LEE JOON GI: The Hottest, Handsomest & Most Talented Global Actor, Action Star, Singer and Model: 4. The Masterpiece Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

4. THE MASTERPIECE

MOON LOVERS: SCARLET HEART RYEO

WANG SO

AND

HIS ELEGANT WARDROBE

4. THE MASTERPIECE

MOON LOVERS: SCARLET HEART RYEO

WANG SO

AND

HIS ELEGANT WARDROBE

No review of any drama is complete without touching on the wardrobe of the leading character. What strikes the audience of Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is that Wang So’s top-notch wardrobe, with its collection of elegant, beautiful and graceful clothes, captures the very essence of the Goryeon era. Wang So / Gwangjong’s clothes are Chinese-influenced. Wang So often wears the Hanfu, the historical clothing of the Han people. The Hanfu is a flowing robe with loose sleeves and a belt at the waist.

There is nothing fancy or ostentatious about Wang So or Emperor’s clothes; they are neither encrusted with precious stones nor embellished with ornaments. Some robes are embroidered with the dragon (Emperor Gwangjong) or the python (Prince Wang So) designs but the colour palette is limited. With the classy designs, Wang So seems to have a regal air about him. The question is, ‘Do clothes make the man?’ or ‘Does the man make the clothes?’

Well, though the well-designed robes have given Wang So a princely air, the audience of Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo are convinced that he has also breathed life into his elegant clothes. Undeniably, Wang So, with his regal air and bearing coupled with his masculine strides, has done justice to his fabulous robes.

Wang So’s clothing is a powerful tool with which to tell the story of his rise in the Goryeon palace.

At the beginning and the end of the drama, the Fourth Prince and Gwangjong’s robes are in dark colours, particularly black. This suggests darkness, sadness and seriousness in the character. But, Wang So is a figure of strength, authority and power. Hence, the dark colours. As time goes by, his clothes become brighter and there are more colours, particularly red hues, in his clothes. The message is Wang So has adopted a brighter and more positive outlook on life.

The Fourth Prince's clothes even have the four-claw python motif used by Chinese princes. When Wang So ascended the throne as Gwangjong, his emperor’s robes resemble the robes of Chinese emperors with the five-claw dragon motifs. The dragon and python motifs are the symbols of Chinese royalty.

Wang So’s black and grey robe and cloak with black and grey piping in Episode 1 are stunning. The question is, ‘Has Wang So breathed life into his clothes?’ or ‘Has Wang So’s robes given him a princely air?’ The answer is Wang So, with his regal air and masculine strides, has done justice to his fabulous robes.

If you are thinking of searching for Wang So’s drool-inducing clothing, look no further than Episode 2. One’s heart stops beating when staring at ‘The Prince’s New oops… No Clothes’.

The Fourth Prince looks gorgeous in his stunning shiny copper-olive grey robes when he fights the mute monks at the temple in Episode 3.

In Episode 8, the ivory or white robes with huge lapels that Wang So wears for the rain making ceremony is heavenly. The design on the lapels are Chinese. Wang So looks stunning. In fact, all the princes and the princess also look good in their white robes. The white clothing makes a huge statement about the religious ceremony.

Even the rain gods approve of Wang So; the audience know because the rain falls for him.

Wang So’s most striking robe is the black one with a huge and long three-piece cloak worn with a white cummerbund for the protest in the rain in Episode 11.

That look, which has taken prominence in Wang So’s tale, is so unforgettable. He looks particularly regal and impressive. Hae Soo wears white and Wang So wears black. It reminds one of Yin and Yang, the ancient symbol of harmony. Black and White. It means two halves come together to complete wholeness. If there is no Yin, there is no Yang. How would one interpret the colours? Black is a symbol of courage and protection. White represents softness and purity. Wang So shields Hae Soo, the soft-hearted maiden, from the driving rain with his cloak.

Another impressive robe is worn by Wang So in Episode 12. It is the robe that Fourth Prince wears upon his departure for Later Jin and on his return from his mission there. It is the most flamboyant piece in his wardrobe. The voluminous robe, which is in different shades of grey, has loose sleeves and an oversized drape-collar with gold piping. The huge Chinese-influenced design of the drape-collar and other creative touches add drama to the magnificent robe.

Among the various costumes that stand out, Wang So’s shiny blue and gold fighting armour in Episode 13 makes him so handsome and swoonworthy. The armour contrasts with his black robes. It makes the fight of the Fourth and the Eighth Princes most exciting.

Although Gwangjong's black coronation robe in Episode 17 stands out for its simplicity, the newly-minted monarch looks imposing in it.

In episode 18, Gwangjong looks handsome in his impressive black-olive-green-white robes which he wears for his romantic outing with Hae Soo.

If you are still searching for another drool-inducing robe, it is not difficult to find it. You can certainly find it from Episode 17 onwards. That exciting piece of clothing is 'The Emperor’s New Clothes’. Sorry to disappoint - it is visible. Emperor Gwangjong looks impressive and gorgeous in his dragon robe. It is a black robe with 2 golden dragon motifs, evidence of Chinese influence. The look is completed with a gold belt. You know that the motif is a dragon because it has five claws as opposed to the python’s four claws. The dragons eloquently express the relationship between clothing and power; the dragon is one of the most powerful symbols in Chinese culture.

One cannot avoid touching on the topic of his masks and crowns - important accessories that complete Wang So / Gwangjong’s look. The designs of the masks, which are unique, beautiful and creative, make him an even more romantic and mysterious character.

Gwangjong’s stunning gold crown would not have escaped your eyes if you have watched Episode 20. It is quite a unique crown – a dazzling gold Silla crown. It is definitely Korean and not influenced in anyway by the Chinese. The Silla crown, together with the celadon wares, the buk, a huge Korean drum and other Korean symbols, is a very strong statement that the Goryeo Dynasty had its very own special Korean characteristics.

If you are re-watching the drama, make sure you add ‘observing Wang So’s wardrobe’ to your bucket list of to-do things.

Many fans are still waiting for Lee Joon Gi’s next drama. In the meanwhile, they have to make do with his images. Be warned. Even a painting can make your heart palpitate in your chest.