I got carried away with watching “The Baker King”, so much that I decided to write an essay about it (finally!). At first I thought it was another sappy Korean drama, but as I started watching it, I now realized why it's called “The National Drama of Korea”. It may be another typical illegitimate-son-plot, but then it's more than that. It's about how one can rise above despite the setbacks and difficulties that life brings upon you. Kim Tak Gu is the son of Kim Mi Sun, a housemaid, and Gu Il Jung, the owner of Geo Seong Foods Corporation. Being the eldest and only son, he was destined to take over his father's position in the company. But because of his background, Gu Il Jung's family decided to rob him of his inheritance because he was a mistress' son. Tak Gu's father came to know him when Tak Gu turned 12, when Mi Soon brought him to live with his biological father. There, he was treated cruelly by Gu Ma Jun, his stepbrother, and Seo In Sook, Gu Il Jung's wife. Tak Gu was threatened by Manager Han (who happened to be the lover of Seo In Sook) to get away from the Geo Seong family, or else he would never see his mother again. Manager Han was also behind the kidnapping of Kim Mi Sun. Tak Gu ran away and never returned to his father, as he promised. For 12 years, he continued to look for his missing mother. Along the course of his life, Tak Gu grew up angry and resentful. His life changed when he met his everlasting mentor, Pal Bong, who owned Pal Bong Bakery, and his real love, Yang Mi Sun. In Pal Bong Bakery, Tak Gu tried to changed his ways by studying to become a baker. But he was still faced with different problems when he crossed paths with Ma Jun, his stepbrother, and Shin Yu Kyung, his childhood love. Worse, Manager Han never stopped in pursuing Tak Gu's downfall upon learning that he was still alive. Manager Han wanted his real son, Ma Jun, to take over Geo Seong Foods. I decided not to go any further in telling the rest of the story. “The Baker King” is truly worth watching! The acting and the script was great! Plus, it's the only Kdrama that made me cry, because there are a lot of heart-tugging moments in the show. My favorite quote was something that the old Pal Bong told an angry Tak Gu: “Being a good person means having no hatred, anger and resentment in your heart. Don't hate and don't get angry. Understand and forgive. Make amends with the hatred and hurtful memories in your heart.” I'm glad to have heard those words at a time I needed it the most. I learned a lot from watching this drama. It is not just about an illegitimate son searching for his missing mother and fulfilling his dreams. It is also about love, kindness and forgiveness.