BEST ROMANCE DRAMA BY FAR.

I don't know how else to describe this drama other than the fact that this is a MASTERPIECE.

My Dearest is simply not as hyped up as it needs to be. "One of the best historical kdramas, best 2023 historical kdrama", guys this is THE drama for me, NOT just in 2023, and not enough words can express how much I love this kdrama. I get that this is a historical kdrama so it's not really a lot of people's thing, but coming from someone who's also not a typical fan of watching historical kdramas (like seriously given the option I would choose a modern drama over historical 9/10 times, usually because I'm not a fan of political/historical stuff and seeing historical costumes) this is an absolute must watch. From the scenery, the story, the acting, the character themselves, to the romance, everything was so perfect to me. Emphasis on 'to me', because I know some people were disappointed with Part 2.

Let's start off with the storyline. For those of you who may not know, the drama's premise is based on Gone With the Wind, Yoo Gil Chae being Scarlett O'Hara and Lee Jang Hyun being Rhett Butler. If you know GWTW, trust me when I say this has a much more satisfying plotline, and while the characters start off acting exactly the same, the character development is outstanding and the latter half of the drama is nothing like the original movie/novel it is based off of. For those that don't know GWTW and decided to search it up, this is a lot less icky since in the original Scarlett is in love with her cousin and they even kiss once - bleh. My Dearest takes place in the 1600s and while I was a little confused with all the history stuff in the beginning, I still understood what was happening for the most part. Basically, the Qing Dynasty is invading the Joseon Dynasty because the Qing are at war with the Ming, and Joseon has friendly relations with the Ming. To sever these relations, the Qing invade Joseon to have an upper hand on the Ming. Anyways, if you're looking for a drama with interesting MCs, friendship, romance, backstabbers, and an interesting storyline, this is the one!! My credentials: Some of my top dramas are Move to Heaven, 2521, Law School, Youth of May, A Time Called You, Penthouse (mostly szn 1), Alchemy of Souls, Our Beloved Summer, and All of Us Are Dead, so if we have the same taste, maybe give this one a shot!

Now down to the actual review part (spoilers!!)

Part 1 - Characters:
Gil Chae. Rich Gil Chae, poor Gil Chae, beautiful Gil Chae, ugly Gil Chae. From an immature, spoiled noblewoman to a selfless and courageous fighter within a few episodes. Her character development was one of my favourite things in this drama. The way she was forced to grow up quickly to protect her friends and family was heartbreaking to watch, and Ahn Eun Jin literally killed this role. The way GC had such modern perspectives in a historical setting was very refreshing and not enough people thought the way she did! The way she reassures Eun Nae that it's not her fault she was almost assaulted by an invader. To be honest their entire friendship with each other and their maids was so heartwarming. The way these women care and look out for each other is not something we see enough in dramas these days.

Jang Hyun. "Do you hear it? It's the sound of the flowers blooming." This line changed lives. The most romantic line I have ever heard come out of someone's mouth. The way Lee Jang Hyun is the STANDARD of standards is something that needs to be studied. He took green flag to the top of the flag pole and kdrama men are fighting for their lives to reach him. I completely understand why people say Namgoong Min is an incredible actor. This was my first time watching one of his roles and I was shell-shocked, in awe of this man's acting. The way his eyes speak volumes of his emotions is insane. He went from being a selfish playboy who never wanted to get married, to the most caring man who only wanted to keep GC safe and would marry her if she allowed it. From someone who didn't even have the word loyalty in his dictionary and couldn't write a single word about it on an exam, to someone who had the most unwavering loyalty to GC during the most difficult times. Part 1 was truly engaging, especially with JH's fight scenes that were very well directed. I just love when men are smart and useful, and that is exactly what JH is throughout this entire drama.

Eun Nae. She is simply so pure and innocent and you can't help but feel bad for her. Growing up in a society of very one track minded women, telling everyone moments before disaster strikes that if you're so much as even touched by an invader your chastity is ruined and you become a disgrace to society (because that's what's important apparently). I can't believe this is truly how people thought back then when this happened, it's absolutely heartbreaking that they place 'chastity' over women's' lives. EN was such a good friend to GC and knew her so well, and didn't even mind it when GC was in love with Yeon Jun (but of course it wasn't true love). I'm so glad that in this version GC never sabotaged EN for YJ's love, and simply chose methods that involved attempting to seduce him lol. She knew from the start where GC's heart was and she was definitely the captain of this ship. bless her. She even supported GC on running away with JH if it would make her happy.

Yeon Jun. What interesting words to describe trash. This man deserved none of these women's love. He was a fool for wanting to protect a King that ran away without even knowing how to fight, it was so pathetic. He definitely was stringing GC along when he knew he would never actually get with her because she didn't fit the typical wife standards. I don't know what EN sees in him and she deserves 100000 times better.

Ryang Eum. What a controversial character!! Although I know we all hate him for what he did, let's face it, it was necessary to continue the story. Dude gave us part 2. I hate YJ more than RE. While RE was indeed selfish and wanted JH to himself while knowing JH would never reciprocate his feelings, let's be sooo for real we would've done the same for JH lol.

Part 1 - Storyline:

To those who thought the drama was boring in the first few episodes, it was necessary to depict the difference in quality of life before, during, and after the Qing invasion. The way the setting went from bright, colourful, and lighthearted scenes of noblewomen only worrying about whether they'll get married or not, to dark, cold, and violent tragedies was a thrilling transition. Again, those fight scenes with JH were one of the more interesting things in Part 1 and it was so cool see JH's swordsmanship. The constant bickering and teasing of our MCs was so funny and kept things hopeful even when disaster strikes. The way they kept on reuniting whether they both knew it or not, was so defining of them as soulmates. The whole invasion taking place was what made it thrilling, worried about what other tragedies would befall our main characters.

After the invasion ended we were again given GC and JH obstacles, with GC not being over YJ and basically telling JH to leave with the Crown Prince. While I want to say it was dumb for her not to have moved on from someone who shows no intentions of being with her, I completely understand it because he was who she grew up admiring for the longest time. YJ is someone she knows while JH is someone who came into her life a few months ago, how scary it would be to trust and love someone she didn't fully know yet? She had to be given time to grow and understand her feelings. In that time GC only grew even further and proved herself to be a savvy independent businesswoman who knew how to make money without a man having to help her.

No matter what people say, she WAITED for JH and I know RE misunderstood that she was engaged but she only agreed after thinking JH was dead because she wanted a better life for her family (especially cause YJ that hoe went off to help the King and left EN to fend for herself), my girl had MOUTHS TO FEED. Anyways, their reunion in Pt. 1 was short-lived but gave us so many romantic scenes. What do you mean JH bought her dozens of floral shoes, what do you mean he asked her to run away with him, what do you MEAN he said he'd become her servant and not just her husband??? Her fiancée knew what he was doing using her dad to get her to stay with him, because deep down he knew her family was the only reason she agreed to marry him and it wasn't because she ever fell in love with him, not once. I can't even remember the asshole's name while writing this. Won Moo. That bitch. Him and YJ fall into the same category - GARBAGEE.

The ending of Pt. 1 brought me to tears, literally nonstop waterfalls, and I never wanted a happy ending for two characters more than for GC and JH. I actually cried in almost every episode here whether it was getting emotional over GC's selflessness, JH's disappointment in winning over GC, or their heartbreaking departures from each other. The most enticing Part 1 to a drama and I will never forget it.

Part 2 - Storyline:

GC and JH apart yet again, and this time not just a few months but a few years. GC is married, JH has a literal princess after him, possibility of the couple getting together?? (never zero!). JH once again proving how smart he is by advising the Crown Prince on how to deal with the Qing's demands. Also, still have to give credit to RE for pushing JH to save the Joseon captives, while he's not by his side in the first half, JH still held up on his end. Although I do think this is something JH would have done regardless. At the end of the day, he is simply someone who deeply cares even when he says he doesn't. And dare I say RE character redemption for telling GC's family about her disappearance. But of course her husband assumes the worst instead (do I hear... insecure jerk!?). Not even joking, him giving up her bail money to those thieves, just because he heard she was sold already is a whole other level of dickhead men in kdramas.

GC truly had it hard in life, and somehow continued to have it hard in Pt. 2. This girl has been through so much like please give her a break. The way she found a way out of every horrible situation she had been in when she had me so worried for her, and how she refused to seek JH's help because she was ashamed of leaving him. The scene where he sees her at the stand about to be sold was so heart wrenching. The way he let her go thinking she'd live her best life even without him and she ended up where he never thought she would. Their love for each other after so many years is what kept me going and you can see it in the way they look at each other. Gag Hwa (the princess) needed to leave them alone omg. But honestly, the GH storyline was so interesting to me, the way they made her slightly similar to GC in the sense of them both not following typical standards for how they should act as women. But you could tell how different she was with the way she thought about people (like the captives). In a way I think she was very similar to JH in Pt. 1, that same type of selfishness and the pride she carried herself with. But JH changed himself for the better. I wanna say what she did to GC only drew the two closer together for the better. JH was so hilarious for pretending to be sick for that long.

One thing I admired is that GC had her own morals and values that she always followed, nothing happened between her and JH until she got an explanation from her husband. Too bad it wasn't an explanation she got but the biggest betrayal. I can't believe that man went and got remarried, while leaving his wife he claimed to care about to die. The thing that had me most upset was the way people were treating her after she was literally kidnapped. The way her own sister was worried she was r**** not because she cared about her but because of their reputation, and the way her own father tried to kill her as he thought it was the only way she could live with herself. The only one who truly cared about her wellbeing back at home was EN. The was exactly what she needed to realize though for her to finally go to JH. Even her own family could not accept her, so she could go to the one who accepted her no matter what, after leaving him once before because of her family. Seriously guys the scene makes me tear up just thinking about it. His acceptance of what she had been through was so beautiful and she finally found a place of comfort and safety she had always longed for. I know some people were debating whether or not she was assaulted but in truth it didn't matter - what mattered was JH didn't care about any of that stuff, she was it for him. We again got to witness the constant pushing and pulling, the distance and the longing, it made my heart feel emotions I've never felt before. It might've been frustrating for some people, but for me, it was the best part of this entire drama. It's the buildup of their romance that's so grand and obvious until they finally collide - what the universe always meant for.

Then tragedy strikes again - surprised, not really. Basically people die and JH wasn't there to save them - oh no they have to follow history, it's fine, we got an episode and a half of peace, I'm not complaining. I truly only cared about GC and JH's ending. All I have to say is, King was so worried about his position for what, bro had to give it up one day.. also that concubine of his? Maddening, and I felt so bad for the Crown Prince and Princess. Also, GH letting go of JH is totally mirroring JH letting go of GC, although it was her threatening him with a knife before she did that lol. The captives finally go free - yay! Honourable mention for Jong Jong and Gu Jam. Then the King's people is sent to kill all the captives, seriously this guy is something else. GC was absolutely spot on about YJ though, since Pt. 1 she said she admired him for never changing and always following his own set of rules, and that's exactly what he did. He was just like everyone else and believed women should kill themselves than continue living if they were touched by invaders, even failed to accept his own wife who has done nothing but support him and she was only grabbed by her wrists. Then goes onto almost kill JH (side note, glad JH's dad died cause he was another disappointing character). Then of course JH nearly dies YET AGAIN. I know some people found the two times memory loss thing ridiculous but lowkey? I'm not sure if it was intentional bc I heard they might've changed the ending for the viewers. But you know how RE told GC the first time JH lost his memory that he thought JH would remember her of all people, and that's exactly what he did the second time. The only thing he remembered was literally only her. Heartbreaking, but beautiful, their reunion (so many reunions) on the beach was gorgeous and I'm just so glad they got the happy ending they deserve. I think his memory loss also caused him to forget RE in that mental hospital cell though poor guy.

Their love story spanned years, and that's one of my favourite things. Their feelings remained the same throughout everything and developed the strongest love I've ever seen, overcoming the greatest obstacles ever to be together. I know since this is a historical kdrama revolving around war and everything, so obviously there are more extremities on what they sacrifice for each other but that's exactly what tugged on my heart strings this entire drama. I don't really get the people saying Pt. 2 wasn't as good, but it may also be that I binged Pt. 1 and 2 while only waiting for the last 2 episodes. While obviously not as great as Pt. 1, Pt. 2 did not fall short of my expectations and I take noo criticism on this lol. People have not seen a GREEN flag until they've seen JH. Every single actor in this drama really sealed the deal, no one was lacking and their delivery for everything was perfect and met my expectations for what people were saying as a great drama. Truly the best drama I have seen by far. IT'S SO DEAR TO ME no one understands!!!

Music:

Lastly, the music. The soundtrack has never left my mind since I completed this drama. I listen to it every night before I fall asleep. With My Heart was beautiful, sang by both Kai and Ahn Eun Jin. My other favourites are The Painted on The Moonlight, and My Star. But my true favourite was definitely the instrumentals, it's etched into my brain - Fate, My Dearest, Lyrical, and With My Heart instrumental.

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Wasted Potential

I remember when I was super excited for this upcoming romcom with top actors Jung Haein and Jung Somin, especially because it was supposedly Haein's first romcom after starring in a long list of melodramas. Well, first of all let's mention the fact that this drama is tagged as a romcom, which it can't even be considered as - there was barely any romance until the very end of this drama, the drama never had any super funny or comedic timing of moments, and there are some heavier topics that make this feel like more of a slice of life than anything. Nothing wrong with this, but if you go into this expecting a light -hearted feel good romance similar to say, Lovely Runner, this is definitely not for you!! In my opinion, this drama was a bit disappointing and definitely wasted the potential to see the two leads shine together as love interests.

Again, with the drama, there are some heavier topics such as issues focused on families, troubles of being an eldest child, miscommunications, expectations coming from a lower class family, and illnesses. There is also a storyline on the leads achieving their dreams and working towards the life they want for themselves. While I do appreciate them delving into these topics and find it relatable myself, it seems the focus on this is what deviated them from showing the romantic build up between bae seokryu (jung somin) and choi seunghyo (jung haein).

What is supposed to be a childhood friends to lovers romance, we see that seokryu and seunghyo grew up together as seunghyo's mom travels a lot for her work and left him in the care of seokryu's mom. This led them to establish a long friendship from kids to adults (if we count their friendship being apart for 10 years before seokryu returns from the US). I like that after seeing each other again, there isn't any awkward interaction between them and it's like a friendship with a lot of banter, honestly kind of like brothers and sisters. We see that they are truly friends, always being there for one another when they need support, but the way they portrayed their relationship made it seem like seunghyo is stuck in an unrequited love. He is petty, childish, and immature with seokryu, which I guess they wrote him that way to show how different he acts towards only her, but it's a silly thing to have him be childish and not communicate in almost 10 full episodes, no development whatsoever. They're both almost 35 for god's sake. From seokryu's side, we don't see a glimpse or a hint that she ever had feelings for seunghyo other than friendly feelings. That's why to me, it didn't seem like a romance, as there were limited scenes of the sort of tension, and chemistry that we expect to see from friends who are slowly turning into lovers. Don't even get me started on the fact that their exes were in one episode too many - as much as it's good for them to get closure, we really didn't need to see that much of them and instead should have focused on seokryu and seunghyo. I would have rather seen more of the second couple's relationship. And finally, when the leads do get together, it's \the issue where their relationship changes too much from when they were friends - how do we go from teasing and insults to such loving comments and interactions between the two?? I honestly prefer them showing the same banter and teasing as before, but it's like they jump from 0 to 100 and changed their entire dynamic. It's cute but it's also a little boring? I would have loved to see how their relationship is SPECIAL because of the fact that they were friends for so long and knew everything about each other. Another thing, as top actors their acting is.. alright? I love them both and I feel bad for saying this but I expected romcom like Byeon Wooseok acted in Lovely Runner, where his romcom side shined, I wish Jung Haein had the same opportunity to show this side of him, but honestly I want to blame the writers for not letting us see this happen.

The second couple I really loved, in fact l liked their storyline more so than the leads. Moeum is a smart, energetic, and badass paramedic, and danho is a clumsy, calm, and kind journalist. From their first interaction I loved their dynamic and their banter, and it was so cute to see her fall in love when it seems like no man would have been good enough for her! I really wish we got to see even more scenes of them as the second couple (and less focus on both of the leads and their exes). One thing I would have liked is if we saw more instances of danho falling for moeum as well. We know danho is kind towards her, but he's presented as a kind and just man who's willing to help anyone with anything. I think I just wanted some indication that the way he felt towards her was more than supposed admiration for her occupation, and that his actions were special and not something he would do for anyone. The way they get together is also a little sudden without enough buildup, but I still love them. We should have gotten them together sooner though!!

Overall, don't go into this drama expecting an amazing romance and chemistry with hilarious side characters. It's a simple drama, nothing that special or fun, but still a decent watch if you want to watch attractive actors.

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