Lovers (2023)

My fav kdrama in 2023

I started the series by watching some edits and clips, but then I fell in love with this drama The story was great and you were worried that something was going to happen to the main characters and there is a hidden sadness in the story that makes me want to cry when I think about it. The set and costume design was also very good and I was very satisfied overall And the acting of the actors... I have to say that both the main actors acted so well that you think they are really in love with each other. The series also introduced new actors who showed their talent well. In my opinion, the best Korean series of 2023 was my dearest

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A love that is true but keeps tumbling over.

[I'm aware that the ending is one of the heated topics right now but I'm going to try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible.]

Whew.... this drama was BRUTAL.

It is so rare nowadays to find a drama that you get so into it and y'know what makes it better? 'My Dearest' was not entirely a predictable story even though we were all made aware that it wasn't going to be a jolly one.

A story of two imperfect people who are in love but due to their circumstances and unresolved misunderstandings, their love keeps tumbling over. Yoo Gil Chae and Lee Jang Hyun have such a gosh darn sickeningly, amazing and addictive oozing chemistry that whatever awful thing hit the fan, I found myself rooting for them. Truly great performances from Ahn Eun Jin and Namkoong Min.

I was in for a treat when I realised just what I got myself into: pure but beautiful angst. At first, Gil Chae was that character that I found entertaining, might be a bit immature and full of herself. Yes, she has the milkshake that brings all the boys to the yard. And damn right, it's better than yours. However, she totally bloomed into a strong and reliable character that I grew to love. Even then, she has always been a woman that was capable. Is she perfect? No. She has her issues but they're also understandable. For Gil Chae's case, she couldn't accept that the man in her dreams could be someone else other than Yeon Jun. While I know many might disagree with me, I personally like that the drama highlights that feelings for someone don't shift that fast. If this turned out to be like any other romance drama out there, it would no longer have a unique perception of a romance story. Maybe I'm just a masochist but it's nice to see something different for once.

The drama has some really nice screenshot-worthy moments (most of the time). I really like the camera angles and editing on this one. It adds details to the scene and makes me want to tear up even more. The music was not bad too. The cast was amazing. Not one person here missed. If I were to nitpick, I think the timeline was a bit weird on the last episode. Overall, the production quality for this one was pretty good imo.

By the way, can we appreciate that the women here are not fighting against each other but instead are standing up for each other? We don't get to see that in dramas very often and I genuinely appreciated that the writers didn't create unnecessary drama between my girls, Eun Ae and Gil Chae. They had the most precious bond in this drama despite Gil Chae's feelings for Yeon Jun.

This drama doesn't shy away as it is quite realistic in terms of how the war affected people. The women who had to go through so much hell, the grief people had for their loved ones, how prisoners were tortured and the bitter truth that the poor suffered harder than the rich. In addition, the annoying ones who take credit when they haven't done a single thing for the country.
The great contrast of past scenes to the current one makes up for a good way to show the viewers a clear picture of the situation that the characters in.

I'll try to be as discrete as possible but I believe the ending had a lot of weight more on Gil Chae than Jang Hyun. Are we not going to talk about how difficult Gil Chae's situation was? She has so much that she'll be leaving behind while Jang Hyun has the freedom to go as he pleases. Personally, I also found the guilt tripping and Jang Hyun being inconsiderate of her situation quite frustrating. I'm not ignoring the hurt that Jang Hyun feels but it felt like he was being selfish for not thinking about her case. Both Gil Chae and Jang Hyun were not aware of what went down from their last meeting which caused a lot of misunderstandings. This is also what I like about the ending because usually, in dramas, these misunderstandings might get fixed in a flash but here, it was much more complex and interesting.

I will not mention the person but we all know who to blame. I couldn't accept it at first because I got attached to this character. It is obvious that it was out of jealousy but it was not right. I'm highkey scared of what they'll do next.

In conclusion, I will forever not be over this drama. I was super invested every Friday and Saturday so I'll miss the fun (pain) I had. I'm sure there will be more heartbreak for Part 2 so better brace yourselves. I stand with my rating of 10. After the number of times I suffered, swooned and was treated like a punching bag, it's safe to say that this drama still became one of my top dramas this year.

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2023 was not that bad with My Dearest !!

Where do I even start?? I started many dramas from 2023 and 2024, and either I put them on hold, or I was so disappointed. This one is an exception. Maybe it's because it has just 10 episodes, but those 10 episodes were worth every single minute.

The cinematography, production, and aesthetics were outstanding. Even though it was set during wartime, the locations were beautiful and calming.
The plot was amazing, and I was never bored. Each character added depth to the drama, showing what Joseon was like at that time—people’s beliefs, how women were taught, and how they should act during war.

Gil Chae and Jang Hyun were the exceptions to the rule; they were a match made in heaven. They had different beliefs and perspectives on life, not caring about what others thought of them.

Goong Min was the actor that pushed me to start this drama. He's one of my favorite actors and just knows his stuff. I can't imagine anyone else playing this character; it was made for him. His interactions with Gil Chae were so sweet—always teasing her, promising her, searching for her, finding her, helping her, and protecting her!

The songs that Ryang Eum sang were just so mesmerizing! They're stuck in my head.

As expected, the end of this part was dramatic, with the main leads having to separate. They added that last scene with the bounty hunter, making us wonder if he would fall for another woman.

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Biggest disappointment, last 2 episodes ruined the drama

At this point, dramas that fumble the ending just feel like a disrespect to the audience who invest hours into these shows. I'm shocked that people praise Gil Chae's actions as 'realistic' and 'powerful' when, for me, her actions seem pathetic. The root of her choices stems from her unwavering view that Jang Hyun is a womanizer who is unfaithful, it kills me to the core that even by the end she still doubts him. Of all the people I'd expect her to realise how true and deep his love for her is. This man went through physical torture when he was captured, for her sake. He would've never risked his life or joined the war if it wasn't for her sake, yet she has the audacity to say that he left her?? That he's always leaving her? The whole marriage plot at the end was so unnecessary and stupid. Ryum Eu's lie hits the nail on the head as another useless obstacle placed at the end for the sake of drama. I was hoping he'd develop a little, Ryum Eu, since he saw firsthand how much Jang Hyun risked for Gil Chae's sake, but for him to remain as stubborn and cruel in the end made me lose any form of respect I had for him.

I absolutely love Jang Hyun, he's a very nuanced character. First, he's known as a man who doesn't agree to marriage (finding that during that era many marriages were superficial) he comes across as a shallow man, but later on we realize that his love for Gil Chae changes his outlook on his stance, he finds true love and completely commits to it. I also understand why he didn't tell Gil Chae that he saved her, he wanted for once Gil Chae to want him for him, not because she felt indebted to him. It's like throughout the whole drama Gil Chae never matured enough to realize that she can love Jang Hyun because he's a kind soul who would sacrifice anything for her-instead she's always looking for reasons to doubt him, and when she finds any reasons (grasping at straws) she sticks with it.

Gil Chae only ever loves Jang Hyun when he's not with her. She's too immature to communicate her frustrations with him when they are face-to-face. It creates a predictable cycle where, only when, Jang Hyun leaves does Gil Chae realize how much she loves him and takes him for granted. Then when they are back all they do is argue, mostly because of Gil Chae's dobutfulness.

I'm so disappointed in Gil Chae's character development, it really felt like in episodes 6-8 she was finally realizing how wrong she had been in the past, and then in episodes 9-10 she reverts to her naive self who lacks communication. In the beginning, Gil Chae isn't a good person either, she manipulates the men around her for her benefit. Then when war breaks she's forced to mature and realize who she cares about. Yet every time she had any semblance of peace, she goes back to her naive self--finally, she breaks out of that when she realizes she does love Jang Hyun. So WHYYY in the last two episodes does she once again reverts to her immature self, it's just frustrating.

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Fate is about timing

Where do I begin?!
I've heard of this saying (fate is about timing)..this series had me in a chokehold from the 1st episode, it was beautifully written and the brilliant actors was 👌🏾👌🏾

our main couple meet by chance shortly after the FL had had a dream about our ML, and it was love at first sight for our ML(she?..not so much) but that did not deter our ML(even after learning of her crush to someone else) in that time period she was considered (brash,loud mouth, forward) amongst other things. Our couple is then taken on a journey like no other and we get to see them in different stages of the their lives during the war and their timing being off(frustratingly so), which led to her getting married

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????☺️??☹️?? (MY EMOTIONS THROUGHOUT THE DRAMA LOL)

OH MY PRECIOUS HEART? 😭 This has got tk be the best Historical Kdrama out there. You definitely must prepare urself mentally if you are planning to watch this drama. Coz this drama was a roller coaster of emotions for me. The storyline the OST and even the chemistry between the LEADS!! Ughh Chefs kiss. 💋 I’m definitely gonna miss them.





































































LOVE TO EVERYONE AND THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR THE LOVELY DRAMA YALL ARE THE BEST!! 😭💗💗💗

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Once in a year drama

How can I start describing this marvel of a gem?

I am mostly used to kdramas who are pretty much same story lines, although entertaining and fun to watch, they are always familiar and loveable. Whether it is a legal drama, rom com, comedy or thriller.

Rarely we get kdramas that distinguish themselves very different from what we usually watch. Misaeng, my liberator notes, my mister, weak hero class 1, etc. Now you know what kind of drama I am speaking about.

My dearest, isn't a drama, it like watching a well written novel. Each and every part of the drama, every second of it is not wasted on unnecessary filler just to drag till 16 episodes. Every episode is like a chapter of a book, every character is unique, each distinguish themselves and sets them apart uniquely. Whatever things they and whatever choices they make won't seem random, because each character was given personality and not just dialogues that sum up a story.

And the most incredible thing is, both ML and FL characters are inspiration from Gone with the wind. But I have to say entire drama doesn't copy gone with the wind, but often times you get those vibes especially in the beginning. ML and FL, are complicated characters and Fl shows incredible character growth and is so unique. Fl is a brat, selfish and entitled at beginning, but she grows so much as a person in a ways that very admirable. Mi Jung from my liberation notes, hye jin from hometown cha cha cha, deok im from red sleeve are the recent kdramas that had such determined unique females who had incredible character changes, this drama does the same.

As for love story part, this drama isn't about romance or a simply historical romance story. It's main theme is love story but it is a very realistic drama, so it takes every other element that belongs to part of life of that era, and a characters thought processes, their personalities into consideration.

A must watch kdrama.

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A PERIOD DRAMA MASTERPIECE

"My Dearest" is one of the best period k-drama. From Cinematography, story, set up, locations, customs, action, actors and of course the main leads. It is a roller coaster of emotion from episode 1 to episode 21.

I love the character development of the female and male lead. Their love story is a series of love, longing, pain, suffering and dedication. It breaks you and heal you then break you again and heal you over and over again. Lee Jang-hyun unwavering love to Gil-chae is one of the highlight of the story. As a women you will eventually realize you want to experience that kind of love in this lifetime.

You will feel so much emotions in every scene. It was perfectly written and beautifully acted.
Namkoong Min performance as Lee Jang-hyun is exceptional. His smile, his action, his facial expression, his longing face. They deserve all the awards!

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Elegant and Graceful

My Dearest (2023)

With some Korean actors, you just learn to trust their judgement in picking great Korean Dramas in which to act. I took on this drama ‘My Dearest’, because of the actor Namkoong Min. Within minutes of viewing, I knew that I made the right decision for me.

The period covered in the story, pasted around actual factual history, is 1636-1659 CE. ‘My Dearest’ starts out in 1659 and goes back to 1636 for the backstory. Lots of period Korean culture is on display in this drama, including historic instrumental music. The historian for this drama did a great research job.

Joseon gets embroiled between the Chinese Jin and Ming Dynasties, plus the Japanese. The Chinese barbarians, with a huge military force, declares war on Joseon. The Chinese are a skilled fighting force. They come up against the drafted Joseon intellectual and political elite who seem as rag-tag against this dominating military presence. Based on this backdrop is a beautifully emerging story of forever love.

Quote: “Have you ever heard the sound of flowers in bloom? I heard that rare sound today (when he first met her).” Male Lead gazing into the eyes of the Female Lead.

The Male Lead character Lee Jang-hyu is arrogant and worldly-wise. The Female Lead character Yoo Gil-chae is very conceited and forceful. This is a playful match. ‘My Dearest’ is such a realistic Korean Drama, with realistic people who have huge faults. In addition, much attention is paid to building these characters, each with unusual personalities. ‘My Dearest’ is rich storytelling, unique dramatization blended into historical facts. Many are going to find this drama intriguing. There is sword fighting in this drama.

I think that ‘My Dearest’ could be an Insta-Classic at its present meteoric ratings pace.

Two really good actors stack the cast. Watch for their facial expressions, those little nuances which raises an actor above the crowd.

Namkoong Min (Hot Stove League, Remember: War of the Sun) playing Lee Jang-hyu is a dubious and mysterious nobleman. Ahn Eun-jin (More Than Friends) playing Yoo Gil-chae is an erasable spoiled Aristocrat. They are a hot couple who will draw you right in. This Korean Drama is a go for me.

Chinese comparison Drama is Love Like the Galaxy.

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An intense ride

I binge-watched this drama in one day and was clenching my chair by the last episode. The acting is absolutely flawless, and for ten episodes, I felt like the story not only flowed at a perfect pace, but the intensity of the characters and their stories held me for the entire drama. Also, kudos to the writers because they unfolded the story of war and the repercussions endured by those who are helpless to fight or run.

Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin are flawless in their roles, and their chemistry, especially in the last episodes, was off the chart. The dynamic of unsurity between the two characters is methodically played out to the very end, and the next season cannot come fast enough. Good, bad, happy or tragic, I'm all in for the ride.

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