Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

nice drama but im never watching it again like ever

at first i thought it was a cute little time travel story with some romance in it uk the usual storyline you get. However the amount of bloody DEATHS in this drama made me fall into a depressive state. LIKE WHY WOULD YOU MAKE ME SO ATTACHED TO SO MANY CHARACTERS IF YOU WERE GOING TO KILL THEM.
Ngl at the death rate the writer was going for, i was very close to being the next one gone💀
then at the ending when she remembers everything. Let me tell you i have never cried more in my life. HAESOO HAD A LIFE THERE!! SHE FOUND LOVE, HAD A CHILD AND DIED THERE!!! HOW IS SHE SUPPOSED TO JS MOVE ON WITH HER CURRENT LIFE LIKE NONE OF IT HAPPENED.
A part of me died the day i watched the ending. Safe to say i have been emotionally broken down by this drama.

Side note i am an IU fan and i loved her in this drama. Like absolutely loved her. Stan IU guys (but watch her dramas with caution cause most of them sad asf)

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Just finished this series and I am speechless. Although I did not shed a tear, this drama twisted my heart this way and that way which physically hurt my chest. Sigh! The story, especially the ending, could have been so much better I have to be honest. I feel that that there could have been more warm moments to show how Wang So and Hae Soo’s relationship developed so we the audience can confidently fight with them. Wang So just made a decision to make Soo his “person” after she touched his face, that’s it. Too many episodes on the Wook and Hae Soo push and pull saga which I thought were unnecessary to the plot.

This series showed me how the throne forces to show man’s inner heart and how it is truly a lonely, a very lonely seat. It changes even a mother’s heart, such a tragedy.

Lee Joon Gi portrayal of agony over Soo’s death was the death of my heart (for a full minute at least). I have no words, one of the best moving moments in my kdrama viewing history. He is truly the shiniest star of this series. Jisoo is not far behind, Joo Hyuk could be better. IU had her moments as well. A favourite of mine, Kim Sung Kyun (astronomer), delivered as always. The OST was perfect in and of itself but was also perfectly timed each time. I love this drama and would be recommending it to friends.

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recommended !!! We always hope for a sequel

"I'm sorry for leaving you alone"
"If our worlds is not the same, I wil find you. My.. Soo...."
"Mornings will never be the same... Once you meet that someone who will be the sunshine even on your darkest moments"

Such heartbreaking drama. We lost the count of how many times i cried. Sadly, not every story have happy ending but is fair and realistic, being faithful to the facts, happened in history. The beauty of this drama is in all the cruelty and bitter reality it shows, how tragic was living in those years, especially for women. Even being royal wasn't better. It was horrible to see the royal family who used to be united, complotting, betraying each others, killing each others, in order to get power,The throne. None is completely good or bad. All of them act according to their desires. The brothers had been put against each others by their own parents, who never loved their sons equally, and this is what pushed the princes on being so greed and mean. The constant feelings of being in competition. The love story with Hae Soo and Wang So was so sincere, sad, loving, pure, obsessive. Hae Soo is the only woman who loved and showed him kindness and helped him, yet the corruption of the royal burden and the power, convinced him on giving up, even to her. The last scene where he remembered the most happy moments with her, brust us into tears.
We wished they added the original ending where Hae Soo and Wang So meets again in modern time at the museum/paint exhibition and he doesn't recognize her. It would have been great, but that's okay. It's been 5 years now
We always hope for a sequel
We won't ever forget this drama. Extremely emotional

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The Best Acting Eveeeeeeer!

Ok...I have a major MLSHR hangover and I don't know if how I'll get over it...

This story was absolutely incredible, the opposite kind of story I end up loving in dramas because hey, life is hard enough, why get immersed in tragic, too-real stories like these? But oh my gosh, this one is one for the ages. I started watching dramas pretty late which means I get so easily disappointed by older dramas but MLSHR was one of those dramas that kept coming up everywhere I looked. I get it now good people, I get all the fuss and in fact, I am totally sold out to the MLSHR Fanclub.

The story and the writing credits go to the writer of the book. The cast though, they brought this story to life! I loved most the fact that these characters were real people, like yeah, me too. I understand how you feel and would probably have made the same mistake you did Hae Soo or when Wang So is plagued so terribly by his insecurities, I felt that.

Let's talk about Lee Joon Gi for a moment because that is the best acting I have ever watched. He stepped into a complex, character and kiiiiilllllled it! Every line every scene...it was so phenomenal, Lee Joon Gi held out to the very end and made me fall in love with a character that was deep and raw and human with incredible willpower. I am in awe!

That's it, that's the end of my review. I am on the floor, totally shook, even dazed because this drama was a whole out-of-this-world experience.

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This drama was amazing!! Their acting was very good and emotional. The plot / story was very emotional and towards the end I remember crying very much. I also appreciate the music.

But it did not end as I would have wanted. I think they could at least have made a better ending or make a season two, because I really want to know what happend afterwards. What happend to Go Ha Jin afterwards, except for going back to her normal life? Did the 4th prince meet her in the future or what? And the last sentence the 4th prince said, what did he mean? Will he find her in the future or what?

But it was still a very good drama and I would recommend it to others!

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It's a classic with a twist

I can surely say that even after so many years, this drama still has such an amazing storyline and cast.
It's not your generic power-struggling male lead which only has eyes the throne and the storyline is a regression into the past which we don't see too much in dramas.
The storyline encompasses the notion of everyday struggles of someone who is seen as a 'monster' simply because they are slightly different from everyone else, whether that be in their appearance or their personality and highlights that we all need that extra someone to help us get through those difficult times.
Because of the nature of the storyline, the cast needs to have good chemistry with one another and they were able to display on screen which made it even more difficult not to get emotional during some parts of the series.
There are not too much complaints on this series, personally I am content with everything (other than the depressing ending 😒).
Overall, it is recommended if you're looking for a light and fluffy yet relatable romance series.

Happy Binging!!

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Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a 2016 historical-fantasy drama, consisting of 20 episodes, broadcast on SBS and directed by Kim Kyu-tae. Based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin, it tells the story of Go Ha-jin (IU), a 21st-century woman who, during a solar eclipse, is transported back in time and awakens in the body of Hae Soo, a young woman who lived during the Goryeo dynasty, in the midst of the power struggles among the princes of the royal family.
Hae Soo finds herself caught up in court dynamics and meets the numerous princes. Initially she feels attracted to the eighth prince Wang Wook (Kang Ha-neul), kind and caring. However, her fate soon becomes intertwined with that of the fourth prince Wang So (Lee Joon-gi), feared by everyone, forced to hide his face behind a mask because of a scar and nicknamed "wolf dog." A deep bond develops between the two, but the court is a nest of vipers: upon the death of King Taejo, the princes plot and fight fiercely for the throne, and Hae Soo finds herself trapped in a spiral of power, intrigue, and betrayal that will severely test her love and her very survival.
The strength of the drama lies in its emotional intensity and its cast. Lee Joon-gi is extraordinary in the role of Wang So: his ability to shift from the most brutal cruelty to the most disarming vulnerability is what holds the entire production together. Kang Ha-neul builds a Wook who is first gentle and then tragically ambiguous, and his transformation is one of the most interesting in the drama. IU, despite some criticism for a performance that is at times unripe, still manages to give Hae Soo a fragility that works.
The screenplay, however, has obvious flaws. The biggest problem is the lack of logic in the development of the female character: Hae Soo is lively and courageous at the beginning, but in the middle section she makes decisions that seem to "push the plot toward chaos" rather than representing a natural development. The narrative pacing is also problematic: the original Chinese drama has 35 episodes, while the Korean version has only 20, making the development of the second part extremely rushed. The competition for the throne is handled superficially, and the love story becomes excessively dramatic, losing its weight.
The ending is tragic and devastating. Hae Soo dies in the past after giving birth to Wang So's daughter, while Go Ha-jin wakes up from her coma in the present, at the museum, where she sees Wang So's portrait and remembers everything. Wang So remains in the past, alone, with the memory of her and the promise to find her again. The separation between the two worlds and the awareness that their love truly existed make the ending memorable and painful. The political subplots that precede it are confusing, but the ending itself works, and anyone who has followed the story to the end cannot remain indifferent to it.
The connection with Scarlet Heart (2011)
Moon Lovers is an adaptation of the Chinese drama Scarlet Heart (2011), and many dynamics are present in both versions, because the narrative structure is the same: the emperor who kills his brothers after a bloody struggle for succession; the rapid succession of kings; the king who kills the faithful servant of the woman he loves (in Moon Lovers it is Court Lady Oh, and this is one of the moments that mark the rupture between the two); the beloved woman who falls ill and dies from complications related to childbirth; the beloved woman who leaves the palace by marrying the fourteenth prince (Wang Jung here, as Ruoxi does in the Chinese drama); the woman who comes from the future and returns to the future after the coma. The difference between the two dramas is the addition of the detail of the secret daughter entrusted to Wang Jung, which is not present in the Chinese drama.
Trivia: In 2023 it was revealed that an alternative final scene had been filmed (then cut) in which Wang So and Ha-jin meet in the present at the museum, recognize each other, and restart their story.
Moon Lovers is a drama that deserves to be watched, at least once. The cinematography is splendid, the costumes are carefully crafted, the soundtrack is unforgettable, and Lee Joon-gi delivers one of his best performances. It is a drama that makes you angry, makes you cry, makes you shout at the screen, but it does not leave you indifferent. I personally liked it very much, despite some critical issues: the emotional impact and the acting performances more than make up for the flaws in the screenplay and pacing. If you are a fan of Lee Joon-gi or a lover of historical dramas willing to accept a tragic ending, it is worth seeking out. The most accurate description remains that of a classic that commands respect, but that cannot be defined as flawless.

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The best historical drama

This is now my new favorite historical drama! The acting and cast were great especially Lee Joon Gi. The show had plenty of humor in it mostly at the beginning. I was laughing at the behavior of some of the princes and the main actress. Then the show became more serious as the series progresses. The fight for the throne brought a lot of betrayal and pain. There are a lot of sad scenes throughout the series so be sure to have tissues on hand. what I mostly liked about the series was the romance between the two main characters: Wang So and Hae Soo. They had some truly sweet and wonderful moments as well as heartbreaking and sad moments. Unfortunately, a happy ending was not in cards for them and the last 3 episodes are truly heartbreaking.

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If you're looking for an angsty drama, you should watch this!

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo was a series that I was really hesitating a lot to watch. Why? Because I heard that the ending was tragic. (although i am a sucker for angsty series) But the moment I started the series, I can't help but watch it until the end. The next thing I know, I am 100% emotionally invested in this drama. Yes, there were plot holes and it may not be the perfect k-drama but my experience with it was overall great.

The only thing that kinda feels off for me is the characters' development. There were times where the writing makes it seem that the character's development is going somewhere and right there and then it backpedals. Aside from that, Hae Soo (IU) in the first half of the drama has a romantic relationship with Prince Wook (Ha-neul) and then suddenly shifts to Wang So (Joon-gi) as if she didn't have any feelings with Prince Wook. There's nothing wrong with changing the character's love interest however I just feel that it was so sudden and lacking of momentum. The side characters' story was also well shown. Their stories drove the main story forward and kept the viewers entertained/invested in the story. However, I wish that they should have given their stories more time to develop so that the viewers can be attached more to the characters and their stories.

The ending for me is the most satisfying ending that I could think of. Is it the ending that I anticipated? Definitely not. However, no matter what angle you look at it it would have been more of a cheap ending and unsatisfactory if they all went for the ending that we all anticipated. I wish that they didn't leave it as open-ended as it was without going for a season 2. The only thing that I like about open-ended endings are that it gives room for the viewers to think and imagine their own ending. I definitely cried while watching this and if you're looking for a series to cry over, you should definitely watch Scarlet Heart:Ryeo!

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This drama will make you cry a lot,
I don't ever cry while watching any drama or anything else , but this drama made my eyes wet,
Notes :-
1. Watch it if you are looking for Great Plot and many twists
2. Don't watch if you are looking for happy ending
3. All characters are well developed and performed very well
4. Many many many SAD moments
5. Beginning is very slow , plot takes time tk develop , you can't guess what's going to happen in next episodes
Recommend to those who like history, politics, heart touching sad romance
I'm very angry with it's SAD Ending ????????
I hopped upto the last second that it will have happy ending but it did not ended happily.
I hope you liked my review because this my first review on MDL. thanks

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(It really contains some spoilers so I advise some caution)

MLSHR was the first drama I ever watched 3 years ago. My friend recomended it to me because we love anything asian historical and because of Lee Joon Gi's handsome face, I didn't have no idea about anything related to k-dramas. Only this stupid prejudice that the Westerns have for the quality of anything asian related... I will never forget this drama and now, that I watched all these dramas, I will write about it.
Ok the story is not something exceptional. Time-travel (now I have seen is common enough in plots), let's say poor girl/rich guy, love triangle, historical, princes, politics, bloodbath, sad-ending (I will never understand why historical dramas mostly have sad endings). I have read the story is from a chinese book and drama (I haven't watched it) and I discovered that the plot is similar to the book (even how they go in the present). Maybe not the newest idea but it is really interesting and it keeps you at the edge of your seat. And even if it pained me, the sad end was fitting. Normally, dramas with a lot of characters tend to be really tiring because the writers don't care enough, if I say, for the second characters. But here everyone has enough characterization and space to develop. Personally, I sympathized more with the support characters than the main. I really don't remember who was the bad guy and what was his role on the story....
As of the cast, I will never understand how they could manage to find all these handsome boys. It was the reason I became a fan of Lee Joon Gi. How handsome and charismatic he is and he was the perfect fit for the role. I think it is his best drama. Kang Han Neul and Nam Joo Hyuk was also very memorable. And IU, even if her role was not the best, she was exceptionally good (I don't believe "singers cannot act", if someone has the talent can).
Overall, for me is THE BEST historical drama with My Country: New Age (maybe because I really cannot stand and understand the Joseon fashion...). One of these days I am thinking of re-watch it.

(English is not my first languge so sorry of any mistakes)

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