The story,is to say so,captivating.Two twin royal girls born under a sign of stars,sign with a meaning for their country subjects:prosperity or ruin.But there it must have been a boy,no way for a girl and yet another one.So at last one must to vanish -the little Deokman,who will be haunted for years,will endure a lot of privations and hurdles,to become after years the Queen of Shilla.At first,the hunter is not a lovable character;after many episodes he will be more valuable,especially for his terrible presence and act on screen.He is a counterbalance for,maybe,some things to soft.I think the director of this drama managed to show us a good story. Only a couple of stuffs I find to be bad presented:to many pots with flowers every were(for that time);not enough dirt and rift on armors of soldiers and ,,hwarangs''(the princess's guards).So shiny they are for dozens of episodes.
Seondeok (actress Lee Yo-Won) really can be appreciated and loved. In her stage as ,,hwarang'' is lovely;when triumphs she's shiny,when cries she breaks hearts,is beautiful and a very human person.The character Sohwa (actress Seo Young Hee) who cares of Deokman,has a gentle and lovely presence.No wonder for Chilsook to cherish her.This Chilsook is the hunter send by Mishil to cut Deokman's life.Mishil (actress Ho Hyun-Jung) is the bad person in plot; even so she prove to be a wonderful character.She's the finest presence along episodes.That meeting of her with Seondeok for a truce,on the grasslands,that meeting is a masterpiece of image.I have watched that scene a lot;amazing scene.Or,how I can forget that retreat of hand from Mishil's hands embrace_when Seondeok shows her status?!There is a hands conversation!!! Kim Yushin (Uhm Tae Woong),the comrade of Deokman is like a little then a big block-stone in this story.That is his role,because he will be a great general,the most trustworthy person for the Queen and their people.Nice that we have a lot of funny moments with Jukbang (actor Lee Moon-Sik) and Godo (actor Ryu Dam);the scene when Godo hide and unintended swallow some animal stuff,at an group inspection,is very funny.
The battle scenes are more or less convincing.Anyway Seondeok's political history and love,go on,with her star above.The plot make Seondeok to die to early.Until to that moment we have part of gorgeous scenes:views of Korea in sunset,Mishil's comrades caught by soldiers near her tomb (with a great act of Misaeng_actor Jung Woong In) in a golden shower sunrise;wonderful view of the carved stones.
My appreciation and rating are ,in first place,for great personages still others besides those already mentioned:Prince Chunchu (Yoo Seung-Ho),noble Hajong (Kim Jung-Hyun),lord Cheolwon (Jeon No Min),Bidam (Kim Nam-Gil) / the ,,hwarangs'' :Alcheon (Lee Seung Hyo),Santak (Kang Sung Pil),Sukpoom (Hong Kyung-In),Bojong (Baek Do-Bin) and so on.In the second place I appreciated that immense lot of costumes and accessories.And never in the last place,the traditional buildings (the studios).
