I enjoyed many parts of this 50 episode series. There is genuine excitement, vigilantism laugh out loud humour and some romance. The fault comes towards the latter half because it is just too long for the story. What saves this series is it has a great involving premise and a terrific cast.
Wealthy descendants of Japanese collaborator family commit all sorts of evil deeds against the good descendants of the heroic corps. The historical independence fighters aspect adds gravitas to the show so it does not feel silly and elevates this above the usual Makjang show.
The first 5 episodes are truly exciting with stellar performances from the younger versions of the male leads Kim Kang Hoon and Nam Da Reum. The father played by Ahn Kil Kang is great too. The adult versions played by the funny and charming Ji Hyun Woo and the serious Kim Ji Hoon are well cast and suited to their roles. The beautiful selfish user antagonist is played by Lim Ju Eun. The lead actress Seohyun plays a character that is not pretty outside but is good inside. She is self ritual and annoying initially but learns her lesson.
Later on some great villains including the chairman Hong and his avaricious daughters are well played. The evil Prosecutor is great in his role too. Lots of funny scenes with the villains. Some expert comic relief is provided by the hilarious Lee Jung Eun as the Korean Chinese descendant of freedom fighters. She is so funny when she acts coy.
If only this show had been shortened to 35-40 episodes instead of 50. Some completely unnecessary scenes and twists and angst and a few too many kidnappings could have been left out. The flow of the show would not have been smoother without these scenes. The issues with company shares and financial deals get tiresome. In the later half the secrets take too long to be revealed. And the characters act frustratingly keeping secrets.
Despite the draggy last third this is still a good show. The main plot lines are compelling and you want to see how things pan out. Rest assured the complex plot lines are well resolved eventually.
I don't regret watching it at all. Okay.
