"The one who secures the people will acquire the world and rule the ages" is a big quote and theme of the show. Queen Seondeok is mainly a historical/political melodrama depicting the struggle of opposing (good vs. evil) factions. The evil faction is led by a ruthless leader (Mishil) representing government control both of government officials and citizens, based on manipulating them with fear. The good faction has a good leader who wants power and freedom to shift from government to the people (control by their choice instead of governmental dictates, ownership of land by farmers instead of tenant farmers working for the rich), and who appeals to the hope and good nature of others. Despite displaying inaccurate portrayal of the actual historical figures. Nonetheless, it did do an excellent job introducing the viewer to Korean, specifically, Sillan, history at a critical time. Whatever the artistic license taken, the fact is that this period in Silla saw first a major change in succession rules, and second the period of unification that would occupy the reigns of Sillan monarchs for a space of decades, and which Queen Seondeok started. In addition the story is so engagingly written that you really don't care if it's what "really happened" or not. Another core theme is women's rights in a male dominated world, which I find the most appealing theme of this show. The power play between two very intelligent women (Deokman and Misil). Their chemistry was very much electrifying as many of the greatest hero/villain rivalries of literature and TV. The concept of the shadow self that makes for such a dynamic, two sides of the same coin, but rarely has it been done with both the characters being women. Misil and Deokman do have moments that prove they can fight; but it's really intelligence that marks these women as strong females.The conflict between duty and love is one Deokman has to tread throughout the show. The marvelous thing about many characters in this show is the depth they all have. Bad guys have sympathetic moments. Characters you think are good doing something that suddenly makes you hate them, or vice versa. Every character, good or bad, has motives you can understand. The complexity of characters and the realism with which they are portrayed that gives the show it's nuances. It's really the quality of acting that also keeps things realistic that with actors of lesser experience could easily turn into melodrama. Equally nuanced is the writing. This show is great in what it chooses to reveal to the audience at certain points and what it doesn't allow the audience to know. My personal favorite of Deokman's boys though is Alchun (Lee Seung Hyo). There's something I love about his deep loyalty uncomplicated by romance, especially since he doesn't start off as one of Deokman's supporters. She has to earn his trust, but once she does, she has it for life. Acting: Deokman/ Queen Seondeok – Lee Yo Won: Amazing how well Lee Yo Won was able to portray this character. LYW’s performance as Princess Deokman, who later became the great Queen, was really stellar. The way she portrayed herself as a nangdo (a soldier trainee), to princess, to ruler was a compelling/convincing act. Her expressions were so clear, that I find myself “congratulating” her for overcoming every impossible feat that stood her way. Mishil- Go Hyun Jung: GHJ is a brilliant actress who made the Mishil character stands out in this drama. She had the most audience attention actually in QSD. She played the controlling, power-hungry Mishil perfectly. She was as beautiful as she was terrifying in her quest to sit on the throne. Most times the ‘bad guy’ of the drama is detestable, in Mishil’s case I couldn’t detest her, in the end I understood her. Bidam- Kim Nam Gil: FAWLESS! I was waiting for Kim Nam Gil to appear from the opening credits but I had to wait about 21 episodes for it to happen. But boy-o-boy when you came, he came with the thunder. Just as I was getting a little bored, Bidam came into the picture adding a whole new dynamic to the show. KNG really played the role of Bidam perfectly. I couldn’t imagine another actor playing his part very effectively. As Bidam, KNG was able to portray different emotions one after another that you would find him the charming, egoistic, and suddenly frightening individual. His character is a thin line between evil and good. Yushin-Uhm Tae Woong He played the upright Yushin very well. Always steady and honest. That was the energy that he brought to this role. I was like with all the chaos, he was the one constant, the pillar for not only Deokman but for us viewers as well. I should also mention the music of the show which has a great mix of character themes, sung love themes (both romantic and parental), and suspenseful background music. Finally, the reason I could not give this drama any less than a perfect 10 despite its flaws is because at times the story offered some of brilliant psychological insights, such as Mishil saying "Humans can not live without believing in fantasy", as in liberal idealism (world peace, income equality without degrading the economy, big government that works efficiently, etc.) that can never be achieved. I am weak when it comes to brilliant/breathtaking psychological insights especially if portrayed so raw and wonderful as it is the case in QSD. Some of my favorite quotes: “Do not even think of possessing me, nobody can ever possess me as long as this crown adorns my pate”–Queen Seon Duk “Why did you change?”-Bidam “Because I have no name, crown prince crown princess and even the scoundrels parading in the market have a name but a ruler does not… All I am is Her Majesty”, “Because the moment I lost my name, you became nothing more but an influential subject of mine” –Queen Seon Duk “I love you for loving me as woman”–Queen Seon Duk “Earning people’s trust is hard, however what is even harder than that is abandoning them” – Queen Seon Duk “I shall neither give up, nor abandon my people, not a thing not anyone” –Queen Seon Duk