Like everybody else I absolutely adored MoonSun at the beginning. I was drawn to the love story between Yeon-woo and Crown Prince Lee Hwon because the portrayal of both Yeo Jin-goo and Kim Yoo-jung captured the magic and innocence of young love so perfectly. The wonderful chemistry between these two teenagers was so captivating that it seemed almost ethereal. The youngsters, together with their adult sidekicks (notably, Hyung Sun, the chief eunuch) played their parts beautifully and comically. It was such a joy to watch that I looked forward to watching it while it was still airing in South Korea. Also, the fantasy/supernatural element and "political connivance" further added to the intrigue that kept my interest which culminated in Yeon-woo's supposed death and Hwon's breakdown outside the palace (I swear, Yeo Jin-goo is such a phenomenal actor it's hard to believe he's just 15 years old! I can imagine him getting acting awards left and right when he gets older).
But then the adults came in and everything went downhill. How can I say that everything went downhill when things worked out in the end for the OTP in the story, you might ask? Well, for one thing there was NO character development. Each character remained stagnant. From the very start until the very end, they remained the same in terms of personality, conflicts and the way they reacted to the situations around them. Only the physical traits differed. Maybe, if they got actors who looked exactly like the younger cast instead of the ones they got, I wouldn't know the difference. Also, I could not, for the life of me, understand why the two main guys, Hwon and Yang-myung, were still so hung up on a dead girl for years? Sure it was pretty obvious that Yang-myung had a crush on her but really? His feelings for her made him pathetic and he was as good as dead even if he hadn't died in the end. Kim Soo-hyun was the sole strong link and he was the only reason why I managed to finish the entire series. Han Ga-in, as beautiful as she is, was mediocre at best. She had zero chemistry with Kim Soo-hyun, which is a pity since the wonderful connection between the younger Yoo-jung and Jin-goo supposedly set the stage for the adult counterparts' romance thereafter. And Jung Il Woo, what the heck happened to him? I couldn't stand that he was so weepy all the time. I mean, come on. He's got a pretty good range. He did really well in 49 days but in this drama, he's stuck in this woe-to-me, heartbreak mode from the moment he replaced Lee Min Ho until his death. Everybody obsessed over each other: Lee Hwon with Wol, Yang Myung with Wol, the queen Bo-kyung with Hwon, princess Min Hwa with Yeom, the servant girl Seol with Yeom. Okay, Chae-woon didn't obsess over anyone but still, he was like a statue here. I don't remember him speaking at all apart from two or three lines for every five episodes or so. It was basically all about obsessive, unrequited love and nothing else, not even a decent political storyline or even just a fantasy arc. I guess I need to blame the writers then for creating flat, one-dimensional characters. These people wasted the actors' potential by not giving them an opportunity to transform and mature (I know it was based on a book but couldn't they improve on the material, even just a little?). The villains settled into a typical Disney-like wickedness. It was frustrating to watch when you know that this drama could've been so much more. I wanted more conflict, more depth, more angst yet Moon Embracing the Sun failed to deliver. It was a fluffy drama, sweet as candy, but sorely lacking in substance and pretty much forgettable.
Despite the mediocre, one-dimensional storyline, I'm still giving the acting in this drama a 9 solely for the wonderful child actors, Kim Soo Hyun and the funny old actor who played Yung Sun (I adored him!). But the rest? Nah. I still believe to this day that Han Ga In was a terrible choice for the role of Yeon Woo. Yoo-jung was just, amazing. Han Ga In was more like a wallflower than lead actress. This is the same case with the actress who played Jan Di in Boys Over Flowers. It's hard for me to love a drama if the lead actress is horrible or just plain bland, most especially if the lead actors are really good because it further highlights just how weak/irritating/unsatisfactory their performances are.
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Story- The first 7 episodes are filled with anticipation because this is where most of the plot is. I was glued to the screen and taking in everything that was happening. Then shortly after, this is when the plot started to slow down and the story becomes very predictable even till the end. Speaking of the end, the last episode was kind of a letdown because not only was it predictable but also the big showdown was just really a disappointment being very short and a blur. I did like the last part it was nice to see where everyone (who was still alive) was, later on in life.
Acting/Cast- As I said I started watching this because of JIW but was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the cast. All of the younger actors were perfectly casted and really carried the first part of the show.
When the older cast came on it was bitter sweet because I came to enjoy the younger cast’s performances but I was also excited to see how the older actors would portray the characters I came to be invested in. KSH was perfect as the King. He did an awesome job playing his cold yet soft when it came to Yeo Woo character. This was the first time I’ve seen Ha Ga In and let’s just say I don’t think Id like to see more from her. Her acting was just very strange. Her eyes looked like she was lost the whole time and her expressions were bland. Still although her performance was distracting at times she didn’t take a way from the credibility of the story. She didn’t have much chemistry with KSH. I just thought it was weird that Casting would cast someone who is way older than the male lead to play someone a lot younger than him. Does that make sense? Anyways, JIW was brilliant as always but his role is smaller than he deserves. I thought the rest of the cast did a good job bringing their characters to life. The villains were very believable.
Music- Lovely score, and the OST was beautiful. They fit so well and heightened the scenes.
Rewatch- Id wait to watch many years from now just because I wasn’t too invested in the romance (didn’t sense a chemistry btwn leads) and the story isn’t anything I have to see for a while.
Overall Moon Embraces the Sun was a good watch but it definitely could have been taken to the next level with a different actress as the lead and a little more happenings written within the plot. I don’t agree that this is one of the best dramas ever but its better than your average K drama. Oh yeah and its short for a historical which is a plus, so watch!
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Story? Oh my, its hooking. I never thought I would like it, really. All the political-romance genre, I really did not prefer. But start with it and you'll get the magic of how beautifully this story is woven together to create a masterpiece! The one who wrote this, is a genius. I love the title as well, the first key to attract a viewer to a drama.
Acting/Cast? Amazing. The way Han Ga In portrays entrapment and execution tension is worth the watch. Kim Soo Hyun just rocked his role and Jung Il Woo's by far the best performance in a historical drama! The child actors were just great.
Music? THIS IS WHAT HELPS YOU GET THE DRAMA'S CHARM! The OST of this is the fantasy, history, politics and the romance of this drama. Its just pure lure into the story.
Rewatch value? I would love to watch now or then. I have, though, already gone through it twice. Will take out time for a third one! ;)
Overall,it is a easy drama to finish. It keeps you hooked and very early you realize that you're attracted to it. I use caps lock when I mean it so, GO WATCH IT!
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1. story 10/10; the story is well written and the pacing is goo; it keeps u always on suspense. The side characters (e,g, seol) are very good and with depth. The love of Princess Minhwa and Heo Yeom was amazing it took my attention more than the main leads. Not to mention; the idea of 2 suns and 2 moons also was very good and its shows how ppl are torn away due other politics and greed.
However; the ending is bad (not very sad) but doesnt make sense in lot of things.
2.Acting 8/10 if could given the children easily 10/10 their acting was superb and made me even cry but the adult yeon Woo didnt click with me.
i felt that she had same expression each time; she practically look sad and cry only and that not acting. In otherhand Prince Yang Myung acting was actually what i loved most in this drama; he know when to cry, when to be sad, when to funny and when to act series. Moreover; he made me cry almost each time he look at yeon woo; the sorrow and sadness of him seeing the person he loved taken by his brother was almost devastating to me and made me shed lot of tears.
3.music 7/10 (OST) its good but not excellent like some other dramas e.g. 49 days and winter blows. But i wasnt interested in ost here but had some good music in some scenes
rewatch value 7/10 i usually dont rewatch dramas again but this maybe in after couple years where i will have forget lot of scenes
Overall 8/10: this is considered high in my list i usually give only 7 in score in only have 3 dramas above this.
i recomend this dramas to anyone ppl that love comedy romance morals historical melodrama and action this drama has it all.
it will be considered a lost if u skip this drama
PLS LEAVE COMMENTS ON MY REVIEW TO SO I CAN IMPROVE IN FUTURE
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i really love the lessons i learned from this drama that no matter how much you hide the truth it will eventually come out one day and if you do evil to others you will definitely pay the price one day.
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The beginning of the first episode was a little sloppy and the characters were not at all endearing or interesting so I actually stopped watching this a long time ago then recently gave it another chance. I'm glad I did. Just push through... the story is worth it.
As many others have written... The child and teen actors REALLY nailed it! The casting for the most important adult roles was quite disappointing with the exception of Kim Min-Seo and Yoon Seung-Ah. I also felt that the chemistry that was SO present in the teen characters was lacking in the adults. Try not to be too disappointed. I wish they could have just tried to age the teens as they were amazing. I feel that Yoon Seung-Ah would have been a better choice for the adult female lead and Lee Min Ho would have ROCKED as the adult male lead. Their looks are also closer to the teen leads.
So all in all great story but because of the lack of careful casting I felt that this drama could have been better. This is the MAIN reason for the lower score. The soundtrack was also not as good as most dramas I have seen. Not HORRIBLE, just lacking passion.
I would definitely consider it better than most, but SHOULD have been GREAT. Keeping my first sentence in mind ... hopefully you'll enjoy!
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Story - the story is interesting, it got a mix of history, politics, romance and all combined in one. No dull moments at all.
Acting/Cast - the actors brought dignity to their characters. they were convincing with their acts.
Music - the music fits well with the genre of the drama. it gives you the feeling that though its a historical drama, it has some twist on it that makes you smile and be more convinced with the story line.
Rewatch Value - well, it is commendable to watch it again since it won't give you any dull moment, though on my case i don't really rewatch dramas, nonetheless i still recommend rewatching it.
Overall - two thumbs up! entertaining and keeps you wanting for more, good thing they brought a good ending on it.
Happy Watching! :D
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This review may contain spoilers
Too long for what it serves
I like k dramas and some with historical stories. I don't know much about Joseon period or the way beliefs, chinese characters, confucio's philosophy, social classes, religion and mysticism were viewed in that era.STORY - I don't know if the the plot is coherent, if things must be like in this plot. Even so, i think is not so great. The intrigue, the active and passive players, the way a ruler has to act within the laws, etc., i didn't like it. It was boring for me, more if i compare with other dramas with this kind of plots in Joseon... A king that can't act, a king's brother so selfish that thinks being a prince or a king is awsome and can do whatever he wants to protect her lover...
ACTING - the best part of the story. The young cast is amazing. Congratulations, specially, to young: Lee Hwon (Yeo Jin Goo); Heo Yun Woo (Kim Yoo Jung); Yoon Bo Kyung (Kim So Hyun); Seol (Seo Ji Hee); Jan Shi (Jo Min Ah). But, overall, most of the adult cast was great.
CHARACTERS -
Heo Yeon Woo / Wol - The moon that had a Shaman who kills her to protect her. Go figure... Why do we need enemies with such friends? She was intelligent, beautiful, wise and with great dialogues and philosophical conversations in the begining. After that, she was only a talisman and then the future queen. Would like to see her qualities explore more, as well as his brother's. But maybe is because i find that kind of dialogue and philosophy with the prince appealing.
The prince / king Lee Hwon was a person stuck in the intrigues and the obstacles of being the leader of the nation... Never loved anyone but Yeon Woo. Also wise and fair...
Prince Yang Myung - can't like this character. Selfish, envious, didn't care of Yeon Woo's and his brother's feelings but his own. He lived well, lots of party and fun and... Don't know if a guy like him could be so ignorant about the way the royalty had to be (like his father). How can he accused his brother and tell him that he would give up everything??!?!?!!
Queen Yoon Bo Kyung - Selfish and with the desire of power that she mistook with love for the king.
Princess Min Hwa - naive, with a love obsession for Heo Yeom. She was used to "kill" Yeon Woo, but only later she understand that...
Like Seol and Jan Shil.
Mother Queen - awful as she would have to be. Not as clever as other queens in different dramas.
Shaman Jang Nok Young seems strange. Was really that the only way? Don't think so...
OST - fine but not great for me.
REWATCH - never. Too stressful where nothing happens in some episodes.
ENDING - Too cheesy for me. I will miss the three girls being together.
I didn't know that Joseon had awful military soldiers. Lots of the king's elite guards died in the hands of fat middle aged politicians!
5 stars for the acting.
Volta Mr. Queen que estás perdoado(a)!!!
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A favourite of mine. Great for beginners.
METS is a great drama. I'd go as far as saying it's the perfect drama to dive into sageuks. It was my first sageuk and I a real page-turner I finished in only 2 days.The storyline is interesting, exciting and heartbreaking. It will keep one on the edge of their seats and holding their breath to know what will happen next but there is comedy too so the drama ends up not being too heavy.
I was hesitant when I saw the younger cast would have a lot of screen time but they were so good I wished to follow them from start to finish. They emote so well and were able to play complicated characters.
One can see the trajectory their career paths took and it's well-deserved because they are all so talented.
I was disappointed when the time came for a time jump but I ended up enjoying the older cast as much as the younger one. They managed to stay in line with they younger counterparts mannerism and keep our attention on the drama.
It has great rewatch value. I watched it time and again without getting bored and impatient.
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Story | If anyone happens to see this on Netflix, the plot given on there is nothing compared to one this site and does not give this drama justice when trying to appeal to an audience. I wouldn't even be able to put into words the story that this drama gave. There's the typical fairytale aspect is there with it's adorable romance story but also with dark twists and annoying turns while also a bit of comedy to help ease the viewers who were probably biting their nails down. This is the first time I've been speechless when trying to comment on the story, it was just perfectly written in my eyes and there are plenty of other reviews that have praised and talked more about the story.
Cast | Woo. Well, first of all, the younger cast was perfection. Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Yoo Jung are amazing actors and this is four years prior to what we have seen recently. They had their own special charms that when they were no longer the bulk of the drama, I was sad for a couple episodes. I also adored Lee Min Hoo's acting as the prince. Him and Jin Goo got me every time with their gazes and their emotions. Now, the adult cast, can't really lie, it took me a while to warm up to Han Ga In. But, that might just be me still not fully loving the historical genre. In the end I couldn't have seen anyone else playing her role and I loved her with Kim Soo Hyun. Prior to this drama, I had only see Kim Soo Hyun in Dream High and I'm not sure why because he is a terrific actor. Whether he had an emotional scene, a heated scene or a comedic scene, I loved every second of him throughout this entire drama. Supporting cast was great also, the prince, princess, family members, politicians etc. everyone was casted perfectly.
Music | Kim Soo Hyun's The One and Only You has been on repeat for the past two weeks. Might be my all time favorite OST for a Korean drama. Lyn's song and Monday Kiz's song are also perfection. Those and the instrumentals fit perfectly for every scene in this drama and after the first few episodes knew I needed these songs on my phone right away. I also think dramas are more attractive when they have a great soundtrack and this drama had that.
Rewatch | I need time to heal from that rollercoaster of a drama but I will for sure come back to this drama again.
Overall | Maybe one of the best Korean dramas I have seen. Considering this is a historical drama, that's surprising even to myself. I was actually going to complain a little about the dragged out middle in the drama but realized, everything was set to a pace to tell the story perfectly in a way that was easy to understand and I for once appreciated the slow paced episodes. I also have never fallen in more love with side characters as much as I have with this drama. Certain characters really made this drama for me and now I can fully understand why everyone was talking about this drama back in 2012. It's a must watch for all drama watchers regardless of preference.
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