Moon Lovers
Will SBS premiere Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo season 2 in August 2017?Twitter/Scarlet Heart: Ryeo

"Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo", a South Korean period drama airing on SBS, has received mixed reviews from the viewers and critics after its premiere episode.

The show, which is based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin, was appreciated by the reviewers for its story treatment and cinematography. According to the popular Korean online portal, Naver, the show provides the feel of a movie to its audience.

"Moon Lovers," 120 minutes of crazy perfection, this is more like a movie than a drama, read a review.

However, "The King and the Clown" fame Lee Joon-gi a.k.a. Lee Jun-ki is the only cast member who managed to impress the viewers with his acting skills. "Lee Jun-Ki was the only one putting in work," a viewer wrote on OSEN.

While a social media user commented on News 1 about several "acting holes" in the drama, another netizen wrote, "There was nothing but crappy acting." 

Most of the criticisms by the viewers of "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" were aimed at EXO Member, Baekhyun (portrays 10th Prince Wang Eun) and "Good Day" Singer Lee Ji-eun a.k.a IU (plays female lead 4th Prince Wang So).

Here are a few viewers' comments (via Netizen Buzz):

All bad at acting aside from Lee Jun Ki and Kang Ha Neul. I don't know what Baekhyun's doing and this is the worst I've seen IU. She doesn't match a historical drama at all, especially not her voice.

The original Chinese version's female lead was so pretty. But in the Korean remake, not only is her visual an issue but she seems to think acting is just opening your eyes up super wide while reading out of a textbook.

Why is Baekhyun acting? SM's seriously sticking in their idols where they don't belong. This is the second most shocking performance since Onew.

"Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" revolves around the fantasy world of a Korean woman named Ko Ha Jin, who gets transported into the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea. The next of the period drama will be telecast on SBS on Monday, Sept 5.