Scarlet Heart: Ryeo
Scarlet Heart: Ryeo
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Scarlet Heart: Ryeo

"I'll be waiting for you, even if it's for a thousand years."

8.5
Yr 2016
Rt 60m
Status Ended
Drama Sci-Fi & Fantasy War & Politics
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Series Brief

Overview

A story of a 25-year-old Go Hajin who is transported back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty. She then wakes up in the body of Lady Hae Soo and finds herself amongst the ruling princes of the Wang Family.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 70 /100

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is widely recognized by viewers as a deeply emotional and tragic historical drama, often described as a story defined by its inevitable heartbreaks and fatal character flaws. Fans of the genre frequently praise the series for its ability to provoke tears and its compelling, if tragic, romantic trajectory.

However, critical consensus remains divided regarding the production quality. While the show is lauded for its premise and the performance of its lead actor Lee Joon-Ki, it is frequently criticized for messy editing, poor pacing, and inconsistent directing. Some viewers note that the series can feel occasionally cheesy, leaving some to wish for a more polished execution to match its powerful emotional beats.

“A heartbreaking sageuk full of sword fighting, and palace intrigue.”

“If you're the sort to appreciate tragic missed opportunities... then Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is the Greek tragedy of your dreams.”

“The general consensus is that Scarlet Heart: Ryeo had a great story that was screwed up by messy editing/directing/pacing.”

“I definitely cried while watching this and if you're looking for a series to cry over, you should definitely watch.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Rakuten Viki
US
Why fans love it

The historical fiction genre often leans into grand aesthetics, but this series centers on the internal state of a modern woman dropped into the Goryeo Dynasty. As Go Hajin navigates the unfamiliar politics of the Wang family, her bewilderment grounds the show. The narrative pivots on her struggle to survive amidst high-stakes rivalry and shifting palace alliances.

Relationships drive the tension, particularly the shifting loyalties between the princes and the forbidden love that complicates their shared path to the throne. Lee Joon-gi anchors the drama as the protagonist deals with both the internal discord of the royal brothers and the weight of established history. The result is a blend of war, politics, and personal loss that forces the characters to choose between affection and the pursuit of power.

Production Board

Crew

Director
Kim Kyu-tae
Theme Song Performance
Lee Hae-ri Taeyeon Chen Kang Min-kyung Xiumin Baekhyun
Creator
Tong Hua
Novel
Tong Hua
Screenplay
Cho Yoon-young
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Scarlet Heart: Ryeo overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

court intrigue love triangle based on novel or book obsession forbidden love palace time travel royal family politics rivalry romance royalty family relationships tragedy historical fiction king period drama death tearjerker medieval power struggle historical drama 10th century reverse harem mother son relationship korean history brother brother relationship goryeo dynasty blunt bewildered
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
August 29, 2016
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
60 minutes
Origin
KR
TMDB Votes
594