[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Lovers of the Red Sky" Episode 4

I've mostly given up on trying to follow how "Lovers of the Red Sky" treats its supernatural plotting. Part of the confusion stems from how it's unclear how much any individual character knows about the divine drama relating to the Demon King. Ram himself doesn't seem to understand that the Demon King is the source of his blindness. It's hard to tell because his romantic flashback vision of Chun-gi doesn't appear to make the connection that she recovered her sight at the same time he lost his.

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The even more unambiguously ignorant Chun-gi gets engaged in a considerably more interesting subplot involving an artistic contest she provoked by accidentally flirting with Prince Yangmyeong (played by Gong Myung). I can't make much sense of all the vaguely villainous characters skulking about in the shadows. The appearance of another character later on with mystical powers, an urgent desire for certain paintings, and a sinister wardrobe likewise just makes me go, uh, who is this and why is he important?

But the love triangle between Chun-gi, Ram, and Prince Yangmyeong is just plain aodrable. Ram is tight-lipped, always wearing an intense poker face despite being blind. Prince Yangmyeong is, by contrast, an enthusiastic rival who's enthralled by the fact that Chun-gi openly gives him backtalk. That Chun-gi expresses such confident doubt that Prince Yangmyeong is who he says he is likewise is quite amusing. Why would Chun-gi have any idea what a prince looks like?

The performance of Kim You-jung is what sells all this. She looks great in every last one of her period costumes. Director Chang Tae-you also has an excellent eye for setting the mood, with Chun-gi's encounter at the gazebo with Ram providing some excellent individual shots. Even more important than these cinematographic factors is how Kim You-jung has a wonderful voice. It's easy to visualize Ram being beguiled by Chun-gi despite having no idea what she looks like.

I really wish that "Lovers of the Red Sky" was just about the gossipy life at the artist colony, with perhaps a focus on the Joseon-era art world. If nothing else such a premise would better justify the continued presence of the illegal art dealers, who just aren't credible villains when literal gods are running around syncing up their plans with royal conspiracies. I don't especially care whether or not the gods destroy the universe, but I'm extremely curious what's going to happen at Prince Yangmyeong's art show.

Review by William Schwartz

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"Lovers of the Red Sky" is directed by Chang Tae-you, written by Ha Eun, and features Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim You-jung, Gong Myung, Kwak Si-yang, Kim Kwang-kyu, Choi Kwang-il. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2021/08/30~Now airing, Mon, Tue 22:00 on SBS.