Overall, highly recommended.

First, about the music: 86 Episodes and only great two songs to take away from it? Not good enough. Admittedly, the two songs are wonderful - just wish there had been more of the same quality; suitable for replay.

That said, I can't understate how important this story is to watch - regardless its execution. The story is well executed overall, but it's unfortunate that its focus was almost exclusively on weapons and agricultural inventions that caused conflict with the great Ming. I would also have liked to see Sejong writing the books he wrote; writing (and/or collaborating on) the songs he wrote; or at least a few nods toward his other achievements that combined to make him truly Great. It's a shame the creation-of -hangeul part of the story was left until nearly the end, but I don't think the importance of its creation was glossed over as a result. It was clearly the crowning achievement.

Personally, I think it was a good call to leave interactions with concubines out of the story, since there was so much more substantive historical content to represent.

True to character issues: A bright and brilliant as Sejong clearly was - how did it take him until 3 episodes before the end of the story to figure out that Choi Manli - and his minions - were mostly just acting on petty greed by the prospect of ordinary people having skills they wanted to own for themselves. We all knew that very soon after the idea of a new writing system was introduced. Surely, Sejong would have discussed this with Manli and discovered that sooner. Poetic license, I guess.

The Choi Manli objection storyline was overplayed, and could have been kept to 3 episodes; time which could have gone to filling out Sejong's character to include the writing and music composition.

Still - it's an important watch for anyone who is interested in Korean History - and I still highly recommend it to everyone!

Leia Mais

Absolutely delightful watch.

I loved getting to know all the characters, and the show was brilliantly cast.
Jung Kyung Ho is uniquely endearing, as always, and I enjoyed all the character development.
Many laugh out loud moments. My very favourite part was finally getting to see Jung Woong In (Lieutenant Paeng) do some real acting - because he gets to play a real person - and not just a generic jerk.

That was the most fun of all, because it really made me like the actor, which I hadn't before.
Well worth anyone's time. There were quite a few emotional bits toward the end, and the writers really knew how to get me invested in each and every character. I was ... dare I say it? ... reformed ❗️😅

Leia Mais

Highly Recommended

I didn't love the lead actress, really. I found her bland and expressionless. But it didn't ruin the show for me, and I would still highly recommend this show.

Good rewatch value, after a while. Lee Yun-gi, who appears to actually be able to ride a horse properly, *and* handle a gun at the same time - absolutely gets the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award for this!!

Honorable mentions to Otani Ryohei (Samurai Kanemaru) & Choi Jae Sung
(Yoon Kang's father).

Lovable characters, hatable characters, twists and turns, and all plot lines well resolved, to my satisfaction.

Leia Mais

I love it because it's very down-to-earth. Very well written, and not contrived.

I did not once get frustrated by a constant barrage of contrived obstacles 'preventing' the main romance from progressing.
TBH, I'm not here for the angst. When a story takes place within a situation that's genuinely difficult to resolve, that's one thing, but I'm getting sick of romances than finally begin in the final episodes of the show, that drag on, and on, with rushed finish. This is not like that.

I was impressed that the early story was mysterious for a while, but resolved itself quite early in the drama, so we could get to see the couple spend some time AS a couple. It was very realistic that they gradually got better and better at resolving their misunderstandings, faster and with less fuss each time. I thought the pace was perfect.

I smiled so much, throughout this show, that I thought my face might stay that way. It was fun, heartwarming, interesting, and had several noble characters who got a chance to show their best aspects to come out in a better place than where they started.

I gave it 9.5 oput of 10 because I couldn't find anything to criticize about it. It was wonderful. It did everything I needed it to do.
The soundtrack didn't make me stop watching to go get the songs, but some were quite nice, and all fitted the story. At no point was the soundtrack annoying, or out of step with the feel of the show.

I will definitely watch it again, just because it made me happy to watch it.
Especially loved the boy who played main chaebol as a kid. ❤️

Leia Mais

A joy to watch - a real "CheerMeUp" story!

What a delightful romp! It was sweet, and made me smile with my heart, made me cry, and just bowled me over, with how impossibly cute, but also uplifting and obviousluy kind, Lee Hong Ki obviously really is ... you can't fake that. He brings it all to this story.

The show gets better and better as it goes on ... with some major twists at the end - all of which are done well, and suit the story perfectly. They don't feel like some cheap last minute stunts, but properly complete the story to everyone's satisfaction. Especially the satisfaction of the viewer.

All the actors did well, and I even took a second look at one actor I previously hadn't liked.
The main actress is as sweet and cute as LHK is and, by the end, I had completely come to love her, too.

It was a really beautiful story. I will carry its warmth around with me for a long while .,. and then definitely watch it again, especially when I need something to cheer me up.
HIGHLY recommended!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Leia Mais

It's not uplifting. Just stress, worry, and disappointment, all the way through.

By episode 30 I was already getting sick of the constant barrage of enemies trying to take down this one poor guy. He never gets a break. All the best cast members die early - Kim Myeong Su,for example, played a great role, and I think I should have checked out when he did.

The whole balance of the thing is lopsided. It's not a bit of adversity, and then a bit of victory here and there, It's just a slog through vileness, grimness, and the sheer onslaught of unsurmountable tragedies.

Drama is supposed to provide a break from the slings and rigors of real life, not a celebration of them.

It's just depressing to watch.
Yuk. I feel dirty. 싫어.

Leia Mais

It's riveting, and satisfying.

This is a wonderful story, with twists and turns, with no annoying plot frustration, and mentally intriguing all the way through. The plot (and legal case) development is exquisite, with no obvious lame plot devices ... it all makes sense and the ending is good. I'm glad they didn't simply manufacture a happy ending for characters who could not possibly have a happy ending.

Memorable characters, character redemption (partial and realistic - which I love), and every actor did their best and performed well. I only gave less than 10 for rewatch value bc once everything is revealed, it's a bit different watching a second time.

Thoroughly recommended. !!

Leia Mais

Exciting right from the start

Kim Nam Gil puts is black belt skills to good use from the very first episode, and the show is riveting - and full of action - right from the beginning. It's obvious the plot has been well thought out, and developed, and so far it's moving at a perfect pace. The main actress is very good - although I would really have liked to see it with Seo Ye Ji - who I think would have suited the role perfectly, mainly bc, along with her small frame, Ye Ji ssi's deep, huge, eyes reflect a streak of genuine vulnerability just underneath the arrogance which might have made this character a little more immediately relatable.

Kim Nam Gil is the perfect choice for this role. From his early days (as Bidam), he has always excelled at portraying someone with a mix of good and evil characteristics, which somehow make him all the more lovable. He quietly wears the burden of his "past" so compellingly in every scene - like a cloak. Excellent casting, and very much looking forward to the rest of this exciting ride! Have not yet seen enough to rate all the music.

Leia Mais