First off, I need to confess that I really like period drama. I'm a real nut when it comes to period drama so I'll watch even the most boring period drama/movie to the very end (I think I've only ever dropped one - some forgettable pained movie with lots of over-acting that was made in 1983).

This wasn't the most boring period drama I've seen but it was tedious - but that was (in my opinion) entirely the point of the movie. It was meant to depict the rawness of life during that time and especially the war, without any of the gloss that you've normally come to see in the recent movies/dramas that are filled with idol actors meant to pretty up the show, or breath-taking cinematic scenes comprising stirring music, beautiful costumes and makeup, glorious scenery, or perfectly choreographed fight scenes. Rather, it paints a realistic (notice I didn't say accurate because this is not based on historical events, just based OFF historical events) depiction of life back then. Lots of blood and gore, plain underwhelming costumes and even brutality and barbarity.

I'm in it for Kang Dong Won and Cha Seung Won and they didn't disappoint. Not something I'd re-watch in a hurry was it was just ab emotionally exhausting albeit fulfilling (and somewhat long) ride.