My Country: The New Age (2019) User Reviews

Gets the mix right

[vasiln · 8/10 · 30 October 2019]

There's a bit of a formula for these Asian historical epics. That's okay. There's a formula to Shakespeare, too; a formula to opera.

But that doesn't mean it's easy to get it right. Easier is to overdo one aspect, skimp on another. There's a recipe, but no measure for the ingredients.

My Country doesn't tell a brave new story. You've seen it before: ambition, love, honor, loyalty, and of course, the fickleness of fate. But MC consistently gets its genre's mix right. Characters have enough personality (as opposed to the too-typically bland, blank slates presented in fear of alienating any viewers). There's plenty of action, but not too much, and I never felt that its characters were swashbuckling just for the sake of swashbuckling; the action always has narrative meaning. And there's a love story here, maybe more than one, and of course tragedy, betrayal, but MC walks that tightrope of sentimentality carefully. Sure, there's melodrama-- you do know the genre, don't you?-- but it's contained.

Strongly recommended for any fans of the genre. For anyone who doesn't know if they're a fan yet, MC would be a great way to find out.

Hats off for Netflix

[osmansh · 9/10 · 27 October 2019]

Wow This is one of the best korean show series I seen

Action , story , suspense , Graphics ,

If you Are fan of war arrows you would love This one .

One of the best historical dramas

[AJ_McAninch · 9/10 · 3 May 2020]

Terrific leads, wonderful cast, direction, and OST, and it broke my heart from beginning to end. The leads shine so beautifully, but I could never watch it again because of the grief I felt over and over-I knew they were going out together. That graceful Pieta at the end said everything about these two best friends who loved one another and suffered so much. I love the historical dramas, and though I'm devastated (let's not forget the other love stories too, and the bracelet, and his smile at her at the end), I'm glad I saw My Country, one of the very best.

Oscar worthy performance

[anuchild-453-589170 · 10/10 · 27 November 2019]

I do not typically do reviews, but am making an exception. I am not Korean. I am a historian. I must say this was so rich with culture, tradition, authenticity, and the acting was Oscar level. All of the primary and secondary actors moved my emotions and were seemlessly in touch with their characters. I never liked TV much, but this made me long for the next episode. Thank you for creating this story. I would have stretched the story until one of the mains became king. I am a rebel I guess. :) Every week I felt as though I was being dropped back in time. The costumes, sets, just everything was so meticulously done. The Cinematography was incredible. I could not tell there was a camera or set involved at any point. Again, thank you so much for making this series.

Absolutely incredible and captivating

[nicoletagavris · 10/10 · 27 November 2019]

I randomly came across this show on Netflix. I was completely moved and pulled in from the very first scene, which sets both a tone of urgency and of curiosity. The acting is wonderful across the board, with Yang Se-jong (Hwi), Woo Do-hwan (Seon-ho), and Jang Hyuk (Bang-won) in three of the most compelling and well-acted roles I have ever seen on TV. The score is outstanding as well, and only builds on the beautiful cinematography, costumes, scenery, and set design. The action choreography is riveting- I haven't seen such well-planned fight sequences in years. The quality of the show is completely jaw-dropping, and the visuals only add to the tragic and captivating story. The characters are meaningful and motivated, and the story is so complex and human that it's difficult to choose sides- leaving the viewer engaged and constantly thinking. I would highly recommend this show to anyone who wants to be moved. I'll be rewatching it for years to come!

Thank you, Netflix. This show is a masterpiece

[aaronjonesthfc · 10/10 · 13 December 2019]

I don't typically write many reviews on shows but I feel like going out and bellowing from the rooftops about this show. Honestly, it's that good. This might be the greatest story about friendship that I have ever seen. The bond between the characters feels so real. Epic battle scenes which had me on the edge of my seat. Betrayals which left me with more salt in my mouth than the Red Wedding (truly).

I don't want to ramble on too much but I have to give massive credit to the cast. The actors and actresses were exceptional. A lot of historical shows like this can often fail with overacting or poor dialogue but this was executed perfectly.

The only negative thing I can say is that it's subtitled and some people don't like that. I have friends who only watch dubbed shows who won't give this a chance but please, if you're one of those people please give this show a shot. You won't be disappointed.

A somewhat slow start

[joebill0069 · 10/10 · 31 October 2019]

An awesome soundtrack, an amazing cast with beautiful scenery and cinematography. I don't know how else to say it but each episode is like watching a high quality movie. The action is a joy watching with great camera work and not overdone with cutswith realistic battle sequences and with characters you really start to care about. My only complaints would be the first half of the first episode is a little slow and there needs to be more of this show I can't get enough. The more you watch the better it gets

Superb!!!

[sadinkaraga · 10/10 · 22 October 2019]

Wow just wow IM speechless how good this is. Can't find words. Highly recommended.

I review rarely....

[apd134 · 10/10 · 7 December 2019]

I review rarely and rate often. This show in totality is EPIC!!!!!!!!!!! It is not solely one genre. It encompasses several. The episodes are about 90 minutes each which was a different experience. Hopefully you don't mind subtitles because this is worth the original language version. Just watch it. Sit down, press play, and keep watching. You will eventually see... The storyline and character development is going to blow you away. Again, take your time and enjoy it. You'll thank me later!

Good, but pop music ruin the experience

[kevinnivek1 · 7/10 · 28 June 2021]

The show is great, the characters are interesting and some very complex, and despite there isent anything particularly new its well done, I like the emotions this show tries to appeal, I would rate this a 9, but the "cheap" pop music ruins many off the scenes of what could be a deep moment, makes them look cheap and artificial.

The first episode was more balanced and epic music was main, after that maybe to appeal to youngsters they decided to go pop... Im really frustrated with this...

Highly Recommended 👌🏻

[trasekh · 10/10 · 16 October 2019]

Strong plot , Great acts An amazing Historical Drama

A MASTERPIECE THAT LEFT ME SPEECHLESS!!!

[pactfo · 21 February 2023]

Rarely am I left speechless after watching a tv-series but this historical epic story which contains all human emotions is truly breathtaking to watch, it took me places and it felt real. I've already watched it twice back to back and I crave for more!

The dilemma, at least that's how it works for me, is that I cannot stop watching a epic captivating series like this but at the same time I do not want the story to end! I love all the characters, the acting, the scenery, the sets, the fighting scenes, the complex friendship between the 2 main characters, the romance, the utterly lovely Yeon and last but not least .... the soundtrack omg the songs are all so good and well chosen! They really complement the story!

There are many great scenes, one that stood out to me was the scene in episode 7 that starts at around 17m30s with Bang-Won asking for some information, it's just incredible and so epic. Bang-Won who was masterfully portrayed and played by Jang Hyuk another superb character and actor in this fascinating historical drama.

I'm sure I will watch this series a third time, there's just so much happening. A mindblowing series, thanks go to all people involved, behind and on the set, with special thanks to all the great actors. Let me know if there are more series like this, I want to see them all!

Korean history is cool af!

K-pop period melodrama for teens

[Ladiloque · 6/10 · 3 January 2020]

Comic-like characters (ofc quite beautiful, well dressed, neat and fit), systematically tragic plot twists and the always-modern themes of love, justice, power, death, friendship, betrayal and war.

Unfortunately - given the target audience - everything is dealt with without much originality or depth: fights for life, overcomplex machinations, lots of blood and tears, slow-mos and catchy music.

Production value is not bad at all, but I'm looking for a quality script and here everything has 2 hundred years at least (or is stupidly anachronistic).

Of course had I watched it when I was 16yo I would have probably loved it. Yet at 40 - even watching it at 2x speed - I couldn't make it past the 5th episode (more than 12 hours still to go...). Good in its niche, mediocre overall.

Seeing the overall ratings, this must be an unpopular opinion, but...

[ninchenbienchen · 5/10 · 19 September 2021]

...what the hell did I even watch?!

But before I get to the downside of this show, let's begin with the good:

The cinematography was amazing, the stunts were great but never too over the top, and last but not least, the cast did an outstanding job. Oh, right, and the soundtrack was quite cool too. So all of that is why this show still deserves those 5 stars at least.

But the storyline was pretty much non existent. None of the two male main characters had a purpose they fought for from the very beginning. And even halfway through the show their goals changed constantly. First, it was revenge for this, then revenge for that, and so on and so forth.

And don't get me started on the main males' friendship. This is the most ridiculous best friend relationship I've ever seen. One of them sends the other to war to "protect him" from his evil father, even though the chance of surviving as a soldier in the military at the time was zero - but sure, just send him to war. And no matter whatever else they fought for or whom they fought - although they always had the same goal in mind and the same target, they always ended up fighting for rivaled groups, thus becoming each other's enemies on paper, even stabbing each other - of course to protect each other according to the writer, duh - and constantly do things that gets the other one in trouble.

In short: while the writer wants us to to think they have the strongest bond and friendship there ever is, even making them die for each other, the true loyal friends are the people behind the two of them who constantly show throughout the series what true best friends would do: fight ALONGSIDE each other, TRULY protect each other and having each other's back no matter what. No betraying, no games, no secrecy. Just pure loyalty and love. So tell me ones again how the two male leads' friendship was oh so amazing?!?!

Loved every second of it

[isabellatallica · 10/10 · 4 December 2019]

Everything is just beautiful, the costumes, the settings, the characters... It's like Games Of Thrones without the sex... I cried my eyes out. I can only recommend it to everyone who loves fantasy and history. It's based on true events so it's even more fascinating. The actors have all great talent and certainly a wonderful future ahead of them.

Superb series

[vijayhirani-71637 · 10/10 · 23 November 2019]

A story with varied multiple relationships. Nicely done, great acting

Outstanding!

[morebon · 10/10 · 2 December 2019]

Absolutely fabulous costume drama! Amazing narrative, wonderful writing, exceptional cast, and intriguing CG cinematic world building: really beautiful epic battle scenes. Yang Se Jong and Woo Do Hwan were brilliant in their performance together: bravo to the outstanding execution of their characters as Hwi and Seon Ho, respectively. Their brotherly love for one another, while captured throughout the series as adversaries, was truly spectacular and breathtaking in the final episode (have a lot of tissue handy): incredible ending! Best series of 2019 ever! Bravo! Loved it!

My Country: Great Korean Historical Drama.

[jaybizman · 9/10 · 5 November 2020]

This epic is spread over 16 x 90 minute episodes.

From Wiki - "In 1388, Yi Seong-gye was sent to invade the Ming dynasty at Liaodong, but he turned his forces around and defeated Choe Yeong in a coup d'état; in 1392, he replaced Goryeo with the new state of Joseon, bringing an end to 474 years of Goryeo rule on the Korean Peninsula."

In reality, the King had eight sons and they jockeyed to see who would be The Crown Prince and the next King. But first, you have to try and stay alive long enough. Regicide, Patricide, Fratricide - was all par for the course. The same story as multiple Japanese and Chinese Royal-Family costume dramas, with a Korean twist.

A great cast of characters. There is sword fighting galore (pretty realistic to me), and I recognized snippets of scenes from movies as diverse as Rob Roy and Hero. You'll see.

Without giving the game away, there is: scheming, framing, love, bromance, betrayal, battles, loyalty and a surprise ending. All in all - well worth your time.

What game of thrones could have been

[themutant-24769 · 10/10 · 26 December 2019]

This show is just amazing! The drama, the action, the plot... one moment you are glued to the screen because of the action when suddenly you laugh in that same intense moment in the series.. it makes you cry, gasp, scream at the screen

Amazing!

[sourdos · 10/10 · 6 December 2019]

I really enjoyed watching this series. Great ethical battles as well as epic fight scenes. My attention was held up to the very end and there I cried a little.

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 6/10 · 28 November 2019]

" My Country : The New Age " was overall okay.

What I really liked about this drama was the bromance. The main leads had chemistry and their stories were tragic and had intensity as fate kept pushing them apart. However, their story kept falling into the same trope over and over again and it just got predictable. Also, the story felt like it was missing something and therefore sometimes it was just dragging.

Still, the performances were great from everyone. Seol Hyun was actually a nice surprise, as after Orange Marmalade I was afraid that her performance won't be good enough for her character. But she did a great job and she looked professional. But, the early romance was just weak and her character, even though she started as a dynamic, strong one, ended up being there to fill in the emotional gaps between the all men story. Also, and this is just a detail but still, some hairstyles were simply bad, looking all fake or ridiculous.

So, overall, six and a half out of ten.

Epic Story of Friendship, Loyalty, Honor, and Love

[fake_moviestar · 8/10 · 6 May 2020]

This show is like a little bit of Game of Thrones mixed with a bit of Count of Monte Christo set in Ancient Korea. Fantastic cinematography combined with excellent fight scenes make this show a visual treat, accompanied by a gorgeous soundtrack that fits every scene perfectly. The actors all brought their a-game to this epic historical fiction saga, rounding the show out to be a wonderful, worthwhile watch. The plot is complicated but not to the point where you feel lost, and each character has a realistic mix of good and bad traits, with perhaps Hwi being the only exception. The ending packs a punch, but I won't say anything other than that to avoid spoilers. The two young leads were exceptional, but the standout performance for me was Hyuk Jang playing Bang-Won, a side character who absolutely stole every scene that he was a part of. My only two complaints were small: the first being that I disliked the choice to use contemporary songs during some scenes, as I felt that it pulled me out of the atmosphere of the show. The second complaint is there are more than a few injuries that would have definitely been fatal, but that characters seem to recover from within a day or so. With that being said, I was able to suspend my belief for the sake of the story because it was absolutely worth it. This show is a wild ride from start to finish, and it was epic and tragic and gorgeously done.

about this

[engukng · 7/10 · 28 November 2019]

This is a great movie.But the end of the story was a big problem... I think This story could have ended better. The story was not really good... I amazed when I watched E16. I was really sad about that really bad finish... This story is not good for this movie...

Very promising start BUT...

[dekadance · 3/10 · 24 November 2019]

The series has a very promising start and likeable characters. The good part is that it makes the viewer care about them. The plot is very gripping and reveals gradually as it should, the costumes and fighting scenes are great BUT that's where the good part ends. Around 4th episode things start to go sideways. There are some "unbelievable" plot twists which don't make any sense and some really bad goofs in the fighting scenes which put me off completely. Ie. Guy gets stabbed repeatedly shot by 2 arrows and then gets up as it were just a scratch and carries on fighting and chasing his opponents. Simply baffling how they thought that was acceptable. That was such a big shame because I was really excited to watch this series...

Beautifully shot

[umadutt04 · 10/10 · 30 November 2019]

A fantastic story with lots of action. Beautifully shot, directed and the performance of all the actors is super. Completely hooked.