A tale of hope amidst the chaos of the Qing invasion

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Inspired by the 1936 novel Gone with the Wind, the 2023 South Korean series My Dearest explores human resilience. Set during the Qing invasion of Joseon, it follows characters navigating extreme hardship to find positivity and hope in the most challenging of times.

Airing on MBC TV between August 4 and November 18, 2023, the South Korean historical drama My Dearest depicts life during the Qing invasion of Joseon. Writer Hwang Jin-young noted that the series was inspired by Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel, Gone with the Wind. The production was split into two distinct segments: Part 1, consisting of ten episodes, aired from August 4 to September 2, 2023, while Part 2, containing eleven episodes, aired from October 13 to November 18, 2023. The drama was broadcast every Friday and Saturday at 21:50 KST. Viewers in South Korea can stream the show on Wavve, while those in other regions can access it via Viki.

The narrative centers on several key figures, including the enigmatic nobleman Lee Jang-hyun, portrayed by Namkoong Min, and Yoo Gil-chae, played by Ahn Eun-jin. Their lives become entangled amidst the upheaval of the invasion. Other central characters include Nam Yeon-joon, a Confucian student at Sungkyunkwan, and Kyung Eun-ae, his fiancée and Gil-chae's close friend. The series also features historical figures such as King Injo, the sixteenth ruler of Joseon, and Hong Taiji, the emperor of the Qing dynasty. The cast also includes Kim Yoon-woo as the talented pansori singer Ryang-eum. Additionally, Lee Chung-ah portrays Gak-hwa, the daughter of Hong Taiji.

By focusing on individuals finding hope during a period of intense conflict, the series aims to portray the strength of the human spirit. The cast includes a wide array of characters, from military officers and Confucian scholars to servants and kisaengs, all caught in the shifting tides of the Joseon era. The story features various supporting figures, such as the military officer Gu Won-moo and the blacksmith worker Deok-chul. It also highlights the lives of servants like Gu-jam and Bang Du-ne.

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