You need to be in a certain mood for this one. It is slower and more contemplative than other shows currently airing.

I like that it's a family drama with touches of the familiar makjang elements (inheritance, arranged marriage/one-sided crushes, some disagreements) but done in a way that's refreshingly clean (no backstabbing, no evil family members, no hysterics). A bonus factor for me is seeing Ha Ji Won playing an elegant chaebol heiress for once.

This series is at its strongest when it focuses on the core story of the grandma, her grandchildren, and the legacy she has built. It is also at its most heartbreaking when you think of what real people had to contend with over the arbitrary splitting of a nation (a war that they did not start or even want).

What could have definitely been improved is the length (shorter would have made the story feel more compact) and the choice to focus more on certain characters (the real Ri Moon Seong should have had more moments). I am not too keen with how Kang Ha Neul portrayed Ri Moon Seong also. Maybe it was done on purpose to highlight how different he is from the real one but it did detract slightly from my viewing experience.

Bottomline: This was a good watch. Not flawless, but it did deliver some excellent messages across and it had some outstandingly heartwarming moments.