rickyou-62181

First, let me say that I really liked this show. My criticisms are intended to point out why it didn't get my highest rating. If you like soap suds with your dramas, this is a perfect fit. On that end, my complaint is that it became too sudsy near the end, where bad people turned into virtual cartoon characters of real people. In my view, a good sudsy drama has to stay a little farther from the line or its impact is lost. Once the former fiancée of the male lead enters the picture, it starts getting way too over the top. Still worth watching, just too much. The female lead shines, as always, just like she did in Ms. Kim, although I think she's gotten a bit too thin. The one who continues to impress is the female assistant manager who I have seen elsewhere. This actress has quite a range. The lead female villain plays the role in the only way it makes sense, a true psychopath. The former fiancé I found a bit bland, but, that is partly a result of dull writing which relied too much on plot events for her. Her dialogue deserved more snap. The other actors and actresses did there jobs, but this is not supposed to be so long. Nonetheless, a definite thumbs up.

I would love to know how two different period pieces with the same over-arching premise could be coincidentally (or not) made in the same period. On Netflix, you will find Secret Royal Inspector and Joy, also with the inspector's retinue and eventual love interest, corrupt government officials and even an illegal mining operation (silver, not gold). Other similarities abound. Lead actors and actresses both excellent, and similar IMDB ratings. I liked this one a little better, but the other one had a grander vision and some slower moving parts. Both very very good. Was there a split up in the writing team? Did someone copy a draft?