Dong Yi is this long, epic drama. Admittedly most people feel a little scared to watch it because of its length but it's definitely worth the time spent to watch it.

The drama is definitely an eye opener. There are a lot of shocking moments in this drama where you go my dear god would people actually do that! They're appalling but it really gives you perspective on how seriously politics was taken back then. Also it gives great insight into the slave class and how they were treated in Korea. The drama does a great job of bringing light to that. On top of that the writers did an excellent job of weaving in romance where possible among the tragedies and mysteries of the palace.

Han Hyo Joo does an excellent job of portraying the righteous, just and beautiful Dong Yi who captures many a man's heart while she's on the quest for justice. Ji Jin Hee IS EXCELLENT. I don't know how else to say it. I'm actually a Bae Soo Bin fan so for Ji Jin Hee to steal the light from him in the drama was a pretty big deal for me. He's an excellent king! Very unlike the other kings I've seen in dramas who are portrayed very seriously and he makes it very easy to like him as a leader. Lee So Yeon is a scary woman...honestly her eyes scare me, she truly is the perfect choice for the seductress Lady Jang. Bae Soo Bin is sweet but not quite the main focus so I'll refrain from commenting on how awesome he looks with a beard.

The music behind the scenes is great and it suits the drama perfectly. Sometimes there's some pieces that when you know they come up something bad is going to happen and so I just started hating those ones but thats the only negative thing I can really say about that. Jang Nara is a great song.

And over all! It is honestly one of the best dramas I've ever seen.

Yes you should see it. Absolutely. You'd be a fool not to :) Even with it's 60 hour length!

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Okay my overall score is a bit high...but let me defend it.

I didn't go into this movie with a lot of expectations because other than Han Hyo Joo, I'm not really interested in much of the cast. (I know I'm wretched). The premise interested me but what kept me watching was the absolutely magnetic performance of Lee Byung Hun.

He is beyond talented and he deserves all the praise he gets for being a great actor and if you don't believe me or really wonder why Korea thinks he's 'all that' watch this movie. It will clear up all the doubts you ever had of him. Just within the premise of the story he plays two physical characters (Ha Su and Gwanghae) but Ha Su himself goes through so much to change that the range that Lee Byung Hun delivers believably is great. The transitions of his character are seamless.

The story moves quickly and is enjoyable from the start, you get to literally see things that you would never expect in a historical drama but maybe like me have always wondered. There's a human aspect to this story that doesn't come across as well in other historical dramas I find because the king is a man who is from the palace. In Gwanghae, it's the opposite as the position of king is given to someone who is absolutely not from the palace.

I didn't particularly notice the music >< (my bad!) I would definitely rewatch this movie but not right away cause dear god I have way too much to actually watch (and right now I'm going to rewatch Coffee Prince ^.^)

But overall, love Gwanghae...if you're looking for a good historical WITH AMAZING acting, watch Gwanghae. It didn't just win big at award shows for nothing :)

P.S. (the other actors in this film do really well too even though I just mentioned Lee Byung Hun cause he blew me away. In particular I really liked the Eunuch :))

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Okay so I'm not sure if anyone else has heard this buttt basically going into this movie I'd heard it compared to one of my favourite K-movies of all time, 'A Werewolf Boy' which is Song Joong Ki basically proving his genius to us. (God I miss him now that he's in the army :( )

So needless to say I was very excited about Architecture 101, and now I wish I hadn't been. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the movie. I did, it had every aspect of a melodrama I was looking for but something about it struck a strange chord with me and I can't decide whether I like this movie or don't like it.

Before this review gets anymore strange...let's just address the main topics :)

Story wise - it was actually excellent. The resolution has meaning, but it's not apparent right away. If you find yourself unhappy with the ending, think about why it happened the way it did and you'll understand that this was the only plausible resolution.

Acting/Cast - OMG SUZY. lol damn is my bias showing? Yes I'm Suzy-biased :) and I really like Han Ga In. Both of them were flawless but I think Lee Je Hoon really stole the spotlight from them. The innocence he portrayed with his character floored me and I'm still in awe at the way he conveyed his emotions through his expressions *dead*

Music - Music...there wasn't really much of it. When there was music in the movie they used it pretty appropriately. Not like other movies where you hear music for no reason and kind of tune it out, no the music here had a definite purpose. Just for that it gets a 10. Every song is there for a reason...and that is the best incorporation of music in a movie I have ever seen.

Rewatch...maybe in a few years? Maybe to show my friends? But to make me happy? No. I won't rewatch it. It's not a bad movie, far from it...but it's definitely not something I'd choose to sit down and watch again right now.

Overall though, I did really enjoy it and I do suggest you watch it :)it's worth your time.

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