Unparalleled
In my 17 years of indulging in Asian dramas, I've had the privilege of encountering a multitude of captivating stories, characters, and narratives. However, I must say, the drama I've recently stumbled upon has left an indelible mark on me and has already etched its place among the finest pieces of Asian drama that I've ever had the pleasure of watching.What sets this drama apart is its remarkable ability to ensnare your emotions and weave a tale so compelling that you find yourself becoming genuinely attached to every single character. This is no ordinary feat, and it's a testament not only to the spectacular writing but also to the deft direction that brings this world to life. The way the palette transitions from soft hues during peaceful times to somber greys during the throes of war is nothing short of artistry. The portrayal of the real war scenes is so vivid and evocative that it transports you right into the heart of the chaos.
The mastery with which the war's tension and thrill are handled reminds me of the standards set by productions like "Kingdom" and "Train to Busan." The sword fighting sequences, choreographed with breathtaking precision, stand tall as some of the best I've witnessed in all my years of watching Asian dramas.
But the true brilliance of this drama doesn't stop at its direction or action; it extends to the acting prowess of its cast. Namkoong Min, a name synonymous with exceptional acting, delivers a performance that transcends mere entertainment. His portrayal captures every microexpression, every subtle thoughtfulness, and a range of emotions from endearment to caution, from a burning desire for revenge to moments of jealousy. It's a masterclass in the art of emotive storytelling.
And then there's the female lead who defies expectations and stereotypes with grace and intelligence. The 99-tailed fox who emerges as an unexpected hero, shattering preconceived notions. She evolves far beyond the anticipated role and emerges as an emblem of strength and depth, reminiscent of iconic characters like Scarlet O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind," yet imbued with a uniqueness that makes her SO MUCH more.
This drama is not something to be missed, and it certainly defies any preconceived notions of what a "mere drama" entails. It's a culmination of meticulously crafted, movie-worthy episodes that seamlessly blend to create an unforgettable narrative tapestry. The way it engages the audience, drawing them into a world so rich and multifaceted, speaks volumes about its caliber. It's a gem that shines brilliantly among the vast sea of Asian dramas, an experience that lingers long after the final scene.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Ambitious & powerful historical epic done with perfection - right down to the supporting roles
Wow! Historical epic. Visually stunning. Magnificent. What starts out harmless is caught up in the merciless story. Please buckle up. "My Dearest" goes all out. Thrilling! Moving! Intoxicating.The excursion leads into a painful chapter of Joseon's past, its historical cornerstones being emotionally successfully captured in striking scenes. Already after the third episode one may have forgotten the harmlessly rocking swings... back when everything was right with the world. On the other hand, the worst at times brings out the best in people. This may certainly be true for our protagonists, because the more hopeless the circumstances, the more persistent their personal commitment.
A dramatic story. A moving love story. An excellent historical drama. Definitely worth seeing. The time around the Qing invasion on the Joseon Peninsula will remain unforgettable for everyone... and the epic relationship of our protagonists too!
What a couple - in the course of their encounters, Namgoong Min and Ahn Eun-jin develop a strong, charismatic attraction for their ambivalent and baffling, yet complex and nuanced characters. All this is visually perfectly staged. Perfection applies overall to the dramaturgical layout of the intertwined personal and political processes. "My Dearest" offers differentiated, touching character portraits right down to the supporting roles. Powerful!
Unfortunately, after the tenth episode, we're stuck for a while before we continue with the second season... But until then, as far as I am concerned, "My Dearest" has been a complete success!
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SIDE NOTE --- the Qing invasion 1636 ---
The historical context of “My Dearest” is quite an issue for Joseon history! For the Korean national self-image the impact of the Qing invasion of 1636 can be reckoned even more traumatic, shameful and dramatic than the unparalleled Japanese invasions of the Imjin Wars in 1592 and 1598. This is because Joseon finally had to ignominiously submit to the Qing and eventually remained their vassal state until the First Sino-Japanese War end of the 19th century. (With Imjin Wars, Joseon was actually able to repel their invaders - at that time with the help of the Ming - and thus could preserve the grandeur of sovereignty.) That second Qing invasion in 1636 went down in history as a truly disastrous defeat. Who likes to remember such a 'weak' king and such unspeakably embarrassing humiliation?
Apart from its touching epic love story, "My Dearest" thus also deals with the narrative of the people of Joseon back in the 17th century - their different positions, either pragmatic or idealistic. That time of the invasion is well documented in diaries of contemporary witnesses. Historical scholars to date, however, have discussed the Qing invasions in Joseon mostly from the perspective of the Qing against the Ming and the political power struggles concerning the Chinese empire. In “My Dearest” the Joseon perspective is given its own emotional narrative. And this is characterized by personalities, ideals, value systems, symbolic gestures, as well as those small and large deeds and sacrifices of inconspicuous people who often fall through the cracks of historiography. So "My Dearest" isn't just heartfelt entertainment. To a certain extent, the KDrama has an identity-forming, great mission and takes it very seriously and right into mass consciousness. Its intention is to be suitably great. It offers portraits of the people at that time an how they were processing historically questionable/questioned decisions, too. It brings us close to the dilemma of that time. And greatly so.
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historical masterpiece
"The romance in My Dearest is unlike anything viewers have seen before, it's so heart-wrenching and horrific." It is a historical masterpiece. I enjoyed every scene in it........
I am excited to see the rest of the episodes, and I was happy to have another part to complete 20 episodes that would satisfy me..
The thing that caught my attention the most is the character of the heroes،The picturesque scenes...the directing was great, the fighting scenes were also amazing.
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1An unforgettable watching experience—depicting the most beautiful angst imaginable.
Every drama fan wants to escape into a drama, but we all have different criteria for the kind of escape we want (or perhaps your mood changes it). My criteria is always the same: I want an escape that moves me, makes me examine myself or society at large, or creates intense emotional turmoil within me. 'My Dearest' perfectly bottled that escape and spoon-fed me enough of it each week to create such intense obsession levels within my very soul. I personally land on the side that it's a drama worthy of its hype-level bombardment. If you're someone that wants a similar kind of escape as me, this drama will certainly sate that addiction.Gil Chae and Jang Hyun are put through A LOT. Their initial silliness, selfishness, and immaturity take an intensely dramatic turn—the potent need for survival and the protection of those they hold most dear take the reigns (nothing could be more important). Through the course of the drama, they evolve into their strongest and best versions of themselves. Their character arcs are largely absent from each other. But in those moments where they happen to converge, it's beautiful sparks of devotion—pieces laid on the ground between them that they can't quite trust or merge into a full picture (but that they intensely look forward to nevertheless). It's angst in its most beautiful and pure form, and I consumed every second of it STRAIGHT into my angst-loving veins.
This drama ensnared and stamped an indelible mark on ALL my emotions. The journey was hard wrought, but intensely beautiful. The depiction of wartime: unparalleled. The focus on this specific time period: unique. The evolution of the FL from an immature young woman, to a responsible and enduring survivalist: satisfying. The characterization of our male lead Jang Hyun—brought to life by Namkoong Min: career definingly brilliant.
May the wait for Part 2 in October be short.
May we all find other dramas in the meantime to feed our addiction.
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EMOTION
The exceptional melodrama, "My Dearest." With each episode, this remarkable series evokes a unique spectrum of emotions.The drama's consistent portrayal of pain is interwoven with diverse themes, creating a captivating narrative that resonates deeply with viewers. As the story unfolds, it takes us on a journey of emotional growth and self-discovery.
Your emotions rise with every episode and in the end it floods.
As an individual who is deeply attuned to emotions, I found an immediate connection with "My Dearest." It has become a part of my life, and I cherish the impact it has had on me.
I want everybody to please refrain themselves from comparing "MY DEAREST" with other works.
"My Dearest" exists in a realm of its own, OFFERING profound emotional experience.
While there is much I could express, I believe the single word, "emotion," encapsulates the essence of this extraordinary drama.
Furthermore, I would like to highlight the exceptional characterization of Lee Jang Hyun.
THE BEST CHARACTER ONE CAN WRITE, I ADMIRE HIM THE MOST.
NAMKOONG MIN WAS THE GREAT CHOICE FOR LEE JANG HYUN.
The slow motions used between episodes to express emotions were particularly effective.
I COULD LITERALLY FEEL MY HEART BEATING LOUDLY.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BOTH PARTS
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If you are trying to decide if you should watch, this is your sign to start ?
I started this drama once before, made it through about 20 minutes, and felt like it was going to be too light (for me), so i turned it off. It wasn’t until i read someone else’s review (months later) explaining that it only starts off that way, and once you make it to the end of the first episode you will see things get much, much darker and intense. I am so glad i read that review! I’ve read so many beautifully written reviews on this site… this one will pale in comparison, but i will do my best 😊(bc someone’s review is what made me give it a second chance)So just for reference i prefer more intense, dark, serious dramas - some favorites have been The Rebel Princess, Rise of the Phoenixes, Advisors Alliance, Crowned Clown, My Journey to You, Kunning Palace, My Country The New Age, Ruyi’s, Yanxi, The Double, Nirvana on Fire, Qin Dynasty Epic, Palace of Devotion etc… this has easily become one of my top 5 dramas I’ve ever watched!
This drama has it all (at least for me) - INCREDIBLE production, unbelievable casting, acting and costumes… political scheming, war, action, love, humor (that made sense), ups and downs of life, character growth and development, and so much more….
The production of every episode was truly like a movie - stunning, incredible music that helped narrate a beautifully written story….. beautiful landscapes, towns, palaces….. the costumes were incredible - things were not PERFECTLY NEW and crisp and clean, things looked handmade and worn and realistic. So many dramas look like they just cut the tags off of a brand new costume - but this one, everything looked authentic - from Emperor Hong Taiji’s elaborate costumes to normal everyday people.
The casting - i have never experienced a more perfect cast in any other drama (and possibly any show) I’ve ever watched. Every single person, from the leads to the extras to the children used in flashback scenes were absolutely spot on perfection. Obviously Lee Jamg-Hyun and Gil Chae were incredible, but for me, Ryang Eum was phenomenal. To be able to play that role the way he did, and still feel compassion and understanding towards him was amazing. It could have so easily been a character I hated and couldn’t stand, but that wasn’t the case. King Injo made me more and more frustrated and angry the further the drama went - which is a credit to his acting. He was perfect. The crown prince, Kyung Eun-Ae, Jong Jong, general Yong, Bang Doo, Gak Hwa…. i am not exaggerating when i say every single actor and performance in the entire production from start to finish was sensational. It was mind blowing 🤯
I admittedly do not care for light hearted, goofy dramas…. And try to avoid dramas with too much comedy all together, but the humor that was sprinkled into this was absolute perfection, and not overdone AT ALL. Characters personalities or playful banter between a couple - it all made sense! Of course there were things that some of the characters did that confused and frustrated me…. But people are complicated! to me this helped make the drama more and more believable. It felt like i was literally watching someone’s life, with their quirks and traumas, and how they deal with them. Absolutely incredible! People will not always do what makes sense in our mind, and that was definitely the case in this drama.
I could truly go on and on about this drama, but don’t want to ruin it or spoil anything for anybody who is planning on watching it. I cried like an idiot, laughed from my gut, and really truthfully enjoyed watching every second of this (i binged both parts in 3 days)… and if you’re watching it like i did, part 2 continues seamlessly from part 1… It was magnificent! An absolute masterpiece!
If i had to find something to criticize, it would be 2 things…. 1.) Ryang Eum’s grey wig in part 2 lol (which obviously isn’t a big deal lol). And 2.) trying to figure out what to watch after this absolute masterpiece….. i really don’t know what to watch now lol……. other than that it was truly an amazing experience! 10 out of 10!
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The Titanic of K-Dramas
After years of watching K-dramas, I actually created a MDL account just to write this review. I was instantly hooked and very impressed,which is rare, and my amazement continues with each episode aired. This seems unprecedented in comparison to other dramas I have watched. If I must compare, I would say this drama is on the level of Titanic, an American film, with regards to storytelling and emotional acting. I'm eager for more episodes to be released. I am blown away by every aspect of this drama. The Soundtrack is equally impressive, my kids don't complain about the orchestra music when I turn up the volume to cover my crying 🥲😅.This is a must watch Drama.
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"It's time for you to stop playing hard to get" -Jang Hyun
My Dearest is about a noblewoman who is separated from a mysterious traveler upon the Qing invasion.The pacing is great and I like that the external conflict is quickly set-up, along with Jang Hyun mysterious background. The fact that he’s a stranger coming to a new place is intriguing. The most enjoyable part in the series was the invasion, especially the one in ep 4. Regarding Gil Chae’s character, I’m a bit lukewarm to her as she’s a bit wild and too proud of herself.
Production-wise, it is stunning! Seeing as it is a miniseries, it doesn't have to worry about stretching its budget so every single shot looks like a movie. There are a lot of breathtaking scenery, everything is so wonderful. The use of color was both very artistic and engaging.
But to be honest, I was a bit struggling as I don't fall in love with the main plot which is the romance T.T
I enjoy the couple when they're together, but I was not enjoying their constant push and pull. So in most episodes I couldn't feel the emotional engagement of their scenes. Since the closure doesn't feel very "ending" as it is a two-part show, I'm curious on how the story goes; more on Jang Hyun’s story and I am anticipating for on point romance beyond all these emotional sufferings.
(SPOILER part) I think both of them need to be more honest. Gil Chae keeps in denial and does not confess her thoughts to Jang Hyun, while desperately crying for him when he's not around. However, I understand her hesitation because Jang Hyun chooses not to marry, so I agree with her final decision. Even though Jang Hyun finally shows his true feelings too, he still chooses to consistently leave, without enough explanations and believable promises.
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Boring
Pretty bad story, Yoo Gil Chae has a personality that would give warning bells to every single man in the world that she has a cheater, everything and today's term would be one that classifies her as a Golddigger, from EP1 to EP10 has been about what she can get out from from people but wants the person.She wants everyone to do everything for her and buy her stuff, and she then accuses Lee Jang Hyun of being exactly who she is.
Lee Jang Hyun is very loyal, honest, no matter how bad Yoo Gil Chae treats Lee Jang Hyun he is still willing to do everything for her, even if he knows that Yoo Gil Chae will just give him pain in return.
She reminds a bit of men who use surrogate mothers want them to do things for them but then want nothing to do with the person at all.
It's a wonder Yoo Gil Chae even has friends in this series with her personality she actually deserves a really bad marriage.
Hope then Lee Jang Hyun in season 2 really gets a better woman. Not someone who is willing to throw themselves under any man because they believe that men can be their savior, you should save yourself not sell your body for some temporary protection.
A good ending to the series in season two would be that Yoo Gil Chae, has a horrible marriage when she learns that her husband lied, and she finds out the whole truth, so she brings pain to herself through her constant negative and bad decisions, and that she accuses and claims things that aren't true, where she realizes that everything she has accused Lee Jang Hyun of is exactly what she is, and that Lee Jang Hyun was really a man who was honest and that Lee Jang Hyun is dating a strong independent woman who is really normal in the head since Yoo Gil Chae gets to see the marriage she could have had so she gets even more regrets in life. That would be a happy ending.
That would be the best ending for this series.
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This review may contain spoilers
Biggest disappointment, last 2 episodes ruined the drama
At this point, dramas that fumble the ending just feel like a disrespect to the audience who invest hours into these shows. I'm shocked that people praise Gil Chae's actions as 'realistic' and 'powerful' when, for me, her actions seem pathetic. The root of her choices stems from her unwavering view that Jang Hyun is a womanizer who is unfaithful, it kills me to the core that even by the end she still doubts him. Of all the people I'd expect her to realise how true and deep his love for her is. This man went through physical torture when he was captured, for her sake. He would've never risked his life or joined the war if it wasn't for her sake, yet she has the audacity to say that he left her?? That he's always leaving her? The whole marriage plot at the end was so unnecessary and stupid. Ryum Eu's lie hits the nail on the head as another useless obstacle placed at the end for the sake of drama. I was hoping he'd develop a little, Ryum Eu, since he saw firsthand how much Jang Hyun risked for Gil Chae's sake, but for him to remain as stubborn and cruel in the end made me lose any form of respect I had for him.I absolutely love Jang Hyun, he's a very nuanced character. First, he's known as a man who doesn't agree to marriage (finding that during that era many marriages were superficial) he comes across as a shallow man, but later on we realize that his love for Gil Chae changes his outlook on his stance, he finds true love and completely commits to it. I also understand why he didn't tell Gil Chae that he saved her, he wanted for once Gil Chae to want him for him, not because she felt indebted to him. It's like throughout the whole drama Gil Chae never matured enough to realize that she can love Jang Hyun because he's a kind soul who would sacrifice anything for her-instead she's always looking for reasons to doubt him, and when she finds any reasons (grasping at straws) she sticks with it.
Gil Chae only ever loves Jang Hyun when he's not with her. She's too immature to communicate her frustrations with him when they are face-to-face. It creates a predictable cycle where, only when, Jang Hyun leaves does Gil Chae realize how much she loves him and takes him for granted. Then when they are back all they do is argue, mostly because of Gil Chae's dobutfulness.
I'm so disappointed in Gil Chae's character development, it really felt like in episodes 6-8 she was finally realizing how wrong she had been in the past, and then in episodes 9-10 she reverts to her naive self who lacks communication. In the beginning, Gil Chae isn't a good person either, she manipulates the men around her for her benefit. Then when war breaks she's forced to mature and realize who she cares about. Yet every time she had any semblance of peace, she goes back to her naive self--finally, she breaks out of that when she realizes she does love Jang Hyun. So WHYYY in the last two episodes does she once again reverts to her immature self, it's just frustrating.
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This review may contain spoilers
People will do whatever it takes to survive; those who will not do so are bound to perish.
People will do whatever it takes to survive; those who will not do so are bound to perish.It is a very well-written story, and although it cannot be considered historically perfect, I found it to be largely accurate.
Romance might be at the centre, but its historical war setting plays just as big a role, too. Its intense focus on the ruthlessness of war, neatly tackling transformation, development, longing, loss and the deep unfairness of life, is nothing less than top-notch.
My Dearest not only explores life in times of war but people's reactions to it, and as such, war is questioned by many of the characters from different perspectives.
Of course, in times of war, prisoners were victims of constant physical and psychological abuse, torture and humiliation, and the unfairness of it all could reach inhumane limits.
The women were the target of rape and sexual abuse and were even expected to take their own lives if there was so much as an encounter with an enemy because, to society and their families, they were not pure anymore.
It is outstanding how most of our main characters show a grey moral character and emotional flaws, and their bad traits receive as much attention, or even more, than the good ones.
The costumes, scenery, cinematography and realistic scenes of the horrors of war are the best I've seen in a sageuk.
A must-watch.
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Gone with the Wind, My Dearest…
It’s worth noting that the genre tags on MDL are historical, romance, drama, melodrama and not comedy, because even though the start has all the hallmarks of a romcom, as it progresses it gets a great deal more serious. I didn’t find the transition in Episode 4 altogether convincing and that is probably because the contrast in tone and overall production style between the start and what was to come is so marked that I couldn’t reconcile them. By the end, the impression was that I had watched two different dramas. Yes I do get that the writer wanted a contrast between peace and war, but for me, the frivolous approach to the opening didn’t lay a credible foundation for what was to come.There is now a well established practice of sugar-coating a 21C story with pretty costumes and sets borrowed from an earlier era and dumping all the inconvenient things like the contemporaneous social rules and attitudes. The opening three episodes of this production sit very squarely in that camp. The costumes and sets are far too rich, clean and bright for the period and the social interactions are so far from the 17C that they had to script a line about how this village had lax attitudes to contact between men and women.
The story then transitions into sweeping epic mode and does a very creditable job of fulfilling the demands of flawed characters, poisoned chalices and lesser of two evils choices. At heart it is a love story and the character development of the two lead characters is the thread that binds it all together. This first part focuses more on how war and difficulty transforms our heroine from petulant, manipulative teenager to a strong and capable woman. And I suspect that the second half will focus on the male protagonist whose character also needs to grow somewhat.
The plot surrounding this love story is the politics of the time, which is given a creditable depth with a side serving of weeping melo. My gripe, which is not overly huge, is that the love story and the politics were not quite enmeshed enough for me. As a result it felt a little fragmented. The male protagonist was half-heartedly twisted into the political plot, which was correct for his character, but not helpful for overall cohesion.
I did enjoy the range of characters which offered the actors a chance to get their teeth into them with varying degrees of success. Namkoong Min can be smooth, slippery and enticing anywhere, and I think that Ahn Yun Jin stepped up to the plate with the later episodes, but her performance was a little patchy in places. Perhaps because of the irreconcilable styles I mentioned earlier. Another notable performance for me was Choi Young Woo as the barbarian general.
The music was a mixed bag. I liked the opening sequence, the low camera angle, the muted tones and the silence followed by strains of music that had echoes of history in it. But we soon graduated to the hackneyed swelling strings and a full-on Kolly-Bollywood dance. In general, the music disappointed. The introduction to the unsurpassable singer (Ryang Eum) in the story just felt ordinary to me, although later instances were more convincing. There were however, some good OST ballads, mostly used for the ending credits.
Overall, it would be churlish to call this production average. What stops it from being exceptional is the uneven writing that created a somewhat bumpy ride. However, it was good enough for me to want to embark on part 2 when it arrives.
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