Amantes da Lua (2016)

Pros: Acting and ambitious ideas/story. Cons: Everything else.

This is probably one of the most conflicting kdramas I've ever seen. On the one hand, we've got an all star cast and an especially stellar performance from Lee Joon Gi as Wang So/4th Prince (aka THE main ML among all the others), all despite quite a terrible combination of pacing/script/lack of natural character development and directing/editing. On the other hand, we've got a historical era full of Problems TM, mostly revealed through Toxic Familial Relations and power/throne takeovers. While not an expert regarding this particular era, I know enough Asian history to understand what they're trying to present, and those aspects are historically accurate (to a degree).

However, it's hard for me to sit through what with the characters feeling like they're pulled straight out of the type of shojo that I especially dislike: the dialogue and character direction and pacing do not feel organic or natural: you've got strong and abused male lead but you've also got choking and plenty of mistreatment of the FL going on (guy has Zero sense of Boundaries), and there's some attempt at display of vulnerability but also at the same time that doesn't really shine through in a relatable way. All of this equals me unable to ship the main ship of the story (or even the first ship that much, for that matter), as there are not enough proper connection presented. Generally, too much antiship energy going on for the first two ships in the plot. Once I got to the third "ship" (not quite a ship), it was FINALLY a breath of fresh air.

I tried very hard to connect with Hae So. She is extremely sympathetic due to her admirably caring and selfless character. She did her very best to keep everything peaceful, yet at the same time she has zero agency or power to actually do anything. I also love her daughter-mother relationship with Damiwon's Court Lady Oh: their relationship is one of the few places where I really connected to the story and I cried.

(I DO ship her and Jung very much at the end, and felt for them both deeply. I also think they should have kept the ending as originally scripted rather than the final edit.)

Conclusion: I'm certain that there are better historical kdramas out there (full of Greek/Shakespeare level tragedy, bloodbaths, backstabbing, villains-galore ensembles, villains romance, corruption arcs, FL with almost no power/agency, doomed lovers - ugh doomed characters in general/Wuthering Heights vibes - although I will admit I have not yet seen one in the kdrama realm, more in the cdrama realm). I can see where this drama TRIED, and I can understand some of the ideas being conveyed here, but the execution on screen is, frankly, terrible (no fault of the actors). Not sure why this one is so popular among the English speaking kdrama watchers expect for perhaps the shojo manga wave has brushed off on them in a particularly heavy manner.

This has, sadly, turned out to be a tragedy in my kdrama watch history, as I'd wanted to like this so much! If you have a rec that has better execution of similar theme/plot, feel free to comment!

Leia Mais

One of the best historical dramas I have ever seen and Lee Joon Gi's best role yet!

I felt the story could have been better written but I still enjoyed the series despite its flaws. What really won me over was the cast which is the biggest reasons to why I watched the show! Everyone did an amazing job but the true star here was Lee Joon Gi. He was phenomenal and had became my favorite Korean actor all time. He brought 4th prince to life! Whenever Wang So smile, it made me so happy. Whenever Wang So would cry, I would cry. Whenever Wang So was being flirty, I would melt. Seriously. Lee Ji Eun (IU) also did a great job. She's not on Lee Joon Gi's level but these two definitely have chemistry. The most amazing chemistry I have ever seen. Whenever those two were together, it always felt like the temperature was rising! Mostly Wang So's story and the love story is what drew me in the most. Also can't forget the bromance! Lee Joon Gi and Nam Joo Hyuk were the best! Kang Ha Neul also won me over. Such a great job as the 8th prince and his smile.... can't stop thinking about it! Overall the entire cast was amazing and beautiful that I have become such a huge fan, not just for this show but for them. Even the locations were beautiful.

The music... What can I say? One of the best soundtracks of 2016! My top favorite of them all. Lee Hi, Davichi, EXO, Punch, Taeyeon and so many others! I have this show's soundtrack on my ipod and always have it on repeat!

I've lost count to how many times I've watched this show. Especially my favorite episodes. I was obsessed with this show before it even premiered!

Despite Scarlet Heart Ryeo not being a success in its home country, it is such a huge hit worldwide. You won't regret watching.

Leia Mais

Moon Lovers is basically my favourite drama its what made me come into the world of K-drama's fully as I wasn't that crazy about K-drama's before watching Moon-Lovers.

Its a great story with the perfect actors. The romance the two protagonists had was something that no one could replace but this wasn't about how they fell in love fully it was about how the love of her life tried to become king through all his brothers. This drama made me sad it made me happy and it made me angry but that is what your supposed to go through when you watch a drama.

I was never bored from the first time I clicked the drama all the way to when I finished. It's a heart warming drama, I would come back from secondary school excited just to see this drama I would literally count how many hours would be left till I could go home and watch that one drama.

Moon lovers had the best romance if I do say so myself but it also had a slight bit of history (I also gotta say the men in this always made my heart skip a beat cause of how hot they were anyway back to review)

The ending was quite heartbreaking and when it ended I was quite upset (I still am) You will find yourself looking online to see if there will be a season 2 (trust me I did and till this day I still do) cause that is just how good the drama was.

Overall I loved it (Love doesn't even begin to explain how i felt towards this drama) it was AMAZING you SHOULD watch it cause it MORE THAN GOOD! <3

Leia Mais

A great love story that transcends time and the beauty of unconditional love.

Phenomenal and outstanding series!
I have watched many Kdrama series through the years, yet still think that this one will remain forever #1 on my list. Everything about it was amazing: the intriguing story line, the superb cinematography, the awesome acting skill of each significant character, the beautiful sceneries that served as backdrop for each situation, the intricate costumes, the wonderful accompanying music. Although the ending was sad (I watched and re-watched Ep 20 several times and each time, I have cried), it was impactful as it presented the marvelous idea of unconditional love.
I totally and wholeheartedly recommend Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, especially for those who want to watch a drama which is entertaining and leaves a lasting impression.

Leia Mais

I was completely wrong

This drama was all the rage, even when it came out due to an all-round amazing cast. I was really critical about it and didn't want to watch it due to the hype and honestly I was STUPID! One of the best dramas I ever watched, it's in my top ten for sure! It ripped my heart out, placed it back in and tugged it again one last time. I was a complete wreck watching this. Everything about it from the storyline to the cast to the ost's, it was truly perfection. To this day I still wish for a season 2, it ticked all the boxes for a great drama and ticked the box for a potential season 2, however, sadly we don't usually get those with kdramas often.

Leia Mais

To tell the truth I loved this drama. When I saw the last episode I was sitting in my bedroom and suddenly all I could do was cry. I think I won't be able to foget this drama for a long long time.

The cast was spectacular (especially Lee Joon gi who plays the character of the fourth prince Wang So), and definitely gave an added value to the story.
And the soundtrack was great too, except for some modern songs which are out of context.
You can't even imagine what the song "Will be back" performed by IIm Sun-hye has done to me. You can watch scarlet heart with your eyes closed and when u hear this song u will find yourself crying, 'cause you will know there's someone dying.

I don't want to talk about all the characters 'cause they are too many, but I want to spend a few words on my favourite character, Wang So (the 4th Prince). He was the best character, and I have appreciated the fact that he has tried with all his strenght and for all the time to protect himself from the desire of power. As you can se, power can be a heavy load to bear with. And even when he became king, the only thing he tried to do was protect his beloved ones.

The only thing I can say about the end of the drama is: Sometimes things need to be let go of. If it's mean to be you'll find each other again. And I hope this is the case. I want a second season!!!!

Leia Mais

This Show is a joke

one ep in : this show is actually not serious at all.
two eps in : total clownery, should I drop it?
three eps in : okay I am giving it another chance.
first scene in ep four : okay bye I can't tolerate this. what a time waste.

This show is so unserious.
I had delayed watching Moon lovers and decided that I can't watch it because I knew the actors and felt like I can't deal with a big age gape romance story.
but when I started it, this became my least concers for how I ended up dropping it for a whole different reason.
and I can't understand, I didn't find anyone who shares my views on this even the negative reviews are for different reasons, pacing and whatever.

I am sorry but the so supposed dramatic scenes in the first two episodes had me laughing because of how forced and cringy they were.
it was annoyingly embarrassing.
i decided to give it a chance and watched another episode.
and then started the fourth with the "dramatic" scene between the fourth prince and his mother,
which was the most unserious scene for now.

I read some reviews on Reddit where they said if you don't feel interested after 5 episodes drop it and the story becomes serious in episode 4.
they described the first 3episodes to be more of a comedy, I agree but in another sense, they're so inserious like I just can't take this show seriously I tried but I can't, I feel so detached, the characters reactions and the way they process of their feelings feel so inhuman and ughh it's just bad.
I can't feel like they're actually feeling what they're talking about.I know teen Wattpad stories and so typical manhwas with better writing level.
WTH is this!!

so short story long Moon Lovers is basically one of these typical Victorian manhwas where the FL reincarnates and doesn't know how to act normal and so the princes think Omg she is so DiFfReAnT and fall for her plus it's reverse Harem.
and we got the damn so cold mysterious jerk misunderstood mistreated blah blah ML and he and the heroine are gonna have this enemies to lovers story and I assume she might fix him.
idk what to say else the drama is so unserious I just can't 💀💀 how was this show filmed and how did people watch it?
Flower of evil is my first Lee Joon-gi drama and OMG the difference!! ML did him so dirty this pathetic role is such an insult I can't keep watching him play it.

⭐/10
My rating was random I don't really like rating dramas I didn't finish but it's required to post the review, but three eps where enough to make me mark off 3 stars -3 so and That's only because of how cringy it felt, with a plot like this the top this drama can get it 5.

btw, I don't understand why the second male lead have to be married. sorry but I can't romanticize cheating so I can't feel anything between the two.
i Liked the 8th prince like he is completely my type but everytime there's an intended romantic scene between him and the FL I feel disgusted.
I don't see the point. love triangles are supposed to make you feel confused btw the two MLs. this one doesn't.

Leia Mais

Another disappointment!

Honestly, it was a good show... until they ruined it. I mean, I don't mind if it's not a happy ending, but for the love of God, if you want to include fantasy elements like time travel, at least try to do something with it. Literally nothing was explained. It's like the whole show was a dream. This is the most irritating trope, honestly.

This show was like: "How not to write a show 101." I get that characters need obstacles so they can learn something and grow, but making the dumbest mistakes is just lazy writing. Honestly, I don't think I would've watch more than 10 episodes without IU and Lee Joon Gi.

Leia Mais

One of the greatest love stories of all time!!!!

This is sooooooooooooo good!!!!! Top 3 favourite dramas ever!! Be prepared to cry and not be able to think about anything but this show for weeks after finishing it. So good. Phenomenal acting, phenomenal storyline, amazing everything.

I’ve re-watched this show three times now and I still get so affected by it. One episode I’m laughing and smiling so hard my face hurts and the next I am ugly crying in the foetal position on my bedroom floor. And I’m not gonna lie after I finished the series I couldn’t watch anything else for over a week it just lingers in my head.

There has only been one other drama that I feel is on the scale of this drama and that is The Story of Yanxi Palace. So if you enjoyed this show at all I think that you would probably really like The Story of Yanxi Palace.

Leia Mais

A review in 2021 - This is worth the watch, but ...

The bad:
My review may have some biases, as I am reviewing this drama in 2021. If I watched this drama in 2016, I probably would have given it a 9.5 instead of an 9 but I cannot do that now, and here's the reason why, ignorance is bliss! What I mean by this is nowadays, I loathe toxic male leads, you know, the ones who tell you they are going to kill you one second, and then the next tell you that you belong to them. As much as I wanted to romanticized the female and male lead in this drama, I couldn't because the male lead character screamed toxic, although his acting was on point! BTW, in real life I do believe monarchies were very toxic people, so it's not unreasonable for the characters to exhibit such traits. The male lead was looking to the female lead to give him the maternal love that he never received from his mother, or older brother. Thus, he sought that in the female lead, but it was never truly love as much as it was his self-appeasing nature. He grew up trying to appease his family but all in all he still wasn't wanted. I did have compassion for the male lead, as he went through extreme trauma growing up, and it's human nature to make mistakes and try to learn how to behave better, as we grow and learn. Nevertheless, I am over the misogynist male lead characters (e.g. kissing women without their permission, not understanding that no actually means no, putting their hands behind the female characters back and pushing her up for a kiss, etc..). Although, there's a level of toxicity with the princes and princess, I am so glad that I did not get the damsel in distress vibe from the female lead character. Oh yeah, I think the music was somewhat too dramatic for certain scenes. Like in one scene around episode 6, the song "I love you," is played when the male lead is threatening the female lead. It's a bit weird.

The good:
*The scriptwriter did a great job explaining why the male lead end up killing his brothers. Usually when we hear of stories like this, we automatically assume that the killer was a psychopath murderer. Instead of investigating the real culprit working behind the scenes. The female lead did have visions about the future, but those visions didn't tell the full story but rather what would happen.
*The acting was on point. While watching this drama, I thought the female lead was the same female lead from Records of Youth. I never watched a movie in which IU acted, until this one. Neither am I familiar with her music, so my opinion is not bias. I think she did a fantastic job acting as a woman who was wanted by all the princes, except for 2. That's not an easy task to be able to act that out so well, that it doesn't turn the audience off. I believe each actor played their roles well, although this series probably could have had 23 episodes instead of 20 in order to allow for the romance between the female lead and male lead to seem more realistic. I believe their romance between episodes 7-13 was a bit rushed. However, the screenwriter did a fantastic job, with what she had. Btw, Eun's death was so tragic (episode 16), him and his wife are so cute in that episode. Good acting, I am in tears!

Overall, this drama was good but watching this in 2021, and not being ignorant of how media plays a role in sociocultural, and the viewpoints of society is the reason why I cannot give it a 9.5. BTW, I know it's a creative licensed historical drama, thus, there has to be some toxic traits, and that is the reason why I did not give it an 8.

Leia Mais