A young man rises from humble beginnings to become the King of Goryeo during a tumultuous time of war with the Khitans of the Liao Dynasty.  With the help of one honest and out-spoken official, he will try to find a way to free his country from foreign rule and protect his people at the same time.  But the price of war will sit heavily on his conscious and he will learn the difficulties of leadership and the burden of sacrifice.  Together, the King and his military commander will devise a strategy in the hopes of bringing peace to their tired nation and ending a 26 year old war.  

But the warning at the beginning of the drama should be a red flag for all history buffs.  While based on historical fact, there is plenty of artistic license taken.  The author himself has expressed adamant concern that, especially in the second half of this drama, the departure from both the historical facts and the original text are glaring.  But if you don’t mind your historical entertainment laced with a considerable amount of “fiction”, this one is a touching story about love, friendship, and the price of leadership.  I give ‘Korea Khitan War’ an 8 out of 10 ramen.  

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Kim Dong Jun debuted as a member of the K-Pop group ZE:A in 2010 and began his acting career later that same year with a guest role in the drama ‘Prosecutor Princess’.  His first starring role came in 2011 with the drama ‘The Clinic for Married Couples: Love and War 2’.  Other popular dramas he has appeared in include the sci-fi thriller ‘Black’ and the family drama ‘Still Loving You’.  

Choi Soo Jong debuted  in 1987 in the Koran soap opera ‘Love Tree’.  His first starring role came a year later in the historical drama ‘The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong’.  He is best known for his role in the 2004 historical drama ‘Emperor of the Sea’.  Other popular dramas he has starred in include the historical documentary ‘Three Kingdom Wars: Imjin War 1592′ and the family drama “My Only One’.

Discover quirky, retro crime fighting with this Chief Detective 1958 – Unspoiled Review. Dive into the drama without any spoilers!  If you have already seen this drama and are looking for a more full analysis of the characters and ending with spoilers, click the link below.

In 1958, a passionate detective known for having the highest arrest rate for cattle thieves in his small town, transfers to Seoul.  But crime fighting in the big city is not exactly what he expects.  And if he is going to put a stop to the wide-spread corruption the police force has become known for, he will have to put together a team of like-minded individuals who aren’t afraid to row against the tide.

Watching the detectives find ways to expose the criminals with indisputable evidence is the real key. Lee Je Hoon has a knack for cheesy drama, and this does get extremely silly at times.  It also has some pretty far-fetched storylines.  But rather than give us a smooth, modern style prequel with fancy sets and solid, realistic storylines, this one embraces the retro, and has a lot of fun with it.   I give ‘Chief Detective 1958’  a solid 9 out of 10.

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Lee Je Hoon started his career in 2007 in the indie movie ‘They Live by Night’.  He appeared in his first drama ‘Three Sisters’ in 2010.  Since then, he has won various awards and played a wide-range of roles. He has a starring role in the upcoming business drama ‘The Art of Negotiation’ as well as sequels to two of his most popular dramas ‘Signal’ and “Taxi Driver’.  Below are links to other dramas he has starred in.

Lee Dong Hwi started his career in 2013 in the action thriller movie ‘Cold Eyes’.  He appeared in his first drama ‘Gunman in Joseon’ in 2014.  He is best known for his role in the romantic comedy ‘Reply 1988. He has a starring role in the upcoming mystery crime drama ‘Low Life’.

Stay updated with our latest reviews and dive into the captivating world of Korean dramas. Our recent unspoiled reviews section helps you explore the plot and my general impressions of your favorite series’ without any spoilers. From heartwarming romances to spine-chilling thrillers, we’ve got you covered.