An heart wretching drama
Well...well...well, who knew I'll write a review. Moon Lovers is one of the few dramas that got me crying buckets enough to fill a deep swimming pool.I'm a big fan for historical dramas and Moon Lovers got me hooked from Episode 1 till the last episode.
Each character was beautifully portrayed that it was so hard to watch them act differently in other dramas. I can barely remember most of the Ost's but what left a very deep impression on me was of course the ending.
Moon Lovers is a must watch for any Kdrama lover. P.S it's been more than five years since I watched it and I can't seem to forget it.
Rewatch value rating is low because I can remember scene by scene and I definitely don't want to cry buckets all over again...*begins to sob just thinking about it* —Just kidding *laughs*
It's a good plot and a must watch!
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Do you know, I ask, what one of the albeit many reasons I prefer watching Korean Dramas as opposed to Western TV shows is?
It's this little wonderful thing called Closure. More on that later as I dive into the review:
Story (6.0):
Wow.
Okay, I've admitted this before, in that I don't like time travel very much, especially in Western repertoire, but I've seen a few time travel Korean Dramas that I enjoy very much.
One of them I've seen a few times just because it's so enjoyable (plus it's very short) is Splash Splash Love. A woman/girl is upset with the way things are going in her life and suddenly finds herself in a different time period...
My FAVORITE aspect of this sort of thing is seeing how the societies of the respective times clash and how the main character or time-traveling character has trouble fitting in.
And I'll applaud Moon Lovers for really making me enjoy this aspect of the story line. In fact, this is where most of my story rating is coming from... Honest mistakes, sassy unacceptable comebacks, those are the best, and the first couple episodes had enough of this to sate my thirst very pleasantly.
So, yeah, I highly recommend watching the first two episodes; then maybe watch up to the infamous scene in the rain with the cloak tent. You'll know when you get there. If you're ambitious, heck, you may even watch until the very end; and if you do, as I did, you may then go watch Splash Splash Love to see how a story like this could have had a much better ending.
Agh, maybe Splash has an over-optimistic ending for something like this, but even so, with our hearts bleeding and panting on the floor, you can't just, just leave us like that... Seriously, you try to calm us with a flashback? The parts leading up to the ending were torturous enough for me, and then, okay, it's over.
Alright, for those who are thinking this, no, I'm not new to historical dramas and their usual endings. Historical Korean Dramas are one of my favorites, even if I've only ever (currently) watched one past 35 episodes. But I've also seen this sort of ending done much better.
It's not equivalent, but the ending of Empress Ki had me crying but wholly appeased through good use of final moments and flashbacks.
But, whaaat? Moon Lovers? Twisting and turning can be cool and we all knew it was coming... But can't you give us some better closure?
Heal my broken, scarlet heart!
I couldn't deal and had to watch the first 2 episodes again and then watch Splash Splash Love to remind myself that the ending could have been this other way but they just didn't show us so it's all good.
Acting/Cast (9.5):
Aaaah, I love the cast; I'll be honest with you and tell you I dropped this drama at about the 1/2-3/4 mark at one point, but I came back just to see more of IU and the princes. I've got a masculine perspective on this, so I'm more into the IU aspect, but the princes (and I can't help but love Ji Soo from his other works) are more than enough for any fan girls.
And they aren't just eye candy, there is actually good acting in this. I especially applaud IU in her performance as I'm more used to hearing her sing.
Music (9.0):
I honestly loved the music from the very beginning and have listened to it separately from the drama; however, there are portions of it which I didn't think fit this kind of drama very well... But it's all still good.
Rewatch Value (6.0):
Same rating as the story. I've rewatched the first couple of episodes, but I don't think I would ever want to watch any of this drama past the half way mark ever again. Sorry.
Overall (7.0):
I loved the beginning, I hated the ending, had mixed feelings on the middle. Based on my feelings after finishing the drama, I would actually have rated this lower, but I had to look back at all the moments I actually really enjoyed and am glad I saw them, so here's a higher score for you.
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There is a variety of different characters/personalities to contribute to the diversity of the story. We definitely get attached to them and feel their emotions with them. Emotional roller-coaster ride.
The soundtrack is beautiful and fits the mood perfectly. It is definitely a contributing factor to the enjoyment of the series.
I've re-watched this series many times already. Definitely one I will go back to again.
Highly recommend it.
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Must watch!
I absolutely love it. It's a favorite drama of mine and also of my mom's. We watched it a few times on rewatch already and it still brings us all those emotions, we laugh and coo and cry, by the end. We've seen numerous number of Korean dramas after, but we still come back to this and nothing can replace its place. The acting, the story, OST, absolutely everything is perfect. This started our love for Lee Joon Gi as well. He absolutely slayed in this role and became Wang So. Also, IU was amazing, same the rest of the actors. Thank you for such a wonderful drama, from the start till the very end.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A So-So drama
Before I start my review I absolutely recommend people to watch the drama because though there were a good amount of flaws it was also and amazing one of a kind drama.So getting to the review honestly, I enjoyed the drama, but wow—every single character here is a hypocrite. Let’s take the final segment as an example: the FL’s “little sister” gets beaten to death by her lover. Was it cruel? Yes. But was it also the right thing to do? Kind of, yes. because this same “little sister” poisoned the previous king for two years, leading to his death in a much more painful way than being beaten. Then, in her final letter, she has the audacity to claim she has “no regrets” because it was all in the name of love. And yet, the FL calls the ML “too cruel” for it. Like, girl—if he hadn’t done that, and instead exposed the “little sister’s” crime, she would have had to take responsibility, and both of you would have been dragged down with her. This is just one example of the hypocrisy that drove me nuts. The FL herself was another frustrating character. She’s way too trusting! The 8th prince abandoned her, but as soon as she’s recovered and in a good position, she asks him if he wants to run away with her again. Excuse me, what? Let’s not forget this is the same 8th prince who orchestrated the genocide of the 10th prince and his entire family, and yet the FL has the nerve to beg for his life.
By the end, I also found myself feeling bad for the ML. I didn’t like him much throughout the drama—he made plenty of terrible decisions—but by the end, he was left completely alone. He had no one to rely on or open up to. All his brothers were either dead or gone, his lover abandoned him and he abandoned his lover, and even his mentor-like figure left him. All he had left was the position of the king
Despite all this, I absolutely loved the drama overall. The character relationships, the intricate political scheming, the music, and, most of all, the ending were all phenomenal. For me, the ending is often the defining factor for a drama—it can either redeem or ruin it. Here, the ending was beautifully written and truly saved the story I felt they managed to give a very satisfying ending to all the characters.
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One of the best drama
I watched this when it first came out in 2016, now in 2022 I rewatch the whole series again. It still really is very good. Not easy to find a series which all the cast has really good chemistry together and all every single one of them fits their characters really well ! OST wise it is also one of the best ost album ever. The only thing is I wish Netflix or something will take up the drama and have a season for all the global fans , we need to have a season two for a closure but I know it’s hard to have a season where all the cast will be available because after this drama most of cast became even more popularWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Watch this show expecting a ride with emotions
I loved this show, I think IU and everyone did such a great acting job in this show I could really feel it, and I love how real it is, but it also made it so incredibly sad. There was so much that happened that just hurt me, I was sobbing uncontrollably for two hours, I don't cry, not during any shows or any movie, this is the first show I have ever sobbed at. For two days straight every time I thought of the show I would start crying. It's the type of drama that makes you sit and stare at a wall after watching, so much happened in the drama you can't help it. My family thought that I was dying or possessed, they have never seen me cry since I was a kid, and never like that. It was scarred into my brain, now I feel like I'm different because of the show. I might be dramatic, sure, but there is one thing for sure, this show has changed me. I put the OST Will Be Back on my playlist and even now every time I hear it I just stop what I'm doing and listen, letting the memories flood in, of the girl who's bright eyes turned dull after seeing the harshness of the world she is stuck in, of Prince Eun lying next to his wife's lifeless body after being shot in the heart, after realizing he loved her. I watched the mans guilt after killing his own brother. I watched the girl jump off a building leaving her love behind, broken. I watched a husband carry his sick wife for one last walk in the garden. I watched the girl give birth and die waiting for the man she loves to come but he never did, until it was too late. I watched a story with an ending in which will haunt me till the day I die. This show will always be with me, Scarlet Heart Ryeo.Was this review helpful to you?
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A Promise of Greatness That Fades into Tragedy Overload
I had always heard a lot about this drama, and for a long time I postponed watching it, especially knowing it was extremely sad and dramatic. When I finally gave it a chance, I realized that although the beginning had a lot of potential, the way the story was handled really disappointed me.Up until the death of the 3rd prince, the plot still made sense to me — although I already found his death a bit forced. He was someone who fought so hard for the throne, and then he dies from some unexplained illness, just like his older brother, the crown prince? That felt repetitive and like a wasted narrative arc. From that point on, it seemed like the writers were using any excuse to kill off characters and increase the suffering. There didn’t seem to be a clear purpose anymore — just a string of tragedies with little emotional buildup in between.
The death of Prince Eun, for example, made me cry a lot — it was genuinely heartbreaking. But after that, even with more “emotional” scenes, I couldn’t feel much. It was as if the drama had lost its balance and was relying only on pain to hold the audience’s attention.
As for the main character, played by IU, I thought she was fine, but nothing outstanding. I was expecting much more depth — especially since she was a time traveler. From the very beginning, we see she wakes up in the body of a woman who already existed, with her own life and personality, so different that other characters even comment on how much she had changed. And after that... nothing. No memories of the previous life, no internal conflict, no emotional weight. That identity was completely forgotten, as if it never mattered. That frustrated me a lot, because it was such a great opportunity to explore moral and identity dilemmas.
The same goes for the time travel aspect. The fact that she came from the future was completely underused. The drama never really explored the consequences of that, nor what she could have done with that knowledge. She basically reacts to everything like anyone else would. And when that plot point comes back — in the last episode — it feels rushed, thrown in just to wrap things up. It lacked coherence and follow-through.
In the end, I found the drama slow and dragging in many moments. I felt like it lost its focus as it progressed and relied too heavily on tragedy instead of properly developing what it promised in the beginning. Maybe if I had watched it when I was younger or as my first drama ever, it would have hit me harder. But now, I’d give it a 7/10. Visually, it’s beautiful, it has touching scenes and a great soundtrack, but it fails to deliver what it sets up — especially when it comes to writing, pacing, and developing its own concepts.
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Straight to the point of where I'm trying to get at is that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
Unforgetabble masterpiece
This drama blows my mind. I couldn't stop to cry.The plot is very interesting with so many different characters. Each of these personalities is very important for the whole plot and you never get bored.
The costumes are beautiful, great cinematography. And the OST is virtuous. I think it is the most beautiful drama music I ever heard. It touches your soul, and you can listen to forever.
Very good choice for the cast. All actors are great. IU (as Hae Soo) and Lee Joon Gi (as 4th Prince) have amazing chemistry.
It is very romantic drama, full of emotions and tears. The 15th episode is very sad. So, the last one, too. You need tissues because you will cry your eyes out.
Most beautiful historical drama I ever watched. I have big interest for history and the drama made me research and read historical books about the Goryeo era.
The drama is unforgettable masterpiece. , 10/10 for it.
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Everyone Deserves A Slice of Happiness
I was so not over The King Eternal Monarch that I want to find another tv series that would be at par with it. Gladly, after reading some reviews and since I love IU and Lee Joon Gi for that matter, I decided to start on this series and embark on an adventure down to the time of Goryeo dynasty. I wasn’t disappointed. I easily breezed through all 20 episodes.This is another fantasy and historical tv series. Although the story is fictional, but the historical data were there. The show started with a scene from present times, our female lead, after saving a boy from drowning , found herself in the body of Lady Hae Soo (Lee Ji Eun or simply IU) because of a lunar eclipse. Set in the times of Goryeo Dynasty, Hae Soo have to accept the life she now has. Not a bad life at all considering she finds herself surrounded by handsome princes. One of which is married (8th Prince Wang Wook) to her cousin of where she is staying at the moment. She found herself mixed with the lives of each of these princes. She became a sister, a friend, a lover to each of these princes thus complicating their lives in the process. The plot and storyline is superb and intriguing. Deep, inner emotions are indeed lethal if bottled up. The choices we make in life eventually drives the wheel.
THE THRONE
FACT: This drama shows the succession of the throne from King Taejo, Hyejong, Jeongjong and Gwangjong). Makes you scared and lonely. It is indeed a lonely seat. Always the throne. Hard to get and harder to protect. Biggest question and where this show somehow revolve in: If you only have to choose? The heart or the throne?
MAIN CHARACTERS
I am still amazed of the undeniable chemistry of our two lead actors, IU and Lee Jong Gi. I watched their behind the scenes and I cannot believe that they could just laugh it off after a very intense and heart breaking scene. There is absolutely a switch whenever the director says “cut”. They automatically transforms to all goofiness, frown and tears wiped out.
(Who played Wang So) Lee Joon Gi’s spectrum is so versatile . He can smile and be sinister at the same time ... cry and laugh …the makings of a true and powerful king. He definitely have the skill for this role including the action and sword scenes since he does his own stunt!
IU or should I say, (Lee Ji Eun) since this is a historical drama and the director wants her to use her real name in the credits truly is adorable in this drama. I cannot get over the fact that she seems fragile at the same time strong enough and adorable enough to win the hearts of all princes, the crown prince included. Be it a friend, a confidant, a “doctor”, advisor and of course, lover to Wang So. I was really rooting for them and I wish that Hae Soo was just decisive on how she felt and have the courage to say it to the King. I wish they could just hug this out and just have a day of where they’ll just focus on their love for each other even for a day. But as reality hits them, a life of a king during the Goryeo times is but a lonely throne. Why does a king always need to sacrifice so much including his heart and things he lived for in order to protect the throne?
TURNING POINT
When she paved the way to take off his mask... when she looked at him in a different way and not just “pity”.
She look at him way beyond the obvious and the face , she saw a good person underneath.
EMOTIONS
Sometimes these Korean writers are so cruel. Can’t help but feel frustrated all emotions hit me from nowhere. Why can’t they just be true to themselves and be vulnerable at the same time .. He could have let her know that he is still watching from a distance . Is it destiny? Is it simply their fate?
Overall, I recommend people watch this(if you haven’t considering this was released 2016). Don’t get frustrated(like me, though). Just enjoy their journey together and focus on the happy times and sweet moments.
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Box of Tissue Required
This started gloomy then became fun then ended in so much tears.I’m recommending that if you haven’t seen this series, 20 episodes is not too much to invest time on. You either like it or you don’t. Hang in there til episode 5 at least if the beginning is too slow for you. It gets better and then you’ll be hooked.
The ending left me bewildered and maybe someone can explain: she came back to the future and for a year have been dreaming of Goryo adventure. She sells perfume and the guy who looked like the Goryo astronomer came to her telling her what her last name means in Goryo time. Came across the museum and then realized she’s a reincarnation. Started crying. It ended with The portrait transitioning to Goryo period. That’s it. It’s not a happy ending folks, confusing ending to me.
Overall it is an excellent film - so enjoy.
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