This drama basically made me re-discover my love for K-dramas. I won't go in full detail in my review, since plenty already have analyzed it much more eloquently, so I'll attempt to highlight the main reasons why it's worth watching.

1. The Chemistry: the chemistry between the leads is CRAZY. Even though there weren't any particularly steamy scenes (to my dismay I may add), the tension was palpable. It really helps that the main actors are so ridiculously good-looking. I mean, Hyun Bin is a god.

2. The Acting: All the actors involved did a phenomenal job. The acting was realistic and not cringy.

3. Production: Production was excellent, I loved how much thought went into every detail, especially with how they designed and set up the "North Korea" setting. Although we have very little information about that place, it truly felt like they brought it to life.

4. Story: The Story was both a pro and a con. While I loved the heartwarming dialogues between the characters and all the relationships, even the ones between the supporting roles such as the North Korean ladies, there were some plotlines that were just very far from realistic. HOWEVER, I've learned to love K-dramas even in all their absurdity, and this drama was actually one of the far less absurd ones. It all somehow works and it's helped majorly by the wonderful acting.

What I especially I loved about this show however, was, that apart from the authoritarian regime, it also depicted a more humane side of NK. I love how we got to sympathize with its residents and see how these universal feelings of solidarity, support, friendship and love permeate borders. The comic relief also helped take away from the bleakness of the strict environment. It helps to know, that even in the darkest of places -figuratively and literally- it's not always gloom and doom and people will find happiness in the smallest things, such as drinking soju from clam shells. :)

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