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In 1894-95 a group of rebels rise up to lead the Donghak Peasant Revolution.  Baek Yi Kang is an illegitimate son who has lived his life known only as “So and So”. Now he will join the cause to bring equality to a society ruled by privilege and greed.  As their rag-tag group of freedom fighter stands against the royal army and the militarily advanced Japanese,  Yi Kang fights a much more personal enemy in the form of his father and half-brother.  As communities and families are divided, war rages through the country. And battles are fought not only on the battle fields, but also in the markets and administrative government offices, as everyone steps up to do their part.  

Han Ye Ri as Song Ja In

Song Ja In is a peddler who sells her wares to the highest bidder, regardless of their political affiliation.  Her father is the head of the local peddler group and he has taught her that making money is the only priority in life.  But when she meets and falls in love with Baek Yi Kang, she sees how her position can help bring about social change.  Pitting herself against her own father, Ja In deceives the powerful Japanese forces and offers her support to the Donghak Army.    

As a member of the social elite with money and influence, Song Ja In has plenty to lose by helping Jeon Bong Jun and his soldiers.  But working as a war peddler helps her get a first-hand look at what it could cost their country if the Japanese gain control.  Han Ye Ri was graceful and calm in this role.  She portrayed Ja In’s bravery and determination with a quiet dignity that was never overplayed.

Choi Moo Sung as Jeon Bong Jun

Jeon Bong Jun is the General who leads the Donghak Army.  He is charismatic and devoted to their cause.  As the army makes it’s way through the country, the General is there to meet with the people and share his vision for an egalitarian society where commoners aren’t forced to carry the weight of work.  He sees the potential in Yi Kang and becomes a father figure to him over time.  

 ♥ Yi Kang and Yoo Wol

Baek Yi Kang’s devotion to his mom is seriously one of the cutest mother/son relationships I have ever seen.  Far from some momma’s boy who loves his mother because she waits on him hand and foot, Yi Kang protects her and waits on her with absolute attention.  He refers to her as the woman he loves most and is so proud of her when she becomes the deaconess.  I really loved their scenes together and I admired Yoo Wol’s ability to get past years of mistreatment with grace and strength.  

♥ Baek Yi Hyun

I can’t pass up the opportunity to praise Yoon Shi Yoon for his acting in this drama.  His character was so complex and heart-breaking.  I suspected from the beginning that he would ultimately sacrifice himself for Yi Kang, but even I wasn’t prepared for his dramatic final scene.  The development, or maybe regression, of his character was well played and he gave an outstanding performance.  

Heart-Wrenching Battles

This drama has plenty of battle scenes and they are well done.  It is truly heart-wrenching to watch the Donghak soldiers with bamboo spears getting taken out by the Japanese artillery.  While these scenes are not particularly gory, they paint a picture of the atrocities of war and the massive loss of human lives.  

Beo Deul

As the only female soldier in this drama, I loved Beo Deul for her willingness to jump into the fray whenever she was needed.  I was so sad to see her finally die of her injuries.  And even more sad that her last heroic act to try to take down Yi Hyun ended in futility.  I wish she would have lived to help Yi Kang train the new group of fighters.  I can just imagine her as a no-nonsense leader daring anyone to challenge her authority and keeping Yi Kang in his place with her usual fond humor.  

To say that “The Nokdu Flower” has a happy ending would be to overlook all that these courageous soldiers fought for.  That happy ending doesn’t come until much later.  Maybe because of this, the ending for this series is, at best, open ended.  Yi Hyun kills himself in front of his family, and later his father kills himself and burns their house to the ground.  Jeon Bong Jun and his aides are executed without any of their supporters present. After thinking Yi Kang was dead, he and Ji An have a sweet reunion at their swing where she finally agrees to “be his girl”. But then a jump forward shows Ji An visiting Mung Shim, who has set up on orphanage and is teaching the children there.  She asks if Ji An has heard from Yi Kang and Ji An smiles and says “no news is good news”.  The scene shifts to Yi Kang sleeping on a rooftop.  Yoo Wol is there cooking and taking care of the new group of soldiers,  including Hae Seung and Eok So.  Yi Kang jumps down to welcome Lee Gyu Tae, who has finally joined their efforts.  So I guess we can only hope that Yi Kang and Ji An will survive to spend their lives together somewhere down the road.