As a person that has problems with getting into and even then finishing historical dramas this was the first one I made it until the end. Although I did drop it after the first arc, but it kept popping in to my mind every now and then, and I rewatched the first part and finished it all about 2 months later.

This Drama has a lot of strong points. The story is well written for its theme with a great mix of comedy, seriousness, gore, action, court drama, and overall general pacing of the story is great. Although like a lot of people mentioned, and I agree that after the 1st arc it feels very different looking back at it, it still turns out great with the whole story in mind, and how they are even able to weave in the funny parts and making them into things making you feel sad due to reminiscence.

To back up this great story that just makes you feel all sorts of emotions they also cast a great cast where the actors/characters were distinct and not just "pretty boys" (no hate but in some historical dramas I can barely differentiate the characters unless they say their names in every scene, I'm Asian myself btw) The actors were able to show the characters emotions very well even with all the different types of pacings and different kinds of scenes in the story.

I might give this drama a rewatch in the future and I definitely believe there is value in it especially the 1st arc. Although the music wasn't anything outstanding to me it still does the job and is nothing that turns out to be a plus or minus for the drama.

In the end I will give this drama an 8/10 as I like it although not really loving it, to me it just missed a happier end for the 2nd female lead (But with this in mind I'm hoping for a season 2) So I will be recommending this drama to anyone that wants to give historical dramas a try.