Before I say anything, let me say this: I don't like Korean historical dramas. I have tried watching MANY and ended up hating ALL of them. In my humble opinion, all they ever really amount to are three things: A) Cool/pretty costumes B) Mildly interesting linguistics C) A bunch of people running around in the woods Usually by the 8th episode or so, some ridiculous mythological plot devices are non-sensibly and incongruously running amok, and we're falling into the same old plot twists used in ALL KOREAN DRAMAS..... Except for the cool costumes, interesting linguistics and everyone running around in the woods (and dying... lots of people always die in Korean historical dramas). THAT BEING SAID........ I really enjoyed Gu Family Book! It is THE FIRST historical drama I have watched and never once felt bored. The first where I didn't get confused and generally irritated with illogical plot twists. The first that captivated me to the point of talking out loud to the characters via my computer screen and or laying on the ground in a puddle of lovey-dovey goo (I am looking at YOU Lee Seung Gi). Call me crazy, but that is when I know that I am absolutely bewitched by a drama. Yes, this drama does have cool costumes, a mythological plot and plenty of forest frolicking, but the strength is in its characters and their development. The best dramas are those where I actually care what happens to the characters. They're all just so darn charming! EVERY character is given a certain level of depth and significance within the plot line. Not only did I care very much about Kang Chi and Yeo Wool, I also ADORED ALL of the random side characters--from the cheerful/sunshiney Sung and wise/cheeky Master Dal, to the rambunctious Bong Chool and his goofy gang of street thugs. I even cared about the bad guys, because they were so good at being despicable that I HAD to make sure they got what they deserved in the end. And I must give a bit of kudos to the writers for the character Yeo Wool. One, I love a good, strong, "rough around the edges" female lead. Two, Suzy did a great job projecting Yeo Wool's unwavering bad-assness, which was necessary to properly support the character of Kang Chi. At 24 episodes, this drama initially made me nervous with its length (I usually stay away from dramas more than 16 episodes long--the plot almost always drags). But I was SAD when this drama ended!! As if having to say goodbye to good friends. I wanted to know more!! Who knew running around in the woods could be so much fun!?