Jang Dong Yoon and Kim So Hyun together have proven to be a dynamistic pairing. They both have "wow-factor" beauty and together they are simply a GORGEOUS couple. The push and pull dynamic between the characters of Jang Dong Yoon (Nok Du) and Kim So Hyun (Dong Ju) ranks among some of the best seen in romantic K-Dramas. I enjoyed immensely the constant "love bickering" between the two leads, the secrets that they kept from each other, the outright denials of affection for each other and then the sad eyes and hurt hearts as a result of their denials. I loved the code language that they would speak to each other that revealed what they really felt for each other which was always in direct contradiction to their spoken denials of any affection for each other. I loved the blushing that occurred whenever they would touch each other and the sweet things done for each other in the name of safety and protection. The slow and methodical build to a red-hot burning desire for love and intimacy between Nok Du and Dong Ju was well done by the writers. The first 18 episodes concentrated heavily on the relationship of the leading couple so that the audience would understand both the temperature and the chemistry between the two leads. With certainty, the emotional bond that Nok Du and Dong Ju had was tested in the second half of the drama. The strain put on the relationship in the second half of the series served to assess if their love would survive the threat of permanent separation from each other due to selfish choices and misguided ambitions. The audience's investment in the couple would make the second half of the drama a very intense and emotional experience for anyone who was cheering this couple on. As the second half of the drama unfolded, the back-stories of Nok Du and Dong Ju were fully revealed. Their fully revealed histories brought them into a direct head-on collision with each other. Now they would have to decide if their initial plans were more important than their love for each other.

In the end, Nok Du and Dong Ju made a decision that the love that they had for each other was more important than exacting revenge. The ending was profound in its way of proclaiming a message not often heard in K-Dramas and that is the unjust and the evil ones just might go unpunished in this lifetime but do not be greedy for things that are not necessary for true happiness. If you have escaped to your paradise and have love & family all around you, you have the supreme possession in life.

Much acclaim and praise should be given to the excellent writing of Hye Jin Yang (original webcomic author of "Nokjujeon") and the writing of Im Ye Jin, and Baek So Yeon (adaptation-to-drama writers). And a bow of honor to all the actors who executed the script to perfection.

At just 20 years old, Kim So Hyun gave a signature performance which served HallyU notice regarding who she is now as a young adult actress and all the great things that are yet to come from her career. Congratulations Kim So Hyun!!! Jang Dong Yoon delivered a diverse and masterful performance. How many male actors can say that they displayed both bravery and daintiness in the same drama....lol....😀😉😎. Dong Yoon was comedic, fearless, compassionate, manly, womanly, and a serious lover sometimes all in the same episode. I see why his female audience will love him to the end----he can act and he has killer looks.

Finally, the cherry on top of this great story was the performance of Park Da Yeon. She just turned 8 years old and she played the character Aengdoo. Aengdoo was a treat to watch; she was like a shot of your favorite syrup in your best hot or cold latte drink of choice. Her "man-crushing" on Nok Du and Cha Yool-Moo was terribly cute, her refereeing the many love-spats of Nok Du and Dong Ju was hilarious, and finally her extreme love for food gave me great delight every time she chow'd down, slurped, grinned, gulped, and burped her way to delectable gratification; it was sheer joy for me to watch her being in "7th heaven" in these moments. Aengdoo was the quintessence of what the Story of Nokdu was all about. This great love story was punctuated by the bright spirit of Aengdoo and her consistent demonstration of pure love, joy, loyalty, and great happiness of spirit. The Tale of Nokdu is more than worthy of the high praise and the high ratings that it has and will continue to receive.