Keoteunkol

The premise of this series is so good that it makes the viewer involved to the end. There are some complicated and fascinating situations and relationships that emerge. And there are some touching and emotional scenes that have been hard to find in recent dramas. The writer does a good job of not going down too predictable a path. Even if you know where things are headed the way you get there is surprising and well done. Now and then really laugh out loud moments take you by surprise. No makjang twists or villains here. There are some flaws. There are some dragged out parts that could have been cut out in between. And more could have been done with the flashbacks of pre and post war Korea which were too short. But things are redeemed by a good last few episodes that ties most things up in a feel good way. There are a few unanswered questions but they are minor ones.

The acting and casting here is pretty good. Kang Ha Neul does his goofy charm thing well as he did in Camelia Blooms, Ha Ji Won looks elegant and young in this show. Kwon Sang Woo is well preserved too. Noh Sang Hyun as the real grandson is quite intense and effective and his scenes are more interesting.

This is one of the better series of it's kind and I hope they make more like this with a more recent historical sweep, not the costume drama type but one dealing with more recent history.