My Dearest
I love historical K-dramas, as my introduction to South Korean dramas was Jewel in the Palace, and it was a true jewel, hard-to-top, historical drama. But my review today is about another gem of a K-drama.
My Dearest is a 21-episode historical drama that centers around the lives of noble woman Yoo Gil-chae and man of mysterious past Lee Jang-Hyeon. The first half of the drama is loosely based on Gone with the Wind, but the war that takes place in the K-drama is that between Joseon and the Qing.
The first few episodes are light and somewhat comedic as we are introduced to the main leads and the relationship between the two. We also get to know the supporting cast and come to care for them and fear for their lives throughout the war.
The drama heavily features political and moral themes. It is also rampant with violence, both physical and sexual, although the latter is implied rather than explicit. Which makes it at times a dark and heavy watch. It was not an easy watch as I’m sensitive to bloody scenes and references of sexual assault, but as I pushed through it I found out it was worth the heart ache. Just keep a box of tissues at hand.
It has been a long while since I watched any dramas after When Life Gives You Tangerines (if you want to read a review of that one let me know in the comments below), as that drama was the hard-to-achieve perfect mix of heart-warming and heart-breaking. Although My Dearest is mostly heart-breaking, the few dispersed sunshine moments here and there truly make it worth your time.
[Spoiler Alert]
I found the most romantic, most devoted, and most tender confession of love in My Dearest. In my favourite scene, Gil-chae wanted to tell Jang-Hyeon what she had to endure during her time in Shenyang, and he responded:
Don’t you realize that I want you in all your states? Poor Gil-chae, rich Gil-chae, impudent Gil-chae, obedient Gil-chae, Gil-chae that doesn’t love me, and Gil-chae that loves me.
To which she asked: What about Gil-chae who was violated by barbarians?
And his answer was: Then I must hold you, for you must have suffered.
