Bloody Heart is a fictional period drama and has been dubbed as the “Romeo & Juliet” of the Joseon empire. The power struggles within the four walls of the palace gets intense as the different clans fight for dominance in the dynasty. From as early as the first episode, the drama gets the waterworks going with romantic and breathtaking settings of the natural landscape that is pleasing to the eyes.
Credits: Disney+
The drama begins with Lee Tae (Lee Joon), the eldest legitimate son of King Sunjong (Ahn Nae Sang) who became king after the rebellion, ascending to the throne of Joseon. Lee Tae’s father deposed the king with the help of Park Gye Won (Jang Hyuk) of the dynasty.
Credits: Disney+
After succeeding his father, Lee Tae, the new king, will do anything just to achieve his goal. His wish is to rule as an absolute monarch but First Vice-Premier Park Gye Won, who is more influential than the king, opposed to that idea.
Credits: Disney+
As you venture into the next few episodes of Bloody Heart, you might be surprised at the power shift that occurs on palace grounds. The Queen Dowager partnered with Park Gye Won to introduce the wife of King Lee Tae after the passing of his first arranged wife who was sick. The hidden agenda slowly comes to light as Park Gye Won tried to get his niece to be the crowned queen to stabilise power within the palace. As King, Lee Tae had plans of his own as he communicated in code to his trusted subjects while Park Gye Won kept tabs on his movements as Lee Tae tried to break away from being psychologically controlled.
Pay attention to the symbolism wedged in between terrific cinematography and beautiful natural sets such as the bamboo forest and the sakura trees, and be immersed in the romantic chemistry between Lee Tae who distanced himself from Yoo Jung (Kang Han Na), the daughter of an influential man, for political reasons.
The Fifth Parlour 