This drama is jam-packed with lots of well-choreographed fights, heartbreaking scenes, flawless acting (can you say awesome cast!? everyone brought their a-game). Hilarious moments, great quotes and just like, everything nice.
Tae ha is like captain america and dae gil is like heath ledger's Joker. Not in relation to the storyline of the movie just personality-wise (or better yet, the way they displayed themselves because there's a difference).
Tae ha's life got destroyed and he got beaten to the ground but he still manages to have a heart and basically be the perfect gentleman.
Dae gil is a twisted and unapologetically ruthless slave catcher who has a pretty bleak outlook on life.
I would say he lives in the grey area (he does bad things yes, but he also does really good things as well). but in comparison to Tae ha he would be the "bad guy" and the anti-hero which is interesting because he's the main character and most writers wouldn't take that risk of making their protagonist more of an antagonists.I know that usually the second male lead is usually the goodie goodie and the male lead is usually the "bad boy" but he then goes on his redemption path like midway through.This isn't the case for Dae Gil.
He has done some pretty bad things and said some pretty mean things. so to some people (people who view good and bad as black and white) he can be considered a bad person because of that. its not exactly easy to root for a bad person.
I on the other hand, loved him because I have a soft spot for broken, anti-heroic characters. Also Jang Hyuk's face and body is a blessing and his acting is STELLAR. He really embodied this character through and through. I can't believe he's the same guy from Windstruck.
Gah I felt sorry for both Tae ha and Daegil. Both of them were so hopeful and normal and HAPPY before their lives were tragically changed by forces (and people) they had no control over. Specifically Dae Gil. He was just a kid when his parents died and he lived a pretty sheltered life before.
Underneath his fury and overall asshole-ness he really has a huge hopeful and loving heart. but because he had to find a way to survive on his own, he had no choice but to toughen up and he became twisted and bitter because of it.
He basically had to create this "Dae Gil" image to survive. the big bad wolf, the monster, every slave's worst nightmare. without it, he wouldn't have anything.
Tae ha is the sweet honorable former General who is a bit territorial and has an a superiority complex(not necessarily a bad thing because he can back it up). He's a man's man and he is definitely someone you would like to have in your corner because he's smart but a great fighter. Basically don't attempt to fight with him cuz he may be nice but he got mad skills and you will lose.
The love square was interesting because it was not cliche but I think the real compelling stuff is the relationship between Tae ha and Dae gil and how it starts in the first few episodes and the point it gets to in the last episode. (you know I love me some bromance!!!).
I definitely enjoyed all the female characters. (even the bitchy Gisaengs). I really felt for Sulhwa. Something about the character was relatable and I don't even know what it is.
Our lead woman UnNyun/Hye Won could've easily been super boring but I found her likable towards the end because she had a silent power to her. She may seem meek and damsel-y but when it came down to it, she was able to think fast. She was also really understanding and wise without being snooty about it. Great character.
When Park Ki Woong first appeared I was happy to see him but his character was basically the Ramsay Snow of the drama. lol
