# Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

> South Korean TV series

**Wikidata**: [Q21980662](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21980662)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_Lovers:_Scarlet_Heart_Ryeo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/moon-lovers-scarlet-heart-ryeo

## Summary
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a South Korean television series that aired on SBS from August 29 to November 1, 2016. The drama is a remake of the Chinese novel "Bu Bu Jing Xin" and stars Lee Joon-gi, IU, and Kang Ha-neul in a historical romance set during the Goryeo Dynasty.

## Key Facts
- Original network: Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS)
- Country of origin: South Korea
- Production companies: YG Entertainment, NBCUniversal
- Aired from August 29, 2016 to November 1, 2016 (total of 20 episodes)
- Genre: Historical drama, romance, melodrama
- Based on Chinese novel "Bu Bu Jing Xin" (步步惊心)
- Korean title: 달의 연인 - 보보경심 려 (Dalui Yeonin - Bobogyungsim Ryeo)
- International title: Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
- IMDb ID: tt5320412
- Followed by: The Doctors (2016)
- Preceded by: Dr. Romantic (2016)

## FAQs
**What is the premise of Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo?**
The series follows a 21st-century woman who travels back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty during King Taejo's reign, where she becomes entangled in palace politics and romance among the ruling princes.

**Who are the main cast members?**
The drama stars Lee Joon-gi as the 4th Prince Wang So, IU as Go Ha-jin/Hae Soo, and Kang Ha-neul as the 8th Prince Wang Wook, along with other notable actors including Hong Jong-hyun, Nam Joo-hyuk, and Baekhyun.

**What production companies were involved?**
The series was produced by YG Entertainment, one of South Korea's major entertainment companies, in collaboration with NBCUniversal, the American media conglomerate.

**How many episodes does the series have?**
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo consists of 20 episodes, airing as part of SBS's Monday-Tuesday drama time slot.

**Is this an original Korean story?**
No, the series is a Korean adaptation of the Chinese novel "Bu Bu Jing Xin" (步步惊心), which was previously adapted into a Chinese television series in 2011.

## Why It Matters
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo represents a significant cross-cultural adaptation that brought a popular Chinese historical romance to Korean audiences with a star-studded cast and high production values. The series showcased the growing trend of international content adaptation in Asian television markets and demonstrated the potential for historical dramas to achieve both domestic and international success. Its production by YG Entertainment marked the company's expansion into drama production beyond its traditional focus on music, while the collaboration with NBCUniversal highlighted the increasing globalization of Korean content production. The series also contributed to the Hallyu wave by introducing Korean audiences to a Chinese literary work while maintaining distinctly Korean cultural elements and production aesthetics.

## Notable For
- High-profile adaptation of a popular Chinese novel for Korean television
- Star-studded cast featuring top Korean actors and K-pop idols
- Production collaboration between YG Entertainment and NBCUniversal
- Historical setting during the Goryeo Dynasty with elaborate costumes and sets
- Significant international distribution and streaming success
- Monday-Tuesday drama time slot on major network SBS
- Integration of both established actors and rising stars
- Complex political and romantic storylines spanning 20 episodes

## Body

### Production and Development
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo was developed as a Korean adaptation of the Chinese novel "Bu Bu Jing Xin" (步步惊心), which had previously been adapted into a successful Chinese television series in 2011. The Korean version was produced by YG Entertainment, founded by Yang Hyun-suk in 1995, marking the company's venture into drama production beyond its established music industry presence. The production was co-produced by NBCUniversal, the American media and entertainment conglomerate founded in 1926, demonstrating the international collaboration in Korean content creation. The series was filmed with high production values, featuring elaborate historical costumes and sets depicting the Goryeo Dynasty period.

### Broadcast and Distribution
The series aired on Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), one of South Korea's major television networks founded in 1990. It occupied the popular Monday-Tuesday drama time slot, a prime viewing period in Korean television scheduling. The broadcast ran from August 29, 2016 to November 1, 2016, consisting of 20 episodes total. Following its initial broadcast, the series achieved significant international distribution through various streaming platforms, contributing to the global popularity of Korean historical dramas and the broader Hallyu wave.

### Cast and Characters
The drama featured an ensemble cast of established actors and popular idols. Lee Joon-gi, known for his roles in historical dramas, portrayed the 4th Prince Wang So, while IU, a top K-pop singer and actress, played the dual roles of Go Ha-jin (modern woman) and Hae Soo (Goryeo period). Kang Ha-neul took on the role of the 8th Prince Wang Wook. The cast also included Hong Jong-hyun as the 3rd Prince Wang Yo, Nam Joo-hyuk as the 13th Prince Baek Ah, and EXO's Baekhyun as the 10th Prince Wang Eun. This combination of acting veterans and popular idols helped attract diverse viewership demographics.

### Historical Setting and Adaptation
Set during the Goryeo Dynasty, specifically during the reign of King Taejo, the series adapted the Chinese historical setting to Korean history while maintaining the core romantic and political storylines. The adaptation involved significant cultural localization, transforming the Qing Dynasty setting of the original Chinese novel into the Goryeo period of Korean history. This adaptation process demonstrated the flexibility of historical romance narratives across different East Asian cultural contexts while maintaining the essential elements of palace intrigue, romantic entanglements, and time-travel elements that made the original story popular.

### Genre and Style
The series combined multiple genres including historical drama, romance, and melodrama. As a historical drama, it featured elaborate period costumes, traditional Korean architecture, and depictions of Goryeo-era court life. The romance elements centered on the complex relationships between the female lead and multiple princes, while the melodrama aspects emphasized emotional intensity and dramatic plot developments. This genre combination aligned with popular trends in Korean television that blend historical settings with contemporary storytelling techniques and emotional storytelling styles.

### Cultural Impact and Reception
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo generated significant discussion both domestically and internationally upon its release. The series contributed to ongoing interest in Korean historical dramas while also participating in the broader trend of cross-cultural adaptations in Asian entertainment. Its production values, star power, and adaptation of a known story helped it achieve visibility in international markets, furthering the global reach of Korean television content. The series also sparked discussions about historical accuracy, adaptation choices, and the portrayal of Korean history in popular media.

### Related Productions
The series was positioned within SBS's drama lineup, following "Dr. Romantic" (2016) and preceding "The Doctors" (2016). This scheduling placed it among other high-profile medical and romantic dramas that characterized Korean television programming during that period. The production also connected to broader trends in Korean entertainment, including the increasing involvement of entertainment companies like YG Entertainment in drama production and the growing collaboration between Korean and international media companies in content creation.

### Technical and Creative Elements
The series employed high-quality production techniques typical of major Korean drama productions, including detailed costume design representing Goryeo period attire, elaborate set construction for palace scenes, and cinematography that captured both intimate character moments and grand historical settings. The adaptation process involved significant creative decisions in transforming the Chinese source material into a Korean context, including changes to character names, historical references, and cultural elements to better resonate with Korean audiences while maintaining the core narrative appeal of the original story.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5320412/)
2. The Movie Database