This was surprisingly very bold considering it was a TV Show. Comparing this to the movie of the same material, this had a more daring story despite lacking the nudity that the movie had. The elements of the women/women relationship were done with reverence and respect. It was very adult and frank. When Yun Bok was revealed to be a woman to Jeong Hyang, the love remained. Likewise with Hong Do, although the roles in this circumstance were switched. Painter of The Wind was able to do so many things but the key details of the complexity of both relationships was captured magnificently, allowing for such a strong core plot to carry the show forward. In addition to the core, Painter Of The Wind was able to fully develop the world of Artistry and Dohwaseo, showing the history of the society and their important place within the world of Joseon. I found myself truly invested in the competitions and the stakes that were at hand, so much that my heart was racing rapidly during the final competition between Hong Do and Yun Bok. Where the story faltered a little. It really didn’t explain the link between King Jeongjo’s search for Prince Sado’s portrait and the death of Yun Bok’s father in a clear manner. At least not a way that I fully accepted without no question. The political nature of that conspiracy was a little lost to my ignorant ears.

The performances were excellent throughout the cast. Moon Geun-young had earned the Daesang for the SBS Awards and Best Actress for Baeksang Arts Awards, and while I perhaps need to look at the other candidates for those awards, she earned it with her leading role as the man-dressed female painter. Her counterpart, Park Shin-yang, had more comedic elements than serious ones in his character, the famed artist, Kim Hong-Do. She had to contend with the dramatic love-stories, the tragic past aspects of her character and the light cheerful nature that her character possessed, making it all come off like a complex singular person rather than a mix-match of emotions. She and Moon Chae-won, a ginseng, had magnificent chemistry on screen, more than plenty of male/women pairings have, enough to win Best Couple. A magnificent achievement. It made Moon Chae-won a rising star in the Korean television world which led to breakout roles in the next several years. And of course, the reliable Bae Soo-bin was great as the King who brought honour to his discarded father.

What else could I say? This is an immense period piece. For what it may lack of a historic value that Dong Yi provided in the two years later, this was still able to tell a magnificent, heartfelt story.