So the story was nearly a 10, however, there could have been more explanation on the "How" and "Why" Go Ha Jin ended up as Hae Soo and what the eclipse had to do with the whole situation (Which would also clear up the ending somewhat). I personally didn't mind the ending, if only because it meant hope. I think it made real Hae Soo's main quest of "changing history"
I know some people stop liking a drama if they don't understand or want answers, but I like to fully put myself in to what i'm watching - if I enjoy it until the end (leaving aside my complaints) then it did a good job, but if you can't get past the inconsistency then it did a bad job. This did a good job at keeping me captivated and to me that means the Drama served its purpose to entertain. Even if you find holes in the story its told well enough for you to keep going. I've seen that people don't like the relationship progression but to me its more real. The feelings are raw and confusing. They aren't black and white. The whole drama and its relationships are not fairy-tail ones - they hurt and they try to persevere.
Acting: 10
I've now seen many dramas, some cringy and some not. I think each cast member brought a good personality to the characters. I cared about some and hated others. That is all you can hope for, if you dont feel anything for the character at all I think the acting wasn't worth it. I ended up crying a lot.
Music: 9
There wasn't any one particular song that stood out to me, the music was good but nothing that made me go "Wow I want to download this". Perhaps I was focused too much on watching that I wasn't hearing it. Although perhaps thats a good thing, you can't have music too overpowering for a story like this - and sometimes the way that the drama repeats the same powerful song every episode annoys me.
Rewatch: 10
I would watch this again to focus on details I may have missed the first time. Side characters, subtle hints or actions, try to answer some questions I asked by taking what I know from the first watch and fill in the pieces.
Worth the watch, definitely, It's very emotional and raw. The music doesn't overpower the story and distract you from the very intense and fast paced lives of Hae Soo and the princes.
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tissues you will need tissues
the story line was great even though we were left hanging it was great with a lesson for her. how she was able to grow through betrayal pain and love was fantastic. the acting was great I give baekhyun 1000000/10 for the role he played. he played it too way for his first main recognized kdrama. the tears will always be there through out the whole series but they are worth it.you won't waste your time with this
go watch
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1. Characters who should not have gotten redemption, got it, and that really frustrated me.
2. It felt like they put in tragic stuff just for the sake of it.
3. There was no closure on anything. Characters that suffered in the beginning were still suffering at the end.
However, the actors were phenomenal. Joon Ki was absolutely amazing. Extremely captivating, he was the main reason I continued to watch until the end. I hope for a season 2 or a special to give us some closure. I don't like how it ended at all. But I'm someone who likes happy endings lol.This drama made me cry really hard. Way too hard.
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This review may contain spoilers
Heart breaking drama
One of the best historical dramas ever made. Has a fantastic ensemble cast and the osts are just so good and catchy. Episodes 1-10 are filled with fluff but it starts getting heavy from 11-20. Please keep a box of tissues ready because IT WILL BREAK YOUR HEART. I would recommend you to give it a chance. You definitely won't regret it.Was this review helpful to you?
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Traumatizing and unfair
Beautiful drama that started promising, but then something terribly wrong.Amazing actors, visuals, OST, everything, but story traumatized me.
** SPOILERS **
In the end, when Wook asked her why did she chose So, she answered that is because So was honest to her, but, as far as I remember, Wook loved her and told her that he wants the throne because he was not able to protect her, it was for her, while So, in order to become the king, left her saying that he does not love her anymore. So from my point of view, what So did was more unfair and he was the one who was not honest. At least Wook had the reason that he was forced by his sister, but So did this on his own, he chose to left Hae Soo for the throne... Wook wanted the throne for Hae Soo, while So wanted the throne for him.
And then, Hae Soo was so easily disappointed by Wook when he did everything for her, but she continued to love So even after he was so bad and possessive to her... I can't believe. But maybe she was so disappointed by Wook because she loved him more. And I hope, that when Yeon Hwa told her why her brother acted like this, she realised how wrong she was and how much she hurt Wook...
And I think that she still loved Wook because she knelt down for him.
I want Soo and Wook to meet again in the present, I want her to meet Wook and not So, because she lived her love with So, but she didn't fulfilled her love for Wook.
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Then a TV channel aired this drama. At first I said that it is just too painful to watch again, but then I said "Ok, just watch again, maybe you will see it differently". I am somehow happy that watched it again, because I could see many details that I skipped first time or that I forgot.
In ep. 12:
- When Soo was in prison, Wook went to her, but she asked him about So. This hurt him so much. I know that she was a good girl that worried about everyone, but she should've think also of Wook.
- Wook couldn't say anything about the real culprit in order to protect his family. He was forced. But he tried to save her by talking to Lady Oh. He really loved Soo, but he was caught between her and his family... and he couldn't betray his family. So I don't know why everyone blamed him, when he was just a victim.
- When Soo was kneeling for Lady Oh, she saw Wook coming and leaving and she asked herself why. Her love was not so strong to trust Wook and to know that he must have his reasons.
In ep. 13:
- Soo accuses Wook that he used her to kill So... well, how did she reach that conclusion? She couldn't trust Wook... and Wook did everything because he loved her...
- She then ask Wook to leave with her, but he is afraid that something else might occur. She can't understand his feelings... and accuses him once again that he does not love her and abandons him... she doesn't even let him explain.... she accuses him that he does not trust her feeling towards him, but she was the one who didn't trust him....
In ep. 16:
- Soo learns that So left her in order to get the throne, but it is OK since it is So... really? She left Wook when he wanted the throne, but since she knows that So will be the king it is OK? From my point of view So was the one unfair to her, not Wook. And then she lets So speak to tell her that he will make her agree. Seriously, she didn't give that chance to Wook...
In ep. 19:
- Poor Wook, who did everything to protect his family is abandoned by his mother and sister...
- Soo hears that Wook is going to die and she kneels down for him, to save his life. Later, Wook tells her to pay attention such that So won't suspect her, and she then says that she would have done this for every prince. But I don't think that she would have knelt down for any of the other princes, but she did this for Wook, because she deeply loved him. Or maybe the meaning (maybe lost with the translation) was that So can't suspect her, because he would think that she would have done this for any of them.
- When she leaves the palace, at the gates, she meets Wook. They are both outside the palace, this may mean something. Also, Wook says "It's over in this life.". If we want to search for hidden meaning, then this is equivalent with "In the next life we can be together.". Here Wook finally looks calm, and I think that it is because he kept his promise to take Soo out of the palace, even if he can't be with her. He finally could keep his promise and helped her and this made him happy.
In ep. 20:
- Before Wook dies, he seed his wife, Lady Hae... I'm not sure about this, it may be interpreted like he is going to be with her in the afterlife... Why did he not see Soo... an answer may be that she is alive in the present. But what if Lady Hae will take him to Soo in present? Since it was her wish for Wook to be with Soo...
So, in the end, Soo was the one who couldn't trust Wook and he was the one who was hurt the most.
And it is such a pity, because their love story, as seen in the first episodes, was the most beautiful love story that I ever saw in a drama, but after ep. 12 everything was ruined....
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Breathtaking drama with bittersweet ending
The K-drama period that I just finished watching is, without a doubt, one of the best ones I have ever seen. I was completely sold on it and couldn't help but be captivated by the cast's performances, the chemistry between the characters, and the intricacies of the plot.While I was hoping for a happy ending, I couldn't give it a perfect score because of the bittersweet conclusion. However, there was an open-door possibility that the main lead would find a way to be with her lover. The mysterious voices she heard and the paintings she saw, as well as the appearance of a man who looked like the 8th Prince in modern clothes, all suggest that there is a chance for a resolution to their love story. Sadly season 2 never been produced.
I must say that I watched the entire series in a marathon, unable to let go of the story. The multiple love stories that were intertwined The scriptwriters finally got it right this time - they respected the timeline and nothing was rushed. They took their time to allow her to truly fall in love with her first love, and then to gradually unlove him. It wasn't until much later that she fell in love with someone else. The years apart were the perfect choice, and the scriptwriters nailed it. were all beautiful yet tragic.
The scriptwriters finally got it right this time - they respected the timeline and nothing was rushed. They took their time to allow her to truly fall in love with her first love, and then to gradually unlove him. It wasn't until much later that she fell in love with someone else. The years apart were the perfect choice, and the scriptwriters nailed it.
The love stories portrayed in the production were truly believable and heartfelt. Each storyline had a timeless quality to it that made it resonate with the audience on a deep emotional level. The themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, mistrust, jealousy, pain, despair, and even hatred were all perfectly executed by the talented cast. Every actor brought their A-game, immersing themselves in their respective roles and delivering performances that left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. Overall, the production was a masterful display of storytelling that left the audience feeling captivated and emotionally moved.
As much as I loved the drama, I must say that I have a deep dislike for time travel dramas in general. The same old sad ending of the main lead leaving her lover behind and returning to modern times is something that I find predictable and cringe-worthy. It would be great if the lead could live in the past, or if she were given a real choice, rather than being forced into an unhappy ending.
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I still want a S2 if all the fans get together and push them by petitions & twitter parties we'll get it but we won't get anything by sitting and hoping..
I am still not recovered by this drama, I want to go and watch it back, I have done the same on Scarlet Heart a couple of times.
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This review may contain spoilers
Since this drama is a remake of its Chinese cousin, I had high hopes before watching this drama. It took me a year of starting and putting it on hold to finally finish this. I must say, I liked the main cast better than the Chinese version because IU! and JOONGI! However, because of the many model-turned actors and idol-turned actor, Baekhyun, the acting was a bit sloppy and somewhat fake at times to be honest. No shades here, for Baekhyun to act this way for the first time is very good for an idol but sometimes I feel like he's over-acting for the sake of it (I do look forward his future works as an actor and see how he grows). The romance between the main characters and each character's development throughout the drama, from main to support, is what kept me watching the whole thing. I do like a drama that has a good plot and good acting? But I guess this one only has a good plot, for a drama that has been remade. The ending though? I wanted to kill myself but sadly NO SPOILERS.
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a cinematic masterpiece
when i started to watch kdrama i always saw "moon lovers" being highly recommended but after seeing a lot of reviews such as it's a very sad drama, ending is not good, iu's acting is not good in this drama because of these negativity i really hesitate to watch this drama but after like 2 years i finally decided to watch this drama and now i realize how much of a fool i was... this drama by far become my favorite drama of all the time... this drama really affect me both emotionally and mentally... after watching this drama i'm wondering "how can a drama can be so beautiful"... the story, the cast, the cinematography, osts, everything about is drama is so perfect and beautiful and after this drama i truly become a huge fan of Lee joon gi and iu to a whole another level, their acting in this drama is so freaking beautiful and the fact that i don't always cry while watching dramas and all but this specific drama literally made me cry like a mess and this really taught me so much about the life and relationships, truly this drama affects me to a great extend... If you're reading this review and hesitate whether to watch it or not i'm telling you don't hesitate just watch it and avoid watching spoilers beforehand, this drama will truly become a beautiful experience you've ever had in ur entire life, after finishing this drama i felt so lucky that i watched this masterpiece but also felt empty and depressed for days because this masterpiece is already over, that's why i truly truly want second season of it but it's been 5 years and yet there's no announcement of season 2, it makes me sad but i'm still hoping for it, with the same cast but in the different era... just thinking about it giving me goosebumps all over my body. I truly become a huge fan of this kdrama and i don't think any drama will replace it's place in future, this drama will always have a special place in my heart.Was this review helpful to you?
Excelent show
I really enjoyed the story and thought the acting was great. The main characters were perfectly portrayed, especially the male lead. I don't understand why the soundtrack wasn't more appreciated; overall, it was a great show to watch. However, I was disappointed with the ending. It was terribly sad for a story that started as a fantasy tale. I can appreciate tragic endings when depicting real-life events, like in the show Red Sleeve, but for this particular story, I felt the hopeless ending was unnecessary.Does anyone know why there is no season 2? With so many mediocre shows being released all the time, it's puzzling why they didn't produce another season for this one, which has so much potential.
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Unrelenting, but beautiful storytelling
This was both entertaining and hard to watch. It was gripping, because I wanted to know what was going to happen next, but at the same time I had already figured - by the way the story was going - that bad things were going to happen over and over again.I think the unrelenting aspect of this drama would make it difficult to rewatch, but I'd still recommend it. There's something bittersweet about the way the characters grow and their relationships to one another. Plus, the acting is superb.
(A second season of this drama, "in reverse", would probably have been amazing, too!)
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I have a beef with this show..
And particularly its ending! The director of the show did us so dirty. Loved the couple, no doubt. I found the storyline refreshing and yet predictable at the same time. The chemistry of the leads is a bullseye. The ost is so amazing, I want to buy it. In the beginning it has a lot of comedy in it, then grows quite serious and somber. If only the ending..Was this review helpful to you?