Moon Lovers:Scarlet Heart - Episode 1 Review

It is very difficult for me to say much about this drama. It's known right from the start that Scarlet Heart is actually a heavy historical drama with complicated conspiracies. Maybe it sounds that I am lying right now since the story line is about a 21st girl who is transferred back to Goryeo and she experienced love with the princes. However, there are a lot of complicated political cases later on.

4th Prince & Hae Soo (K-version)

4th Prince & Ruo Xi (C-version)

First, I have watched the original Bu Bu Jing Xin (Chinese's version of Scarlet Heart) and I must say that I like the Chinese version of traditional clothes, fashion, costumes and styles more than in Korea version. The production value for historical dramas tend to be really high and with good reason. They have to make you believe that the drama you’re watching actually took place a long time ago. Dramas like “Goong” spent a lot of money on the set design and costumes to make it look really pretty, but as far as this drama is concerned, I wasn’t thoroughly impressed. Maybe it is because I don't like how the stylish do the hair for the Princes specially. Isn't it better to have the hair like Park Bo Gum in Love in the Moonlight? Or maybe at that time, the style of Princes should be like that. I don't know about this but perhaps the production team considers some historical set to fit the drama.

Eventually it turns out that Moon Lovers is actually set in Goryeo Dynasty in which the traditional costumes and hairstyle is indeed should be like that. Meanwhile, Love in the Moonlight is set in Joseon Dynasty (after Goryeo) and thus it shows a more modern and neat look. Maybe someone would say that they may just do with the Joseon Dynasty, but for your information, if they choose to use Joseon Dynasty, then the story would not be the same with the original Bu Bu Jing Xin. They set it in Goryeo, specially during King Taejo is because the plot is almost the same like the original history during the Qing Dynasty, whereby the successor after the king is the 4th Prince and that is Gwangjong (Wang So - 4th Prince). Besides, at that time, 4th Prince is considered someone who can creates an atmosphere of fear within the political realm.

We cannot forget that this drama is a time-travelling genre in which the story must follows the original history. If they set the story in Josoen, then it will be difficult to match it with the conspiracies within the political realm and that's gonna be homework if they have to make a fiction history. Thus therefore it shouldn't be called a historical drama anymore. However, I still like Josoen style better. Although this is a simple matter but even styles and cinematography looks kinda important to attract me.

Btw, does it really important to show the abs right from episode 1? They made this drama as if they are trying to use and expose the body of their actors instead of the story. I don't think it was necessary to put that scene. 

Secondly, there are scenes whereby the Princes was trained and how the King does the official duties however, I don't think I like how the PD took the scenes because it looks really obvious that they are shooting the scene for dramas, specially when the room seems so fake. I guess they are using some old castle in the Province rather than using the main castle like Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung Palace. I like it better when they use a real palace like Gwanghwamun in Love in the Moonlight. Well, I am not biased here but this is just what I feel from watching Moon Lovers. Maybe this is to avoid the leaked story since this is a pre-produced drama. 

Third, about the storyline, firstly, it's kinda weird when Ha Jin is transferred to Goryeo when there's eclipse. She tried to save a child which looks like the story was being forced too much. It just seems to fake that the child was suddenly drowned in the middle of the lake, since just a second ago when Ha Jin saw him, he is still nearby and how come no one see him goes into the water? But well at this point I can still accept it. On the original version, Zhang Xiao (Ruo Xi's reincarnation) in transferred back to the past because she was hit into an accident because she was figthing with her current boyfriend. The plot is almost the same but the way they tried to transferred Ha Jin back is somewhat being forced too much. Besides, I kinda don't really understand as to how Wang So, Wang Yo and Wang Jung have the same mother because as far as I know, it's only the 4th and 14th Prince. In this K-version, 4th Prince is portrayed perfectly by Lee Jun Ki. However, they add some scars left by 4th Prince when he is still a child and I guess that's gonna be an important thing later on. A deep scar which left in his heart. Somehow the K-version is kinda different from the original one, but I am still considering as to how the story will go. 

Fourth, IU's acting seems like the same with the one she did for Lee Soon Shin but seriously, I hope that she can improve more to compete with Kim Yoo Jung because she doesn't seem to really understand her character of Hae Soo and capture the heart of viewers. The tears on her looks so fake and IU seems to have no emotion when she is transferred back to Goryeo. Maybe this is why she is criticised by netizen. Does it also necessary for her to point out how nice her skin is? Well maybe it's important thing to note in this drama because in the original version, we know that Ruo Xi at that time is still a teenager, maybe around 10 or 12 years old, if I am not wrong because after 6 years, she was then asked by the King to be betrothed to 14th Prince because she was already in the age to get married. Considering how woman gets married early in the past, I guess the age range is quite normal. Regarding the makeup, well it's true that the eyeliner is a bit too much. Maybe the make up team should try to see Suzy's makeup on Uncontrollably Fond which I think she looks natural the most. Same like Baekhyun, he seems so fake with the acting. I like 10th Prince better in Chinese version. It's too obvious that he's trying to act cute and funny. Well, that's too sad because Lee Jun Ki and Kang Ha Neul have done their best and I have totally no complaints for them.

C-version, 8th Prince & Ruo Lan

One last thing, how could 8th Prince's wife is so much older than him? Seriously, can they cast someone better, I mean in the pair at least should fit with each other? Ohmy, I really don't expect this. And when she was paired to the 8th Prince, they still look alright. But how come Kang Ha Neul with an ahjumma? Are you being serious?! Gosh, this is frustrating seriously. 

Ruo Lan and Ruo Xi

Hae Soo & Myung Hee

At least Ruo Lan is still so pretty and young enough when she is compared to Ruo Xi. Myung Hee is Ruo Lan in C-version and Hae Soo is the cousin of Myung Hee? Okay, so why did you marry the 8th Prince who is young enough to be with Hae Soo T__T aigggh depressing. In C-version, Ruo Lan is Ruo Xi's sister. But in K-version, it looks more natural that Myung Hee is the mother of Hae Soo.

4th Prince's Wife - Lady Ulanara

Too bad that IU is not such a beauty to see in the drama since Kang Ha Na is even more beautiful than her. Is it just me or does she really look a bit like Jun Ji Hyun? Besides, as far as I know, Kang Ha Na potrays 8th Prince's sister and she will be married to 4th Prince? U serious? The Queen of 4th Prince is way more elegant! Way more kind than Kang Ha Na's personality here!

I really dunno why but as far as Episode 1, this is too disappointing if you want to compare with Love in the Moonlight. Seriously why they hype this drama so much if they are doing a bad job on this?