Skip to main content

Drama Review: Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo


Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo- 20 episodes

Go Ha Jin drowns during a total solar eclipse in the present time Korea and then wakes up back in the time of Goryeo dynasty. She becomes entangled with the 8 brothers/princes' fight for the throne.


This is based on Chinese novel, Bu Bu Jing Xin which was also adapted into Chinese drama, Scarlet Heart. I watched the pilot episode of this kdrama version a year ago and I was not impressed so I placed it on hold in favor of Love in the Moonlight/Moonlight Drawn Over the Clouds. Then I finally decided to pick it up again.  My first thoughts were how will the main couple fall for each other. It seems impossible as they hate each other and there is no chemistry at all. Second, as much as I love reverse harem, I cringed on how she becomes the center of attention for all the princes. But boy oh boy, I was wrong.

The drama is very successful in making you fall in love and break your heart. And not just once! I feel sad for the first guy and for the other guys too. But in the end, nothing can stop my love for Wang So. I didn't like him at the start but my god I just love him now! The first guy always analyze everything, with Wang So he rushes without thinking and unapologetic for what he wants. I loved all their acting, IU as Go Ha Jin/Hae Soo, the princes and most especially, Lee Joon Gi as the Fourth Prince. And could you believe I ignored Nam Joo Hyuk (of Weightlifting) here. I'm sorry!!! But thanks to this he's now forever connected with reverse harem.

I didn't know how much I was vested into it. I only knew when it was nearing its end. After it ended, I was so depressed for a long time. It was like nursing a very bad break up. It hurts down to your marrow. It was like Goblin all over again. If you want a warning for this type of reverse harem dramas, be warned of another sageuk, Hwang Ji Ni and jdrama and movie, Ooku. I hate period dramas, it's like you're on thin ice. Everyone just dies left and right though treason or illness. Later on Iu's character also said the same thing.

You may be afraid to watch this now because of what I've just said but this is now one of my all-time favorite dramas. Not just in reverse harem genre. Even though the original Chinese drama had a spin-off and the ending gives hints of season 2. We may not get one as it bombed in Korea due to Love In Moonlight. I admit the start of Love In Moonlight (click on title for my review) certainly hooks you but afterwards, it becomes tedious but compared with Scarlet Heart it builds up to a tension until you burst into million pieces. I ended up choosing Love In Moonlight before. It's perfect yet boring. Meanwhile with Scarlet Heart, its imperfections make it perfect! I wished I watched it sooner or maybe not. I couldn't bear probably watching this simultaneously with Goblin. 

But there's still a silver lining, I found a way to nurse a drama heartbreak and that is by re-watching the first episode which is full of hope for the future. I was too greedy that they will always be happy. I couldn't watch shoujo for a while so I decided to watch shonen but the melancholic songs (Naruto is so full of it) and the usual chores like doing laundry is triggering my Scarlet feels. I want to re-watch it but I don't know until when to stop or I might risk feeling heartbroken again. I'm still contemplating if I should watch Chinese version or not.

I beg..implore...plead...to all of you to please, please, please join the petition for the second season. Although the ratings were poor in Korea, the drama fared well with international viewers. There's still hope!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Light Novel Review: I Reincarnated as Evil Alice so the Only Thing I'm Courting is Death!

I Reincarnated as Evil Alice so the Only Thing I'm Courting is Death~( Akuyaku Alice ni Tensei Shita node, Koi mo Shigoto mo Houki Shimasu!)  Written by Chii Kurusu Art by: Minato Yaguchi Translated by: Emma Schumacker   While carrying out her secret executioner duties Alice bumps her head and realized she is reincarnated into her favorite otome game which won the Deadliest Game of the Year award. Together with the bad boy butler, Jack; sinful man, Leeds; the Tweedle twins and walking death flag, Earl Knightley.  Disclaimer: A digital review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. She knows the ins and outs of the story but the routes are not moving forward just like it goes in the game.   I felt lost at first too with the story and was wandering aimlessly with Alice. And when she decided her purpose, I was not convinced. It is fast-paced it's just that the premise was different in how the story played out.  But those who are patient are rewar...

Manga Review: Alice in Bishounen-Land Vol. 2 (final volume)

Alice in Bishounen-Land Volume 2 by Yushi Kawata Art by Yukito With the help of a new member or two, Alice and the newly-rebranded idol group Triple S progresses in the battles. Disclaimer A review copy was provided by the publisher. Check out the first volume review . The first volume is so weird but trust me it gets weirder. But once you got used to the humor, everything seems funnier this time around. The randomness of the backstories, the non-stop comical situations, and cheesy jokes. I'm loving them all now including the minor characters. The one thing that balances it all out is Alice. She's the shining beacon of reason and her spot-on observations make it more laughable.    For something crazy, it briefly touches 'beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder'. And it's not in your face at all. It is refreshing and satisfying to get some key takeaways from both volumes when you're least expecting one.  The isekai element of the story is set inside an otome ...

Anime Review: 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy

7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy anime-12 episodes- based on a light novel  Rishe Irmgard Weitzner is now on her 7th life after always being killed in one way or another by Prince Arnold Hein. But on the 7th time loop, her enemy has taken an interest in her. This is a mix of my first impression here on the blog, mini-impressions, and mini-review from Patreon. And with some new insights.  7th Time Loop is entertaining and exciting.  It makes you think of the possibilities and the interconnections.  Her past six lives were summarized without being long-winded but just enough to pique our curiosity. The critical timing of each action or decision will lead to different outcomes or probable "romance routes". Or so I thought. No reverse harem romance but there's a bishonen for each life. Think Amnesia.  And this is by far, the fastest turn of events from a "love at first sight".  I've been avoiding saying this is my...

Manga Review: Anyway, I'm Falling In Love With You Vol. 1

    Anyway, I'm Falling In Love With You Vol. 1 by Haruka Mitsui Mizuho grew up with her friends in Koigama Highland. The springtime of her youth awaits her as she turns seventeen. Disclaimer: A review copy was provided through Netgalley. Her childhood friends are Shuugo, the sharp-tongued bookworm; Shin, her study buddy; Kizuki, the baby of the group from the swimming team and stylish Airu. At first, I thought it was two flowers as I'd breezed through it in one sitting. (Only 1 or two guys after her. See more on  Levels of Reverse Harem )  Two of the characters became one character in my head and I missed the hint from the other guy. It was a nice surprise that wow it looks like it will be four flowers after all. (More than 2 guys after her/All the guys after her.) There's a main guy but at one point I find him too pushy so I'm looking forward to the development for the other guys. But don't get me wrong he's sweet all thought-out and especially that last arc m...

Light Novel Review: The 100th Time’s the Charm: She Was Executed 99 Times, So How Did She Unlock “Super Love” Mode?! Vol. 1

The 100th Time’s the Charm: She Was Executed 99 Times, So How Did She Unlock “Super Love” Mode?! Vol. 1 ~story by Yuji Yuji, art by Nami Hidaka and translation by Stephanie Liu Princess Alphina has been reliving her life up until her execution. But on the 100th time, she started suddenly hearing all the inner voices of the people and they all love her! Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher The blurb is clearly a reverse harem but my mind keeps lingering back on the line: she discovers that she can hear people’s true feelings—and that everyone secretly loves her. What if it's just like the generic love of everyone surrounding her? As the reality sinks in that it's another miss, things started to turn around more than halfway through. Yes, reverse harem takes a win for the day and no, we're not going to do a rundown of the guys. Now, enjoy the beautiful characters' illustration above and take a guess.  I love her reaction when she hears their love litan...

Reverse Harem Anime 2024 and TBA

  Here are the reverse harem anime for 2024 and TBA. Some may not be full-blown reverse harem, while others are not confirmed. Please subscribe! 

Reverse Harem Anime 2024, 2025 and TBA

  Here is the updated reverse harem anime list for 2024, 2025, and TBA.  I will also be pausing Patreon newsletters for October and maybe November. But I would still be posting Freshest News and maybe First Impressions? We'll see.  --Iris Purchase titles/ related to the titles mentioned:   (a s an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases ): The Demon Prince of Momochi House: Succession, Vol. 1 manga  https://amzn.to/3YjGXUL The Demon Prince of Momochi House (16 book series) manga  https://amzn.to/48glqkp 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (Light Novel) (7 book series)  https://amzn.to/405lzVo 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (6 book series manga)  https://amzn.to/3ZXClFW  Vampire Dormitory (12 book series) manga  https://amzn.to/3ZZV18i I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History, Vol. 1: It Seems Turning Into a High-Born Baddie M...

Manga Review: Futei de Furachi na Ani desu ga

  Futei de Furachi na Ani desu ga (My Handsome Brothers) by Yuki Shiraishi  5 chapters (complete) Ayumu feels like a goose with her clingy and school's popular Shiratora brothers. Only 1 chapter is available so far. I wonder if the scanlators meant duckling. Anyway, the animal reference is not something new since it's from the same mangaka who wrote other two reverse harems: Ookamidomo no Shitsukekata (wolves) and Bokura no Himitsu wo Kyouyuu shiyou ka  (animal love story) . I don't remember really liking her art before but I sure do now.

Reverse Harem or Not a Reverse Harem? Part 3 of 3: Princess Maid (webcomic) 37 chapters - ongoing

Princess Maid/Maid to be a Princess (webcomic/manhua) 37 chapters - ongoing by Koowa Group & Ayu & Heibaigeer Princess Sophia is a spoiled princess of  Vesperang. Then overnight everything will be taken from her and the princess becomes a maid in the neighboring kingdom, Norterang. In Norterang there are five brothers: Alex, the cold eldest prince; Luka, the second prince loyal to Alex only; Cecil, the third prince with unknown motives, and the fourth prince Darcy who is sickly. There's a fifth brother not in the picture, the youngest prince Harry.   The start of the story is reminiscent of how Akatsuki no Yona started but instead of going with Hak she was taken by Su-Won. But that's how far it goes in terms of similarities and it's a different story of its own.  Sophia's strength is her cleverness.  It's not super battling of the wits but I enjoyed how the story banked on that . I  feel for her when she's being bullied but she hangs on and pr...

Manga Review: I Was Reincarnated as the Villainess in an Otome Game but the Boys Love Me Anyway! Vol. 2

I Was Reincarnated as the Villainess in an Otome Game but the Boys Love Me Anyway! Vol. 2 (Akuyaku Reijou Desu ga, Kouyaku Taishou no Yousu ga Ijou Sugiru) Manga by: Ataka Light novel: by Sou Inaida Art by: Hachipsu Wen All Mystia wants is to avoid death in the otome game she is reincarnated in and to keep her family and servants safe. However, the guys seem to have bugs and are either raising or missing events on their own. Disclaimer A review copy was provided by Netgalley. Check out the first volume review . In the first volume, Mystia meets two of Kyun Kyun Love's suitors, Raid and Eric. In this sequel, we get to see how she meets Jesse, the teacher. For the fourth guy, Robert, it is more of pleasantries. The nicknames in the first volume are still not crystal clear to me. The sparkling prince. The cool tsundere. The gaudy guy. The yakuza teacher.  I managed to get the first two mixed up while the other two have yet to unfold their said attributes. The competitiveness betw...