Salam and hello dearies!
Wow, it's almost a year since my last post (literally). Although I haven't been writing lately, I really miss posting my thoughts here. So I think I should start all over again. Hehehe...
To start my writing, I will do a review on a K-Drama (Korean Drama) that just recently finished (1st November, 2016) which is Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (MLSHR).
Synopsis
(in case you haven't watch it)
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a story about a young 21st century woman, Go Ha Jin, who was traveled back in time to Goryeo era after she drowned in a lake when she attempted to save a child from drowning. While she was drowning, a solar eclipse appeared and she ended up in the palace pool (where the princes take their bath). She had taken the body of Hae Soo, the cousin of the 8th prince's wife. From there she met the other princes and she was entangled into their lives until she died and traveled back to the future.
Overview
This drama was initially an anticipated drama to watch because of the actors, actresses and also promotions made before the drama started. However, it was not really successful in Korea (due to the low ratings) until the few last episodes. The main reason it was not really successful because there was another K-Drama with the same genre (period drama) aired at the same time (on different channel) in Korea. The other drama has slightly simple story line compared to this MLSHR.
I was initially attracted to watch this drama because of two reasons. The first one is because I'm a big fan of period dramas/movies (read my previous posts). I like to know more about the history (even though I hate to learn History in school), cultures and I also love the costumes. The second reason is because of the line of handsome actors. Damn, I LOVE Lee Jun Gi since the drama My Girl. And other actors like Kang Ha Neul, Ji Soo and my newest attraction is Hong Jong Hyun (he looks exactly like T.O.P). That's why I watched the drama.
This cover made me wanna watch the drama so much
The Story Line
To me the story line of MLSHR is quite good. Yes, it is heavy because it focused on how the 4th prince, Wang So becoming a king by trying so hard to gain his mother's love and attention, fighting against his family (his mother and Wang Yo), proving his loyalty to the King by marrying his daughter even though he will break Hae Soo's heart and so on. Even though the story line is heavy, it still has humor in the story especially when it involves with the 10th and 14th prince (Wang Eun and Wang Jung). As the story getting towards the end, the story is getting heavier and sadder. The princes were fighting each other, many supporting characters died and it was heartbreaking when every character died.
Of course every K-Drama must have a TRIANGLE love story in it. Similarly to this drama. What I hate a lot about this drama is the director and writer spent the first 10 episodes more about Hae Soo (the female lead) and her love towards Wang Wook (the 8th prince). What the hell! They wasted the episodes for the second main lead. It's not like I don't like the second lead but I'm annoyed that their love story was more developed than Hae Soo's love towards Wang So . Then they rushed the scenes (and to me it was still lacking the chemistry) between Hae Soo and Wang So. It was frustrating that they did not focus more on these two.
I need more!!!
When you put too high hopes in a drama, you must expected that the main characters will be happily ever after at the end of the story. NO! It didn't happen in this drama. Yes, Wang So married to his half sister and not to Hea Soo because of the history is like that. But, they didn't even meet again in the future. When Hae Soo or Go Ha Jin went back to the future, at first she didn't remember her life in Goryeo. She just had similar dream every day and she ended up crying when she woke up. She eventually remembered when she visited the museum and met Ji Mong (the astronomer who brought he to the past). That was the saddest moment ever because even though she remembered, she couldn't do anything to meet Wang So again.
Conclusion
I think they should make the series more than 20 episodes. 20 episodes are nothing when you have so many characters, challenges and love stories. They should make it 50 episodes then the story (especially Hae Soo and Wang So' love story) develops more in details.
When you make a time-traveling story, please at least make them meet again when they travel back. Don't just let it hanging on the cliff like this. It is so devastating that they just separated like that. At least if Hae Soo met Wang So's doppelganger, or he is reincarnated, it would be less painful.
Overall, I still love the drama regardless what the Korean people think. We international fans really love the drama.
4/5 stars
Till I write again!
Stay Fabulous
XoXo,
Hanis
