Scarlet Heart: Ryeo was a series that I was really hesitating a lot to watch. Why? Because I heard that the ending was tragic. (although i am a sucker for angsty series) But the moment I started the series, I can't help but watch it until the end. The next thing I know, I am 100% emotionally invested in this drama. Yes, there were plot holes and it may not be the perfect k-drama but my experience with it was overall great.

The only thing that kinda feels off for me is the characters' development. There were times where the writing makes it seem that the character's development is going somewhere and right there and then it backpedals. Aside from that, Hae Soo (IU) in the first half of the drama has a romantic relationship with Prince Wook (Ha-neul) and then suddenly shifts to Wang So (Joon-gi) as if she didn't have any feelings with Prince Wook. There's nothing wrong with changing the character's love interest however I just feel that it was so sudden and lacking of momentum. The side characters' story was also well shown. Their stories drove the main story forward and kept the viewers entertained/invested in the story. However, I wish that they should have given their stories more time to develop so that the viewers can be attached more to the characters and their stories.

The ending for me is the most satisfying ending that I could think of. Is it the ending that I anticipated? Definitely not. However, no matter what angle you look at it it would have been more of a cheap ending and unsatisfactory if they all went for the ending that we all anticipated. I wish that they didn't leave it as open-ended as it was without going for a season 2. The only thing that I like about open-ended endings are that it gives room for the viewers to think and imagine their own ending. I definitely cried while watching this and if you're looking for a series to cry over, you should definitely watch Scarlet Heart:Ryeo!