According to writer Hwang Jin-young, the series was inspired by the 1936 novel Gone with the Wind, adapting its dramatic sensibility to the backdrop of the Qing invasion of Joseon.

Although based on historical events, the series deliberately created fictional characters and psychological portrayals to avoid controversial historical distortion while still delivering emotional impact to viewers.

The script reading with the cast was held in December 2022, well ahead of the show's August 2023 premiere.

In May 2023, MBC announced it was terminating its contract with an external background-actor casting company after it was revealed that an actor cast in a minor role had been one of the twelve perpetrators of a 2004 sexual assault case.

On September 2, 2023, the broadcast time was expanded to 90 minutes to improve the quality and completion of Part 1.

Due to its popularity, on November 9, 2023, MBC announced the series would be extended by one episode, ending with 21 episodes instead of the originally planned 20.

The series was split into two parts, with Part 1 airing from August 4 to September 2, 2023 (10 episodes) and Part 2 airing from October 13 to November 18, 2023 (11 episodes).

The show won the Drama of the Year award in the TV category at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2024, with Namkoong Min winning Best Actor in the TV category.

Popular entertainers Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Joo Woo-jae, Lee Yi-kyung, Lee Mi-joo, and Park Jin-joo made special guest appearances playing farmers in several episodes (12-13, 15).