Part 1: Go Won Pyo of the Gyeru Tribe comes before King Pyeongwon and threatens him with his private army for the exclusive rights to salt. Despite the King's unrest, Queen Yeon leaves for patrol taking Princess Pyeonggang with her. Meanwhile, On Hyeop the chief of the Sunno Tribe tests his son's manhood.
Part 2: While Queen Yeon visits On Hyeop, Go Won Pyo arrives on King Pyeongwon's decree to kill Queen Yeon and Princess Pyeonggang. Princess Pyeonggang escapes with Dal's help as Oh Hyeop and Queen Yeon confronts Go Won Pyo. Meanwhile, King Pyeongwon looks for Wol Gwang, Queen Yeon's secret lover. (Source: Viu)
Beautiful cinematography, fast-paced and well cast
I really enjoyed the first episode! I loved the fast pace and interesting backstory, which well established our main characters as adults. This whole setup (revenge, betrayal, traumatic childhood, hidden identity, etc) is very typical of the genre and I've seen it many times, but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy it again if it's done well. This, so far, is done well. The cinematography is excellent, and the show feels very big in scope (more akin to a Chinese historical drama, in my opinion, than the typical Korean one). I love the use of landscapes as well as the closeup work. There's a vast feeling to the story so far which I'm really enjoying.I am already excited to see the leads get together and I am happy that they have already met. I was also happy that the male lead recognized the female lead right away, because if he didn't I would've been angry. She looks exactly like her mom! There is NO WAY she wouldn't be recognized by someone who knew her as a kid, let alone who knew what her mom looked like. I think the leads are also really well cast. Kim So Hyun has this great warmth and intensity at the same time, which I think suits the character she's playing very well. She's fierce and single focused on being an assassin at the moment, but she has this empathetic, lovely sweetness to her on the inside. I also love Kim Ji Soo as the male lead. He's a funny actor who also comes across as very physically imposing and brawny while also being warm. I've often thought that he would do really well as a main lead in a historical drama in a fighting role, ever since seeing him in Scarlet Heart Ryeo. I'm excited to see them onscreen together! My only quibbles or things I'm wary of is the weird amnesia. It feels so coincidental that she would forget her past (?) and then grow up to still be an assassin that is trying to get revenge against the people in power. I mean, I know it was somewhat explained - she still rightfully thinks her family was murdered by them, she just doesn't remember HER family - but I just feels like it has the potential to become tropey and ridiculous. Hoping that it gets cleared up in a satisfying and timely manner!
Okay so i don't know how to write a review whatsoever,, but this is like a thought dump.You're kind of thrown all over the place but it all fits in together....that, was one AMAZING first ep. It's slightly confusing because of the time switches and new charcter introductions - but that is obviously to be expected as its only the first episode :)),,And a worthy mention of my QUEEN Kim SoHyun,,,(❁´▽`❁)*✲゚* gosh i love her so much,,, from seeing her in my first ever Asian drama(as a school girl(School 2015)) going to now where she is legit a Queen and an assasin like it's BEAUTIFUL!!And the whole cast (so far) as welllll,,, IM IN LOVEEEE!!!!!
The setting is in Goguryeo era and based on the story of On Dal and Pyeonggang (if you watched My Only Love Song they used the same characters) As expected of Sohyun! her acting as 3 characters is superb! (for a hot second it confused me at the beginning until I realised she's acting 3 roles) everyones acting so far is amazing! especially the child actors!and damn Kang Haneul why you make me like oldies?? ? it's my first time seeing him in a father role..This starts like many Saeguk drama with a female lead focus... which is a sad starthowever, from my experience, these dramas often have a happy ending!there's nothing much to say about the story without spoiling but I highly recommend you to watch it! so excited to watch ep 2! (aahhh that cliffhanger!!)