I have to admit that I started watching this show solely because of Lee Min Ho. I was disappointed on that account because this certainly is not idealised romantic drama that elevates him to idol status. Instead, it s a slow and plodding show but full of meaning. It is set against the Korean colonial past and how that plays out in the lives of those who lived through it and how it subsequently impacted their descendents.

The story unfolds very slowly and the co-mingling of the two timelines - young and old Sunja make for confusing watching. While some directors in similar shows have used cues such as different background colours or filters to demarcate the two timelines, here, the audience here is expected to know whether we are watching young Sunja in the past or her grandson in the 'future'. I use their clothing as a cue.

Up till now (end of episode 5), I still see little relevance between her grandson's exploits and her past. In her past, Sunja is the main character but in 1989, her grandson is. That's where it gets discombobulating in trying to reconcile the two parts of the story. I'm hoping we get to the 'point' of the story but I'm losing hope as we're more than halfway in.

This show is certainly no Oshin. The only upside is watching the acting which cannot be faulted.

EDIT: I have now finished the season. Note that the show has an incomplete ending. The series creator followed the book quite closely. He envisaged that the show should unfurl over 4 seasons. Unconvinced that Apple will allow him to complete all 4 seasons, he put in a special documentary at the end of season 1. In my opinion, that's probably the best part of the entire season 1.