Lovers of the Red Sky

Lovers of the Red Sky

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	August 30, 2021 (2021-08-30)
Founder	Jang Tae-yoo (director), Ha Eun (writer)
Headquarters	South Korea
Products	Television drama
Parent	SBS TV, StudioS, Studio Taeyou

Lovers of the Red Sky () is a 2021 South Korean drama series featuring Kim Yoo-jung, Ahn Hyo-seop, Gong Myung, and Kwak Si-yang in leading roles. Helmed by director Jang Tae-yoo and penned by writer Ha Eun, this production is an adaptation of the novel authored by Jung Eun-gwol. The narrative is a historical fantasy romance focusing on the sole female artist in the fictional Dan dynasty, a figure briefly mentioned in historical accounts.

The show debuted on SBS TV on August 30, 2021, with episodes broadcast on Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 KST, spanning 16 installments. Created by StudioS (SBS) alongside Studio Taeyou, it utilizes a single-camera format and features a musical score directed by Jeon Chang-yeop. Executive production credits include Cho Seung-hoon and Hong Sung-chang.

Synopsis

Set within the Dan dynasty period, the plot revolves around the intertwined destinies of a female painter (Kim Yoo-jung) and a blind astrologer (Ahn Hyo-seop). The story opens during King Seongjo’s third year with a sealing ritual aimed at imprisoning Ma Wang (the Demon King, deity of Death), who inhabits the body of former King Yeongjong. This malevolent entity is confined within the King’s portrait, crafted by a divine artist. Although the ritual succeeds with assistance from Samshin (goddesses of Life), Ma Wang curses the land with drought and famine, also placing a curse on the children of Ha Seong-jin (the officer leading the ceremony) and Hong Eun-ho (the painter). Their offspring, Ha Ram and Hong Cheon-gi, are born on that day; Cheon-gi enters the world blind as a result of the curse.

Nine years later, during an intense drought, Ha Ram—imbued with water energy—is selected by the royal shaman to partake in the Dragon Rain Making Ritual. At the capital, he encounters Hong Cheon-gi, who remains blind and whose father has descended into madness following the ceremony. The two form a close bond and vow to meet again after completing the ritual. However, when the ritual unfolds, the King’s portrait catches fire, releasing Ma Wang into Ha Ram’s body. Ha Ram loses his eyesight but survives, while Cheon-gi unexpectedly regains her vision after Samshin transfers the Demon King’s eyes to her.

Fast forward nineteen years, Hong Cheon-gi has become an accomplished painter within Baek-yoo Painting Group and stands as the era’s only female artist. She replicates priceless artworks to finance her father’s medical treatment. Meanwhile, Ha Ram works as an astrologer at Seomungwan, interpreting celestial movements to predict futures. Secretly, he leads a double existence as Ilwolseong—the leader of Wolseongdang intelligence—seeking vengeance against the royal family responsible for his tragic past.

When they cross paths again, Ha Ram and Hong Cheon-gi develop romantic feelings but find themselves entangled in palace intrigues involving two princes: Prince Yangmyeong (Gong Myung), who is free-spirited yet solitary, and Prince Juhyang (Kwak Si-yang), whose ruthless ambition drives him to seek the throne. Their relationship becomes further complicated by Ha Ram’s possession by Ma Wang and Cheon-gi’s divine duty as a painter destined to seal him once more.

Main

• Kim Yoo-jung as Hong Cheon-gi
  • Lee Nam-kyung portrays young Hong Cheon-gi

A prodigious artist endowed with divine abilities; born blind due to Ma Wang’s curse but later granted sight through Samshin’s intervention. She sustains her mentally unstable father by reproducing valuable paintings to cover his medical expenses.

• Ahn Hyo-seop as Ha Ram (Ilwolseong)
  • Choi Seung-hoon plays young Ha Ram

A red-eyed individual blinded during a childhood rain-making ritual gone awry. Preserved by Ma Wang’s power, he becomes an astrologer while secretly plotting retribution against those in power who caused his suffering.

• Gong Myung as Grand Prince Yangmyeong (Yi Yul)
  • Kim Jung-cheol appears as young Grand Prince Yangmyeong

The third son of King Seongjo; an accomplished painter, calligrapher, and poet known for his carefree yet isolated disposition.

• Kwak Si-yang as Grand Prince Juhyang (Yi Hu)
  • Park Sang-hoon portrays young Grand Prince Juhyang

The second son of King Seongjo whose relentless ambition to ascend the throne leads him to accept possession by Ma Wang for greater power.

Individuals Surrounding Hong Cheon-gi

• as Hong Eun-ho

Father of Hong Cheon-gi, formerly an artist at the Royal Painting Bureau, who fell unconscious during a significant incident nineteen years prior.

• Kim Kwang-kyu as Choi Won-ho

Leader of Beak-yoo Painting Society, serving as a protective mentor to Hong Cheon-gi.

• Yoon Sa-bong as Kyun-ju

Responsible for managing household affairs at Baek-yoo Painting Group, treating Hong Cheon-gi with familial care.

• Hong Kyung as Choi Jung

Esteemed portrait artist at Gohwawon, noted for exceptional skill.

• Hong Jin-ki as Cha Young-wook

Close companion and fellow artist alongside Cheon-gi within Baek-yoo Painting Group.

Individuals Associated with Ha Ram

• Kim Hyun-mok as Mansoo: Servant to Ha Ram
• Song Won-seok as Moo-yeong: Loyal martial arts guard assigned to Ha Ram, indebted due to past favors
• as Mae-hyang: A gisaeng serving Ilwolseong of Wolseongdang

Allies of Prince Yangmyeong

• Jo Sung-ha as King Seongjo: The fourth monarch of the Dan Dynasty
• Ko Kyu-pil as Go Pil: Servant attending Prince Yangmyeong
• Jang Hyun-sung as Han Geon: Master landscape painter and expert affiliated with Gohwawon
• Kim Joo-young as Lee Hyun-mo: Government official supporting Prince Yangmyeong

Allies of Prince Juhyang

• as Mi-su: Once chief royal shaman and fourth head priestess of Seongjucheong, now exiled and aligned with Prince Juhyang.
• as Ahn Young-hoe: Advisor to Prince Juhyang.
• as Escort warrior protecting Prince Juhyang.

Divine Entities

• Moon Sook as Samshin: Life goddess safeguarding Ha Ram and Hong Cheon-gi.
• Jo Ye-rin as Ho Ryeong: Tiger Spirit guardian of Inwangsan, protector of the King's Palace.
• as Gan Yun-guk/Hwacha: Former Gohwawon specialist possessed by Hwacha, a goblin sustained through painting energy.

Additional Characters

• Kim Geum-soon as Wol-seon: Present chief royal shaman and fifth head priestess of Seongjucheong
• Jang Won-hyung as Shim Dae-yu: Enigmatic painter recognized for his constant bamboo hat
• Kwak Hyeon-jun as Kang Hee-yeon: Artist hailing from a prosperous noble family

Special Appearances

• Han Sang-jin as Ha Seong-jin, Ha Ram's father and previous chief officer of the Martial forces
• as King Yeongjong, third sovereign of Dan Dynasty
• as Ma Wang: The Demon King (voice role)
• Choi Jong-won as Ha Dam (Episodes 11–12, 14–15): Mysterious detainee ultimately revealed to be Ha Ram’s grandfather

Production

• Park Yong-soon, known for directing Secret Mother, was originally slated to direct this series.
• The initial script reading with the cast took place in November 2020. On July 8, 2021, production unveiled photos showcasing the strong rapport among the cast.

Viewership

Average Television Ratings

Ep.	Air Date	Episode Title	Average Viewer Share
			Nielsen Korea		TNmS
			Nationwide	Seoul Capital Area	Nationwide
August 30, 2021 | The Red Sky (붉은 하늘) | 6.6% (10th) | 6.4% (8th) | 6.8% (10th)
August 31, 2021 | The Divine Artist (신령한 화공) | 8.8% (5th) | 8.5% (5th) | 7.2% (9th)
September 6, 2021 | The Demon (마왕 魔王) | 8.0% (7th) | 7.4% (6th) | 7.4% (7th)
September 7, 2021 | The Red Thread of Fate (운명의 붉은 실) | 9.6% (4th) | 9.1% (4th) | 8.4% (6th)
September 13, 2021 | Maejukheon Painting Contest, Part 1 (매죽헌 화회 上) | 9.7% (5th) | 9.5% (4th) | 7.8% (7th)
September 14, 2021 | Maejukheon Painting Contest, Part 2 (매죽헌 화회 下) | 10.2% (5th) | 10.3% (4th) | 8.6% (5th)
September 27, 2021 | Reunion (재회) | 9.3% (5th) | 8.9% (4th) | 7.9% (8th)
September 28, 2021 | The Burned King's Portrait (불에 탄 왕의 초상) | 8.9% (5th) | 8.7% (4th) | 7.7% (6th)
October 4, 2021 | Physiognomy of The Immortal (불멸의 관상) | 9.6% (4th) | 9.3% (4th) | 7.4% (7th)
October 5, 2021 | The Painter of The King's Portrait (어용화사) | 8.5% (5th) | 8.2% (4th) | 7.7% (6th)
October 11, 2021 | The Ring of Fate (운명의 가락지) | 8.8% (6th) | 8.4% (5th) | 7.1% (9th)
October 12, 2021 | Fight To The Death (수사전 殊死戰) | 8.8% (5th) | 8.4% (4th) | 7.6% (7th)
October18,2021  |'The Sealing Ceremony' (Template:Lang ko 봉인식 封印式)| 8.9%(5th)| 8.9%(4th)| 8.2%(6th)
'From the Jaws of Death' (Template:Lang ko 절처봉생 絶處逢生)  |'9.3%(5th)|'9.0%(4th)|'7.9%(7th)

International Broadcast

The series was made available as a Viu Original on Viu across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, launching concurrently with its Korean television debut.

In Japan, the drama began airing on starting February 19, 2022.

Taiwanese viewers could watch the show on GTV starting April 11, 2022.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Outcome
2021	SBS Drama Awards	Best Couple Award	Ahn Hyo-seop & Kim Yoo-jung	Template:Won
		Scene Stealer Award	Jo Ye-rin	Template:Nom
		Best Supporting Actor	Jo Sung-ha	Template:Nom
		Best Supporting Actress	Moon Sook	Template:Nom
		Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Drama	Ahn Hyo-seop	Template:Won
			Gong Myung	Template:Nom
		Best Character Award, Actor	Kwak Si-yang	Template:Won
		Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Drama	Kim Yoo-jung	Template:Won
2022	55th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival	Gold Remi Award – Drama	Lovers of the Red Sky	Template:Won

External links

• Lovers of the Red Sky at Daum
• Lovers of the Red Sky at Naver