Queen Seon Duk

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.

The story,is to say so,captivating.Two twin royal girls born under a sign of stars,sign with a meaning for their country subjects:prosperity or ruin.But there it must have been a boy,no way for a girl and yet another one.So at last one must to vanish -the little Deokman,who will be haunted for years,will endure a lot of privations and hurdles,to become after years the Queen of Shilla.At first,the hunter is not a lovable character;after many episodes he will be more valuable,especially for his terrible presence and act on screen.He is a counterbalance for,maybe,some things to soft.I think the director of this drama managed to show us a good story. Only a couple of stuffs I find to be bad presented:to many pots with flowers every were(for that time);not enough dirt and rift on armors of soldiers and ,,hwarangs''(the princess's guards).So shiny they are for dozens of episodes.

Seondeok (actress Lee Yo-Won) really can be appreciated and loved. In her stage as ,,hwarang'' is lovely;when triumphs she's shiny,when cries she breaks hearts,is beautiful and a very human person.The character Sohwa (actress Seo Young Hee) who cares of Deokman,has a gentle and lovely presence.No wonder for Chilsook to cherish her.This Chilsook is the hunter send by Mishil to cut Deokman's life.Mishil (actress Ho Hyun-Jung) is the bad person in plot; even so she prove to be a wonderful character.She's the finest presence along episodes.That meeting of her with Seondeok for a truce,on the grasslands,that meeting is a masterpiece of image.I have watched that scene a lot;amazing scene.Or,how I can forget that retreat of hand from Mishil's hands embrace_when Seondeok shows her status?!There is a hands conversation!!! Kim Yushin (Uhm Tae Woong),the comrade of Deokman is like a little then a big block-stone in this story.That is his role,because he will be a great general,the most trustworthy person for the Queen and their people.Nice that we have a lot of funny moments with Jukbang (actor Lee Moon-Sik) and Godo (actor Ryu Dam);the scene when Godo hide and unintended swallow some animal stuff,at an group inspection,is very funny.

The battle scenes are more or less convincing.Anyway Seondeok's political history and love,go on,with her star above.The plot make Seondeok to die to early.Until to that moment we have part of gorgeous scenes:views of Korea in sunset,Mishil's comrades caught by soldiers near her tomb (with a great act of Misaeng_actor Jung Woong In) in a golden shower sunrise;wonderful view of the carved stones.

My appreciation and rating are ,in first place,for great personages still others besides those already mentioned:Prince Chunchu (Yoo Seung-Ho),noble Hajong (Kim Jung-Hyun),lord Cheolwon (Jeon No Min),Bidam (Kim Nam-Gil) / the ,,hwarangs'' :Alcheon (Lee Seung Hyo),Santak (Kang Sung Pil),Sukpoom (Hong Kyung-In),Bojong (Baek Do-Bin) and so on.In the second place I appreciated that immense lot of costumes and accessories.And never in the last place,the traditional buildings (the studios).

I love this series because they don't waste a second there is not single scene that not feel belonged or not need and the acting is amazing every thing is amazing yes there is a lot of myths in first episode but later in the show they show you how they faked it

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.