[[Drama 2016] Moon Lovers ❤ Scarlet Heart Ryeo, 달의 연인-보보경심 려 \^0^/ Soompi Kdrama 2016 Winner]

I have a question about the soundtrack.  There were two themes in particular from episode 16 that I was hoping to find in the OST (one starts at 11:20 and the other at 15:05).  I was really sad when I realized that they were not included in the published soundtrack and was wondering if they plan to release some more later.  Not a big issue, I suppose, but the instrumental pieces are so lovely and well-done with this series that I was hoping they would include everything.      

[[Drama 2016] Moon Lovers ❤ Scarlet Heart Ryeo, 달의 연인-보보경심 려 \^0^/ Soompi Kdrama 2016 Winner]

I suspected this was coming.  I subconsciously didn't invest in HS and WS's love scenes too much because I had this awful suspicion that they would just end up being bittersweet memories in what would end in a tragic separation.  For the reasons stated at the beginning of my post, I am finding myself disliking Wang So.  Compared to the Wang So that risked his life to save Eun from being executed, Gwangjong's arbitrary and unjust treatment of Jung speaks badly of the king he has become.  Whether it is faulty writing or just my own high expectations for Wang So's behavior, I feel that his character has taken a dark turn that cannot be undone.  Judging by the preview, it looks like it will only get worse in the next episode.  

Two major things stuck out to me as I reflected on episode 18:
1) Forbidding Jung from visiting with his mother on her deathbed was really cruel on Wang So's part.  On one hand, I understand the latter's desire to have his mother's affirmation at least once before her death.  However, using his kingly power to coerce this type of affection and rob Jung of saying goodbye is remarkably selfish. 

[As a side note, I would like to see Hae Soo happy with Jung for at least one episodes.  Given her devotion to Wang So, I would find anything other than a platonic love to be unrealistic.  But even if their love is not a passionate one, it is clear from that one scene in episode 18 that they are quite capable of making each other happy.  The similarities they share (someone mentioned in an earlier post how they both desire to be free from the palace and live unencumbered, which is a very good point) make them a solid team.  And I absolutely do not blame Hae Soo for finally wanting to leave that ill-fated, depressing palace.]

2) Holding Hae Soo's relationship with Wook over her head just seems so random. Didn't Wang So say that he didn't care??  What has happened to cause such a drastic change in his character?  Does power truly corrupt so completely?  I was hoping that Wang So would be able to hold onto his better self since Hae Soo was on his side, but it seems that her companionship, love, and loyalty was not enough.  I don't see a way back from this unfortunate twist in the story.

Then again, maybe Gwangjong will mellow out after a period of time and focus on helping the country rather than using his power to satisfy his personal desires.  Unfortunately Hae Soo will probably be dead by then and the way Wang So married YH, executed CR, banished Jung, and now blames HS for daring to be in a relationship with Wook [that ended a long time ago] really irks me.  Was this side of him there all along?  I'm reminded of the scene in the first episode where he slaughters his horse simply to make a point.  It really did not sit well with me at the time because I find it disgusting when people needlessly harm innocent animals, but I was willing to chalk it up to dramatic emphasis and move on.  Now the more I think about it, the more I realize that Wang So is and has always been capable of great ruthlessness.  Hae Soo's redemptive affection for him caused us to see Wang So in a different light, which was quite exciting at the time.  It also affirmed that people can change, even those who seem the most hopeless.  But now it seems that he is reverting to his old self, blinded by jealousy and a desire for power.    

I hope my sentiments are not too pessimistic and I'm sorry for writing such a negative post on Wang So.  It is too bad that things are playing out this way.  I also have to say that I first started having strong misgivings when Wang So lied in order to gain the throne.  Consequently, it is simply not fair to punish Jung for questioning Wang So's legitimacy.  Truth has a way of revealing itself and Wang So put himself on the losing side by establishing his royal authority through deception.  Jung was probably only guilty of saying what everyone else was thinking.  To add insult to injury by refusing to let Jung visit his dying mother - that is terribly heartless indeed.

[[Drama 2016] Moon Lovers ❤ Scarlet Heart Ryeo, 달의 연인-보보경심 려 \^0^/ Soompi Kdrama 2016 Winner]

Is anybody else worried about HS becoming like Lady Oh after WS becomes king?  I keep thinking about that scene where Lady Oh tells HS not to end up like her and I hope it's not foreshadowing.

We know from history that Gwangjong marries YH, and assuming the writers stick to that then it doesn't look like he will also marry HS.  HS may always be in his heart, but will that be enough?  While it seems that WS truly wants to marry her now, we all know what power and palace politics can do to promises of love.  Even Taejo seemed to love Lady Oh more deeply than any other woman, but it didn't compel him to marry her once he became king.  Another example is Wook, who also placed duty above his affections for HS.  While WS is vastly different to either Wook or Taejo, what compromises will he have to make in order to hold onto the throne?  The story doesn't look rosy for HS anyways, considering the history, the novel, and the Chinese version on which it is based.  

But then of course we don't have a clear idea of how realistic the writers intended the story to be.  Much also depends on how closely they followed the original Chinese version.  Is it likely that the writers didn't want to divert too much from history since that might be unpopular to Korean viewers?  

Whatever the case, I would like to believe that HS and WS's love will overcome in the end.  But I highly doubt it will happen in Goryeo.