I read enough of your fanwall post to see that this is based off of Gone with the Wind, and now I feel like I really have enough info to decide if I want to watch it (that's a no, by the way). Thanks.

Agree! Also the frequent wizzing between Qing and Hangyang like Joseon had invented high speed rail! Surely these journeys would have been so arduous they would have happened 1-2 times max in a person’s lifetime?

I watched this only because I love Namkoong Min, however flicked forward through a lot of it because there was a severe lack of romance for a series entitled ‘My Dearest’ (false marketing!). And my frustration levels were constantly so high due to the fact that all these tragedies unfolded because, over and over again, the protagonists wouldn’t open their mouths and bloody-well communicate with each other. And in most scenarios it’s not because of some Confucian social rule, it’s because the writers needed ongoing wilful miscommunication (or lack of) between the characters to drive the plot forward. Once or twice maybe, but over and over? Too much.

I'm here for some clues about whether to watch or not - sageuk is not my favourite and I am absolutely Joseoned out for now at least, so one point for something a bit different. Also one more point if it has a GWTW feel - one of my favourite novels that I stayed up all night to finish decades ago, even though I had to go to work next morning, because I just couldn't wait to find out what happened. Unfortunately it has been overshadowed by the film version, which I liked well enough to watch at least 3 times over the years.

The reason I'm replying to your post rather than any other is your comment about stupid decisions, which I'm guessing you mean by the characters. I tend to be really critical about stupid decisions, and my living room frequently resounds with, "How stupid!" "OMG, not again, I can't stand it", and "What did he/she do that for!" but ... now the GWTW reference touched on by other people is making me consider stupid decisions in the context of the wider panorama of war, rather than the much smaller sphere of the average human life at any given moment.

We watch k-dramas and have the benefit of knowing every secret that might have been spilled, though not all characters are in on the information. We see moments between people that other characters don't see, and unless the drama is also hiding information from its viewers, we are like gods in a way, seeing all, possibly knowing all, and being critical of responses that don't chime with what we might do given all the information we have (not least the well-traveled road of a typical k-drama and all the wrist grabbing, secrecy, misunderstandings, noble idiocy, etc. that I am certain new characters are not aware of the way we are, after seeing it all play out a hundred times).

I am so guilty of criticising this, and usually pretty scathing with it, but thinking back to Scarlett O'Hara's selfish, unthinking behaviour and how the unusual hardships of war and environment, plus the unexpected twists and turns of fate when there is limited control over one's own life, forced her to grow up enough to cope and survive (though ultimately she was still fooling herself) I find that my attitude has softened a bit concerning dumb character decisions, because I'm probably older and wiser than they are, I'm not easily swayed by anyone or anything the way some people are, nor do I give a fig for convention. I'm now realising how dismissive I am from on high about other people's decisions, and though I rationalise my own, perhaps the people that know me might beg to differ!

I am intrigued abput this drama now, especially as I've just read about all the awards it bagged today. While writing this I've decided to give it s go, so let's see if my new-found patience can last!