought it would it left me heartbroken in the end (but I was already prepared for that) I'm glad I watched this - for at least being introduced to Bidam <3 His character became my main focus and draw when he arrived in episode 21 - I started falling deeper and deeper in love with his character - he also always had me on my guard though lol A very great character indeed! Story: The dramas main focus is on Deokman becoming Queen (but it is in no way non-fiction lol - I read up on the real history before and while I was watching this and more than one account is fictionalized lol - The only fact was that she becomes Queen & Yushin a great general - that's it lol - everything and I mean everything else is fiction - but I have to say I loved it - I especially LOVED how they portrayed Bidam's character (who was the most fictionalized of all - but who knows MAYBE that's what really went on in history & we just don't know it lol)). The story is about Deokman who is abandoned b/c of a prophecy of Twins being a bad omen for Kings to have - her journey to finding out who she really is, the people she meets along the way (the gender bender in the first quarter) her loves, and her loneliness once in power and the fight to defeat her enemies and protect her people. *I'm not a huge fan of Women rulers (even though I'm a woman myself) they just come off as arrogant and rude to me lol (maybe that's the girl in me though fighting the girl on screen :P)* Acting: Bidam = 10+ for acting and character <3 I fell head over heals for this man and he became my reason for watching as soon as he came into the drama <3 He was so hilarious when he first entered - all the way through episode 34+ He would have me laughing so hard at this antics :P I could never figure him out - was he all he seemed to be? Was he really innocent? Does he have ulterior motives behind what he does? Does he really care for Deokman or is it a farce? Is he a psycho? or just misunderstood? His character was so gray that he never let me let my guard up but I couldn't help but fall for him despite that - he was the real mystery of the drama and one you really only come to fully understand by the end - and he is the only one (besides Cheongmyung) that made me cry on several occasions :'( and I was left sobbing for him in the end :'( *Heartbroken* I loved him SO much! He'll never be forgotten! Yushin = 7- for good character but his acting needed improvement. I liked him a lot in the first quarter of the drama (first 20-25 episodes or so) and I shipped him so hard (I jumped ships around episode 30 something hehe) but his acting became dull and lifeless after that - he didn't show many emotions at all anymore :/ Deokman = 8 for character and her acting was mostly good with a few flaws. I loved her as a "boy" lol, she played that part SO well!!! <3 but when she "changed" somewhere around episode 24...or so *can't remember what episode exactly* after something happened. She just looked rude and arrogant :/ I wondered how someone could change so much in such a short amount of time... her character was totally different - so I had conflicting feelings with her character for quite some time... but I came to feel for her again later in the drama - and I loved all of her scenes with Bidam - it hurts just thinking about them :'( *crying* Young Deokman = 10 Nam Ji Hyun did a WONDERFUL job as the young Deokman - I loved her character so much! she was a joy to watch! Such a talented actress - she never disappoints me in any drama I've seen her in. Young Yushin = 9+ Lee Hyun Woo - what's not to love? ^_^ He was so serious it was cute ;) Cheongmyung (young & adult) = 9 Both of the actors that played this character did an amazing job - and that's saying something b/c I generally don't like Shin Se Kyung but I loved her in this drama *maybe historicals suit her*. I missed Cheongmyung when she left. (talking about the character not the actor this time). Mishil = 9.5 - acting was flawless, I could admire her cleverness but I couldn't like her b/c she was bad - but played a great villain. She was graceful even in her departure. My favorite spouse of hers: Seolwon played by Jun Noh Min <3 His heart was completely devoted to her with no ulterior motives - only love. *Seolwon and Bidam strongly resembled each other in this aspect* Archeon = 10 My beloved Archeon <3 This man was another favorite of mine - I loved seeing him on screen <3 He's loyal, trustworthy, honest, and knew the feelings of the people he was around. Chunchu = 8 Seung Ho played this character flawlessly but I couldn't come to like him b/c he was the biggest threat to my beloved Bidam (and this was what Chunchu thought and a reason why I disliked him more in the end b/c of something he does that hurts my poor Bidam). Music: I love Balbambalba by Hong Gwang Jo - it was the most beautiful and sad song of the drama <3 Wind Flower by IU was also beautiful ^^ I personally loved Kim Nam Gil's song: 'Can't I Love You' (but I never actually heard it in the drama :( even though it is listed in the OST list... 'Mishil's theme' was kind of creepy lol and the song by Uhm Tae Woong was pretty ^^ There was also 1 instrumental I noticed and liked but I can't find it... It was always played where it didn't seem to fit lol - but it was really pretty ^_^ I think I would re-watch this at least every scene that Bidam was in anyways <3