The show has a strong emotional resonance, features an impressive cast, and boasts wonderful music—it's something you could watch again and again. I want to note that while I’ll avoid spoilers, some details might feel like them to certain viewers; consider yourself cautioned. --------------------- **Story:** This series actually presents two narratives: one focuses on political conflict, the other explores the relationship between the main characters. The storyline revolving around the political rivalry was exceptionally well-crafted. Each episode introduced something new, avoiding repetition or rehashing previously resolved plot points while still moving toward a larger overall narrative. The story of Kang Chi Choi (played by Seung Gi Lee) and Yeo Wool Dam (played by Suzy Bae), however, surpassed even that. I appreciated that they didn't rush into romantic scenes or typical dating tropes; doing so would have diminished the entire series. Instead, they carefully built anticipation and tension between the characters, skillfully using the emotions they elicited from the audience at precisely the right moments. The final episode (episode 24) was truly remarkable. Even now, while writing this review, I can still feel its emotional weight and impact. It’s easy to connect with both characters' feelings, and the dialogue felt authentic—the kind of things people would realistically say if they were in those situations. **Acting:** The actors all successfully embodied their roles, conveying a range of emotions from seriousness and anger to laughter and moments of absurdity. The performances were outstanding! Lee Seung Gi and Suzy Bae, as the main characters, really captivated the audience, making it simple to empathize with their characters, think like them, and even feel like you *were* them. They brought a naturalness to their portrayals that allowed us to see their humanity. Special recognition should go to Suzy; I believe this was only her third major role in a TV series, and the way she delivered her lines and displayed her character's personality felt akin to a seasoned veteran. It wasn’t flawless—Seung Gi had similar minor awkward or forced moments—but they both quickly recovered, sometimes even within the same scene. **Music:** The music/OST was exceptional. The timing was perfect; it appeared where it needed to be, when it needed to be, and played at just the right volume. The songs were memorable and enjoyable, and the production team also thoughtfully reduced the background music slightly before dialogue began—a detail often overlooked in other shows. **Production:** It’s evident that a substantial budget was allocated to this series. The colors and textures of the costumes and props looked fantastic on screen, significantly enhancing the immersion into the world of "Gu Family Book." **Verdict:** I highly recommend it. It deserves 20 out of 10 stars and will definitely be high on my list for re-watching. Well done!

Source on TMDB