IU and Lee Joon-gi's 'Moon Lovers' Gains Renewed Attention on Chinese Weibo

The 2016 SBS drama 'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo', starring Lee Joon-gi and IU, is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity on Chinese Weibo, with specific iconic scenes drawing renewed attention. Although the drama's domestic viewership was modest at the time of its broadcast, it garnered immense international success, including over 300 million views in China. The scene has even topped Weibo's real-time search rankings under the trending topic 'Best Male Lead Replacement Scene in Korean Drama History'.

'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo' is a fantasy historical drama where modern woman Go Ha-jin time-travels to the Goryeo Dynasty, becoming Hae-soo and becoming entangled with the sons of King Taejo. While the initial episodes focus on romance with the princes, the narrative shifts to intense palace power struggles and tragic melodrama. The emotional journey of Wang So, played by Lee Joon-gi, who hides a scar behind a mask, and Hae-soo, portrayed by IU, who is unafraid of him, forms the core of the story. The full series is available for streaming on Watcha.

Bloggers noted that they initially watched the drama due to their admiration for IU and Lee Joon-gi, but became deeply invested in the evolving relationship between Wang So and Hae-soo. The scene where Wang Wook hesitates while Wang So walks into the rain to be with Hae-soo during her most desperate moment left a powerful impression, highlighting who acts decisively in critical situations. This rediscovery of such memorable scenes continues to resonate deeply with Chinese audiences.