Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

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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Just recently finished watching this drama during this 2020 quarantine period. And oh boy, where have I been this whole time? why have I only known this drama now?
I just wanna say that this is now one of my most favorites and unforgettable dramas of all time. There are maybe some challenges in the production like editing and such, but it doesn't really matter when in the end you get to feel and experience each characters strongly, specially the main leads and empathize with them through their hardships, feel their heartbreak as if it's your own and smile when they do in the story episode per episode. I'm not an expert to analyze whatever loopholes there may have been so, I can only share what I have experienced in watching this drama. That it has broken me to pieces and made me cry a river like a fool. And I wanna add also, this is where I discovered a rare gem of an actor and performer called Lee Joon Gi.
This is one great drama worth binge watching for! It's definitely on my rewatch list.

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I made an account just to review this drama. I started watching because i had time to lose and i was looking for a historical drama after watching modern after modern i wanted something refreshing. I had watched IU in My Mister which showed me her AMAZING acting. This drama is a masterpiece. Every small clue every emotion and every situation fits like a puzzle. I always hate and cringe when there is unnecessary scenes in any movie or drama but this one had none. You feel a connection with the main lead and the pace is just perfect. There is a song that's called Will be back by Sunhae Im and it really touched my heart. The last scene really completely broke me. You could feel the love they have for each other.

Characters.

The casting was amazing but so random that it kinda distracted me, i'm mostly talking about the brothers, they were so different which was kinda the point of the show but it can really be an eyesore.


Overall i would definitely recommend, its heartbreaking, its beautiful and it takes you to another world. It completely absorbs you.

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The drama was like a roller coaster ride. It has its high and lows, to be more specific the drama has different hype all throughout its run. But overall it was a very good drama from start to finish. I was fascinated on how other couples would end but this drama has it's tragic genre which means there will be no happy ending at all. The later part of the series which start from the death of one of the prince until its finale was the most interesting part. In my opinion , some speculated that there will be season 2 but for me this drama already has the best ending to "end" this series.

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This drama is so so great which left the deepest impression on me. I watched it when it as airing. I used to watch the episodes in korean when they first air, then watch it after it gets subbed in english. At that time /back in 2016/ my life revolved around this drama, i was completely immersed in this drama. /i even used to skip my classes just to watch it, couldn't wait few hours kk, now i regret because of my attendance score/
Let me say this, the plot, actors, characters, music, production everything is so on point. Can't describe how beautiful and great it is, you wouldn't get it unless you watch it yourself. Experience this beautiful and happy suffering yourselves!
I never cried, laughed, got mad and got all emotional because of drama like how i did when i was watching MLSHR. This drama sure knows how to play with your heart and make you never forget about it. Yall who's going to watch it be prepared, cuz watching this drama really is an experience.

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I had to admit that I put this drama on hold for a very long time. Reason behind is the serious lack of chemistry between the leads (IU & LJG).
They may have had some good times during the series but it was OKAY at best. I am a big fan of LJG and I am always blown away by his character in this drama. It is however had to suffer drastically with IU's serious lack in acting prowess. She was miserably overshadowed by almost all of the cast that even the Support Roles delivered better.

My Journey with this drama nonetheless is enjoyable. It is not something that I will definitely rewatch within the next few weeks but it delivered well enough to be highly recommended especially to Shakepearean trashes like myself.

The Bad
1. Mismatch - I couldn't say enough of how incompatible the pairing was. Not that IU is totally bad, its just that LJG's work deserved better, LJG was great in his craft and whenever the camera takes its turn into IU it all goes dark and gloomy. Luckily, LJG was enough to keep me from dropping this series entirely.

The Good
1. Music - OST is "G.O.L.D.".
2. Support - Talk about a villain who is indeed a villain and character you'd love to hate and love altogether, that is what this Drama promises, the support casts were perfect for their roles and regardless of which side they were in, you gotta love 'em. The Princes and their stories were incredible. It was delivered well and is a great twist from the main line of events without stealing the show entirely.
3. Bromance - Lee Joon Gi & Kang Ha Neul, Lee Joon Gi & Nam Joo Hyuk, Nam Joo Hyuk and Ji Soo. Bromance was sbutle and just the right amount given that the drama is a historical adaptation. But nonetheless they were beautiful.

The Great
1. THE ENDING.

A lot an be said by how almost all of Korean Dramas end in a unflattering manner regardless of how it was midway most end in "Meh". Even the 'Greats' were not an exclusion to BLAND endings (Goblin, My Love from Another Star, Warrior Baek Dong Soo, Secret Garden to name a few) while others are OKAY (DOTS, IRIS, Jewel In the Palace, Queen Seon Deok, Love Rain, Chicago Typewriter) and on my limited experience, some were closed GREAT (Six Flying Dragons, Jumong) and This drama falls among those that ended GREAT.

I love tragedies. and this show it may not have ended tragically as how Shakespeare would've done it but it ended with all the right things in the right time. It feels like a the final pieces of the puzzle were put into there rightful place without trying so hard. I hate having loopholes in the story and this drama leaving a gaping wide hole in the end is incredibly forgivable.

Recommendation:

It is known that historical adaptations are with blood. So if you are one who hates seeing blood or seeing innocent people or good looking princes being stabbed to death, tied, maimed and drowned, You might want to hold it in and watch it still. This drama will not disappoint given the right expectations.
Do not dream of the usually cliche among Korean Drama endings which is all bubblegum and honey sweet because it won't deliver that to you.

Now if you loved Leonardo Di Caprio in Romeo and Juliet, Titanic and The Revenant, then you should get on board and you'll definitely be up for a wonderful treat.

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For the first time I have fallen into the spell of romantic dramas.

I'm not the romantic type but historical dramas and time travel have always caught my attention so I decided to watch it.
The script is quite simple, triangular relationships, betrayals and war also many misunderstandings, there were several historical mistakes but we know that most of the industry does. The characters are not the most elaborated but something that I have always loved is that the scriptwriters give a space to each character, that not everything revolves around the main character.
The music is a total winner, with a deluxe cast from the great SM artists to the UI itself. It is composed of very sweet and sad melodies that you will keep listening to until after the drama is over.

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Class act

For someone whose never into historical or fantasy, this one was a change especially at the first half of the story, it was really intriguing. What did not work for me is the fact that the initial worm relationship between princes/brothers did not stand long against the conspiracies for the throne, the violence, the exiling, I wish it would have. Standing out for top performance, Lee Joon-gi, then both Nam Joo-hyuk, and Ji Soo. However, if you don't like to shed some tears and get your heart broken over drama, this isn't for you. Still, you will lose seeing a great cast, and a great first half indeed.

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I was really hesitant to watch this drama because of all the spoilers about it being sad and tragic also some fans said it made them depressed after finishing it ,,, but I found it really good and interesting ,,, the actors did a fantastic job playing their characters ,, ever one was unique to it's own personality and the story was rich not boring even a second ,,, I loved it so much
Also the ending wasn't satisfying enough or at least not fully closed but it was acceptable in away
I hear there will be a season 2 but I don't think it would have the same affect as this one

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Hot actors alert

Ok sooo i heart about this drama , nirmally i am not into long historical drama's but after i saw 10 miles of peach bloasom i thought i could give this one a try too.
Ok ok...leta be honest what motivated me the moat to watch this drama was the excessive amount of eyecandy!!! Omg!!! I was never bored watching this!!! I started saturday around 11:30 and watched non stop still i finished around sunday morning 4 oclock ( yes i did skip some fighting parts?)

I love the brotherhood the joy and laughter between the brothers in the beginning! I loved how they al got along well with the female lead. You could see how they shared a warm heart for her.

I also loved the fact that she didnt just loved once....but went on with her life when she felt betrayed...because of the timegabs you know they took her time to recover.

I could write so many things here but i think you should really invest some time and watch this drama!! It will not dissapoint you;

My favourite part in this drama at the end where he realizes that he just met his daughter!! The loving and warm eyes when he looked at her before he knew...and the awkward realisation that he has to respect the wishes of her mom...and keep her away from the palace....however still wants to be part of her live and lifts the banning of his brother so he can come with his daughter and visit him....???

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