My journey with this drama started with the OST- For You by EXO-CBX. I am a big fan of EXO’s drama OSTs, they always do a great job. Their soundtracks are heartfelt, clean, gut-wrenching, and emotionally vocal. But can I just say I fell entirely for this one? So much so I decided to watch the series, without knowing about the cast, the plot. Just based on a single OST. Call it blind love but it made me wonder. It never happened before. Sure, actors, songs can attract me to a drama but before preceding, I will always get my nails into the plot. There was so much going on in this one OST that I decided to find out, maybe I am into love-triangles/pentagon or whatever this one was (Certainly twisted).
The story is about a 25-year-old girl Go Ha Jin who saves a young boy from drowning and is transported to the Goryeo era as Hae Soo. Goryeo is under the rule of Tajeo whose children, the princes, Hae Soo befriends quickly. She slowly starts to develop feelings for the 8th Prince Wang Wook followed by the 4th prince Wang So.
Can I start off with the trademark scene? When she drowns and the eclipse of the sun takes us to Goryeo, to Wang So. The concept is great and the transition is executed well. It defines the title ‘Moon Lovers’. However, I am still not sure of the meaning behind the entire title, I tried to search everywhere but nowhere was it literally defined so I came up with my own. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, So you get Moon Lovers from the turning of eclipse or the fact they are destined, you get Scarlet Heart either because it derived from the Chinese drama of same name or novel but I guess the meaning was a love story covered with blood and you get Ryeo from Goryeo Dynasty. (Your welcome!)Spoiler Alert!There is so much I liked about this drama and so much that I didn’t. I am still confused about how I feel about the drama overall. I regret watching it? Yes! Would I regret it if I hadn’t watched it? Definitely Yes! By now I have watched this drama at least 3-4 times which is rare for me. And what’s surprising is every time it left me feeling desolate. Coming to the things I don’t like about the drama first. I failed to understand Queen Yoo’s hatred towards Wang So until the end. Initially, he felt a disgrace to her because of his title ‘Wolf dog’ and his deeds but I felt she could have patched up on her deathbed. I felt sorry for the way Wang So was treated by everyone except Ji Mong, Crown Prince Moo, Baek-ah, and Hae Soo. His mother is a big reason why he turned out that way. There were too many innocent lives that were run down because of power play. Court Lady Oh Soo-yeon’s death was the most heartbreaking. I simply could not understand the marriage arrangement between Wang So and King Moo’s daughter, he should have prevented it, it was way too awkward. (Although that gets resolved towards the end). Prince Wang Eun and his wife’s death was unjust and uncalled for. The drama slowly transcends into a tragic one, we see characters and their principles change, we see betrayal and bloodshed. I feel only Hae Soo’s, Lady Hae, Prince Eun, and Court Lady Oh Soo-yeon stayed true to their character.
Although others were scared of Wang So, I could clearly see a vulnerable boy simply hiding his pain and looking for genuine love and acceptance from his family. Post the rain ritual and removal of his mask, he seemed to showcase an evil side, a hunger for the throne. This, ironically, made me fear him more than when he wore a mask.
I could see Wang So’s constant tussle to hold onto his past self of principles who deeply loves his family and his present self who wanted to rise to the throne at any cost. Eventually, we all know what conquers. He struggled to hold onto Hae Soo and it is one of the reasons he wanted to become the King. I struggled with him too. What broke my heart was when he accepted in front of Hae Soo that he wanted both the throne and her. It made us realize that she was no longer enough. However, Wang So and Wang Eun were the only ones honest with her.
Hae Soo, too, struggles to control the history and her wavering heart torn between Wang So and Wang Wook. Something I really like about this drama is Hae Soo’s character. She is naive but fierce. Even though she was captured by the. Since For You is my favorite soundtrack I wish it featured more in the series and not just towards the end/ preview. I like how each person ends up paying for their deeds in some way and things come to a circle. The way Prince Jung stuck to his words, took care of Hae Soo until the end without forcing his love was admirable and something I had actually hoped from Wang So.
I like how the scenes have been romantically drafted with a touch of historical vibe. The horse scene at the beginning of episode 2 is one of my favorites. It is executed well and Lee Joon-gi’s gaze is to kill.
To be honest all interactions between Hae Soo and Wang So until episode 9 are innocent and sincere. An all-time favorite scene that actually gave me goosebumps has to be when Prince Wang So protected Hae Soo against all odds. This moment was defining.
The chemistry between Lee Joong-gi and IU is unbelievable but that is more so because they are Wang So and Hae Soo, if you know what I mean. I feel there is a character made for every actor out there, and that is something the world will always know them for, no matter how many new characters they pick up. Wang So is one such character for Lee Joong-gi, I cannot imagine any other actor doing this role and I will always see him as Wang So. The cast is strong but the chemistry of the lead takes it on another level. The feeling of unrequited love, yearning, and longing is spread out throughout the drama (in the end everyone is left wanting and wishing for something) leaving us even more palpable.
If we have to discuss the soundtrack, can I just say Moon Lovers has one of the best soundtracks in the Kdrama world? Almost all the songs are my favorite. For You, Say Yes by Loco and Punch, Can You Hear My Heart by Epik High (ft Lee Hi), All With You by Taeyeon, My Love by Lee Hi, I Remember You by I.O.I, Be With You by AKMU, and many more. All songs are pretty great and catchy. Even if they are modern songs imposed on an old era, they still fit the central theme of love. I also love the background tracks such as Wing of Goryeo and Gesture of Resistance that fit the political backdrop and old era vibe. The music is soulful and so meaningful to the story, it’s heartening. The soundtrack will be forever etched in my heart as one of the best.
This drama was one of the very few that made me feel all sorts of emotions. I was excited, I was sad, I was happy, I cried a bit, I was so nervous to know what happened next especially in the last few episodes. I had my hands in my hair trying to figure the twisted plot and ending. I never felt like this before. I was heartbroken, I was regretting the decision to watch it with all my might because I thought I would never be the same again. At the same time, I desperately hoped for next season. And it wasn’t like a very outstanding drama, to be honest. Nothing like the best ever, but it made me feel all these emotions like never before. I believe if a drama can do that then it surely is a good one as they succeeded in what they set out to do.
This drama was my first historical ever, and it has changed my perception of historical dramas. I can’t say that I will watch all but dramas like Scarlet Heart would definitely make it to my list. All I can say is you will regret watching this one but regret even more if you haven’t.
IU had posted on her Instagram a few deleted seconds from the ending scene where we can see a man giving a handkerchief to Go Ha Jin. We, all Moon Lover fans, desperately hope it was a reincarnation of Wang So and that forms the beginning of season 2. What made us more hopeful for a second season was its adaption, the Chinese drama named ’Scarlet heart’, had one too. Lee Joon Gi, we are still holding onto your hint of season 2. (Four years have passed! Where is it?)
IU had posted on her Instagram a few deleted seconds from the ending scene where we can see a man giving a handkerchief to Go Ha-jin. We, all Moon Lover fans, desperately hope it was a reincarnation of Wang So and that forms the beginning of season 2. What made us more hopeful for a second season was its adaption, the Chinese drama named ’Scarlet heart’, had one too. Lee Joon-gi, we are still holding onto your hint of season 2. (Four years have passed! Where is it?)
The Drama Bone 