Between all the new dramas scheduled for this July, only one
caught my eyes so I decided to watch some good 'old' one and Scarlet Heart was the first I started…
Being extremely popular among k-lovers today’s review and opinions are going to be semi-serious, to light up your day and this sageuk (Korean historical drama).
Being extremely popular among k-lovers today’s review and opinions are going to be semi-serious, to light up your day and this sageuk (Korean historical drama).
Ready? Ka-ja!
this review contains major SPOILERS!
Welcome in Goryeo era, where ‘Lord of the Rings’-like
hairstyles and schemes worth of the best 'Game of Thrones' episode are a daily thing.
Go Ha Jin (our heroine) arrives here magically from the 21st century after she
drowning in a lake, trying to save a young boy. because using a stone portal like in 'Outlander' is trivial.
Since the story has to have more than
1 episode, of course, she had to reappear in a bathhouse's pool. The Royal one. Filled, coincidentally, with all the Emperor's sons who have gathered in the Imperial Palace to attend a ceremony.
Goryeo era was approximately between 918 and 1392, meaning no TV, meaning
a large number of princes. For yours (and mine) mental health, I’m going to refer to them with their throne ranking:
#3, who’s the sliest and most petty among his siblings,
#8, lovable husband of Myung Hee and the calmest one,
#9 the
studious one,
#13 the artistic soul,
#10 a carefree, pure young man
#14 martial
arts expert.
Ah, obviously, they're all poor-looking...
As said, Go Ha Jin emerges from the pool and is rescued
before the arrival of the royal guards by a servant. She acts like she knows Ha Jin
and when she explains where she is, Ha Jin faints.
She regains
consciousness in traditional Korean dresses, in a traditional Korean
bright painted, wooden house with Myung Hee, a worried-looking young lady, who
keeps claiming they’re cousins and calls her with another name, Hae Soo.
Meanwhile, another character enters the Imperial Palace’s
doors: the 4th prince, called 'wolfdog' because it’s rumored he was left alone
one night in a forest, surrounded by wolves and killed them all. The reason why
he was sent away in Shinju was because of the scar on his face. There he was treated the same way of hostages, so he grew resentful and vengeful in confront of his mother and
father, the Emperor. He’s also, most likely, history’s first goth.
Due to an incurable illness, unfortunately, Myung Hee soon
dies and let me say this: she’s the real spotless heroine of the story! Her
husband (prince #8) was yes, thoughtful and present, but never truly loved her,
while she was completely in love with him; moreover, she felt sorry and guilty because
she couldn’t give him an heir and her dying wish was for him to remarry…with Hae
Soo, because Myung Hee is no fool and understood right away that the two of
them had feelings for each other. Selfless and unconditional love, everyone!
What happens next is the proverbial MESS: Hae Soo and prince
#8 like each other, but the Emperor wants him to marry another girl to gain
allies and in the meantime, THREE more princes start to like her as well.
Prince
#3 plots with him mom to become Emperor (the evilest character ever appeared on a k-drama, along
with the cousin figure in Angel’s Last Mission: Love), while #4 has some major
anger issues, trying to understand whether it’s worth for his sanity to be on
good terms with his mom. Plus he and
The story spans over the years, with the Crown Prince
ascending the throne, but growing ill (and paranoid) every passing day, prince
#3 allegedly died after a sword fight with #4 and falling from a cliff,
but hey! too easy…so he comes back after two years of being M.I.A and manages to get the throne, with the help
of #8 which, at this point, I have no idea whose side he’s on!
Another couple of years pass and now it's time for #4 to reclaim the throne as, in the meantime, #3 grew crazy...
My Opinion👍👎
I’ve never watched a Tv series (Asian or American) where the protagonist is as UNLUCKY in love as in this one: in episode 1, Hae Soo complains about her cheating
boyfriend and when she lands in Goryeo she can’t be with the one she loves
because Fate clearly likes watching her suffering…
At first, you might get confused by the overflowing of characters and events, but thankfully everything sets down quickly and maintains a steady pace throughout the subsequent episodes.
This was not my 1st historical k-drama, but my 1st k-drama marathon: I watched 10 episodes in one day; at the end of it, my eyeballs were upside-down!
At first, you might get confused by the overflowing of characters and events, but thankfully everything sets down quickly and maintains a steady pace throughout the subsequent episodes.
This was not my 1st historical k-drama, but my 1st k-drama marathon: I watched 10 episodes in one day; at the end of it, my eyeballs were upside-down!
I loved the female roles in this series, which could be paradoxical since the only 'good' one is Hae Soo, but I appreciated the ambitions and persistence of both #3's mother and #8' sister, even if their motto apparently was "the end justifies the means".
Hae Soo was way too compliant and submissive, but I liked that she immediately fit in the new era and her newly found strength that allowed her to survive.
Hae Soo was way too compliant and submissive, but I liked that she immediately fit in the new era and her newly found strength that allowed her to survive.
I don't know what to say about the men, besides that #8 is spineless and regarding #4, I don't care how much you suffered and all the baggage you're carrying from the past...you behead a horse in episode 1? I don't like you!
If didn't understand a single thing about the story, here's a visual scheme!
Would I suggest the view? I'm not sure...I mean, I liked it and it's basically 20 episodes of beautiful men fighting for the throne and Hae Soo's love, but I can't seem to understand why it was so popular and keeps on get stopped up on my Pinterest's feed.
My first thought would be to suggest the view to people who love historical dramas and
complicated families, otherwise, you can safely pick other dramas.
Costumes are really well made, tho!
Costumes are really well made, tho!
Ranking: 3/5
Ph: asianwiki.com, Cosmopolitan and Twitter (@_crystaljo)
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