Lover

First of all it has a melodrama tag so most people like me will skip this drama. But just because of namgoong min I gave it a try. As expected first 2 episodes were kind of melodrama. But I still continued for another 2 episodes. That's when things started to go south . Episode 4 I was crying like hell . I was invested in this . This is not just melodrama. It was action , gore , thriller . Now I realised why namgoong min accepted a period drama.

It's nothing like romantic period drama where main characters love each other and will get a happy ending and all. This is serious every character is well written. It's a must watch.

If it says Nam GoonMin, I'm in. I started watching him from "Remember", then "The Veil", "Doctor Prisoner"," Good Manager"... and especially last year's release "One Dollar Layer" was a top-notch masterpiece. He always knows what he's bringing to the screen. I started this drama and now I'm left even more mesmerized by his acting skills. The plot, cinematography, ost, acting... everything is so on point. Finally we got something unique after what feels like two years of boring cringe stuff. Only half of the series got aired yet, and I'm patiently looking forward to the next part. My love for Sageuk dramas has increased tremendously. Mr Queen, Red Cuff Sleeve and now My Dearest.

Telling the story of Qing invasion of Joseon Korea and its devastating aftermath on people from prince to servant through the eyes of an unconventional couple, it is as topical a story as it was centuries ago.

The depiction of war was incredible, original and realistic. The mistreating of people as slaves, of women considered miasma even by their own, every little aspect of how lives were ruined or used as collateral after the war supposedly ended was jaw-dropping and holded the biggest part of the series.

It was an excellent production and execution throughout.

It stumbled upon some typical kdrama cliches at the beginning and especially towards the end. Look past that, because it was such a great series to watch.

My Dearest is a beautiful love story. I must say it's one of the best Korean dramas I have ever watched. The story is so beautiful, the acting is superb. There are other stories intertwined. The leading characters are such a strong and likable characters. The rest of the cast does such a great job with their characters/roles as well.

My only complaint is that sometimes the politics got confusing. I have watched a few historical dramas. But with this one at times I was lost. Perhaps I needed to pay better attention. However. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn't wait to keep watching every chance I got.

Min Namkoong yet again defies typecasting and brings it all to the table as an enigmatic man of the world smitten with a woman who when things get rough proves to be far more than a silly flirt. The Lady has spirit in a culture where it's not usually valued in a woman. This is NO damn wanna be GWTW as one reviewer yapped about. Gary Grant could only dream of having Min Namkoong's acting chops. And the rest of My Dearest/Lover 's cast are no slouches either in this romance amidst a war where smart strong leadership is in short supply. When those "precious lips" are kissed it's going be a HUGE moment. But that opening scene on the beach, well, it makes one wonder IF that moment will ever come.

Update edit: Mea culpa, indeed Cary Grant was not Clark Gable in GWTW. Still neither can compare to Min Namkoong--they're both third rate actors in comparison. Their status was created by Hollywood marketing. Min Namkoong's status is due to his remarkable talent.

Episode 11 is off to a grand start of the second half of My Dearest/Lover. Heartbreak like none other? !

In an award acceptance speech Min Namkoong thanked writer Hwang Jin-yeong for the wonderful script/story she worked on for five years.