Editorials 
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Positive and Lacking about this drama
Just finished binge watching and I have mixed feelings about this drama. There are definitely positive aspects but there are also some areas where I felt it was lacking.
POSITIVE
• Excellent acting, hands down.
The acting is easily the strongest part of this drama. The micro expressions, especially from Son Ye Jin, really impressed me. Ji Chang Wook and Nana also delivered great performances and I think all three leads carried their characters really well.
• The dialogue is good.
The conversations feel purposeful. The storytelling is poetic, especially in Episode 8, which is my favorite episode.
• The premise is intriguing.
The basic premise immediately makes you curious about where the story is going.
• The three main characters have depth.
I especially appreciated how their characters became more developed toward the final two episodes.
Son Ye Jin’s character feels layered because of the conflict between what she wants, what she believes she deserves and the things she is willing to do to achieve it. Her actions become more understandable as we learn more about her motivations.
Ji Chang Wook’s character also develops beyond his initial impression. His relationships and experiences gradually reveal a more emotional and vulnerable side of him especially when he falls in love with Nana’s character.
Nana’s character is probably the one I found the most interesting to watch develop. She starts out seemingly caught in circumstances beyond her control but as the story progresses, we get to see more of her personality and emotions.
• The nudity felt intentional.
I actually appreciated how the drama handled its nudity. It didn't feel excessive. The scenes felt intentional and appropriate to the story and the characters rather than being gratuitous. I think the drama found a good balance between showing intimacy and keeping it from becoming distracting.
• Very theatrical and poetic
It feels like watching a stage play unfold on screen. Its storytelling is deeply rooted in Korean history and culture, from women’s lives in Joseon to tobacco, silk farming, hanji, and Catholicism. I’m sure there were many more historical details that I’ve forgotten, but without a firm grasp of Korean history, you could easily miss some of its layers. That historical depth is what makes the drama feel so rich.
LACKING
• The lack of a strong score.
The first thing that comes to mind is the lack of music/score. A lot of scenes felt bland because there were scenes that were clearly supposed to feel intense, emotional or suspenseful but the music isn't giving for me.
I think the right score in certain scenes could have made a huge difference. Some scenes felt flatter than they should have which eventually affected the pacing and made certain parts feel boring.
• The chemistry between Ji Chang Wook and Son Ye Jin.
I didn't really feel that spark or intensity between their characters. I don't know if it's a casting issue or if their relationship needed more backstory but I found myself wanting more emotional build up between them.
I think if the drama had spent more time establishing their history and connection, I might have felt more invested in their relationship.
Interestingly, when Ji Chang wook's character finally gets to know Nana's character and starts falling in love with her, that's when I actually felt something. Their dynamic gave me more emotional investment, which I liked.
• I expected more from the cinematography.
Visually, I was expecting a little more. The aspect ratio change during the flashbacks was a nice touch and helped distinguish the different timelines, but beyond that, the overall cinematography felt somewhat underwhelming. Given the time period, I was expecting the visuals to have a stronger sense of atmosphere and identity.
As with many kdrama Netflix Originals, I also noticed some similarities in the color grading, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The cinematography is still solid overall but I think it could have been more distinctive and better suited to the setting. A strong 9 for me, but with a more memorable visual direction, it could have been a perfect 10.
• The overall drama is forgettable in my opinion. While writing this review, I realized I can't remember the name of the characters.
I enjoyed parts of it but I also found myself thinking about how much stronger certain scenes could have been with better execution.
POSITIVE
• Excellent acting, hands down.
The acting is easily the strongest part of this drama. The micro expressions, especially from Son Ye Jin, really impressed me. Ji Chang Wook and Nana also delivered great performances and I think all three leads carried their characters really well.
• The dialogue is good.
The conversations feel purposeful. The storytelling is poetic, especially in Episode 8, which is my favorite episode.
• The premise is intriguing.
The basic premise immediately makes you curious about where the story is going.
• The three main characters have depth.
I especially appreciated how their characters became more developed toward the final two episodes.
Son Ye Jin’s character feels layered because of the conflict between what she wants, what she believes she deserves and the things she is willing to do to achieve it. Her actions become more understandable as we learn more about her motivations.
Ji Chang Wook’s character also develops beyond his initial impression. His relationships and experiences gradually reveal a more emotional and vulnerable side of him especially when he falls in love with Nana’s character.
Nana’s character is probably the one I found the most interesting to watch develop. She starts out seemingly caught in circumstances beyond her control but as the story progresses, we get to see more of her personality and emotions.
• The nudity felt intentional.
I actually appreciated how the drama handled its nudity. It didn't feel excessive. The scenes felt intentional and appropriate to the story and the characters rather than being gratuitous. I think the drama found a good balance between showing intimacy and keeping it from becoming distracting.
• Very theatrical and poetic
It feels like watching a stage play unfold on screen. Its storytelling is deeply rooted in Korean history and culture, from women’s lives in Joseon to tobacco, silk farming, hanji, and Catholicism. I’m sure there were many more historical details that I’ve forgotten, but without a firm grasp of Korean history, you could easily miss some of its layers. That historical depth is what makes the drama feel so rich.
LACKING
• The lack of a strong score.
The first thing that comes to mind is the lack of music/score. A lot of scenes felt bland because there were scenes that were clearly supposed to feel intense, emotional or suspenseful but the music isn't giving for me.
I think the right score in certain scenes could have made a huge difference. Some scenes felt flatter than they should have which eventually affected the pacing and made certain parts feel boring.
• The chemistry between Ji Chang Wook and Son Ye Jin.
I didn't really feel that spark or intensity between their characters. I don't know if it's a casting issue or if their relationship needed more backstory but I found myself wanting more emotional build up between them.
I think if the drama had spent more time establishing their history and connection, I might have felt more invested in their relationship.
Interestingly, when Ji Chang wook's character finally gets to know Nana's character and starts falling in love with her, that's when I actually felt something. Their dynamic gave me more emotional investment, which I liked.
• I expected more from the cinematography.
Visually, I was expecting a little more. The aspect ratio change during the flashbacks was a nice touch and helped distinguish the different timelines, but beyond that, the overall cinematography felt somewhat underwhelming. Given the time period, I was expecting the visuals to have a stronger sense of atmosphere and identity.
As with many kdrama Netflix Originals, I also noticed some similarities in the color grading, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The cinematography is still solid overall but I think it could have been more distinctive and better suited to the setting. A strong 9 for me, but with a more memorable visual direction, it could have been a perfect 10.
• The overall drama is forgettable in my opinion. While writing this review, I realized I can't remember the name of the characters.
I enjoyed parts of it but I also found myself thinking about how much stronger certain scenes could have been with better execution.
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