When I read the synopsis form this drama, it immediately appealed to me. However, after reading the reviews, I ended up putting it off for a bit due to how low others had rated it. What a mistake! When I finally decided to watch it, I was hooked from the very first episode. Now, let me make it clear that I do not enjoy melodramas. The constant turmoil and depressive situations of those kinds of dramas wear me out and turn me off. From most of the comments and reviews of Tree of Heaven, this was what I thought it was going to be. Something told me to watch it anyway, and I am so glad that I did. Make no mistake, though. There is conflict and it is a very emotional storyline. If you can't handle that sort of thing, if you want your drama a to always end up with sunshine, lollipops and rainbows, then you will probably not enjoy or appreciate this drama. If, like me, you enjoy well made, touching dramas, then you will not be disappointed if you give Tree of Heaven a try. Despite the conflicts and difficulties the main characters face, there are quite a few cute and sweet moments, and even one or two that might make you giggle. Those moments are why I cannot say that this is a straight melodrama. This is about two people that have been lonely all their lives, that are brought together by the marriage of their parents. Both have gone through the pain of losing one of their parents, and so have a common bond. Despite her new oppa's autism and aloofness, Hana can immediately accept him without judgment, openly giving him her heart as his sister. Such love and acceptance touches Yoon Suh profoundly, and it is because of Hana that he is finally able to come out of his self-inflicted shell and begin to smile and laugh again. It is also the start of a deeper love for them both, one that is forbidden, for how can a brother and a sister love each other as lovers do? Being American, living in a society where, though such a thing might raise an eyebrow or two but is not unheard of or even illegal being as they are not blood related, I did have trouble fully understanding the taboo of the situation, at least at first. However, I have seen a couple of other dramas that touch briefly on this subject and so am aware that this is how it is in Korea and Japan, that once your parents marry, even if you are not blood related, by law and in society, it is seen as the same thing. The cast, I think, was brilliant. Lee Wan as Yoon Suh did an amazing job first by portraying a young autistic man who had trouble dealing with new, powerful emotions, then later as a conflicted man caught between wanting to be beside the woman he loved and ultimately protecting her. Plus, he will absolutely melt your heart whenever he utters Hana's name. He does it so softly and with such tenderness. I was especially impressed with Park Shin Hye's portrayal of Hana. I have liked her in the other dramas I have seen her in, especially You're Beautiful, but this was the first time I have seen her in a more serious, dramatic role. What makes it even more impressive was that she was very young when she acted in this. I think only sixteen. For being so young at the time, I think the casting was of her was brilliant. Even though her character was a couple of years older than her real age, I had no trouble seeing her as an 18-20 year old at all. Plus, her youth just made Hana's innocence and trust so natural. In the end, if you decide to watch this drama, yes, you will get conflict and yes, it is very emotional. However, you will get a very moving, very beautiful love story, a love story more beautiful and haunting than most others that occur in dramas. It will stay in your mind and in your heart long after the final episode. I hope more people will give this drama a try and be touched as much as I was.