Scarlet Heart is an anomaly for me. Everything about it is something that I would normally not enjoy or watch for anything other than a quick laugh or meme. Yet, I loved this drama. I loved every minute of it. I binged watched Scarlet Heart in three days and was enthralled every second. The cast was fun and bright, filled with Korean superstars, and in my opinion everyone was perfect for their role. The OSTs were some of the best I've ever heard, perfect for every emotion the show conveys; this soundtrack is beaten only by Goblin's in my opinion. Even the plot, though perhaps the most trope filled I've encountered since Boys Over Flowers, was wonderful; it was playful and fun at times and devastatingly sad at others. Scarlet Heart was able to strike a balance between light and emotional that many other dramas fail to achieve. For this reason it was able to capture my heart on a very different level, one of enjoying a drama for the fun of it instead of for a deep investment, than dramas like Goblin and Secret Garden, which normally receive perfect scores on my list.

I thought the best part of this drama was Lee Joon Gi and his portrayal of Wang So. Wang So is my ideal drama lead. He's incredibly sad, has a laundry list of deep personal issues, and underneath it all a heart of gold. He is desperately lonely throughout the majority of the show and any time he seems to clutch happiness it's ripped away from him. I love anything sad so this is perfect for me. Lee Joon Gi captured my heart in this drama. I cried even when he smiled. I cried for three straight days and still cry when I listen to Will Be Back. I watched this drama over a year ago and yet I still think about it constantly. Most of those thoughts revolve around Wang So; that is truly how compelling I found him. Watching the character development So goes through was amazing. He is almost unrecognizable in the 16th episode compared to the 1st. The adorable moments with IU's Hae Soo brought the character fully to life. I truly believed in their love by the drama's conclusion. They made me want that love for myself.

On the note of Hae Soo her character is also worth discussing. I am a huge IU fan. I say that outright because my analysis of her acting will undoubtedly be influenced by my opinions of her as a singer. I personally thought Hae Soo was adorable. Her interactions with all the princes was very sweet and she had a very kind disposition. That being said I know IU is not the world's best actress. Hae Soo as a character was also very stagnant and had the misfortune of being the 'positive thinking female in the face of adversity' trope come to life; literally nothing that happened could break her spirit and it eventually came off as rather ridiculous. She was also unfortunately caught in a reverse harem that I wanted no part of. I chose to ignore this and focus on the main romance but I can see this being a major annoyance for some. Overall I felt she served her function well and highlighted So, the princes, and the plot perfectly.

Overall I loved this drama for the little moments. The brotherly interactions with the princes, the private scenes of love, the small gestures of kindness and warmth between all of the characters. The plot as a whole was nothing spectacular and the ending leaves a sour unfinished taste in one's mouth. Even with all of that I loved this show. The princes were funny, cute, melancholy, sweet, loving, caring, devious, and everything in between and Hae Soo (mostly) lived my dream. If you're looking for a fun light hearted drama that is 30% sad, 20% funny, 20% heart warming,  and 30% meme this is the right one for you.