Lovers (2023)

A MUST WATCH

SUPER LONG REVIEW AHEAD!

I can't believe I just happened to scroll by the title "My Dearest" and because it reminded me of Supercell's song "My Dearest", I went on to google to search out of curiosity what's it about. For once, I've been grateful I let my curiosity get ahead of me or else I'd be missing a gem.

This is definitely a masterpiece portraying a combination of romance, drama, war and politics. The story took place in Joseon Dynasty and during the Qing Invasion. I am well aware I'm still confused to some of the war politics here, but there's a lot of references that you can take note of such as the "JingKang incident". It's thanks to Legend of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong that I understood this reference. It goes way back to the Song Dynasty when Jin invaded the Song empire (thus the war between Jin And Song) and when the Jin army caught the Song Emperors, they humiliated them... Going back to the events in My Dearest, this is what the Joseon Emperor is fearful of when the Qing Army besieged them. Since the Qing army is composed of what they call 'barbarians' who cares more about money and raping women, the show managed to execute it in the entirety of season 1 with such thrill. It was also the perfect introduction to highlight the strengths of both the male and female lead. It left us in tenterhooks and anticipation of what will happen next, will they survive? The Season 1 set the bar so high that somehow, when things calmed down and gave way to more palace politics in Season 2, S2 pales in comparison. But what happens in S2 is still essential to wrap up the entire story, and it actually has much more tragedy than S1 so prepare your tissues. Tbh, I felt like crying on almost every episodes, that when we get cute moments, it almost felt surreal. That's just how heart-wrenching this show is. It gives us that feeling of receiving treats before getting beat up badly.

CHARACTERS

Now let's talk about Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-jin. Jang hyun (Namkoong Min) is a mysterious man who has no desire nor purpose. I felt Namkoong Min really did well in pulling of Jang Hyun's charm and enigma. He is wise when he speaks, but when he reserve his words, his eyes tells everything. He is an empty shell, satisfied being a bystander, and letting others enjoy than himself. But upon meeting Gil Chae, his eyes started having all sorts of emotions. Because he wants to prove to Gil Chae his worth, he decided to save people and the fire that died inside of him once again ignited. Jang Hyun is actually a compassionate man. In the series, I cannot count how many times he cried, and nothing was more manly than that of how NamKoong Min did so. And even though he cried a lot, there's still subtle differences. You can notice that there are only two times he really cried for real, one is because of Gil Chae, the second when he plead His Highness the Crown Prince to keep his promise to the captives. I fell in love with Jang Hyun's character so bad, that's no doubt.

The dynamic between the Namkoong and Eunjin is also just perfect.
Here's my take for the people hating on the FL. The FL is a strong headed woman. In a setting where women are usually suppressed and kept as housewives whose expected role is only to tend and serve their husbands, Gil Chae broke the norm and actually had done SO SO MUCH. She saved her friends during the invasion, she provided rice for the people of the General in exchange of their labor and she continues saving people and slaves to the point of being a slave herself. Those who are hating on her lacks empathy and may be bias to the Male lead. There's a point where I also almost got annoyed by her because why can't she just accept Jang Hyun? But later on, I understood. Perhaps Jang Hyun— with his overflowing display of affection— came on too strong. And Gil Chae, as someone who also has a strong personality, her instinct was to avoid Jang Hyun and suppress her feelings. She knew Jang Hyun always has a bigger purpose and role, always gone like a wind, he's bound to leave at anytime and she's bound to wait. Did y'all ever see an instance where she stopped him from going? Not once. Everytime, she wishes him well on his journey, even when Jang Hyun himself pleaded to Gil Chae to stop him, she did not. And that was so courageous of her, that even though it pains her to see Jang Hyun go everytime, she persevered and waited, even without assurance from Jang Hyun. How hard is a long distance communication in their period? It's not like they have cellphones to communicate whenever they liked. How excruciating was it to wait for news of your loved ones, for weeks, months and years? Yet Jang Hyun never wrote to her to update her. He's always on the go, and even though he promises to come back, it was always Gil Chae who has to bear the burden of WAITING. So it's unfair for everyone to say who suffers more, when clearly both Gil Chae and Jang Hyun suffers in their own both ways. It's unfair that Gil Chae has to be the bad person when she married another man, but who does not make bad decisions in their life? There's still that traditional thinking wherein it's okay for men are allowed to sleep to anyone, but if it's a woman who was touched by another man, it's such a big deal. Gil Chae may have married another man, but just like what Jang Hyun says to the Princess of Qing, "I can give you my body but not my heart", Gil Chae was the same. The whirlwind of events taught us that it doesn't matter who they were entangled on in their journey, what matters is that they FOUND THEIR WAY HOME TO EACH OTHER. Just like Gil Chae loved Jang Hyun despite knowing him only on surface level (Gil Chae only knows Jang Hyun is a merchant, and later on she knew he was a government slave. In those times, nobles are on a waaay different level from people who only bought titles, so even if Jang Hyun appears to be an aristocrat, some might just raise their eyebrows and not honor his title and still regard him as lowly slave. For you can change your title but not your origin. Gil Chae did not do any of this, and she still love Jang Hyun as he is. She never pried into his past, and just like that. Jang Hyun also did the same to her, he never cared what Gil Chae went through with the hands of the intruders, he just honor Gil Chae for what he had known her, a strong and amazing woman. Dare I say any more why they are perfect for each other, and that them ending up together did not do any injustice to the other, rather, what's greater injustice is that! If they didn't get the happy ending they deserve from each other's company.

I have never written a review for a romance drama before, but I just felt compelled to speak out for the characters here. My Dearest is definitely one of the historical kdramas that will stay in my memory forever. Highly recommended.

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"I had made up my mind to not believe in marriage. But if the only way to make a certain woman mine is through marriage, then I am willing to marry."

"Husband? No way. I will be your servant. My body is yours, my soul is yours, my heart is yours too" - Lee Jang Hyun

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Eun Ae: Do you think women should take their own lives when the foreign intruders grabbed their wrists?

Yeon Jun: A single drop of ink is enough to make a clean water dirty. Whether it's just their wrist, or something even worse, they have lost their chastity

💔

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Gil Chae: What if I say a foreign intruder took advantage of me?

Jang Hyun: Then I should give you a hug, for it must have been painful.


💘

Here's a clear differences in perspective of a scholar who has never experienced dirt and is bound by traditional thinking vs a man who crawled himself out of dirt and experienced all kinds of cruelties.

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Nam koong min is the best actor in korea and accept best series plot to act

Nam koong min is the best actor in korea and accept best series plot to act

i like this series plot and all of actors especially nam koong min

he shines in every genre
he prove that with this series and the veil and good manager (the besries of him with three genre)

he deserve get best prizes for this series
im a kdramer from my chilehood ; i see kdrama from 8 up ton now that i am 25

and after empress ki and arthedal none of historical kdrama series couldnt attract me

but when namkoongmin act in a series; he changs that to best series on that genre


kdrama didnt have good series this two years but this series changes every thing

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This drama made me cry a lot. Over the course of these ten episodes, I have grown to love Gil Chae and Jang Hyeon and ship them. That's why episode ten broke my heart. I'm afraid that in the second part, the creators will not strive for a happy ending for Gil Chae and Jang Hyeon. I don't want the second part to end like Moon Lovers for me, because I still can't forget the sadness.

But despite the tears shed, I love the first part. There were also some funny scenes. This drama is interconnected sadness, pain, fear and happiness. The characters develop and have difficult decisions to make. I wonder how the rest of this story will unfold. I have a feeling the ending might not be a happy one, but I hope I'm wrong.

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A Beautiful Ryang Um Who's Like a Flower: Layers of His Character

I feel like Ryang Eum's character is interesting. He's complicated. He's definitely a more reliable friend than Eun Ae. But at least Eun Ae could understand the fl better. She even admitted that she understood her better than herself.

Meanwhile Ryang Eum seemed to have unseparable bond with the ml. It looked like there's no one who could understand him better than Ryang Eum but there was a time that Ryang Eum failed to understand. It's his heart. It felt like they didn't share the bro codes only in that particular thing.

"I don't belong to anywhere. I'm just here and there." When the ml said that what he actually meant was that he's longing for a place of his own. A place called home. And his reply with "Right. You don't belong to anywhere. But wherever you're, I belong to your side." It creeped me out.

I don't know what's his real deal was. Was it because of too much loyalty or he saw him more than friends? But I understand why he did what he did. Personally, I can relate to his character. That's why I can say that he's being childish at that moment. I thought he also realized his mistake but he just decided to cross the line.

And he really meant it when he said he didn't regret it. Moreover when he witnessed what happened to the man he looked up to at the end. If I were him, I would be glad if turned out I was wrong. But the look in his eyes, he was so mad that in his mind he's true about her after all.

I understand her decision and it seemed like there's another reason that will unfold in the next part. The writers seemed to have an intention to make it as if she didn't really meant it when she said "I don't love you enough to leave everything behind." Maybe they will provide a good and brutal excuse for us and we will buy it later. Something like "I love you too much that's why I was letting you go." But what makes it clear for me right now is, he gave everything for her, even his life. But she couldn't do the same. That's why to me what she said was quite literal, that 'he loves her more than she loves him' and I think Ryang Eum would be agree with me.

Was he okay when he saw Gil Chae sending him off just like that after what he's been through for her tho? Ryang Eum is not just another supporting character. And his bond with Lee Jong Hyun is too strong for him to let him go like that. Ryang Eum is smart and tactical and sometimes manipulative. Our main lead would have been died several times if it's not because of him. He has the ability to change the direction of the wind. If you know what I mean...

Based on the teasers, it seemed like something happened to the female lead. I wouldn't be surprised if Ryang Eum had anything to do to pull the trigger. Maybe he didn't need to take much effort. He just needed to sing, and it would be like a butterfly effect. When a small flap of its wings might cause a tornado at the mainland and the peninsula.

Or there's a twist of a character development and it's the other way around of what I've said about him. It would be interesting if later turned out I'm wrong. And I'm really anticipating of what they have in store in the next part.

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this show will steal your heart

At least, it stole mine. Where should I begin? Before starting it, I was a little bit sceptical. I was not sure what would await me. But since I like both main actors, I gave it a try anyway. And what should I say? This show is totally my taste. The first two episodes were okay but it was hard to tell where the show was headed. But I remember being in love with the cinematography. It's so beautiful. Episodes 3 and 4 were the ones that totally captured me. From showing the naivety and happiness of people living in peace to showing the horrors of war and the fates of those being confronted with it. This is for everyone that wants a deep story with a slowburn romance. The characters are flawed and that's what I like about them. You can see them grow and make mistakes and there is still so much room for development in part 2. What I love about this show is that the characters exist outside the romance storyline. I wasn't bored of the seperate storylines at all. They gave me inside of who the characters are and made me like them even more. I love both mainleads. They might be clumsy fools when it comes to love. But that's what makes them endearing. Gil Chae is strong in the way she cares for her family and friends and protects them. She is smart as hell. Jang Hyun is smart as well. I love how he questions the authority of the king and is good at scheming. He also protects the people he loves at all costs. The way he presents himself is really manly. Both characters are flawed, but I can understand their worries and why they act the way they do.
Absolutely love this show.

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A truly great largescale romantic history drama

A truly great largescale romantic history drama. Never cheesy, always intelligent, never lazy, it takes nothing for granted and never spends useless screen time. It will cause a storm in yr heart regularly every few episodes. Binge warning: you may end up with major sleep deprivation because you cannot stop watching. 21 eps at over 1hr ea.

Favorite things: The total coolness of a narrative frame where a rejected manuscript from the state history annals is reinvestigated (by the series!) and deemed too unusual to be true. Implied is that the narrator is a pansori singer, Rang Eum, who loves NM, played by a lovely 23yr-old actor.

Lots of battle but no big set pieces (hate them).

The vulnerability of women when social structures break, their disposability in war and their invisibility afterwards.

Confucian and other ethical questions: what do the just do in an unjust situation, how do people like us survive in the chaos of history?

Sigh...the house by the stream with a fence of forsythia branches is my favourite set -- wait for it!

Namkoong Min's face and attitudes(s) are the magnetic north of a tonal structure which knits together the larger political frame and the emphasis on the individual life. He is completely brilliant playing a jaded melancholy outsider who falls very very very hard for the young, spirited daughter of a comfortable provincial family. Ahn Eun Jin matches NM's subtlety with a steady powerful presence; changes in the young Gil Chae happen so slowly and always so late that they sneak up on you. She gets equal closeup camera time , deservedly. The essence of the central relationship, very Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, will drive you just as crazy as that couple did in the dark ages, and for over half the drama!!! about 15 hrs -- N.B. GWtW was only 2.5 hrs.

first posted on viki may 27th 2024

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Empress Ki was my favorite until this EPIC story came along

For mature audiences who love to watch powerful romantic shows!
Number 1 The music alone would make me want to watch it again, That voice and the melody can really take you to a place of imagery, it was perfect for the show.

Number 2 The ML, had the most sexiest, deep, voice, his timing to respond was excellent. I’ve never seen this actor before, but now I’m going to be looking for everything he plays in. He has a look in his eyes as if what’s happening is true,. I’ve seen hundreds of shows like this one and other types of shows like Wolf, which was my favorite too until this movie!

Number 3 The plot was very well executed, the only thing is , it should have been longer than 20 episodes !

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A must for historical drama fans (and romance fans)

I have to begin this review with the fact that, in general, I do enjoy watching historical kdramas so I feel rather strongly about how much I loved this drama. I watched part 1 and 2 consecutively (in an effort to avoid writing my thesis paper lol) so this review will be based on both parts.

First and foremost, the acting in this drama is an absolute 10/10. Every character was portrayed so masterfully by their actors. I also think this goes hand in hand with the writing of the drama. The writing was well done, in my humble opinion, and all the character's actions felt true to their character. And each main character had a beautiful storyline and arc and this includes the characters that were not my faves, which I think speaks to the writing being done well. I particularly feel that the female lead's character development was done incredibly well. Also, I am a sucker for well done romantic dialogue and there were some lines that just pierced my heart so deeply. For the sake of not spoiling anything, I won't write any out. But the chemistry between the leads?! 10/10, no words.

The strong female characters were... chef's kiss. Their perseverance, resilience, and sisterhood was one of my favorite parts. Yes, this drama centers romance but it does such a good job in highlighting how amazing women are especially during such difficult times and harsh conditions. When it comes to the romance, there is a lot of push and pull and I can see how people might find this annoying or boring, but I actually didn't mind it in this story and actually felt it fitting. The other parts of the story, like the political turmoil and how it affected people, were also done well because it really makes you become invested in what is going on and how people are being affected.

There were some amazingly beautiful shots in this drama. I had to pause occasionally to take it all in. Hats off to the cinematographers. To wrap this up, if you enjoy historical dramas I think you should definitely give this a chance. If you enjoy romance that is felt so strongly through the screen because of great chemistry, give this a chance.

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A Glass Half Empty

Well, someone has to put on their big boy pants here. If there’s anything I for certain have gotten out of this drama is that I wouldn’t mind if it ended with Ryang Eum taking off h-..

My Dearest, where do i begin? Have i already begun? Hell could i even tell you after a ridiculously long “part 1” that this drama even began yet? I’m sorry , let me get the few praises i have out the way that made me stick through and why anyone contemplating may want to give it a go.

Cast

Yes this is indeed Namkoong Min’s world and we’re just living in it. Emphasis on namkoong min alone, not his character. In fact I’ll get it out the way that there’s not a single character besides one (I’ll get to) that satisfied me on screen. BUT!..but, the casting surprisingly held its own to enhance the mediocrity my now dreary eyes couldn’t get enough of. Namkoong Min is truly a delight no matter what he’s starred in, i can watch the man stare in longing from afar for hours. Actually, should i rewind and start a timer? I think we have already, no? Was at least 10% of this drama not comprised o-. Sigh, pros… pros. The rest were good enough, big ups for the antagonists here.

Cinematography

Watch the trailer. Yeah no just watch the tr-Shut up, turn the trailer on. Want more? Of course you do .

Jack of all Trades, Master of None

Listen, we have a bit of almost everything here that almost every kdrama fan can’t get enough of. Cliche romantic setups, poetic dialogue, BL, stunning settings, censored BL, intense love triangles as confusing as they are everchanging. Hm, anticlimatic cliffhangers keeping us flat on the center of our chairs, oh hey Ryang. Grand action sequences , sleeve tugging, not now Ryang, heart numbing departures, weirdly timed confessions, me too Ryang. Know it all there for it all wingmen. Oh so mysterious and seemingly tragic pasts, singing, fine ,one more Ryang. Damsels in distress, but hey, capable damsels? Trying betrayals, ah, slam him harder against the wall, more passion, t-that’ll show him.

Fyi, i enjoyed all of these and more for some reason. And for that same reason unknown to me, I’m sure anyone contemplating on watching it now would too. Would i say any of these were executed profoundly? No, but I wouldn’t say any of them were done in some piss poor manner either, more so a delicate tinkle.


Character

No not characters, let me introduce the most refreshing female lead to hit the screen in 2023, that I’ve wa-. Yoo Gil Chae is this manipulative, seemingly selfish, obnoxiously stubborn, clueless, hopeless romantic young woman finding herself during a dark time in Neunggun-ri that’s falling down on her quicker and heavier than anyone at that point of time could ever imagine. Forcing this carefree woman to adapt quickly in extremely harsh and boundary pushing surroundings. What once was manipulating others’ infatuation and frustrations for her personal gain in favor, entertainment ,and reputation suddenly had to shift into taking advantage of the cards dealt in front of her in order to survive and protect those she care for. This selfish woman going with almost any means necessary to make it through one more cold insufferable night, day by day. You have the absolute pleasure of witnessing these strengths and weaknesses contrast in several completely different and expansive situations. Sometimes with relieving and maturing results, other times leading to deeper holes and despair. Ladies and gentlemen, Namkoong Min may hold the star power, but there’s no other character here that holds a torch to the ever-growing flame that is Yoo Gil Chae. She alone made this worth my time, she alone may make this worth watching part 2 if i weren’t currently exaggerating my ass off from the temporary fulfillment her character has given me in comparison to the other mediocrity.


Episode 6

I do not care what anyone has said or tells you. This point here is what sold me on this drama’s potential that it later fell flat on. Not the drastic tone change in the beginning episodes, though impressive in contrasting. Hell if you would want to just spring on ahead of the other episodes to see what i mean, I wouldn’t advise otherwise. This was the peak for me, all the way through, what happened before and after this episode? Couldn’t tell you.

I don’t wish to convince anybody to turn away from this series, as there’s some quite impactful stuff here to miss out on. But I wouldn’t consider this a must try either. At moments it has everything going for it. But then there’s the ineptness of the pacing here of what feels like a story meant to be told in it’s entirety within what is made out to be the first half? The extremely questionable actions and senseless confusion from these characters that had me questioning if i’m just not comprehending the full picture drawn out. The sole plot progression tool and absolute bot of a character Eun Ae went out her way to be. The complete abomination of a “part 1” finale that was just all over the place in pacing and writing that terrifies me in even opening a trailer for the inevitable second half around the corner. These are hot takes, simpleminded thoughts to avoid deep dives and heavy spoilers just to take a shit on this drama in full cognition. My single half assed rant amongst the swarming amounts of well thought out reviews treasuring this drama for plenty of valid reasons. I’m currently half awake and pissed at the potential I personally didn’t find this drama coming close to. Constantly sipping away at some cheap wine i know would be empty soon. Admittedly addicting ,but no memorable notes. Now a trade of my time for a bit of yours.

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seobangnim (서방님)

By far the best series of the historical genre in the last 10 years! Although the screenplay is an adaptation of the enduring work "Gone with the Wind", at least for the first 5 episodes, the author has so delicately mixed different emotions such as fear, excitement, love, sadness, and hope that the story drowns you. There are no extra scenes or dialogues, unlike other series in which you advance the scenes, here every scene will nail you! I emphasize that all the actors have played their roles in the best way, even the minor roles like soldiers! This series is not to be missed!

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Amazing... but confused

A quite slow beginning (it took 2 episodes to really get into it), but it is worth hanging in there. Acting was amazing, especially in the war scenes. The chemistry is great and the sorority between the four women is really precious.

I loved almost everything, except the last 2 episodes that I found to be a bit confusing (with some flashbacks?). The war/occupation storyline was completly left out in the last episode and it looked like a pressed ending. It is honestly disappointing and a waste because there is so much more to be done (exploring characters' past, development etc).

Let's see what season 2 has in store, but give season 1 a try :) EDIT : Go watch Part 2 it's amazing !! My Part 2 review : https://mydramalist.com/profile/lisouille/reviews/329673

Note : I am a bit sensitive and some scenes were kinda violent so watch out if you cannot stand violence...

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a perfect marriage of history & drama

This review is only for Part 1 (Ep 1-10)

Having grown up in North America, I know next to nothing of Chinese & Asian history. This K-period drama has sparked my curiosity about ancient China's profound economic, political, & cultural influence on Korean history. The show balances interwoven love triangles, set against the tumultuous backdrop of the 1637 Qing invasion by a transitioning China. Korea is caught in the crossfire between two Chinese dynasties, the declining Ming & rising Qing.

The central character is a young noblewoman, Yu Gil Chae, who lives in a college town filled with scholarly noble families. She, along with her peers, is concerned only with finding the right husband. Problem is, she loves her best friend's betrothed who doesn't return the affection. As the spectre of a devastating war looms, a mysterious nobleman, Lee Jang Hyun, comes into town to do business, who seems completely noncommital & almost contemptuous in both personal relationships as well as politics. He justifiably criticizes a weak and paranoid king. However, willingly or not, he becomes a key player in the fate of the townspeople, the country, & Gil Chae's destiny.

The romance portion starts off light in tone, whereas the war is given a very stark & brutal picture. The barbarian coalition of Manchus, Mongols, & Chinese forces are literally blood thirsty. Interestingly, the Manchu language, which is now in danger of extinction, is preserved in this drama with the actors actually having had to learn & speak lines of it. For the first half, it seemed like this show would be a more serious war drama with a light romance on the side which didn't really seem to fit. There's the usual trope of the bad start relationship, & Gil Chae's devotion to her unrequited love interest got rather annoying.

However, in the 2nd half of Season 1, the war ends with the subjugation of the Joseon king, & the relationship between Gil Chae & Jang Hyun, as well as the rest of the characters, gets really interesting. The war divides Joseon into 2 types of people: those who place counry & duty above all else & those who don't. This is oversimplification but it's the basis of all the interpersonal conflicts. I liked Ahn Eun Jin's amazing portrayal of Gil Chae's growth from a naive girl into a self determined woman. I was completely sucked in watching the push & pull of Gil Chae & Jang Hyun's relationship as they try to figure out what they want from each other & for themselves. The emotional level is on par with The Red Sleeve. Gil Chae makes a gut wrenching but true-to-self decision at the end & this is the lead in to Season 2. Definitely must watch to the finish!

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