My Dearest
My Dearest
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My Dearest

"My dearest whom I miss and love very much"

8.3
Yr 2023
Status Ended
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

A love-story between a noblewoman and a mysterious man who shows up in her hometown set in the 1600s during the Qing invasion.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 85 /100

My Dearest earned strong critical acclaim and commercial success, rising to become one of the most-watched South Korean dramas of 2023. Critics praised the series as a serious, dark, and proper historical drama rather than a lighthearted idol romance, commending its grounded tone and rich depiction of Joseon during the Qing invasion.

The early stretch of the show received especially high marks, with reviewers pointing to Part 1 for delivering some of the finest television sequences in recent memory. The lead performances were widely lauded, particularly Namkoong Min's compelling work, alongside a captivating mix of high-stakes action, emotional depth, and romantic tension.

While the reception remained overwhelmingly positive overall, a few critics noted slight missteps in the narrative's conclusion, observing that certain prominent supporting cast members felt somewhat underutilized by the final episodes.

“a serious, dark ”proper” historical drama, not one of those youthful lighthearted historical dramas with idol actors”

“Part 1 was amazing. It gave me some of the best sequences I have ever watched in a tv show.”

“"My Dearest" has set a high standard for itself, with a perfect blend of romance, action, and historical elements.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Kocowa
US • CA • UK
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Why fans love it

Set in the seventeenth century, this drama weaves romantic tensions against the backdrop of the Qing invasion of Korea. The narrative tracks how the chaos of war disrupts established family traditions and forces its central characters into difficult choices. Beyond the period setting, the show centers on the dynamic between an ambitious noblewoman and a man who is widely perceived as foolish.

Namkoong Min leads this study of conflicting motivations and shifting loyalties. The mystery surrounding his character serves as an anchor for the surrounding love triangle, grounding grand historical stakes in intimate, personal stakes. By trading typical regal idealism for a more pragmatic look at survival and romance, the show avoids standard genre conventions to explore how long-held feelings hold up under the pressure of invasion.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 45
Regulars 5
Longest run 21 eps
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Production Board

Crew

Art Direction
Costume Design
Music
Director
Director of Photography
Signal Match

Similarity

Where My Dearest overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

love triangle love romance historical drama forced marriage 17th century joseon dynasty (1392–1910) chinese invasion of korea ambitious girl sageuk love in war family traditions foolish man
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
August 04, 2023
Status
Ended
Origin
KR
TMDB Votes
53