genuinely didn't expect to fall in love with this drama as much as i did. i had heard about the us original series from some friends who really enjoyed it, so me being me, i decided to check out the korean version when it started airing instead of the og (also on netflix!). i think that was the best decision ever.

this was the first legit political drama i've ever watched, and to say it has set a high bar is a grand understatement. i loved so much of the drama - the story + mystery, how well paced it was, how each scene was filled to the brim with tension even though it was just a few characters talking. but what really set this drama apart was the character work.

we're taken along on park mu jin's (ji jin hee's) journey from low ranked cabinet member to the president of korea, and we get the privilege to watch him navigate the world of politics while trying to maintain his dignity and morals. i learned so much along with him and appreciated being able to see some of the humanity behind the politicians (but also was taken aback by much of the cruelty) of people in authority.

what i loved as much as president park - honestly probably more - was the supporting cast. son seok koo as secretary cha was magnetic. i couldn't stand him in the beginning, and truly believed him to just be another political shark. then the layers were slowly peeled away and what's revealed is a passionate young man with ambitious political dreams of changing his country, his government, for the better. even though his exterior makes him seem like a seasoned politician, always acting in the most opportunistic way to get the poll numbers up, at his core he has clung onto an honestly childlike dream throughout it all. he is probably my favorite character of the show, and i'm so on the secretary cha/jung ship!!!!!

the rest of the presidential core staff was a delight. from the speaker of the house (lee moo saeng) to the president aid (? i don't know the labels very well), each character had their own little moments to shine and gave us closer looks into their characters. although we couldn't spend as much time with each as i would have liked - honestly i would happily watch 50 episodes of them - each actor imbued their character with enough nuance that they all felt fleshed out and real.

i can't end this without talking about kang han na as han na kyung, the tenacious, whip-smart NIS agent. what a badass. what a babe. i adore her. i wish we had more female characters like her on the screen! she's written so well. every action she did felt real and grounded in her character, and kang han na portrayed her wonderfully.

truly an amazing show. this was the best kind of surprise for me - went in expecting so little, and came out completely blown away. will there be a season 2? i partly hope so...but at the same time, i don't want this perfection tarnished.