Of all the historical dramas I’ve seen, this is the best at portraying daily life in the Joseon era and in the palace. It’s been a few days since I finished and I’m still recovering. I was not expecting this show to have such a strong impact. It made me feel probably every emotion in existence.

I have to say though that it is in the 2nd half that the story really takes off. From a few episodes in, to about the halfway point, the plot settles in a groove and gets extremely repetitive. If I were rating it then I’d say maybe an 8.

Once the revenge plot and the love story develop it hits another level. At the end of the revenge storyline you feel her elation at achieving her long hoped for goal. Most dramas would stop there. But this one also makes you feel sadness for the loved ones who can’t be there and then feel the emptiness after completing something that took so many years of her life. The love story is very simple, but because you know the characters so well, it is very moving. The scenes in the snow are my favourites.

I decided to watch this as it’s the highest rated show from 2000-10. So there are definitely signs of it’s age. The fighting scenes aren’t the best. The directing and/or editing especially could be better. I don’t know why but you can really see the acting faults clearer in older dramas. These days directors are better at hiding them or they get edited out. Also, the comedy routine with Jang Geum’s adoptive parents got annoying very fast.

With these flaws I should probably give it a 9. However, it moved so much, and so much more than other dramas that it gets a 10.