This is my second time watching it. I think its better this time because all the anxiousness is gone (I know who lives and dies) and now I can just relax and enjoy it as it unfolds.

Lee Byung Hun is one of my favorite ML’s and he doesn’t fail to highly succeed in mesmerizing us this series. I had not seen Kim Tae Ri (FL) before and I thought she was just great. Actually, everyone of the actors and actresses are just fabulous in their roles and one is able to connect to each one emotionally and feel what they are feeling at that moment.

I would like to add my two cents worth about the controversy over the ML being so much older than the FL. I think maybe younger viewers might not readily figure out the dynamics of why it was cast this way so I thought I’d explain. The FL is very mature. She is not only well educated, especially for that time when women were not permitted access to education and the outer world, but she is also a Freedom Fighter. She is intelligent and she simply isn’t going to be attracted to someone her age. We can see that in her disdain for the SML. But the ML is extremely accomplished in all facets of life…his demeanor is one of tremendous self confidence and she is drawn to that more than just him being physically attractive. A notable quote by the FL…If a man cannot keep a promise to a woman….what can he keep? This shows how important Honor and Loyalty is to the FL.

I can highly relate to this situation as this has been my life story. I have lived in the wilderness a lot of my life. I was accomplished at many things when younger, including martial arts. I simply could not relate to someone my own age. I ended up marrying two times, both men were much older than me…..one 26 years older, the other 20. For me a relationship is not so much about love, although that is important, but more about respecting my partner for his own accomplishments which I require to be many. The FL proves this is also how she views a potential partner. She isn’t interested in daily Korean life, she wants to be a mover and shaker and is likewise drawn to someone else who is also that way.

So I give Kudos to casting for including this wonderful dynamic - rarely seen in KDramas. The story moves along swiftly and I thoroughly enjoyed the time that was shown where she was training to be a Freedom Fighter. She is that perfect combination of being tough as nails, but not emotionally stunted…..she lets her guard down when she knows she can trust someone.

Honorable mention certainly goes to Choi Moo Sung (her mentor) - he always nails a character. Of course we must mention Yoo Yeon Seok (Dong Mae the Samurai). He is just breathtaking in this role - certainly one of his finest roles. You just breathe in his pain, his confusion and despair and embrace the choices he makes as he emotionally matures through the series.

Surprisingly there are a lot of very funny moments in this tragedy series. Often provided by Il-Sik, the trader. For instance he is asked what his name means. His friend says Hope. Il Sik shakes his head and says no, it means never skip a meal. Later on he is trying to explain to a lady gambler why she isn’t having any luck as a gambler. He says to her “In a game, if you can’t figure out who is being hustled, its probably you”. Between his witty sayings and his funny facial expressions, he brings a light heart to a heavy drama.

Lastly Byun Yo Han (SML) does a really wonderful job. You can’t stand him in the beginning and cry for him in the ending. I don’t really consider this a spoiler statement…..most of us who are long time watchers of Sageuk know the SML never has a happy ending.