This review may contain spoilers
Grips you with each episode
Such a moving story of 2 true blood brothers and their beliefs / ideals about how their country and government should be like.It was indeed 49 episodes but never felt like they were that many.
Weaved in was a very apt and sufficiently sweet romance between the younger brother and his wife whom he loved more and more only after marriage.
Story: 9.5
The spying within enemy lines simply kept me going . It was so intense and suspenseful that I couldn't help but to stay up late into the night to watch more episodes. It was very painful and heart-wrenching to see each of the communist individuals sacrifice themselves (most of the time via suicide) just to keep their comrades' identities and the mission(s) they had to accomplish, safe from the enemy/authorities. I ask myself often, why would the Chinese keep killing their own people as the torture scenes resemble so much like those of the Japanese . What was humanity like in the past ? This drama has caused me to back to my history textbooks on the worldwide RISE of COMMUNISM by Carl Marx. The only thing that I am pretty upset about such a storyline is that almost all of the key characters had to die at the end. Shen Fang's entire family (including his wife, his father in law and his house servant Uncle Hu) except for his elder brother Shen Lin, all had to die so tragically, some even did so sacrificially. How I wish there were more that survived.
Acting/Cast: 10
Each character was intricately weaved in and their emotions were clearly evident and full of realism from the 1st to the last episode. I cannot give anything better than a perfect score.
Music: 10
The lyrics of the OST are very appropriate
Music was also grim and relevant for the storyline throughout.
Re-watch Value: 9
Any spy story will always have a high re-watch value by me...This one is no exception because of the suspense that will keep you looking forward. Only thing was the torture and gruesome parts that might not be so comfortable for some viewers.
If you love spy dramas, this is another one highly recommended for you. At least it keeps your mind moving unlike those daily 'lovey-dovey' dramas which most times are pretty impossible to believe in reality.
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