WARNING: This post 1) contains some SPOILERS and 2) is Humor-free
So… Scarlet Heart (Bu Bu Jing Xin) needs no introduction, but in case you haven’t had the chance to check it out: this is a time-travel drama, based on the novel of the same name by Tong Hua, about a woman of modern time who time travels to the Qing Dynasty and finds herself entangled in a battle for power between the princes under Emperor Kangxi’s reign.
This drama aired in 2011 so this post is a long time overdue and we’re pretty sure there are a lot of articles out there that cover the same topic – what makes Scarlet Heart such a memorable drama. But we’ll write one anyway.
First of all…
MINIMUM FILLER MATERIAL
Yes, there is more than one pairing in this drama, more than one subplot going on, and this isn’t even a 100% romance, but every single character and twist and turn contributes to the main characters’ development and the primary plot. The story would not have been the same without the romantic and free-spirited Thirteenth Prince.
Or the silly but kind-hearted Tenth Prince and Princess Mingyu.
Or the tactless but loyal Fourteenth Prince.
Or Ruoxi’s first love – the Eighth Prince.
Or Ruoxi’s sister who has about twenty lines in total.
Without any of these characters and their own arc, Ruoxi’s life would have turned out enormously different.
And that leads us to the next reason why Scarlet Heart is worth your time…
MULTILAYERED MINOR CHARACTERS
There are almost no classic ol’ villains in Scarlet Heart. The only character that maybe qualifies as a villain would be the Crown Prince, who is later demoted and cast out of the race.
All of the princes we are introduced to are involved in the same battle for the throne, all of them utilize whatever they have to reach this goal. While some of them know where to stop, some don’t, depending on their background, their upbringing, and what they want from life.
Likewise, none of the female characters Ruoxi comes across do what they do JUST BECAUSE. They too enter the plot from different circumstances and their choices contribute to the diversity of personality in this drama. They do not exist to hunt down the female lead, nor to elevate the value of the the main characters. Each one of them has a story, a motivation that is worth a separate analysis. Even Princess Minmin, whose role could not be anymore minor.
THE FEMALE LEAD
Many of the audience understand Ruoxi and her choices thoroughly, a lot of others hate her guts. There is a reason for this: Ruoxi is not a character written for self-insertion, the norm in romance stories.
Ruoxi time-travels to the past, struggles with imperialistic ideologies, and strives to survive without forgetting who she really is.
The root of the main problem in recent time-travel stories is that they are mostly written as a type of idealistic fantasy for both the readers and the writer to project themselves into a world of Princes Charming who would trade the whole world for you, flying beasts who would shake most people off their back but would gladly become your mounts, where you are special just because you are, etc – which is not a terrible thing by itself, as we have stated in many previous analysis: self-insertion is what all of us do while following a work of fiction. But it is also the very reason why most female leads in this type of story turn out to have the same characterization: fierce when the plot needs them to be, too dense to realize love, naive around the guy for no reason, easily manipulated, etc.
Not in Scarlet Heart.
Ruoxi is as flawed as any of us real life people can be – some of those flaws help her grow as a person, some lead her straight to tragedy. As a modern woman, Ruoxi values every life she comes across, is practical in her love life, and extremely opposed to the idea of herself being protected at all costs.
More than once, instead of thanking the Fourth Prince for getting rid of the people who are or have been looking to harm her, Ruoxi shows her discontent and criticizes his – in her opinion – extreme ruthlessness. Her beliefs make it impossible for her to embrace what the Fourth Prince has to offer. If you watch this drama for a happily-ever-after, you might just end up thinking Ruoxi doesn’t deserve the Fourth Prince, but if you watch it again – more committed to follow Ruoxi’s development – you might just have to admit the choices she makes are in perfect accordance with her well-defined personality.
And most importantly, the drama allows her the opportunity to do all of those things, to have a say in what happens in her life. She is not just pressured by external factors, but by her own sense of morality as well.
THE ROMANCE ITSELF
Just as how Ruoxi is not a female character for self-projection, her relationship with the male lead Yinzhen (Fourth Prince) is the furthest thing from a perfect romance. Scarlet Heart tackles the most subtle elements of a romantic relationship with an undeniably realistic approach. Ruoxi and Yinzhen come together from two vastly different backgrounds; they love, understand one another’s ambition, are put off by, but in the end embrace one another’s flaw. Their problem is in no way miscommunication, they instead show us how a romance can be intellectual, passionate, yet conditional. Nope, you didn’t read it wrong, their love is highly CONDITIONAL. Lastly, they let us see thoroughly how, then, a relationship can still falter even when people COMMUNICATE.
Ruoxi does not use love as an excuse to defend the Fourth Prince’s ruthlessness towards his brothers; and likewise, the Fourth Prince doesn’t use his love for Ruoxi as a reason to ever mistreat/belittle his Head Wife or mismanage his court.
There were many, MANY instances where Ruoxi and Yinzhen come close to having a happy ending, close to giving up their responsibility, their better judgement, to pursue what they believe is love, leave the world behind or… whatever else characters do in a romance. But they ultimately both remain who they each is.
And basically, Ruoxi and the Fourth Prince’s final resolution tells us one thing: the dream to travel to the past and live among royalty romanticized by young readers is not a bad thing, but it’s… uhm… not probable – this is the overall message that Scarlet Heart delivers by the end of 35 episodes (or 40, depends on which version you watch). Yes, it sounds cliche and like something we should all know by heart already, but how many romance dramas out there actually venture this far to remind us of it?
BOTTOM LINE: Scarlet Heart is not the only drama with complex characters out there, nor the only one that depicts the many conflicts when different worlds collide to utmost realism, but this time-travel story is one of a few (or it could be the only one, we’re not even sure if there are any others like it) that actually addresses the struggles faced by the main character due to time-travelling.
I haven’t watch this drama or plan on watching it but you *almost* tempt me. Defining the drama as well as you did, I would think this drama is right up my alley but for some reasons, it never hit my watch list.
Yep, it’s got good reception in general but it’s also kind of a hit-or-miss drama for viewers, the reasons that make it appeal to you can also be the reasons you can’t stand it. You should give it a try anyway😀😀
Have you considered the idea of reviewing the Korean version of this show? I’d like to know about your thoughts on that one!
None of us have actually seen that show yet. I glimpsed a little but didn’t have time to go back. Love to hear your opinion on it if you’d like to share 🙂
I’ve seen all the episodes, but it’s disappointing. (It’s the ending I have problems with and the fact that most of the relationships in the show isn’t done well as it focuses on romance rather than trying to develop its character in that version)
Hae Soo actually doesn’t know her exact history, which makes her a lot unlike Ruoxi in many ways, not to mention she tends to be the one to rely on miracles and fates a little too much. She’s far too much like a damsel in distress in most ideal k-dramas you’d typically watch. It’s not surprising some people say her assertiveness felt forced rather than it happening naturally.
4th in that version isn’t an impassive character, but his storyline revolves on that scar he hides with a mask on.
3rd in the k-drama version has a major role in this as a villain, the c-drama version was just a minor character that eventually isn’t seen again in other episodes any longer.
8th in this version has a younger sister (strangely they are full blooded siblings since usually in dynasties such as this usually have half-siblings) that’s only cruel towards people she clearly doesn’t like, especially Hae Soo (it’s a huge spoiler so I can’t say for certain as to why she doesn’t like her)
In the k-drama Hae Soo doesn’t gain an older sister in the Goreyo era, instead she’s got a cousin. The relationship is much more like a parent-child than a sisterly bond between them
(I meant to reply to this one! Sorry about that!)
Sorry for the late reply. For some reason, I did not get a notification about this. And your duplicated comment is deleted, so no worries 🙂
Ahh, that’s a detailed assessment. It sounds like they took liberty with the story a little with this adaptation. Yes, there is so much more to Scarlet Heart than just the romance, the romance actually takes a backseat to Ruoxi’s character development 🙂
If time allows, my group and I will take a closer look at this Korean version 🙂
Spoiler Alert.
Honestly, I love both the scarlet
Heart series so much.
In my arrogant opinion , that complaint claims Hae Soo is a damsel in distress is in the same strain that categorises Ruoxi as “ Mary Sue”.
Ruoxi is not a Mary Sue,which she isn’t given how she moves the plot and has an independent mind and a character with flaws.
Hae Soo is not a damsel in distress,because she clearly saves herself, the princes and survives all by herself and lives only by her rules.
A lot of people easily hate her because she isn’t your average Kdrama strong women who has talents she doesn’t enjoy, fixes problems when required and is fierce when required.
Hae Soo begins the story being fierce but then becomes more demure or subservient because she loses her status and becomes a palace servant and has to follow rules.
She travelled thousands of years back in time to an era even historians only have speculations about, so of course the drama used this as opportunity for creative license. It still stays true it’s historical accuracy like the original.
Technically Hae Soo does know some history but only that she learnt in school ,not detailed knowledge like Ruoxi.
Both Ruoxi and Hae Soo survive well, Ruoxi because of her knowledge, Soo because of her sheer adaptability and by being ,practical, flexible and accepting the rules of the era she’s travelled to. She can be smart and ruthless too, but the kdrama plot doesn’t fixate solely on her journey so she doesn’t have the opportunity to shine as much as Ruoxi.
I think both are sensible in ways,but people hate Hae Soo because she seems “weak” compared to Ruoxi.
Like I mean, both exhibit different types of strength, but Ruoxi’s is easier to root for since it’s grounded in wit, schemes ,knowledge and ruthlessness. Hae Soo’s strength is rooted in ability to survive and remain put together through all the struggles and suffering. Not to compare, but Hae Soo is put through much more taxing times than Ruoxi and had to go through serious physical,emotional and psychological trauma . But she survives , like the cdrama leaves the palace but only dies after she gives birth to her child. She protects last bits of her sanity and her child, and that’s commendable.
Both of our heroines try to compromise themselves for the men they love , only to realise one can’t survive on love alone.
I like the Scarlet Heart series because of the question it raises about romance and the realistic treatment it provides ,which is hard to find. This could easily be a self insert fantasy but it’s not.
I like both series for different reasons . But I like the romance in Koran version better ,because I feel like they balance out each other well and bring out the best in each other.
In the Chinese version though their love was deep, I felt like they reflected each other’s worst qualities the most.
At the end of the day, Both Hae Soo and Ruoxi do have similarities that I admire and both end up losing out because they try to save everyone and themselves,which slowly eats them away.
Palace politics played a lot into their slow undoing end, but their flaws and stubborn personality ended them both just as much .
I really don’t blame either of them for seeking out human relationships though, that’s the only way to make an experience like transmigration worthwhile.
Thats my opinion, I apologise if I ranted too much lol.
At the end of the day,both are adaptions and stories that focus on a different era ,different culture. It’s best if you go in with an open mind , willing to give each a chance.
Hello there! No worries, we love long rants here 😀
I haven’t seen the Korean version yet so I won’t be able to say much about Hae Soo. Although according to your analysis and some other reviews, it seems like she and Ruoxi’s characters are taken on different routes in terms of their development. For Ruoxi, it’s about her inner struggle and her modern values; for Hae Soo, it seems to be more about the external hardship.
Yes, in the Chinese Scarlet Heart, it’s impossible for the lead couple to stay together due to their personality and yearning from afar is the tragic solution we all knew it would come to while watching.
And it looks like the prince and Hae Soo could have been together if there weren’t any external problems in the end?
I’m glad to also hear your opinions on Moon Lovers! It makes sense why they did more changes in the new version.
Yeah , the changes do make a lot of sense plot wise if you look at it objectively. The problem is it was executed poorly and was fast paced and recklessly edited. The reason I know so much is because I did my own research,to write my own analysis on the drama because I was pissed at the people being very hateful towards the female lead,while she clearly had her fair share of struggles. People still say stuff it’s her own standards that ruined the male lead and politics like they blame Ruoxi.
Like people hate on them both for having their own mind and caring about their own Well being and sanity smh😒😡. They want her to idolise the male lead the way the idolise them.
I think for Hae Soo it’s certainly a mix of external and inner struggle but mostly the external hardships she faces are a lot. You could argue she is too busy on focusing for surviving that she doesn’t have time to contemplate like Ruoxi,but she clearly believes in equality, freedom and independence etc..At the beginning she is shown deep in thought , contemplating ways of the era before she becomes a palace servant.
But yes, Ruoxi wouldn’t have a different story if she had weak historical knowledge and Hae Soo would have had different experience if she was more historically aware. But both bring out different sides of our heroines.
I would say it was quite the opportunist move in Kdrama,picking the one of the few monogamous kings in Korean history as our lead, who by account had a terrible relationship with his only queen.
He was also liberal and unorthodox for his times, which makes the drama interpret it romantically.
All the other characters in the drama are a mix of their Chinese counterparts and their historical counterparts. Which is understandable, given it’s an adaptation of the Chinese drama but set in Goryeo , using actual historical figures as characters.
There are a lot of villains in the drama,but that can be attributed to the fact that Goryeo was a newly founded nation with power hungry clans seeking to control the throne.
All the villains were ambitious but they were complex and had their own motives and arc.
Eighth prince was the villain here, who competed with the fourth for the game of thrones after being pushed by his power hungry sister, but he loses out given his need to appear a hero and by seeking to seize the throne by more “honourable” methods, while clearly doing dirty work behind curtains.
His sister betrays him and becomes Queen ,but she faces the consequences of the power she craved by coming up empty and lonely,even though she got the man and power she wanted. I would’ve rooted for her, but she was to vain, narcissistic and greedy and she plays the victim and blames the protagonist for her problems. She was ambitious, cunning and gorgeous but it’s hard to root for her given how corrupt she is.
The kdrama uses eighth prince’s loss and his sister’s betrayal to basically hint at the motive for next chapter of history,because his son becomes king and his daughters give birth to kings, as per history.
The third and first prince also fall and act as per history and they have their human moments.
The drama did romanticise the fourth prince a lot by making him smart , skilled fighter who would do anything for the woman he loves since he’s led a lonely life and was abused as a political hostage.
I think It’s interesting because he clearly pursues her relentlessly and drinks poison, goes against the king for her etc.. but his love is not free from conditions when they get together because he gets mad when she doesn’t agree with his actions, doesn’t listen to her when needed and gets highly jealous and paranoid and refuses to listen to anyone but himself. And that leads to the end of their relationship in a similar , painful way.
Proving even what seems to be the most epic form of love has its conditions. Which is stark in contrast to Yinzhen, who puts ambition before anything else.
I do think they would’ve been happier any other place than Goryeo, given how epic and deep it is and how much they are both willing to compromise for it.
But it had to end, because Hae Soo finally realises her place in the palace on how politically she is his only weakness and she has to protect herself and her child.
But given how romanticised he is fans defend every inch of his actions and hate on her because “how could she hurt him”.
But he isn’t free from flaws and is shown to be quite dangerous,scheming and ruthless,especially when it comes to killings. Fans defend that too , for some reason. I guess it’s a similar quality to Yinzhen.
I think the writer saw how the fourth prince was hated and decided to romanticise him lol.
Personally, I don’t think Hae Soo is suited for palace life since is too kind and free spirited. Even if he hadn’t married her enemy, the palace life comes at the cost of her ideals which she can’t compromise, since she clearly values human life a lot.
Basically, I see them working out great ,but not in Goryeo but anywhere else . In a more private and free setting where they don’t have to kill to survive.
Ruoxi and Yinzhen will be angsty wherever they’re at and the core of the conflict in Cdrama is their troubled romance, which I also like.
Both romances explore different themes in romance but end in a realistic approach.
Anyway,thanks for coming to my ted talk lol.