Excelent plot and lead characters

According to me one of the most underappreciated dramas. I guess it's because of sort of bitter ending, however this drama tells the story of powerless emperor struggling to survive in palace where many parties supposed to protect and support him follow each their different agendas to seize power, while the nation suffers. It's a story of a man sacrificing everything, his happiness, reputation, love and whole life, in order to return the empire to its original order. While with other dramas I soon forget what they actually were about, this drama left very long-lasting and strong impression even after a long period of time.

The plot of bad guy dealing with even worse guys may sound old and worn, however I felt strong satisfaction on behalf of all people being oppressed with no strength to fight back. I also liked the female lead, which was no pampered softie girl waiting for her knight to save her, but a strong minded and intelligent woman, which kept very strong sense of good reasoning through the whole series - in other words, this is one of a few dramas with no misunderstandings between protagonists, since both of them are able to communicate and hear the reasoning before they take action, like every adult person should (finally!).

Realising what we had only after we are about to loose it is a very common thing we all can relate to. But when the conglomerate magnate is about to loose something he never once though could be lost, we can expect the tough fight. What I liked about this drama the most was the supporting family of both leads. I am actually pretty sick of bossy parents trying to get their way, or power-hungry persons scheeming to get what they want, so I was able to lay back feeling relieved there will be no such thing in this drama. I also liked the way both characters were evolving - what started as purely comic narcist with work-sickend secretary evolved into two persons deeply caring for each other, realizing it was this way a very long time already.

I really like the way this show deals with the border of right and wrong. Its a struggle between two main parties - prosecutor strongly believing in law and those, who were previously hurt and disappointed by the so-called-law, deciding to handle revenge for others with their own hands. I liked the show gradually coming to a conclusion, neither the self-driven revenge nor the law are perfect and there need to be trust and cooperation to accomplish real justice.

I like this kind of shows because they allow me loosen up and relax - story is not complicated, yet not boring eather, characters have depth and are not just good, or just evil, there is enough friendship, loyalty and compassion to make up for the tension, so your heart does not feel heavy by watching it. Oh, and although I hate love triangles, I didn't mind it here, since it was properly managed so I wasn't feeling an urge to roll my eyes (like I always do when the protagonist makes something dim-witted and self-unaware just to add some excitement to the triangle ).