Combining art with a historical fantasy romance narrative, Lovers of the Red Sky draws anticipation on its fateful romance from childhood.
Having a touch of fantasy on its historical narrative, Lovers of the Red Sky brings in a fresh historical fantasy romance drama with rich visual elements. Paintings from the past as well as the supernatural elements enrich the story of Ha Ram and Hong Cheon Gi. Their relationship from their childhood accentuates their destined romantic story as adults.
Opening Week Rating:
Marcie Line watched Lovers of the Red Sky on Viu
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 & 16 | Series Review |
Lovers of the Red Sky Opening Week Story
“As I listen to the sounds, images arise in my mind. And when that happens, I feel good. I see the world through sounds.”
Ha Ram accompanies Hong Cheon Gi to the Baekyu Painters Society as their fathers talk about the sealing ceremony nine years ago and the incoming rain-making ritual. Hong Cheon Gi and Ha Ram are born on the same day as the demon is sealed in the former king’s painting portrait. Cheon Gi is blind, and she relies on the sounds that she hears to function in her daily life. Despite being shunned for her disability, she remains bright and pursues her love for painting.
After visiting the painters’ society, Ha Ram and Cheon Gi pluck some fruits from the peach orchard. They run and escape as the owner wakes up. Recovering from their run, Ha Ram comforts Cheon Gi by telling her that all the bad things in her life are not her fault. They go back together, and Cheon Gi reaches out to feel Ha Ram’s face.
“The heavens’ will not change whatever we humans do.”
Mi Soo, the royal shaman, convinces the necessity of a human sacrifice for the rain-making ritual. She is convinced that the demon’s curse of drought and famine will continue and only sacrificing a human that possesses the element of water can produce rain.
The king along with his subjects disagree with the idea of offering a human for rain. They all object, and assert that the ritual shall proceed without any human sacrifice.
However, the shaman is unfazed and proceeds with her plans of using the human sacrifice, Ha Ram. With that, Ha Ram becomes blind while Cheon Gi gains vision.
“I’d like you to tell me that painting without heart is of no use.”
After 19 years, Cheon Gi becomes the only female painter, and she decides to quit imitating original copies of paintings as she receives her last payment. With her saved money, she buys her father’s medicine.
Unknown to her, the pharmacists she is dealing with are frauds, and the cure for her father’s madness is false. She excitedly brings the medicine to her father, but there are no visible signs of healing.
Visiting the pharmacy where she bought the medicine, she overhears that everything was false and it was all planned by her past employer, Jung. Realizing that she was conned, Cheon Gi sets Jung to be arrested, and she succeeds.
However, Jung gets out of prison quickly, and he chases Cheon Gi. Escaping from Jung, Cheon Gi enters Ilwolseong’s litter. The two unknowingly reunite as Ha Ram now goes by the name “Ilwolseong”, and a strong force begins to disturb their peace.
Lovers of the Red Sky Opening Week Musings
With an eventful first episode, the fluffy interaction between the young characters in Lovers of the Red Sky sets the tone of the romantic relationship of Cheon Gi and Ha Ram as adults. They get reunited in the second episode as adults, but they do not recognize each other. Their interaction is light, but at the same time hints a heart-fluttering romance. Even with his eyes closed, Ahn Hyo Seop’s visuals can really be swoon-worthy for viewers.
The CGI for the supernatural elements fits the vibe of the series. Looking at the happenings on the butterfly mark on Ha Ram’s nape, the adverse effects of Cheon Gi’s presence near Ha Ram can be anticipated in the next episodes.
As the series is written by Jung Eun Gwol, who also penned The Moon Embracing the Sun, an eventful story of two fated lovers from childhood can be expected. Kim Yoo Jung used to be the young actress for protagonists in historical dramas like The Moon Embracing the Sun, and now she has fully bloomed as the main female protagonist. Her performance as Cheon Gi builds romantic chemistry with Ahn Hyo Seop who portrays Ha Ram.
Gong Myung and Kwak Si Yang’s performance also sets expectations on their characters for the next episodes. Their characters as Lee Yul and Lee Hoo respectively have contrasting characteristics and attitudes. Truly, the historical political struggles are included in this series as what it has planned from the beginning.
Moreover, we get a glimpse of the stories of paintings also. The meanings of paintings that seem ordinary and mundane are brought to light as seen in the first episode.
For the incoming episodes, I look forward to the series’ consistent inclusion of art alongside the historical fantasy romance narrative. As the series has a character who is blind, I expect that the details on their portrayal shall be faultless. Anyhow, the buildup of the romantic narrative and the fate of the characters is already captivating, setting expectations for the story that is yet to unfold.
Watch the latest episodes of Lovers of the Red Sky exclusively on Viu.
Photos: SBS
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