I hadn't yet seen a Korean TV Series, and found this work a Feast for the Eyes and Soul.
The Story is very interesting, with unexpected twists and turns, and has everything (romance, history, war, drama, torture, action, comedy, tenderness), all leaving us longing for the next episode. The Cast is fabulous, all Actor/Actress well match, rendering their scenes perfectly, every time. The Lighting is marvellous, creating shadows and volumes that add to the richness of detail. The subdued Makeup make all actors look gorgeous. The Wardrobe is either luxurious or of elegant simplicity, turning everybody (rich and poor) very attractive. The netting hats, with their ellipses, have a dialogue of their own with the faces. The Music is excellent and adequate in all scenes. The natural Landscapes are probably the most beautiful I have seen in years, and the city ones are also interesting.
(The only, tiny reason why I don't give it a round 10, its the Framing of some side view portrait shots, that I thing should have not been centred, but instead obey the proportion of 2 parts in front of the face to 1 part in the back of the head, that results better - but that is a personal preference, that the director may not share.)
In the end, the bad are punished, the good rewarded, and we feel elated for having watched a Work of Art.
The Story is very interesting, with unexpected twists and turns, and has everything (romance, history, war, drama, torture, action, comedy, tenderness), all leaving us longing for the next episode. The Cast is fabulous, all Actor/Actress well match, rendering their scenes perfectly, every time. The Lighting is marvellous, creating shadows and volumes that add to the richness of detail. The subdued Makeup make all actors look gorgeous. The Wardrobe is either luxurious or of elegant simplicity, turning everybody (rich and poor) very attractive. The netting hats, with their ellipses, have a dialogue of their own with the faces. The Music is excellent and adequate in all scenes. The natural Landscapes are probably the most beautiful I have seen in years, and the city ones are also interesting.
(The only, tiny reason why I don't give it a round 10, its the Framing of some side view portrait shots, that I thing should have not been centred, but instead obey the proportion of 2 parts in front of the face to 1 part in the back of the head, that results better - but that is a personal preference, that the director may not share.)
In the end, the bad are punished, the good rewarded, and we feel elated for having watched a Work of Art.