My Dearest with all its paraphernalia will, for me, stand at the apex of a period piece adjacent to Kingdom. It is a vision of a lover manque till the very end, until its materialization.
It's not a drama that will induce beatification for most parts, so do not expect that.
It will have you at chokehold with intense tension in between characters and with the circumstances, making you anticipate for what comes next. It's the Joseon's weaving of love and unwavering fidelity in all forms and values amidst royal feud, political uproar, foreign invasion, war and chaos.

When I see Nam Goong-min, rest assured it'll be quality delivered. He defined peak gentleman as Lee Jang-hyun; masculine enough to cut through vile, yet feminine enough to express tenderness through his affectionate gestures and acts of service. Can one really get enough of his acting? He lives in his roles. You think it couldn't be any better, but he'll prove you wrong.

Ahn Eun-jin as Lady Yoo is the most cherishable entity in the drama. Her character development from part 1 to 2 was one of the finest things about this drama. Soft yet strong-willed, cantankerous yet compassionate; she displays those emotions at full range without holding back the force that is Goong-min. I was thoroughly impressed by her spirited portrayal of a cringe-free character.

A tale of passionate yearning, yet not overbearing. The pacing might seem a bit tardigrade at times but will round up substantially.
Resolve if strong enough will not be shaken by any external force, and devotion if deep enough will not be sifted out by any enchantress; nuanced and beautifully intricate.
[mild spoiler alert]
As evidenced by Jang-hyun's last conversation with the princess of Qing Dynasty as she questions "Why do you want to return to your hometown, you will die; is it because of her?"
Hyun softens his gaze as he replies, "She is my hometown. Now I want to return home and take a rest.