Scarlet Heart: Ryeo

Go Hajin, a 25 year old woman living in the present, suddenly travels back to the Goryeo era and wakes inside the body of Lady Hae Soo. She lands in a glittering but brutal court where the Wang princes scheme and struggle for every advantage. With no clear explanation for her time jump, Hajin must maneuver through palace politics, forbidden affections, and shifting loyalties while keeping her modern sensibilities intact. As she unravels the past, she uncovers hidden alliances, whispered agendas, and a forbidden love that could bend history. The series fuses time travel with epic political drama and sumptuous period visuals, creating a dense, emotional tapestry of fate and power. Her choices may alter what time asks.

Directed by Kim Kyu Tae, the show adapts Tong Hua's Bu Bu Jing Xin for a Korean audience in 2016. It blends strong performances, stylish production design, and a faithful yet fresh take on a beloved time travel premise.

Awards: The series earned nominations at major Korean awards, reflecting its ambition and the standout performances of its leads. Critics praised Kim Kyu Tae's direction and the production design, while the cast's chemistry between Go Hajin and the princes drew particular attention. Critics praised its production quality and performances.

Cultural Impact: It sparked lively discussions about power, romance, and the cost of time travel in a royal setting. The show's stylish costumes and location work helped popularize Korean period drama aesthetics, while IU and Lee Joon Gi drew a larger audience to the genre. Fans debated season one endings online.

Reception & Themes: Critics highlighted a deft blend of time era contrasts with core politics, exploring fate, loyalty, and the burden of leadership. The show balances sweeping battles and intimate moments, offering a rich cast and a narrative that questions destiny without sacrificing human emotions.