I just want to add my two cents in here...this was certainly one of the best drama ever made and I watched this for a second time already.. I love the technicality of editing skills (especially on ending scenes), of the way the director emphasized the difference of life of royalties, gisaeng, as well as slaves. The main point in this drama was revenge and it was brutally portrayed all throughout the series..from a simple petty misunderstandings to a bloody killing spree. All the artists in this drama were top class! they showed so much talents that I almost forgot this was only a pigment of fiction from a certain facts about King Suyang and General Kim Jongseo. ***FROM HERE ON: MILD SPOILERS CAN BE READ*** There's only one thing that's bugging on my mind though..the storyline was far-off from perfect for it had similarities between the two household rivals: Montague and Capulets. A tragic story in which two star-cross'd lovers were caught between crossfire of their own families. Likewise, the two protagonists of these series resembles them with only the throne as the sole motive of the riffraff of the two families: one ambitiously covet the throne, the other wants to uphold the throne to the rightful owner. From a marriage proposal to the death of the reigning King, all hell breaks loose. It was carefully written BUT the character of Shin Myun was the only thing I can't stand, not because he had no backbone to begin with but due to his lack of background. Why did he hate Seung Yoo so much? Did he really loved Se Ryung? OR he just loved her because she was her consort-to-be due to circumstances? Was he really ambitious and selfish to begin with? I emphatized with his loss, but his loyalty was so questionable that it became false to me. What really drove him mad? what'll be his gain after this war? Pardon me for ranting but I really want his character to be developed, for the viewers to see his side on why he allowed such heinous acts on his brethren. All in all, this was a good drama to invests with. 24 episode was a good number to summarise and pack-up all the things that needed to be ended.