A drama worth watching for its magnificent cinematic delight and intricate storyline.

I am watching this again the 3rd time and I finally realise what it reminds me of. One word - Operatic.
This was a highly stylised segeuk that could easily be compared and even surpass some renditions of Shakespare at the Royal Albert Hall. I could clearly see the shakesperean influence in the hyper-surreal speech and movement patterns of the characters. Every line had a double, triple meaning and no word was wasted. Atimes, no words were needed, the blink of an eye, sidelooks, long stares, all spoke volumes.
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Every move had a reason and was part of a larger puzzle. Even the wind and breeze was utilised in a most amazing way to convey environmental emotions.
Having the xters speak mind to mind was a brilliant piece of directing and portrayed the high intelligence and brilliant political maneouvering of the main xters.
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And the Dowger Queen - she who sat like an all powerful coiled cobra and sibilantly hissed her way all through the drama - literally stole the show. And when she struck, it was with the force and speed of a wrathful King Cobra. Her venom was lethal and spared no one.
This was one of the greatest ironies of the drama - while Minister Park spent his whole life and formidable intelligence caging the late king and the current king to prevent tyranny (arrogantly so), he failed to see that the real tyrant was one whom he actually helped create. This was a tragedy on an epic shakesperean scale.
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The deep and strong love and respect and loyalty between the King and Consort park/Yoo
solidly portrayed and played out perfectly the strenghts of the xters. Their emotions were
palpable and literally reached through the screen to grab your heart.
The King's reaction to his new born son was so realistic and one of the sweetest moments of the drama.
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And the OST...oh my! This was the check mate that won the game. A modern piece that brilliantly evoked the history and drama that dominated that time period.
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And the costumes - traditional with a distinct modern flare and cut, in gorgeous pastel shades and rich silks and cottons, fit so perfectly well and lent an air of class, elegance and strenght to the xters. I'd wear them today if i could.
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This was Segeuk Opera - the first of its kind.
Shakespear could not have done any better.

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