Scarlet Heart: Ryeo coming soon

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo 보보경심: 려 is the 2016 k-drama adaptation of the popular c-novel by Tong Hua, which made waves across Asia due to the 2011 Chinese drama starring Nicky Wu and Liu Shi Shi.

Beneath the political power plays and time-travel is a captivating story about love where reigning k-pop idol IU takes the lead as the charming and intelligent heroine with Lee Joon Ki as her valiant prince. 

Lee Joon Ki's delicate features earned him the nickname minam aka beautiful man and there's more handsomeness to go around with Kang Haneul and a string of pretty boys joining the mix to complete the remaining princes of Goryeo. It is literally a feast for the eyes, but Scarlet Heart carries a great story requiring great acting so I really hope the cast delivers.

Kim Kyu-tae who is also behind the success of That Winter, the Wind Blows takes the helm as PD and the drama will be produced in its entirety prior to airing. Given the record-breaking success of another pre-produced drama called Descendants of the Sun as well as the craziness around Korea's live-shoot system, I say amen to that.

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is slated for a simultaneous release in Korea and China on Aug 29, 2016. I have no clue whether the k-version can ever come close to the former but naysayer or not, I simply cannot wait!

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 kdrama listing. 

Source: EntMSN, Naver, Xinwen83133

Scarlet Heart

Scarlet Heart 步步惊心 is a 2011 Chinese drama that means many things for newly weds Cecilia Liu Shi Shi and Nicky Wu. It cemented Liu Shi Shi's status as a top star, rejuvenated Nicky Wu's acting career (he was 40 at the time) and culminated in the couple's lovely beach wedding in Bali. Yes, the onscreen couple got married on Mar 20, 2016 and it seems only fitting to talk about the drama that brought them together.

Scarlet Heart is the shorter iteration of its varied English titles. Based on a novel called Bu Bu Jing Xin aka Startling By Each Step, the adaptation tells the tale of an average white-collar worker who wakes in the body of Maertai Ruoxi, a young Manchu maiden during the reign of Kangxi. 

Scarlet Heart might be one of countless TV series in the time-travel and romance genre, yet it is so successful and far-reaching in appeal specifically because it manages to tell a compelling story extremely well, bringing to life complex characters in rich detail and throwing them in the midst of the Nine Lords War 九子奪嫡. The battle for the throne is intense, yet the writing masterfully interweaves a passionate romance that touches the heart.

Scarlet Heart stars Liu Shi Shi (Imperial Doctress), Nicky Wu (Legend of Zu), Kevin Cheng (City of Devastating Love), Yuan Hong (Princess Jieyou) and Lin Gengxin (God of War Zhao Yun). Liu Shi Shi is surrounded by dashing men in a powerhouse cast that can easily headline their own series and the author Tong Hua 桐华 is renown for penning popular novels like Song in the Clouds and Ballad of the Desert, both of which were also made for TV. 

It was a surefire formula that paid off and a Korean drama remake is in the works starring IU and Lee Joonki at the helm. There was also a sequel called Startling Love By Each Step 步步惊情 and a movie too but honestly, I try to pretend that the latter don't exist.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 c-drama recommendations.

Source: Baidu