This show could NOT be any more perfect! I was obsessed form the first episode I watched. I saw this on my netflix for a while and always skipped past it, but it was on my list. I finally gave it a try and I am soooo happy I did. This show was so heartfelt, romantic, stressful, suspenseful, and enchanting.

THE ACTING/CAST:
Ri Jeong Hyeok/Hyun Bin: He was sooo great at portraying a cold, yet secretly soft hearted soldier who only needed the right person to open him up. The portrayal of RJH was so human and emotional. I really believed him to be someone who swore himself to fulfill his duty and somehow was able to slowly open himself up to taking risks in order to protect the woman he fell in love with. I love the character's writing because 1st Episode RJH vs last episode RJH are night and day. He still holds the traits that matter, but allows himself to put everything on the line for Yoon Se-ri. It was completely believable. And then to find out the Main Characters are married in real life now....makes complete sense. Even during the show, you can truly feel how much Se-ri was LOVED by him. Amazing chemistry.

Yoon Se-ri/Son Ye-Jin: She was so funny and charismatic portraying a picky princess heir - who in her own way found it hard to connect with her relationship partners and family until she "crash lands" into the arms of RJH, a man who is ceaseless in his protection and adoration of her. I love that you can see how much they soften to each other as the series progresses. Because of the writing, 1st episode YSR is different from last episode YSR. At the end, we find that she allows people in, she knows how to cut off those that backstab her and take her for granted. In the show she says she likes to "return the energy" she receives. And this is who she is throughout the show. At every stage, she reflects her treatment to the others she interacts with. She was protected by RHJ? She protects him. Cho Choel Gang attacks her with a gang? She hires thugs as well! I love that she isn't helpless and she's proactive with her love and hate.

Supporting Cast: I absolutely LOVED the four soldiers!! They felt like they were truly friends and in the show, they became YSR's brothers to replace the ones who were terrible to her. Like, I really felt for them and wanted them to do well in life even though it's a tv show. I really cared for them. They were so human and easy to like. Great casting and writing for them as well, as each of them had a distinct personality that was believable!

Cho Cheol Gang: Ugh! I hated him so much! He was just so evil and the actor was fantastic! What happened to him felt so justified and i loved that they didn't try to "arrest" him again, but sought to make his ending final.

Seo Dan/Gu Seong Jun: I felt really bad for Seo Dan because she wasn't a bad girl, she just wanted to be loved. The man she loved didn't want her, and when she opened herself to someone else - GSJ, he died in front of her. My heart breaks for her because she deserved more i think. But I like that she was able to be happy by herself in the end. That was a good choice. I liked GSJ's development, as he went from conning and scamming to helping out the sister of the man he scammed and risking his life for SD. That was good growth.

Ensemble: Everyone was just so good! I have no complaints at all.

WRITING:
Everything was so intentionally written! I loved the STRONG MALE LEAD coupled with a STRONG FEMALE LEAD. They both had strong personalities and were still able to compliment each other without weakening the other. The themes of family and belonging were strong and i believe the adherence to this theme was such a good choice. The stakes were so high and I was honestly worried about the characters! I was worried for their safety throughout and the crying and emotional moments were so pure and real. There were so many LAYERS to their love story that it truly felt like fate was pulling them together. This is hard to make believable but they accomplished this well in the show.

I would watch this over and over just to see how they fall in love and begin to open up to each other. I would love to rewatch the soldiers become family to RJH and YSR. The part where everyone went to Seoul was so funny!

A + show, so very good. no notes, this was a perfect show.