Lovers (2023)

Time to bid adieu

If the whole word is against Gil Chae,I'm siding with the whole word. Most of the viewers didn’t like her. When I was watching ep 4, I thought she was strong even if she has the characteristics of a negative character. I still think she's strong but unlikable.

I liked the character development in Jang Hyun's character.

Eun Ae is more likeable than Gil Chae.

I hope Yeon joon dies dog's death. I don’t have any problem with negative characters. But characters like Yeon Joon who pretend to be upright and equitable but in reality they're vicious. I detest him and this type of people.

The story was overall good but it isn’t thr genre I expected it to be.As I'm not even starting part 2, I can't recommend it.

Leia Mais

A romantic story like no other

Honestly, I don’t even know how to begin this review. Considering this drama is divided in 2 parts, it is quite hard for me to judge only the first half of such a beautiful and angsty drama. BUT I think it deserves all the love it is getting and I really hope that the rumors surrounding the ending of part 1 will not deter other viewers to at least try watching it.

!!!!!! SPOILERS INCOMING BEWARE !!!!!! Not even a proper review, more of an “essay” regarding episode 10 lol

Of course, I understand why many were confused and disappointed about the ending (for a moment I was too) but like I said before, it is only the first half of a story with 10 more episodes airing in October and the love story between the FL and the ML isn’t finished at all, I would even say that it didn’t fully begin yet. I feel like the character growth of the FL will be even more obvious in part 2, moreover considering the fact that the FL at the beginning of part 1 and at its ending is no longer the same person already. Of course, she has flaws and it shows but the ML isn’t perfect either! I think they both have their rights and their wrongs in the events following the ML departure to follow the Crown Prince.

I don’t exactly know how much time passed between his departure and his return but how is a young girl, who became against her wishes the new head of the family, supposed to take care of a bunch of people on her own? Even so, she clearly said many times to the general that she couldn’t and wouldn’t love him like he did. She even thought, like all of them, that the ML was dead! But then, he returned, and she wavered of course, because it was very tempting to leave all her responsibilities behind and follow the man of her dreams (literally!). Unfortunately (or fortunately), this story isn’t all about the lovey-dovey stuff, they are living in times of war, with famine and violence knocking at their door nearly each day, so it was perfectly rational of her to choose to stay with her family and friends.

I also saw some comments saying that her letter toward the ML was awful but I believe that it was a brave choice coming from her: she told him that she didn’t love him enough to follow him, but it was the perfect trick to make him “forget” about her, and to live on with his life, completely devoid of regrets or sadness. They will meet again for sure, but for now, this is the ending of this uncertain relationship, in which neither is fully committed to the other, because there are more urgent matters that need to be dealt with first (like the war for the ML and the need to protect one’s family for the FL).

It's not a good look for me but, watching the final episode, I was ready to throw hands with the FL for seemingly toying with the ML’s feelings like that. Then, after calming down a little and doing a serious introspection, I couldn’t stay mad at the FL, because despite her somewhat childish and harsh character, she still risked her life many times to protect her family, all alone at that! And to throw this fact away just to follow a man she doesn’t know very well (even the viewers don’t have a clue about his past, how is she supposed to know that he is 100% truthful?) it would have been very stupid (in my opinion).

On the other hand, I don’t have much to say about the ML, he is perfectly dreamy and his lines always make my heart melt like snow under the sun, but he’s still a total mystery for now, and I really hope his past life will be addressed correctly in part 2. The appearance of a potential “SFL” made me worry for a little bit, I can’t lie, but honestly, I don’t think the ML have any space in his heart left for a woman other than the FL. I could be wrong, but considering the very beginning of episode 1 when he’s surrounded by soldiers on the beach, he clearly loves her still. Now, will it have a happy ending or a sad one…? I want to believe some theories about them living happily even after but my brain is already telling me to wake up and already prepare for the worst lol.

The only downside about this first part is the weird editing, making it hard to follow the story and its specific timeline. For example, during episode 10, the FL and ML meet a few times during her wedding’s preparations, but for me it felt like they met 3-4 times during the same night, even if logically, it would make more sense if it all happened during the course of a week or so. Also, the editing isn’t very well done during some scenes: hands aren’t positioned the same in different angles, the same motion is repeated at different angles, and sometimes little “zooms” are added in, which made me quite confused. Maybe part 2 will be better in this aspect. So yeah, that’s all for me guys!! I will certainly watch part 1 again before part 2 airs, and maybe I will add some other thoughts in this “review”.

Leia Mais

Daring, heartbreaking, deliciously complicated – a new (high) standard for sageuks

Won't bore you with the retelling of the plot – the MDL summary does a good job of that, plus many of you have probably heard that the scriptwriter was inspired by archetypes and plot threads from the American Civil War saga Gone With the Wind.

My love for this book was what made me check out the first episode, because, unlike Pride & Prejudice, or say, War & Peace, no-one in recent memory tried to reimagine that sweeping tale of conflict, survival, and strong, larger than life people, too stubborn to admit their true feelings.

Some scenes in My Dearest were indeed lifted from Margaret Mitchell's classic, very close to the text. And I'm grateful for them, because they were the only semi-predictable things in the course of this drama, some very necessary stepping stones into the ocean of unpredictability that followed. Anxiety while waiting for new episodes and whiplash after watching them – yeah, it has been a ride.

I must admit, it's rare when I don't have an idea where the things are going in a piece of literature or a movie, given the amount of things I have read/watched over the years. It is also the only drama in my drama-watching career that made me want to learn Korean, because I see how the actors enjoy reciting their lines and feel that the poetry of the spoken text is slipping through the cracks in the subtitles.

There are flaws in the production, to be sure. Aside from the masterpiece that is the main song, the OST is uneven in its quality.

The breathtaking visuals (I mean, look at the poster – the green field with two leads in yellow and blue is pretty unforgettable) and painstakingly executed shots (like when the main lead is taking out his bloody sword from an enemy's body to have a go at another dozen of enemies, and the sword shines ominously) are often botched by some very rushed (I am being generous here) editing, with close-ups that don't match the medium shots, pieces of conversation, the tenor of which contradicts the previous scene, or a sudden change in the editing axis.

It is also nearly impossible to make sense of the timeline or the distances between different locations in one city or one field. Sometimes it is very hard to guess how the characters got from one place to another, if, for instance, they had one horse for two people. And the characters frequently wear the same clothes and the same hair for a couple of days in a row – or, say, change in the morning, but return to the same outfit in the evening (episode 10, I'm looking at you in utter disbelief).

These things drive my inner perfectionist mad – hence some deductions in the overall score. But story-wise, character-wise, acting-wise, this show is close to perfect.

The story – because it touches upon all the things important to a living and breathing person, starting with romance (the linchpin of the story) and going forward with duty, family, friendship, loss, difficult choices, perseverance, hope, loss of thereof, you name it.

The characters – because they are wonderfully three-dimensional and complicated, like real people. The leads are similar and different at the same, tough as nails, but with a tofu heart. They do what they want, make things happen, and command respect and jealousy from people around. Because they are in different stages of their lives and their love to each other (a new and frightening experience for both of them, too), each conversation is a frustrating battle of wits; they throw cruel words at each other like it's nothing and show profound vulnerability a second after. This never-ending alchemical process prevents them from being together – or staying apart for long, unless the distance is more than a few quarters in the same city.

It's a very frustrating watch, and you feel for both of them, but you kind of don't have any notes to give to improve the situation. If only they talked more, not only about feelings, but about the general context of each other lives, or at least spend time observing each other in everyday situations, outside the cycle of breaking apart with anger and reuniting with cute... I presume we must get this in Part 2, because Part 1 was excruciatingly angsty... and all those misunderstandings and lack of communication are, in my opinion, are only slightly above the tried-and-true noble idiocy trope.

(And yes, Ahn Eun-jin and Namgoong Min totally kill their roles. They play off each other splendidly, equally, with loving abandon.)

What I liked most, though, is that all characters in this drama are equally complicated. A mild-mannered lady who faints at the sight of blood may like her drink and pranks. A cynic “I've seen it all, and I'm not naive like you” servant may find himself in a long-lasting love with a girl below his usual standards. Gossipy teachers at a rural school may turn out to be closer than brothers. An idealistic scholar who fights with his eyes closed during a life-and-death situation may suddenly throw a punch to protect his family's honor. A noble officer who acts like a goof in front of a girl he likes may be unexpectedly ruthless.

Every character in this story is someone that can surprise you, and you remember them for a long time — except for Joseon royals who, unlike their Qing counterparts, are a bunch of wet rugs so far... it's either the acting — after all, none of them are Lee Deok-hwa — or they should become more convincing in Part 2.

Oh, how I am waiting for Part 2, despite the imminent heartbreak! Bring on the pain, author-nim, PD-nim! It's a good kind of pain, the one that reminds you that life unfolds as it should, not as you want it to. That you can't control other people – and you can hardly control your own thoughts and feelings. The heart wants what the heart wants. But if two hearts want the same thing, they would probably find their way towards each other.

Go watch this show. It is better (less bitter) on a second viewing! Your opinion may vary, but the variety of opinions and emotions is a sign of depth, complexity — and that it hit the nerve.

Leia Mais

Another jewel in the historical genre in the Korean dramas

Combined review for Part 1 & 2

What made this show largely watchable?

The material alone guaranteed a well-explored fictional story about the dynamics of love, heroism, politics, persecution, and oppression during the early times when the old Korea was under the control of another country.

The whole cast was amazing. Each character big or small showed a dedicated portrayal of the trace of life back then and can’t help but be affected by their sufferings while watching. Namkoong Min nailed it. I was in awe of his performance here. I had seen him many times in other dramas and with my standards of good looking, I found him a little unattractive before. But my opinion of him changed like a turn of 360 degrees after the show. He got me with that unspeakable charisma in the way he delivered all his dialogues. Indeed he was the best of choice for the role. His leading lady, Ahn Eun Jin, was equally notable. I thought it would be challenging for them to look good together on screen but I find it amusing that their chemistry was building up in every episode and that was something very distinctive about this show also. And those scenes with little pauses or moments of quietness before saying their lines among the main leads were another commendable element of the show.

Like other historical dramas, it practically walked us around again that leading a nation is one gigantic responsibility and it requires a genuine compassion for your people. If you become bound by the greed of the throne and power, destruction follows. Regardless, of whether you have the position or are just an ordinary person, if you’re hoping for a change, take courage and leap that step so others may follow.

I felt sort of on a journey watching this show because of the sophisticated layering of the conflicts and how it was refined in the end. Really one heck of a great show!

Leia Mais

Nam koong min is the best actor in korea and accept best series plot to act

Nam koong min is the best actor in korea and accept best series plot to act

i like this series plot and all of actors especially nam koong min

he shines in every genre
he prove that with this series and the veil and good manager (the besries of him with three genre)

he deserve get best prizes for this series
im a kdramer from my chilehood ; i see kdrama from 8 up ton now that i am 25

and after empress ki and arthedal none of historical kdrama series couldnt attract me

but when namkoongmin act in a series; he changs that to best series on that genre


kdrama didnt have good series this two years but this series changes every thing

Leia Mais

this show will steal your heart

At least, it stole mine. Where should I begin? Before starting it, I was a little bit sceptical. I was not sure what would await me. But since I like both main actors, I gave it a try anyway. And what should I say? This show is totally my taste. The first two episodes were okay but it was hard to tell where the show was headed. But I remember being in love with the cinematography. It's so beautiful. Episodes 3 and 4 were the ones that totally captured me. From showing the naivety and happiness of people living in peace to showing the horrors of war and the fates of those being confronted with it. This is for everyone that wants a deep story with a slowburn romance. The characters are flawed and that's what I like about them. You can see them grow and make mistakes and there is still so much room for development in part 2. What I love about this show is that the characters exist outside the romance storyline. I wasn't bored of the seperate storylines at all. They gave me inside of who the characters are and made me like them even more. I love both mainleads. They might be clumsy fools when it comes to love. But that's what makes them endearing. Gil Chae is strong in the way she cares for her family and friends and protects them. She is smart as hell. Jang Hyun is smart as well. I love how he questions the authority of the king and is good at scheming. He also protects the people he loves at all costs. The way he presents himself is really manly. Both characters are flawed, but I can understand their worries and why they act the way they do.
Absolutely love this show.

Leia Mais

Review from a Romance as a genre point of view.(Review for quality romance enjoyers.)

Let me start with saying i had high hopes for this drama.
Yet if failed to deliver on the romance part misserably .Majority of people see this drama as a masterpiece but for the romance enjoyers this is a fake perception of the story that is called MY DEAREST.
As a drama on its own is well filmed , the music fits the show, the acting is great.This is not where problem stands with this drama.The true issue is with the setup of the main couple in this show by the writers.
From a drama aspect with ignoring the romance part which should be the main plot point how the title suggests its watchable.

FOR romance enjoyers i cannot recommend this drama because it fails on so many levels its crazy .For rating the romance aspect i would seriously give it a 2 of 10 its that bad .The writers separated the main couple in a way that if they back together it has to be forcesdor its HIGHLY damaging to the ML character and damaging the characters integrity as he is set up .If the second part of the drama forces the main couple together it will just tank the rating for this drama from a romance point of view even further.

In the next part will dissect this rotten romance story in details now .SPOILERS AHEAD SKIP IF YOU NOT FINISHED THE SHOW YET.

I will focus only on the main couple because i am doing a romance review.

Lets start with our beloved Female lead
This character is so unlikeable from a romance point of view its mindblowing .
We are introduced to her being selfish, manipulative , entitled.
From the begining she lusts for her friends fiance and she makes multiple attempts to split them.
She even attempts tp kiss him in a barn pretending to be sick .Well sick she is but in the head .
In the village there is a bunch of virgin schollars and she is teasing them trying to make her friend fiance jealous.
It failes so she promises a naive guy to marry him just again to make the fiance of the friend jealous .
The schollars are leaving for war because the country is invaded and yet AGAIN she asks the guy she just promised to marry to protect the fiances boyfriend and she is suggesting some intercourse after they return .
(And this is just the first couple of episodes.)What a lovely FML such a deity so far .Her selfishness in this drama is peaking constantly bending everybody to her will with 2 scenes where she was selfless and cared about others yet she demands irrational things from the ML constantly and being ungrateful over the span of the drama .
SHe is constantly pushing the ML away from her ignoring his action for her by her being stupid or her brain cant put 2 and 2 together .She is talking about being abandoned by the ML which is again just showing her selfish nature becaus shes literally telling him not to stay with her actions and words TLDR of this part she wants him to be a cuck .
By the comment section shes described as a strong and family oriented person yet there is nothing suggesting this in the drama itself . Yet again the audience is holding into the Family cope without any reasoning showed in the drama .
She gets separated from her family during the invasion and sme makes zero attempts to find them or find out if they are safe and sound.She is rather helping the injured soldiers in the camp with her friends and first moment she sees her friends fiance she drops everthing and goes to treat him holding his hand right there with her friend next to her .How shameless is this crooked character .The drama fails here again because its showing her only as a capable human in their family the rest of the crew a clearly depicted as a mumbling fools .Very little scenes family wise suggesting any hard bond between them .
To the being a strong character or mature this is just another cope of the audience .
Her every action in this drama is to make her life easier always picking the easier road yet everybody talks about character development well i cant see any character development she is acting at episode 9 just like she did in the first one but the only difference is she was FORCED BY HER CIRCUMSTANCES (WAR) to show some survival skills. She is just as manipulative , entitled , selfish as she was in the first episodes .What is strong about getting married to a military guy instead of trying to get your family back into the track by your brain and capabilities if yu can just marry somebody . Seems like this the new STRONG nowadays .
Overall this character is a crooked one. It wouldnt be a major issue romance wise because roamnce can be tragic and thats fine .if she would show some promise in her character developement but there is none.

Lets get into our Male lead
This one is can be described multiple ways . The ML can be seen from one side as obsessive with the FML since she has no good qualities to her so whats to obsess about but ok . On the other hand he can be described as somebody finding his true love .
From the begining the ML is trying to reach out to FML but in a more playful way Both her and him have a reputation of a player. By the scenes in the drama where he has some flashbacks its suggesting something happening in his family and made him reluctant towards marriage . The ML is constantly trying to prove himself to the FML. Not every action he does is presented to the FML yet those there are clear like the sky are being ignored by FML cuz shes that dumb .
As a examle i pick the scene where the ML is willing to help her block the marriage of the FM friend and her fiance .
He does so by giving war material to the villagers but his condition is to not allow the men marry before they go to war and he makes it reasonable so shes not exposed by this . Yet she didnt realize this even tho they had this discussion 2 days ago.
The ML is prepared to leave the village when the war begins to avoid being pulled into a conflict he doesnt want to be a soldier . Again he decides to risk his life to save the FML and being pulled into more and more danger at a point where he is leaving to be a spy help the country to end the war sooner because the people are starving etc .From FML perspective this is abandoning her again even tho he asked her if he stays will she only focus on him and not think about her friends fiance she said no. Again FML selfishness showing how amazing of a FML she is .
ML dodged multiple death scenarios for FML or were put into these positions because of the FML .
At the point where she breaks his heart as much as possible in he bounds of the setting of the drama .
The ML is clearly more mature than the FML and his love towards her is shown over the whole show .
Of course some of his actions are flawed but there is not flawless person on the planet. We cant blame him for anything he promised the FML he kept . This is where i think the ML deserves a second change with somebody else but these writers dont have the balls to do that and he will most likely sacrifice himself for the FML in the next part .

NOW as a Main couple :
There is no much romance to be talking about . Its a one sided love by the ML and some lukewarm feeling from the FML side .
This is where i blame the writers again because when they are separated and even before that the FML is having dreams of the ML and when they are separated and thinks hes dead she is seeing him in front of her having dreams of him crying in sleep etc .This is suggesting deep feelings for somebody romance wise yet she doesnt sacrifice herself for the ML once over this part of the drama on the other hand the ML is constantly doing this . Again terrible romance writing shown by these scenes .
After their 3rd separation where the FML is breaking the ML heart as much as possible in the setting they are in by not going with him because family which she paid litttle to none attention to (classic Kdrama cliche . Not only she refuses to go with him she gives him back the boots he promised her he will bring for her but also writing a letter to him that he wasnt enough for her to let everything behind (yet she had fk all )and yet again she will stay and rather marry the Military guy because this is the easier way and thats what she choose over the whole drama . This is the most you can do to spit into his face after he went thru everything for you .Romance drama is build on strong connection where the characters in love go over hardships and willing to sacrifice their life for the ultimate love especially in historical dramas. Sometimes this love cannot prevail and is doomed but here the FML shows 0 sacrifices for their love or determination on any level . This created from a romance point of view such a broken relationship that is not possible to recover from because if you force somehow the ML back to the FML its very damaging to his character and makes him from beinga mature character into a obsessive stupid one which his actions dont suggest so far and would be a huge step back for him .

Like i said this romance doesnt work and is ocassionaly forced by the writers with some weird scenes where the FML is demanding unreasonable things and the ML is sacrificing himself for somebody showing little to none interest in him .
The FML is a very badly written character from a romance point of view with nothing to be in love with other than being in love with her on first sight because thats an option .

My overall score for the drama is 8 points because as a romance drama the romance part heavily tanking the rating.
I highly not recommend this drama for romance enjoyers. There are tons of better romance stories than this out there you can find them just by closing your eyes rather than suffer the stupidity in this one .

PS. First and last review they are deleting negative comments under the drama thread .

Leia Mais

seobangnim (서방님)

By far the best series of the historical genre in the last 10 years! Although the screenplay is an adaptation of the enduring work "Gone with the Wind", at least for the first 5 episodes, the author has so delicately mixed different emotions such as fear, excitement, love, sadness, and hope that the story drowns you. There are no extra scenes or dialogues, unlike other series in which you advance the scenes, here every scene will nail you! I emphasize that all the actors have played their roles in the best way, even the minor roles like soldiers! This series is not to be missed!

Leia Mais

Fate is about timing

Where do I begin?!
I've heard of this saying (fate is about timing)..this series had me in a chokehold from the 1st episode, it was beautifully written and the brilliant actors was ????

our main couple meet by chance shortly after the FL had had a dream about our ML, and it was love at first sight for our ML(she?..not so much) but that did not deter our ML(even after learning of her crush to someone else) in that time period she was considered (brash,loud mouth, forward) amongst other things. Our couple is then taken on a journey like no other and we get to see them in different stages of the their lives during the war and their timing being off(frustratingly so), which led to her getting married

Leia Mais

A drama that is overall just okay, with good character portraits

To preface, I absolutely love historical dramas, and was pleased to hear about one set in this particular era jet during the invasion of the Jing/Qing. But, while the pacing kept me afloat to episode 9, I was greatly disappointed by this drama.

Let’s start with Jang Hyun. The way he is written is freaking annoying. His character and background is so vague it’s impossible to have any attachment to him. I’m aware that his mystique is part of the plot I guess, but withholding a backstory for a twist later is no excuse for having such a poorly developed character for a majority of the story. We only get glimpses of “tragedy” that don’t really explain anything about him. He’s also got a serious case of Mary Sue. I also think his companions could have been far more complex.

Now, he still has shining points as a character: he provides candid views on political situations, and what he said about Lord Nam’s burdensome idealism and weaponized incompetence was a BAR — the best written part of the whole drama.

Next. Let’s talk about my one casting gripe: Nam Goong Min. He’s a fine actor, but it’s so hard to get to the interior of the character when his face is so stiff. I don’t mean this as a drag or an insult, it’s just my criticism in a vital component of acting — with screen acting, you can’t profess your inner thoughts like in plays or lean on clever language like in books…the performers face must say what’s left unsaid. And Nam Goong Min simply has stiff facial performance. It’s creepy. And not good. I can tel by his eyes and his voice that he has all the skills necessary, but his FACE simply doesn't move!

More in stuff I liked: I love the character of Gil Chae. She’s a fascinating heroine (to me, who has seen every trope in the book). She’s neither a do-good heroine that prioritizes the good of society and well-being of the public nor a “spoiled brat with a secret heart of gold” trope that you typically find in sageuks.

Her character is clear, defined, and consistent. Pretty much from the beginning it’s clear that she takes exceptional care of her closest loved ones, but she protects them with by nanking hard decisions that can be seen as cruel and selfish if from an outside perspective. I found the boat scene leaving Ganghwa such a bold and powerful decision to portray her in.

In what I’ve seen so far, the balance of flat and round characters is very well used here (a round character must have an engaging direction, a flat character must be able to represent a force).

I’m not extremely well versed in the history that inspired it, but I did find some of the ‘foreign’ characters to be fascinating. It’s always refreshing to see some rounded out Jurchen characters as opposed to simple caricatures.

Overall, it’s not terribly interesting, but My Dearest has averagely decent political intrigue, engaging pacing, and important messages about the decay and de-romanticization of war. But the weakly written male characters dragged it down, and there wasn't a committed enough message on any single theme like anti-war or serendipity or youth.

Leia Mais

Amazing... but confused

A quite slow beginning (it took 2 episodes to really get into it), but it is worth hanging in there. Acting was amazing, especially in the war scenes. The chemistry is great and the sorority between the four women is really precious.

I loved almost everything, except the last 2 episodes that I found to be a bit confusing (with some flashbacks?). The war/occupation storyline was completly left out in the last episode and it looked like a pressed ending. It is honestly disappointing and a waste because there is so much more to be done (exploring characters' past, development etc).

Let's see what season 2 has in store, but give season 1 a try :) EDIT : Go watch Part 2 it's amazing !! My Part 2 review : https://mydramalist.com/profile/lisouille/reviews/329673

Note : I am a bit sensitive and some scenes were kinda violent so watch out if you cannot stand violence...

Leia Mais

I CAN HEAR THE SOUND OF THE FLOWERS

STORY
THIS was a heartfelt story of two people that can not really understand themselves the story is really captivating and you will not get bored. It's truly out of this world. It does not on me have romance but they is also action and very realistic and dad moments .

Characters
1 What can I saw about the character I loved each one of them so very much but my heart leans more toward the main male lead Lee Jang Hyun ( Namkoong Min) that man character was out of this world. He is so true to his feelings and he was good perfect man in everyway. The way he spoke to the female lead all the time and you could see his love for
Yu Gil Chae in the way he looked at her. His courage to wear his heart on his sleeves was truly amazing.
2 Yu Gil Chae she is one of my fav female lead in k drama because she was not the typical nice, loving kind of lady. Her personality is strong and she fights for 2hat she wants but when it comes to following her Harry she is just not good at that which is really sad

Overall I love all the characters and they way they the make the story come to life

MUSIC
I love the ost so very much I think it goes very well with the story.


CONCLUSION
I feel like overall the whole drama is a must Whatch it makes you feel so many emotions. Without giving to much it really shows that feeling are very hard to express and act on it shows that sometimes our heart wants one thing but the head wants safety

Should Whatch

Leia Mais