Assalammualaikum & Hye! Have a nice day~ :P
WARNING! Spoiler contents!
Just finished watching Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (SHR) last year in the middle of
December in just 3 days! I can’t stop watching because I couldn’t hold on my
curiosity for the next episode! Lol. And here I am craving for Korean
foods! :D
I remember that I was very excited to watch Scarlet Heart
before the drama releases. And it's because Running Man promoting this drama by
inviting the casts, Lee Jun-ki (Lee Joon-gi), Kang Ha-neul & Hong
Jong-hyun. It must be epic! Lee Jun-ki is well-suited with the historical
dramas. Just watch Iljimae (2008). It was epic and amazing! I love him
portraying a king / empire / warrior / knight / protagonist. He's just rocking
it!
The drama ended on November 1st, 2016, that was
actually the time when I started working after university convocation ceremony.
Deliberately wanted to watch it later because for me, waiting is a kind of
torture. A torture for heart. Haha. I don’t care if I’m outdated. I was
listening to the soundtrack first before I triggered to watch the drama but
believe me, I got so emotional when hearing those songs. Amazing! I have also
heard many spoilers from the people close to me and by searching on the internet
and forum/threads. Even now, I can’t move on! :D
One of my fav Korean foods: Dakgalbi
As we all know, Korea's production teams for movies
& dramas are well known in making audiences bound and tied with
emotions that the shows are trying to appeal. Not just the handsome and
beautiful actors & actresses, the storyline, major plot twists! Plot
twist is the most interesting thing in the drama that I like so much. It's just
soooo DAEBAK! Haha. Beautiful cinematography is the added bonus for any K
Dramas. I love how they shoot the scenes and how they zoom in to each character
in every part of the show so that we can feel the emotions. Every Korean drama
is unique, compelling and captivating.
As for Scarlet Heart Ryeo, when I look at the teaser
photo, the portrait of IU and the handsome princes, I was thinking of what kind
of story that they want to emphasize. But I literally restrained myself from
watching after it finished airing. I’m excited but I restrained myself! :P
Here's a slight review of the drama:
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (Hangul: 달의 연인 - 보보경심 려; Hanja: 달의戀人－步步驚心 麗; RR: Dar-ui yeon-in - Bobogyeongsim ryeo)
is a South Korean
television series based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin by Tong Hua. It aired from August 29, 2016 to November 1, 2016 on SBS every
Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 (KST) for 20 episodes.
Despite its ensemble cast, extensive publicity and
US$13 million production budget, the series only averaged single-digit audience
rating of 7.59% in South Korea and received criticisms for its screenplay,
direction and performances. A commercial failure domestically, it
drew a more favorable response in other parts Asia.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_Lovers:_Scarlet_Heart_Ryeo
It’s such a pity that a great drama like this one had
lower audiences’ ratings from Korean but had extensive response in other
countries in Asia especially in China and Malaysia. Pretty much underrated. Woohoo!
Yes! I’ve seen many comments on Facebook saying that SHR is worth watching and
they recommended it to me as well. I’m also aware that the drama was competing
with Moonlight Drawn by the Clouds aka Love in the Moonlight (starring Park Bo
Gum and Kim Yoo Jung) that is well accepted in Korea. Yoo Jung is growing up
beautifully. I miss her child form in Iljimae (2008). :D
Synopsis: During a total solar eclipse, a
25-year-old in 21st century woman, Go Ha-jin (Lee Ji-eun, stage name: IU), is transported back in time to Goryeo Dynasty.
She wakes up in the year 941, in the body of Hae Soo and there, she encounters
the many royal princes of the ruling Wang family. She initially falls in love
with the gentle and warm 8th Prince Wang Wook (Kang Ha-neul),
and later Wang So (Lee Joon-gi),
the fearsome 4th Prince who hides his face behind a mask and is given the
derogatory label "wolf dog". Meanwhile, rivalry and politics ensue
among the princes, in a fight for the throne, as Hae Soo finds herself
inadvertently caught between it all.
My younger sister once told me that the Chinese history is
similar to Korean history about the drama. She said she surfed through the
internet about the similarities between them and about Gwangjong. How diligent
she was. Haha. But true indeed, SHR is based on history and the Korean
production team was creatively producing the drama by adapting the Chinese
novel.
Ok, such a long intro. Actually, I want to focus on the
beautiful yet unfulfilled love between 8th Prince Wang Wook & Hae Soo.
This is the most appealing part in the drama at the beginning as they focus on
a love story before Hae Soo meet Wang So. There is something special and magical about their relationship.
I just love their romance, the way
they stare at each other, the way how the prince smile at her and how she deals
with the forbidden love they feel between both of them. Now I understand why many
fans love to see the love interest between the heroine and the 2nd
male lead actor despite with the first one. I understand it very well. People called it, 'Second Lead Syndrome'. Lol ;P
Why it's a forbidden love? The prince has already had a
wife, Lady Hae (Myung Hee). And his wife is Hae Soo's cousin. Pretty much they
are like siblings. And I can say that the prince is cheating by loving someone
else. By the way, although it's a cheating, I still love to see their
interaction. :P
“Soo, don’t be afraid. I brought you
to this place. So, I will help you until the very end…” – Wang Wook (episode 1)
My
analysis as to why the forbidden love occurs:
The 8th Prince, Wang Wook has many worries stuck in his
head as stated by his wife due to his duties as a prince. He holds big
responsibility in running a household which puts him into a miserable life.
Plus, his marriage with Lady Hae is not based on love. It's a one-sided love.
It's a political marriage. There’s really no other explanation on how Lady Hae
and the 8th Prince got married except the one that Lady Hae’s story
and flashback to her husband when she is dying on ep 5. Then, Hae Soo with
'new' personality comes and brings joy to the household. She makes the prince
smile and happy just by looking at her. And I think from there, the prince develops
the feeling.
But I can't deny that their sweet moments together are so
captivating. In the meantime, Hae Soo has already encounters with the 4th
Prince Wang So many times but their interactions are bad from the beginning. He
even told Hae Soo to kill her and to not showing herself in front of him again.
But there is Wang Wook, a gentleman who always comforting Hae Soo whenever she
is in pain or pretty much feel annoying with Wang So’s behavior.
But I can't deny that their sweet moments together are so
captivating. In the meantime, Hae Soo has already encounters with the 4th
Prince Wang So many times but their interactions are bad from the beginning. He
even told Hae Soo to kill her and to not showing herself in front of him again.
But there is Wang Wook, a gentleman who always comforting Hae Soo whenever she
is in pain or pretty much feel annoying with Wang So’s behavior.
Wang Wook helping Hae Soo to apply
some medicine on her neck.
Wang Wook is smiling whenever he sees
Hae Soo.
Who would resist such a kind & caring gentleman?
Being a helping hand to others, that's the point as to why Hae Soo can't help
it but to fall in love with him as well without her noticing it. But she
realizes that she shouldn't have this feeling toward her cousin's husband. I
bet any girls would fall for that which I think is dangerous if the man is
already married. You don't want to ruin other's marriage, do you?
Hae Soo's persistent denial to her feeling is pretty
acceptable. Although it’s not too strong to oppose the feeling, but at least she
has efforts in doing so. Wang Wook also writes Hae Soo a poem to deliver his
feeling for her.
It’s funny that Hae Soo actually can’t understand the
meaning of the poem. 14th prince Baek Ah & her cousin, Lady Hae know
the symbolic of the poem. It’s about love! It’s kinda saddening and painful in
Lady Hae’s perspectives.
‘My heart is wavering. I tell myself that I shouldn’t, but
I’m being shaken…’ – Hae Soo (episode 4)
Lady Hae knows that she doesn’t have more time. She has
serious illness which makes her cannot perform her duties as a wife. There she
goes, literally died and the whole household mourning for her death.
People say that we will only appreciate what we have after
they are gone. So does Wang Wook. He regrets it so much that he couldn’t tell his late wife that he loves her before she died. All this while he thought the
feeling is just gratitude or comforting to each other. But then, he realizes
that it’s more than that. It’s love. :’(
*****
I kind of despise for marriage arrangement by family that
is forcing someone to marry people they don’t like. It’s typical in any
historical dramas that noble ladies/ princesses are forced to marry someone in
other powerful clan / big family to gain power or strengthen the current
position. It makes me sick with this situation. Haha. So it eventually happens
to Hae Soo. All the princes are opposing this marriage thinking about her
future although they all know that the man is their father, King Taejo. But
then, there is only one option: only Hae Soo can save her own self. She
determines her own fate. The cut that leaves scar in her wrist is the symbolic
of her counteraction towards the unwilling marriage as a king’s wife cannot has
any scar on her body.
Wang Wook determined to take care of Hae Soo and gives her
a love and affection he never gives to his late wife. He promises to get king’s
permission to marry Hae Soo. I was such a happy person watching the closeness
between them. Finally they will get married.
Of course, it’s not that easy! The king wants Hae Soo to
be a slave in the palace as her punishment in opposing the royal marriage. But
Ji Mong recommends to let her working as a court lady which is agreed by the
king. It’s also a kind of punishment but a bit lighter than being a slave. We
can see at the moment that the king is showing his tolerance. But I still don’t
get it why he was so persistent to marry Hae Soo although there are many other
ways to strengthen power/ stopping war recommended by the 4th Prince
Wang So. :D
Wang Wook is burdened by his younger sister’s request
(Princess Yeon Hwa) to become a king by marrying into other powerful family.
Again. But he can’t endure for a second political marriage. Yes, it seems that
Yeon Hwa is selfish and power hungry. Being in a royal family is quite tough
right? You cannot do anything as you wish especially marriage. I think from
here, the situation will get complicated.
As time has passed, relationship between Hae Soo and Wang
So is getting better and the love between Hae Soo and Wang Wook is getting
stronger. Hae Soo and Wang So are close to become good friends. Advising each
other about life and living. Wang So also tells her that palace is the place
that is hard to enter, even harder to leave. Hae Soo is striving hard in the
palace to be a good court lady even though she makes mistakes. Wang Wook also ask
for Hae Soo’s endurance for the time being before she returns to where she
belongs.
Awww so sweet! :D :D
The rain ritual led by Wang So is successful. Wang Wook
told Hae Soo that the king will either hold a great feast, royal marriage or
let a court lady leaves her services. The king wants to marry off 10th
Prince Wang Eun to the daughter of Grand General Park, Lady Soon Deok. That
will be a special event after the rain ritual.
“When it snows again, let’s walk
here. Just the two of us…” – Wang Wook
“I will wait…” – Hae Soo
Wang Wook feels worry as their hope to be together outside
of Damiwon palace will not be coming true. But despites Wook’s worries, Hae Soo
is optimistic that they will get another chance next time. But both are
actually worry with their future. Seems like they won’t get a chance to be
together again.
“I love you…” – Wang Wook
There are a lot of hopes in the beginning for their
relationship, but it got more complicated after certain serious circumstances
occur.
Yeon Hwa (Wook’s younger sister), opposing the marriage
between his brother and Hae Soo. It’s because if Wook is to marry Hae Soo, he
will become an ordinary man. She wants Wook to be the next king to maintain the
power and strong position in the palace to avoid the pressure of living in the
palace. Thus, she becomes such a sly princess who will do anything. There goes
Hae Soo’s life in the palace, she is convicted for an attempt to murder by
poisoning Wang So and undergoes severe punishment in the jail.
As Wook discovers that it was his sister’s wrongdoing, he
couldn’t do anything but to protect his family especially his mother from being
punish if his sister’s crime is revealed. It will lead to banishment and harsh punishment.
“From this point and on… Yeon Hwa,
you’re not my sweet sister…” – Wang Wook said with heavily breathing. :’(
‘Why?’ – Hae Soo.
Literally, Wang Wook turns his back
on her. Well actually, at least tell her something. Don’t leave her hanging! :D
In the middle of her struggling, there comes our hero stands by her at her most difficult situations when her 'lover' couldn't do anything at all. She stills hoping for Wook to help her. I couldn't help but frowning over their relationship which is ended tragically like that.
Wook is crying out loud calling Hae Soo. He couldn’t
treasure the person he loves the most and the promises he made to her all
because of his evil sister. He has to let go of the feeling for the sake of his
entire family. He loves Soo but he loves and cares more for his family. I cried
heavily as I watched Court Lady Oh took the blame, sacrificed herself and died
for Hae Soo in episode 11.
There are so much conspiracies and political wars that put
not even Hae Soo’s life in danger, but also the princes. As always, when they
make a historical drama, the impact and consequences of the tragedies are too
strong and sometime difficult to comprehend that even make us had a mental
breakdown. Lol. :D
They are fighting between family members for only one
thing; the throne! My innermost thought is that for a hope that Hae Soo and
Wook can be together again in the future but that’s not the way the story goes,
plus I’m not the director! Lol. Haha. And one thing for sure, even a good
person initially can become such a mean one and ambitious when he/she is
pressured by others. You have to be cruel in order to survive. I don’t really
hate Wook. He is also a victim of circumstance.
“Forget us. Forget everything. This life…
is over.” - Wook's last words to Hae Soo. (Episode 19)
I never thought that I wrote such a long review for this.
Haha. Hope you enjoy reading my writing about this ship. SHR fever is not end yet… at least as for me. Lol. Till next time. :D
