This show started out quite well, though it took at least 3 episodes to understand what was even going on and where the story was headed. Or where I thought it was headed. Because this show can be divided into three parts and as a whole I couldn't manage to pinpoint what the message and the purpose of this show was.
The first part is about the backstory of some key figures in this show and how and why their lives evolved the way they did. This part is really sad and bloody.
The second part of this show nothing much happens. The story doesn't evolve much and you feel like you're going in circles because only small incidents keep happening but the problems with Japan and all really take a backseat in this part. So I'd say this is the part where the focus is on the main couple and the key characters around them. The thing is: even the relationship of the main couple didn't evolve much, they hugged three times and that's it. Don't expect to see a kiss either. It was kind of weird to see a story about a couple that was apart a lot and skipped most of the key milestones in romantic relationships but are supposed to be the loves of each other's lives.
The third and last part is all about the Japan & Korea treaty and its consequences as in Korea losing their sovereignty and the so called righteous army trying to defend their country. Not much romance here either, only lots of blood and tragic deaths.
So what was the purpose of this series? I don't really know. Neither the romance part convinced me much nor the historical part because major facts of how it even came as far as the treaty and Korea losing its sovereignty weren't well explained or depicted. The show made it seem like Korea and the emperor just sat back and watched until it was already too late. A quick research told me that this show has been openly criticized for having done poor research and not explaining and the depicting the events better and after watching this show I must say I agree.
The heroism of some korean citizens, mainly the righteous army, seemed bittersweet in that context because you don't really understand why it had to come this far in the first place.
Also, I hated the ending and not because it was bittersweet but because the female lead got more than she deserved in my opinion and because it was unfair to all the other amazing characters who deserved way better. But watch for yourself.
Like I said, the cinematography was awesome and the OST on point.
Conclusion:
Great OST and cinematography, purpose/message of the show isn't clear, story lacks historical facts and better explanations of depicted historical events and how they came to be.
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