Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Scarlet Heart Ryeo is the kind of drama that you wished it won't ended that fast. Not because of the rush story plot (I think it's well paced), but mainly because everything about this drama is so good you wish there will be more. That is why I am writing a review only few hours after watching this drama last episode.

As far as the story goes, I am glad. I am glad that they didn't try to change the history of Goryeo and the original version of Scarlet Heart China just to make an ending that will please all the hardcore fans (because many people, including me, who wish there will be one happy ending). I am glad the production team decided to stay true to the original version and produced this drama as a really solid piece of a remake drama.

I can't even start describing how good all the actors portrayed their characters. The development of each and every important characters are there. From the good, to the bad. They really did it well. I love all the actors, although I know I will leave Scarlet Heart with a deeper love to Joon Gi. I started this drama as a Joon Gi fans, and when I watched the first episode I did worry slightly: How if I don't love him here? Am I expecting too much from him?
But I am so glad to breath a proud sigh of relief, as Joon Gi has done a very good job as usual. What I love about him is that he can tackle countless roles and characters which is what is very clear here, by displaying elements of being an heartless to many yet caring prince becoming a somehow "cruel" king in the end.

Now, although I have watched a lot of K-dramas, I am not the one who will listen to their OSTs, until Scarlet Heart Ryeo. I can't stop playing and replaying all the tracks in my phone even when I am writing a review for this drama. All the songs works very well with this drama and I really enjoy listening to all of them. I know I do, since I have been humming ever since.

Well, enough said, I know I will rewatch this drama. Simply because this drama is almost flawless in its delivery - well executed story plot, excellent casting, and brilliant soundtracks, with each episode leaving you wanting more. Recommended!

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To be honest, when i first saw this drama was still summer and only weeks away from starting school again. At that time i wasn't sure of what to watch, and then i saw that Lee Jun Ki was back on screen and with IU. Had my doubts if i should watch it or not, but i'm grateful that i did. The story got me interested too. since the start until the end. The characters were unique, all of them left a mark and i will always remember them. Through this drama i felt a lot of emotions: I laughed, I smiled, i got angry, cried a lot but most important: I fell in love with the characters so much that my heart still can't believe that it ended.
The cast did a great job. The OST is beautiful. I must say this is DAEBAK. If you're looking for a heartwarming story, this is for you.

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During the whole process of the 2 months this show aired, i could not concentrate on anything other than this drama.(made me crazy loool ) Usually i watch multiple dramas at the same type but this drama made me discontinue other dramas which i was watching at the same type bcuz they just werent as good as this one. The story, the cast, the acting, the music, the cinematography was perfect !!! I watched the Chinese version (bu bu jing xing)before and i really liked it at that time but this korean version left me speechles. Although the ending could be improved a little bit (by adding the (30sec-1min) scene wich was cut)but it didnt annoy me at all. The main male lead( Lee joon gi)'s acting was superb with his mili-second expressions. Also at first half of the series the pacing is not that fast however in the second half it gets a bit rushed. However, overall this drama is really brilliant/Phenomenal even with its minor faults here and there, which could have been improved by the director. But this is the first Drama that made me go to the soompi forum, first drama that i was obsessed for a long time even after it has finished. (me speaking this bcuz im hardcore Korean drama fan since 2005, and i watched a looooooooooot of drama/ possibly every poplular kdrama up to this date). The only fantasy element in here is timetravelling but apart from that it is quite realistic for K-drama and the ending wasnt as forced /typical/ cliche ending u would usually see in kdramas. I highly recommend this drama!!! However watch only the SBS version which is much better than the international version.

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Only the acting of leads helped to complete it Otherwise its a flop

I hated the fact that how a, healthy girl from future destroyed herself involving in others business i means what good happened to the FL by taking tension that too for strNgers from past life.

I founded it a depressing drama.
Really means reallly not a single love story ended happily,all the good characters were dying one by one😤.
This drama has overly critized monarchial period..And i still don't understand what was the need of a present gen girl to go to past just to meddle in the life of a gone king ..i mean if already it happened why to change it wasn t like something good might occur in future ..what was the need to help that stupid king? Totally deressing drama.it appeared as if the writer of this drama is a saddist..if not for IU and ML and some famous cameos it would be a boring melodrama.Sad ending Just fighting for a throne...and dying thats it...

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[CAUTION!!! TOO BIAS] Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Actually, I have't watch the Chinese version of Scarlet Heart. I have read so much reviews about it but due to the fact that I'm not really a fan of Historical Dramas, that's why I don't have any idea of the flow or the story of Scarlet Heart (Korean version).

The story is enough proof of the adaption but nevertheless it gives identity to the korean adaption. The story was fantastic. It highlights not only revenge, love, friendship but also the history-drama itself. The actors was well picked. The main lead (IU and Joon Gi) have a great chemistry tho even I really like Hae Soo and Wook but after the next episodes, I begun appreciating the chemistry between the two main leads. IU, as the main female lead, was a brilliant actress. She portrayed her role very well as Hae Soo. I was affected on her scenes. There's too much words to say how I love her. As for the 4th Prince, he delivered his role well. I love the fact that he calls Hae Soo "my person" lol. I feel sad for him through out the story for how his mother hate him that much but the fact that he love him that much even though he's always left out.

The cinematography and the scenes was well prepared. It seems that everything was in place. The music adds, creates and builds emotions in the story. The music was fabulous. The background songs used in the scenes makes me cring, laugh, smile, shout, cry and cry again.

I may say that my love for Moon Lovers was 100/10. There's too much words that I can't explain on how Moon Lovers can catch your heart, just like what happened to me.

YOU MUST WATCH IT!!!

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Pros: Acting and ambitious ideas/story. Cons: Everything else.

This is probably one of the most conflicting kdramas I've ever seen. On the one hand, we've got an all star cast and an especially stellar performance from Lee Joon Gi as Wang So/4th Prince (aka THE main ML among all the others), all despite quite a terrible combination of pacing/script/lack of natural character development and directing/editing. On the other hand, we've got a historical era full of Problems TM, mostly revealed through Toxic Familial Relations and power/throne takeovers. While not an expert regarding this particular era, I know enough Asian history to understand what they're trying to present, and those aspects are historically accurate (to a degree).

However, it's hard for me to sit through what with the characters feeling like they're pulled straight out of the type of shojo that I especially dislike: the dialogue and character direction and pacing do not feel organic or natural: you've got strong and abused male lead but you've also got choking and plenty of mistreatment of the FL going on (guy has Zero sense of Boundaries), and there's some attempt at display of vulnerability but also at the same time that doesn't really shine through in a relatable way. All of this equals me unable to ship the main ship of the story (or even the first ship that much, for that matter), as there are not enough proper connection presented. Generally, too much antiship energy going on for the first two ships in the plot. Once I got to the third "ship" (not quite a ship), it was FINALLY a breath of fresh air.

I tried very hard to connect with Hae So. She is extremely sympathetic due to her admirably caring and selfless character. She did her very best to keep everything peaceful, yet at the same time she has zero agency or power to actually do anything. I also love her daughter-mother relationship with Damiwon's Court Lady Oh: their relationship is one of the few places where I really connected to the story and I cried.

(I DO ship her and Jung very much at the end, and felt for them both deeply. I also think they should have kept the ending as originally scripted rather than the final edit.)

Conclusion: I'm certain that there are better historical kdramas out there (full of Greek/Shakespeare level tragedy, bloodbaths, backstabbing, villains-galore ensembles, villains romance, corruption arcs, FL with almost no power/agency, doomed lovers - ugh doomed characters in general/Wuthering Heights vibes - although I will admit I have not yet seen one in the kdrama realm, more in the cdrama realm). I can see where this drama TRIED, and I can understand some of the ideas being conveyed here, but the execution on screen is, frankly, terrible (no fault of the actors). Not sure why this one is so popular among the English speaking kdrama watchers expect for perhaps the shojo manga wave has brushed off on them in a particularly heavy manner.

This has, sadly, turned out to be a tragedy in my kdrama watch history, as I'd wanted to like this so much! If you have a rec that has better execution of similar theme/plot, feel free to comment!

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[PORTUGUESE] Moon Lovers não é um drama qualquer, e talvez seja por isso que tenha chamado tanta atenção do público ocidental. Para mim, o que mais me atraiu no drama foi o casal principal, principalmente no que se refere à química entre os atores Lee Joon Gi e Lee Ji Eun (IU). Não existe uma palavra no meu vocabulário que possa resumir a atuação do Joon Gi como Wang So nesse drama, pois "maravilhoso" e "incrível" são adjetivos muito vagos no que se refere às expressões faciais desse homem. Ele conseguiu me ganhar já na primeira cena dele no cavalo, chegando em Songak durante o eclipse (aquela imagem é maravilhosa), e quanto mais conhecia o personagem e percebia o que estava por trás dele, mais me apaixonava. Alguns dizem que ele levou o drama nas costas, mas eu não acho isso. Ele como personagem principal tinha que se destacar mesmo, e isso ele fez com louvor.

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Another disappointment!

Honestly, it was a good show... until they ruined it. I mean, I don't mind if it's not a happy ending, but for the love of God, if you want to include fantasy elements like time travel, at least try to do something with it. Literally nothing was explained. It's like the whole show was a dream. This is the most irritating trope, honestly.

This show was like: "How not to write a show 101." I get that characters need obstacles so they can learn something and grow, but making the dumbest mistakes is just lazy writing. Honestly, I don't think I would've watch more than 10 episodes without IU and Lee Joon Gi.

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