I had seen this pop up on Netflix's recommendation, but thought, based on the name, that it was just a romantic comedy -- wow was I wrong.

It takes place mostly between 1894 and 1907 during the period when Japan was beginning its slow takeover of the country (Joseon at that time). Japan was flooding the country with its money and bribing officials to make policy decisions favorable to ...

I had seen this pop up on Netflix's recommendation, but thought, based on the name, that it was just a romantic comedy -- wow was I wrong.

It takes place mostly between 1894 and 1907 during the period when Japan was beginning its slow takeover of the country (Joseon at that time). Japan was flooding the country with its money and bribing officials to make policy decisions favorable to Japan. The small number of soldiers stationed there for its legation (or embassy), is slowly being increased. The King is increasingly boxed in and isolated.

This is also a period of social, and cultural changes and influences from the West.

There are 5 main characters and lots of others. But with 24 episodes of 80 minutes each, there is plenty of time to get to know them and their motivations. However, a lot is initially not what it seems so supporting characters, which at first seem incidental, can become more important later.

Also with so much time, the directors can afford to slow down and not rush through scenes just to keep the story moving. The first episode introduces the main characters and we see events that affected them as children. As with a lot of K-TV, there are frequent flashbacks to refresh your memory of why someone is doing or saying what they are.

The main story is a romance between a noble lady and a Korean-American Marine that is stationed there as part of the Legation.

But there are complications - like a fiance and a sort of Joseon turned Japanese thug that is also in love with her. And also the cultural/class expectations of how everyone should behave.

What makes this a bit sad, and like a slow-motion train wreck, is that we know what is going to happen to the country during the next 40 years. We see the characters struggle for the independence of their country, but realize it will all be for nothing.

So we expect that some of these characters are not going to make it to the end, but which ones?

The patients have a range of conditions that the staff has to deal with. Some of the scenes provide some of the patients' backstories, but the show mostly focuses on the nurses.

It combines ...

The patients have a range of conditions that the staff has to deal with. Some of the scenes provide some of the patients' backstories, but the show mostly focuses on the nurses.

It combines elements of "Hospital Playlist" and "It's Okay Not to Be Okay", which I have also recommended.

Dealing with these patients' issues is not without complications, and Bo-young, having just transferred from another area of the hospital, has a lot to learn about the job. Is she really cut out for this type of work?

A really good series.