The main characters were sliced and diced a dozen times each but survived and recovered every seemingly mortal wound until they were finally able to kill them in the last episode (spoiler).

One can easily understand, since the very beginning, that this historical drama (set during the years of transition between the Goryeo and Joseon dynasty) is founded on fighting scenes. In fact, they had some legitimately cool shots of angry, pirouetting men with big swords and fancy headbands. Also, there is a strong undercurrent of honorable machismo throughout.
Fighting scenes enthusiasts will surely like this drama.

The first and the second strife of princes are true historical events here narrated with liberties and a very soft political commentary on absolute monarchy and power established on the bloody sacrifice of common people.
All of it is topped with a sprinkle of bromance here and there, a spray of father-son relationship (either problematic or prematurely truncated) and the required damsel in distress (available in a triad of queen, sister and kisaeng madame who once cross-dressed while rebelling against the king).

I hardly cared for any of the characters, so I can say the writing was not my cup of tea, although I greatly appreciated the fanservice in the first episode with the two hunks smiling and bathing together.
I also loved that my boo, Woo Do-hwan (We met for The king: eternal monarch and he really became my sole reason to keep watching that) smiled a lot and had beautiful, shiny, very manly long hair.

The last, but definitely not the least, honorable mention goes to Jang Hyuk who always slays. I love him!
His last scene is the coolest.


Female Empowerment Score 1/5