Seondeok yeowang

I've seen so many movies, and recently some cool K-dramas, but never has a couple or story stayed in my mind this way. Proibably because this drama is so complex as it transmits so many feelings and gives you reasons to think about....about destiny, circumstances, love, life and death. About how the story begins and how it ends. After I've seen the ending I thought about it again and again...

I don't regret having spent my time watching this masterpiece for 60 hours: The actors were beyond great. The lines, the action scenes, the villains especially Mishil, the bit of wisdom and slight romance, and that tragic ending... Everything was done right. I did not skip a single scene considering that it was a really long series. Every single episode was perfection.

It is more realistic, about the great power of evil like Coup d'etat, declaring martial law, justification of bad action done, deception and etc.

This is more mind battle than any other dramas. A battle in everyday real life struggle.

The actors have better and more realistic performance of acting

It is also not about politics, government and military but also I see some portion of battle on economy in the market crises. Which is real happening around the world about those hoarding of goods, abuse of less intellect people and slavery because cannot pay of the taxes.

The military battle has better performance not only in tactical combat but also in planning and strategy

There is also battle between Knowledge of Science that was used in politics during Eclipse and Mandate of Heaven mystery

You learn a lot like values, military, political tactics, governance, laws, science and etc.

It is a very deep context of stories and the characters are deep and complex in nature which is a more realistic.

You may feel that my heading is hype, however just take my word on this one. I know that viewing is subjective - but if you like Korean (or Chinese) Period pieces this is for you. The story is kinda familiar, with various factions and rivals to The Throne doing everything they can to get The Crown; but to date I've yet to see a more amazing (and evil) 'villain' as Lady Mishil (played by Ho Hyun-Jung.)

She is in part Psycho, but as things go along, you can understand why, that by a quirk of birth, she can never get what she really wants - and (frankly) is the most qualified to get. Her permanent 'strategic smile' seems always to be in place, even when she's giving out orders for mayhem and murder.

I liked her artwork and music (she plays 'Crystal Glasses') at a most interesting time. This series was SO successful (at one point reaching a '40' TV rating) that the producers actually tacked on a further 12 or so episodes with another story.

Because of this show Ho Hyun-Jung became Korea's most sought after (and highest paid) actress. Go see why for yourselves. Highly recommended.

I love a mini-series as a melodrama that tells a story in the long movie format, as opposed to those that tell different stories in the same setting (like Grey's Anatomy, Mad Men and to a lesser extent Damages, Breaking Bad, and Revenge that change the story at times while keeping to a general story). In this regard, I have discovered some gems in the South Korean TV mini-series of recent years.

The basic melodrama is the oft repeated formula: Boy meets Girl, Boy loses Girl, Boy gets Girl Back. This me recur in the same story. Human relations can be complex even if only the boy and girl are involved, but this complexity increases as more people are involved. If personality dynamics are properly depicted in a valid manner, and if the production is skillful, powerful emotions can be evoked in the viewer. In this way we can live many lifetimes through movies, in our one lifetime - greatly enriching our incarnate experience. These South Korean productions (seen on Netflix streaming) are first class with excellent production and direction, some terrific casting and acting (particularly from some of the females who give some matchless world class performances), brilliant musical accompaniment, and staging. What makes these so good is the way they skillfully evoke deep emotion in the viewer. South Korean movie making is superb - world class.

However, the following caveats must be considered by the USA viewer. They are subtitled and some people hate this. The South Korean cultural norms, values and sanctions may sometimes seems silly or old fashioned to the USA viewer. The families are close knit and decisions by an individual may be subject to family approval. Social distance is maintained where formal speech is used, and personal speech forms are reserved for close friends or family. There is a strong work ethic and community cooperation/unity - sometimes reminiscence of a old Frank Capra film.

Most importantly, in order for the sometimes complicated sub-plots to work, people fail to communicate with each other as might be expected, keeping many in the dark as to what others are doing, and this leads to misunderstandings and error judgments of some people, that sometimes seem to be unlikely by USA cultural standards. The viewer may wonder at times why good but trusting people are so easily manipulated and deceived by bad and selfish people, but con artists do often succeed (just look at politicians for example). However this poetic license of improbability is needed to develop the story - just accept it as occurring even though unlikely at times. Taking these factors into account Will help you become involved and emotionally engrossed. It was hard t for me to quit watching at times so I binged watched.

I would rank these as follows but tastes differ and your rankings might not agree: 1 - 4 (hard to say which is best)

Shining Inheritance

When a Man Loves

That Winter, The Wind Blows

Secret garden

5. Five Fingers

6. The Scent of a Woman

7. The Great Queen Seondeok

8. A Hundred Years Inheritance

9. Lie To me

10. Roof Top Prince

11. Dr. Jin

12. The Great Doctor

The Great Queen Seondeok is mainly a historical/political melodrama depicting the struggle of opposing (good vs. evil) factions. One faction is lead by a ruthless Machivellian leader (Mishil) representing government control both of government officials and citizens, based on manipulating them with fear. The other faction has a good leader who wants power and freedom to shift from government to the people (control by their choice instead of governmental dictates, ownership of land by farmers instead of tenant farmers working for the rich), and who appeals to the hope and good nature of others. Another theme is women's rights in a male dominated world. There is action, comedy relief, love, hate, revenge, subversion - all the elements of a good historical melodrama.

Mishal is the evil leader and features a stunning performance. The most colorful character is Bidam, who like Mishal, is a complex character and brilliantly portrayed. Bidam is introduced after the series has gone on for some time, as a country bumpkin who is easily underestimated by others. In one scene he picks his nose and then puts it in his mouth, which tainted his image in my mind. This series at times offers some brilliant psychological insights, such as Mishil saying "Humans can not live without believing in fantasy", as in liberal idealism (world peace, income equality without degrading the economy, big government that works efficiently, etc.) that can never be achieved. The ending is quite powerful, emphasizing the loneliness of a ruler of a nation.

It's getting mesmerizing as you start watch this drama again. And learn something new every rewatching period, full of historical details and secrets. Changes human's psychology. Demonstrates Korean old Rulers' biography, heritages of ancient kings, their soothsayings. Emphasizes women power, peoples' conscience, politicians' mindset and inner world and so on. The scenes are exciting as the storyline grows naturally, gives dark vibe. On top of it, each actor acts like a main character. The show is rich in fascinating background music themes and color combinations, costumes, places, values... What a masterpiece! Original work of art that everyone should watch before die!