For me it started slow. At the start of this drama, I wasn't really attached to it. I just watch the episodes for the sake of Yoo Ah In ( because oh god, in all dramas of him I watched, he's hottest in Chicago Typewriter). But as the story progressed (around episode 5) I got attached to it and I found myself glued the whole time. While I was watching it, I was reminded of my country's National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, like at first I thought "wait is this based on Jose Rizal's story?". Like Hwi Young he is a doctor and a writer. Although he is not a leader of any movement (but was accused as a leader, leading to his death), he wrote novels which changed and influenced the revolutionist at that time, also like Hwi Young, he is a great and brilliant man. I think if this drama will be aired in my local channels, many will also find similarities with Hwi Young and Dr. Jose Rizal. ( Hands up fellow Filipinos! Did you feel that too ?) Anyway, the reason why I mentioned that is because of that fact that I liked this drama. It feels good, surprising, exciting to find a drama from another country that also reflects my country's history. Although I did not have first-hand experience with the Japanese occupation of my country, I really emphatize with the it. I read of real stories of what happened during that time and I am sure that it is similar to what Korea have been through. Although those weren't explicitly seen in the drama, I know the cruelties of the Japanese during that time.
I hope my review will not scare those drama fans who doesn't like history type of dramas. This drama is not about history at all (which is boring), it is not about what we've read on books (which are politically corrected). It is a story that focuses on the point of view of the youths stuck in that era. An era were in falling in love is a luxury, and they got no time for that. Also it showed how privilege we are now, that we are living in a liberated country (yes I hope the one reading this also lives in a liberated country). So thank our freedom fighters for that. Kudos to this drama, I hope I will see such dramas in the future too.
