I've always thought it a shame that Damo is so unknown to the international audience. Although understandable since it comes from the early Hallyu era in 2003, I feel that the drama has a very different quality that puts it apart from others during that time period.

First of all, I just have to say that Damo feels like a 14-hour film, from its fast-paced beginning to end, as well as its cinematography. On the outside, the plot might seem full of cliches, but once executed within the story of the drama, you are immersed inside the characters' lives. The setting in a different world like Joseon really makes such a tragic (and dramatic) story that much believable, therefore easier to be emotionally invested in each of the characters' struggles.

I give major props to the cast, where the main leads, Chae Ok (Ha Ji Won), Commander Yoon (Lee Seo Jin), and Jang Sung Baek (Kim Min Joon) put on the some of their best performances (and action sequences), so believable that it's hard to stop seeing them as their characters after this drama. Many of the side characters are very memorable and have their own charms, played impeccably by such veteran actors/actresses like Park Young Gyu.

The quality and techniques might not be as advanced and sleek as today, but you can really tell the painstaking effort it took the cast and staff to make each scene. Some elements of this drama require you to believe in somewhat superhuman-like abilities of the main characters, as they engage in literally, "flying martial arts" in air. Although some might be off-putted by that, I thought most of the scenes flowed pretty well, and some were actually breathtaking, in my opinion.

All in all, Damo stands to be the LEGENDARY sageuk/historical action drama that really predates most of the other well-known ones. It leaves such an impression on you that actually leads to withdrawal symptoms, AKA what was called "Damo Pain" back when it was broadcast to the Korean audience. Everything about this drama is above standard, incomparable to other dramas, including the OST (which only adds to the aforementioned Damo Pain)... :'(

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