I love this show dearly. I think it will always remain in my top 10 kdramas. One of the things that makes it stand out to me is the themes that it meditates on, particularly the theme about the gift (and cost) of freedom

It’s something I haven’t thought much about, freedom. I suppose I’m fortunate enough that freedom isn’t something I have to worry about. But this show made me think about and deeply appreciate freedom. It does this by juxtaposing two very different time periods, modern day and in the past during the Japanese occupation of Korea, in which our same set of characters live. In the past, these people are fighting for freedom from their unjust situation, under the constant threat of discovery and death, and are sacrificing their livelihood and even possibly their lives. And for what? A freedom that they themselves are unlikely to ever experience. Then, we switch back to modern day, where these characters are together, laughing, able to love each other, able to not be living under fear of discovery. It’s beautiful. It’s amazing. It honestly makes me emotional even writing about it.

The show also has other themes that it touches on, such as the pen is mightier than the sword, a theme embodied by the Chicago Typewriter itself. Gosh, this show is just so good. Just watch it.