Table122000

Well, if they do make major changes with the incest storyline, you are correct that it will be a very different drama. The funny thing is that the darker themes explored in the original Japanese version are not new to South Korean dramas. Incest was the main theme of 90 Days, Time to Love, although it was between first cousins which some people and societies do not consider taboo. The murder/suicide of the J Drama ending has been done in K Dramas in the past as well. That being said, audience taste does change over time, and you are correct that toning down of the more mature themes would give the drama a wider appeal. For me there were 3 main "shocking twists" in the original version. I feel confident that one of them will definitely be kept in this new version. The other 2 may not be. From the 4 min. teaser/trailer that was posted, it looks like the drama will be closely following the original storyline as many scenes in that new trailer were reenactments of scenes from the J drama. However, there will definitely be new material because this K Drama version has 5 more episodes that original drama. It will be interesting to see what happens in this K Drama version. I'm hoping that they will expand the interactions of Ryo and Yuko characters in this K drama since I felt we didn't see enough of those 2 characters together in the J version. I guess from what PD said, if the drama is still keeping the "they are siblings" twist, then we won't see any romance between those 2 characters. The relationship chart that was released makes me think that they will keep the siblings twist in, so I'll be sad if there is no romance element since one of the things that made me depressed about the original was the fact that Ryo and Yuko couldn't be together for real.

Wow! The PD just let out a major spoiler in the press conference. I'm very surprised. The main reason I liked original Japanese version was because it was so dark in tone and there was a raw intensity to the drama. The drama worked for me because, frankly, they went there- no holding back. The shocking twists and turns of the final episodes pay off because we don't see it coming. We don't see it coming because Ryo and Yuko are portrayed as a conventional couple, complete with kisses and bed scene, so when the revelation is made of their true, deeper ties, both audience and Ryo are reeling from the impact. It sets the stage for the final tragic act, where audience is shocked but not really because it really can't end any other way. Take away or lessen the incest, and I think the drama loses a lot of its impact. I've been wondering how the Korean version will be handling the themes and how far they would go with this drama. Would there be kisses? Would they take it as far as a bed scene? Now from PD comment it looks like the incest storyline (which was a major part of the original) is out? Or maybe the are still siblings but the romance is out and they are just friends? It never goes anywhere so when the revelation comes the impact on the characters is minimal? I'm not sure how to read his comment.

China:
Dream of the Red Chamber 1987 version
Farewell My Concubine (film) 1993
Raise the Red Lantern (film) 1991

Hong Kong:
War and Beauty 2004
Beyond the Realm of Conscience 2009
Virtuous Queen of Han 2014
The Love Eterne (film) 1963
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (film) 2000

Japan:
Ran (film) 1985

Thailand:
Koo Gum 2013 version

Honorable Mention: Vietnam: Scent of Green Papaya (film) 1993- actally a co-production between Vietnam and France, but is Vietnamese language and Vietnamese actors and Vietnamese director. Setting is 1951 Vietnam, so just outside of date range here, but beautiful cinematography . Worth seeking out.

@Amy
Yes, I am also glad I went ahead and watched the original Japanese version first to have a full understanding of the story. From the teaser/trailer that was just released, it looks like they will follow original script quite a bit as I saw scenes renacted from J Drama in that K version trailer. However, it's bound to have some new things simply because the Korean version is longer at 16 episodes vs. 11, so there are 5 more eps . I'm hoping for more interaction between the Ryo & Yuko characters in the K version since I felt the J version didn't have enough scenes between the two of them. Also hoping that Korean version will bring more emotional connection with the viewer since this is what K drama is known for. One of the reviews of the J Drama said that they felt detached from the characters, and I have to say it was the same for me. And I hope they improve the mystery & police investigation parts too. We'll have to wait and see what happens.

After having watched the original Japenese version, I share your doubts about exactly how far the Korean version will go with some of the scenes and characterizations. It's on a cable channel but the rating is 15+, so not indicative of a mature rating, which leads me to believe that some things will be changed to make it lighter. Maybe they will change the rating as time goes on, we will have to see. They have relased a character chart and just from looking at that, well, they reveal a huge spoiler right away. Both the PD and the writer come from rom com background, so not sure how well they will handle the melo. Original version had a raw intensity about it , but that was because , frankly, they went there. However, I found the intensity of the drama was up and down for me. There were stretches of the drama that dragged for me, and then suddenly there would be a moment and my attention was riveted to the screen. Guess we'll have to see.

It starts on Dramafever today. (Sep.20, 2018)

Dramafever is subbing it.

Thanks for your advice and your take on the original drama. I went ahead and watched the original Japanese version. I certainly agree with you that Kimura owned the role of Ryo.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and your take on the original drama. After reading the comments, I decided to go ahead and watch the original Japanese version first since I agree with @Amy that South Korea dramas often tend to soften the harder edges for most of their dramas, so will be more like 2 different drama experiences. As for the original Japanese drama- all I can say is Wow! Definitely mature themes happening and there was a raw intensity to the drama. It will be interesting to see how South Korea handles the drama.

It's coming to Dramafever.

Dramafever has liscensed this drama , so there will be subs! DF premiere date is Sept. 20, 2018.
https://www.dramafever.com/drama/5235/age-of-legends-/

The drama has been liscensed by Viki, so there will be subs! Yay!
https://www.viki.com/tv/36185c-the-smile-has-left-your-eyes

I was wondering the same myself. Is it better to watch the original first or should I just watch remake first? I'm still not sure. Although i keep hearing that Korea version will probably change a lot of things because original Japan version is "too dark' for Korea audience, so maybe will be like watching 2 different dramas? I don't know. Still on the fence about it.

Dramafever has the liscense, so there will be subs!
https://www.dramafever.com/drama/5232/beauty-inside/

Thanks for the info, everyone

Thanks. Yeah-the set up is problematic.

I don't understand. How is this going to be a rom com if Crown Prince already has a wife?
What happens after he gets his memory back?

Yes! And the vehicle is always barreling down from 100 feet away so there's plenty of time to like jump back, but no they just stand there and wait for impact. Ridiculous.

The drama has been liscensed by Viki and Dramafever, so there will be subs !
https://www.dramafever.com/drama/5226/ruyis-royal-love-in-the-palace-/
https://www.viki.com/tv/36164c-ruyis-royal-love-in-the-palace

Also looks like it will be on Dramafever as well
https://www.dramafever.com/drama/5226/ruyis-royal-love-in-the-palace-/