Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Promotional Poster

***Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo*** (달의 연인 – 보보경심 려) is a South Korean television series based on the Chinese novel *Bu Bu Jing Xin*. It is directed by Kim Kyu-tae, written by Cho Yoon-young, stars Lee Joon-gi, Lee Ji-eun, and Kang Ha-neul. The series is about Ha-jin who travels 1000 years back in time and lands in the era of Goryeo Dynasty as a young girl named Hae-soo. She, now trapped in another person's body, becomes involved in a power struggle against various vicious contenders to the throne.

## Plot

The story follows Go Ha-jin, a 21st-century woman who is transported back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty during a solar eclipse. Upon arrival, she inhabits the body of Hae Soo, a noblewoman.

Hae Soo finds herself entangled in the political intrigues of the royal court. She becomes close to several princes, each with their own ambitions and struggles for the throne. Among them are Wang So, the fearsome fourth prince known as the "wolf dog," and Wang Wook, the gentle eighth prince.

As Hae Soo adapts to her new life, she forms deep connections with the princes, particularly Wang So, despite their initially rocky relationship. She also befriends other palace inhabitants, navigating the complex dynamics and power struggles while trying to alter the course of history.

Love, rivalry, and betrayal shape the relationships within the palace. Hae Soo finds herself torn between her feelings for Wang So and Wang Wook as they vie for the throne and her affection. Meanwhile, she becomes aware of the tragic destiny that awaits these princes, leading to heartbreak and sacrifice.

## Cast

### Main

* Lee Joon-gi as 4th Prince Wang So
* Lee Ji-eun as Go Ha-jin / Hae Soo
* Kang Ha-neul as 8th Prince Wang Wook

### Supporting

* Kim San-ho as Crown Prince Wang Mu
* Hong Jong-hyun as 3rd Prince Wang Yo
* Yoon Sun-woo as 9th Prince Wang Won
* Byun Baek-hyun as 10th Prince Wang Eun
* Nam Joo-hyuk as 13th Prince Wang Baek-ah
* Ji Soo as 14th Prince Wang Jung
* Jo Min-ki as Wang Geon, King Taejo
* Park Ji-young as Queen Yoo
* Jung Kyung-soon as Queen Hwangbo
* Kang Han-na as Princess Hwangbo Yeon-hwa, later Queen Daemok
* Park Si-eun as Lady Hae Myung-hee
* Jin Ki-joo as Chae-ryung
* Seohyun as Woo-hee
* Ji Hye-ran as Park Soon-deok
* Kim Sung-kyun as Choi Ji-mong
* Sung Dong-il as Grand General Park Soo-kyung
* Woo Hee-jin as Court Lady Oh Soo-yeon
* Choi Byung-mo as Park Young-gyu
* Park Jung-hak as Wang Sik-ryeom
* Kim Kang-il as a member of the Shinju Kang clan

### Special Appearances

* Byeon Woo-seok as Go Ha-jin's ex-boyfriend (Ep. 3)
* Jang Hae-min as Go Ha-jin's friend (Ep. 3)
* Park Kwi-soon as the Chief Monk of the temple where the tongueless monks reside (Ep. 3)
* Oh Yoo-mi as court lady (Ep. 10)
* Jang Seo-hee as Lady Gyeonghwa (Ep. 14)
* Seo Eun-sol as Hae Soo and Wang So's daughter (Ep. 20)
* Kim Do-hye as Bok-soon, Wang Wook's daughter (Ep. 20)

## Production

"Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" is based on a Chinese novel called "Bu Bu Jing Xin" by Tong Hua. The South Korean adaptation underwent an extensive production process, blending historical drama with elements of romance and fantasy.

The drama was produced by NBCUniversal and filmed in South Korea. It was a joint collaboration between Korean and Chinese production companies, aiming to appeal to both domestic and international audiences. The adaptation from the original Chinese novel involved several changes to better suit Korean culture and history while retaining the essence of the story.The drama boasted a star-studded cast, featuring Lee Joon-gi as Wang So, IU (Lee Ji-eun) as Hae Soo, Kang Ha-neul as Wang Wook, Hong Jong-hyun as Wang Yo, and many other talented actors portraying the various princes and palace inhabitants. The casting choices generated a lot of buzz and anticipation among viewers.

The production team dedicated significant efforts to recreating the Goryeo Dynasty era. Lavish sets, intricate costumes, and detailed props were meticulously designed to immerse the audience in the historical backdrop, showcasing the opulence and complexity of the royal court. The production faced challenges during filming, including tight schedules, the complexity of shooting historical scenes, and managing the large ensemble cast. Additionally, there were adjustments made to the storyline and filming due to the Chinese government's regulations on Korean content in China at the time.

The drama aimed for international appeal, intending to capture the attention of not only Korean and Chinese audiences but also viewers worldwide. This was evident in its marketing strategies and efforts to promote the series across different platforms. Despite high expectations and a strong fan base due to its source material, "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" faced mixed reviews and ratings during its initial broadcast. However, it gained a dedicated global following post-broadcast through online streaming platforms, attesting to its popularity beyond its initial reception.

## References

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon\_Lovers:\_Scarlet\_Heart\_Ryeo
2. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5320412/