Can I just say how insanely pretty Dong Yoon is cross-dressed in this with almost no makeup?? I can see why Dong Yoon and So Hyun won the "Best Couple Award" for this. Their chemistry is excellent, and their scenes are easily the best part of this drama. The first half is a lot better than the second half, mainly because the hilarious comedy scenes are so well balanced with the romance and character development, gradually developing the political plotline in the background. It's very rare for a drama to full on make me cry from laughing so hard, but Dong Yoon plays his part as a woman too well. Unfortunately, it's only when the comedy takes more of a backseat to the politics and Nokdu's cliche backstory that the drama nosedived for me. However, the actors and actresses all play their roles perfectly to a satisfying end, and the OST is really not to be missed. This is definitely not the best written show, but I highly recommend at least watching the first half, and you can then choose to drop or continue.
8/10 overall, but I would rate the first half a 9.5/10 (very minor flaws)
I was only able to finish this for Lee Jae Wook. He's as great as always (so is LJY), but the story, and especially the FL, bring it down after the great first 2 episodes. There is an unnecessary love triangle with zero chemistry, and the girl does not know how to act whatsoever, so every scene with her made me groan and fast forward. This is the first time a drama has completely failed to connect to me emotionally. This should have been more bromance, and they should have cut the FL completely. It would have been a lot better without everything that has to do with her. One of the worst FL actors I've seen in kdramas! 7/10
Didn't really get more invested in the murder mystery until halfway through the drama. I think a lot of it was unnecessarily dragged out in the background, and there should have been more time with the ML and FL to develop their relationship. By the end of the series, I just felt like the whole thing was rushed. There also weren't any powerful moments for the ML or FL to really show their acting skills. It was overall fun when it was about the romance and comedy, but very generic and cliche when it came to everything else. I only watched it for JDY and this is definitely one of the weakest projects he's done.
VERY headstrong and smart FL where I absolutely loved Seol In Ah's acting (basically a no-nonsense girl that doesn't beat around the bush), and the other two MLs are amazing actors as well. JDY is a legend who I've loved from Day 1, and CYW was a pleasant surprise for me. The trio have such perfect chemistry and character writing, which really makes for an exciting and well-developed bromance and romance in this drama. The MLs perfectly play the overemotional and intense moments, as well as the more silent moments with calmer, cold fury gradually building within their eyes. It makes the character transformations really great to watch unfold. I was rooting for LDH's happy ending until the very end as this drama puts him through hell with lots of self-development, but there's so many other characters including the other ML, FL, and their families that really get developed as characters. All of them get very satisfying and deserving conclusions too! Only minor complaints I have is that the production value sometimes feels like it drops and that some parts are dragged out unnecessarily, but it didn't bother me as much. The OST is really great as well. 8.5/10
Now like many say, this drama really plays on historical nostalgia which only resonates with Koreans. Apparently, a lot of the story plots heavily rely on the historical events and implication of that era, so something like that torture scene has a lot more historical context. Even so, as a non-Korean, I really enjoyed this just for the acting, the bromance, the romance, and the OST alone.
It was very interesting for me to find out that almost all of these cases are faithfully based around real cases or labour violations in Korea, which adds a whole lot more meaning to all of them. I especially loved the one about the custodial staff, because that's something I recently saw happen in my own city. The chemistry of the main trio is excellent (JKH is still just as much of a legend with every genre he does) and the comedy is really great when it's focused on, with some action as well. Seeing JKH in a drama is always such a delight, and I'm so glad the other two in the trio are able to match his chaotic energy and deep emotions.
I also learned a fun fact that the statue/Bodhisattva in the first episode is based off a 22 year old Korean (Jeon Tae-il) who set himself on fire in 1970 to raise labour activism and civil rights awareness, when none of the legal and official channels would do anything to prevent the exploitation of workers. This drama is clearly made as a tribute to educate, and I think it did a wonderful job. I'm sure it won't entertain everyone, as you really need to care about the subject matter to find enjoyment in it.
This might be the worst drama in this genre. The stories are so predictable and repetitive. It doesn’t even…
They're all based on real cases from Korea. Makes sense they're predictable, since they're based on real life incidents. This drama is basically a tribute to a Korean symbol that led labour activism.
So glad the love triangle wasn't dragged out. It was resolved quickly and maturely, unlike most melodramas. This let the ML and FL's relationship really breathe and grow at a steady pace. Acting and OST were on point throughout the drama. I also really love how the frames change throughout, and it sometimes puts you into a first person POV where it actually feels like a movie, and you're made to feel what the character is. Bittersweet ending, but the journey was worth the pain. Cried a lot 9/10
ok, but where in the story or not supernatural world does the whole snow man plot makes sense? really disappointing,…
I found out that the Snow Man was an original addition to the drama which is really disappointing. They could have given it more to do, rather than use it for just adding tension and myth lore. I did love the action sequences with it though, but there's so many more parts to the story and characters that I appreciate that I just ignored it exists.
That's fair, but I think you might be misunderstanding it. I'm not sure if you've seen the trailer, but it's hinted…
That's fair. I've just gone through so many dramas, that I've mostly found 8+ or on the higher end of a 7 to be worth the time. And generally, that's what I find most people on the site to believe. However, I do still search around on lower-rated dramas if need be. I think people are just really sensitive about the ratings on this particular drama, because they don't want it to be neglected because of certain inappropriate rumours or misunderstandings behind the siblings leading to rating bombs.
Personally found it poetically fitting. She was given a second chance with the imposter Hongrang's return, but her selfish choices fuelled by greed led her ambitions to collapse and this time she's entirely isolated with no chance of her hopes being fulfilled. No Hongrang is coming back for her this time, and she realized that her hatred was what killed him in the first place. However, I'm just someone who doesn't like killing characters off needlessly, so maybe I'm grasping at straws. I can understand why you think she'd be better off tortured or killed, but to me she came across as too strong-headed to be affected by that over the betrayal she felt. Even dying would just be solace to her now that she has no one.
That's fair, but I think you might be misunderstanding it. I'm not sure if you've seen the trailer, but it's hinted…
Oh that's interesting. I've watched many historic dramas, but I haven't come across any with blood-related relatives getting married. Also, I think it's very fair to rate a drama based on just the writing, like the way I rate largely based on my enjoyment (which I'm sure some would mind). Everyone is entitled to their choices. However, I hope you realize that when I mentioned the acting, I mean the actual acting. Liking actors vs the acting are two different things, and I was exposed to many actors for the first time in this who I loved. It is purely subjective though.
8/10 overall, but I would rate the first half a 9.5/10 (very minor flaws)
Now like many say, this drama really plays on historical nostalgia which only resonates with Koreans. Apparently, a lot of the story plots heavily rely on the historical events and implication of that era, so something like that torture scene has a lot more historical context. Even so, as a non-Korean, I really enjoyed this just for the acting, the bromance, the romance, and the OST alone.
I also learned a fun fact that the statue/Bodhisattva in the first episode is based off a 22 year old Korean (Jeon Tae-il) who set himself on fire in 1970 to raise labour activism and civil rights awareness, when none of the legal and official channels would do anything to prevent the exploitation of workers. This drama is clearly made as a tribute to educate, and I think it did a wonderful job. I'm sure it won't entertain everyone, as you really need to care about the subject matter to find enjoyment in it.