OVERALL
Interesting drama that you can easily watch, one episode after another, within a week, completely addicted by the action. Watch if 1) You like strong female leads, 2) You're looking for a new cute actor to obsess about, 3) You want to watch a fictional account of North-South Korean relations. Don't watch if 1) You can't stand when the male lead is a jerk with the female lead for half of the show, 2) You have low tolerance for nice people suffering and/or dying, 3) You don't like surreal, cartoony characters.
THE STORY
Let me start by saying that I like shows that allow us to have a look at North Korea, even if that look might be completely misleading. Also, let me say that although there might be no truth in it, I like the positive, promising outlook that this show offers of the relationship between North and South Korea, something a lot nicer than the neverending relationship strain that is constantly being reflected in other shows and the media. That being said, there's more to this drama to make it quite good: a strong female lead, a maturing male lead, a very adorable second couple (almost better than the main couple), some thrilling action scenes and an interesting love story. The male lead is a jerk for about half the show, but since he redeems himself, that's okay. The bad guy is a complete nutcase that has no life or purpose other than being a bad guy, but since you're quite happy with where that leads him, that's also kind of okay. Some sad incidents happen over the course of the story that make you wonder if they were really necessary...and that's the main thing that irked me. That, and the excessive aegyo of the female lead in some scenes, but that's another story.
THE ACTING
I was very impressed by the secondary actors in this drama. Jo Jung Suk was fabulous and won a free, one-way ticket into my Top-actors list. Lee Joon Yi was also very good in her role, and especially in portraying the emotions that someone undergo in her character's situation. I also have to say, for once, there was a non-Korean actress actually acting well, Samantha Daniel. Perfect rendition of a psychopath. Although I love Lee Seung Gi and Ha Ji Won, their performances seemed less impressive simply because their roles were not much different from others they had played, but they had great chemistry.
THE MUSIC
Taeyeon, baby! Her song, Missing you like crazy, was absolutely amazing for the show, and instantly found its way to my mp3 and my list of best drama OSTs. Instrumental tracks were also quite good, particularly one called Hang Ah's dream.
REWATCH VALUE
Rewatched. Twice.
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