Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Legend of the Blue Sea, which became a stunning visual feast that perfectly blends fantasy elements with star-crossed romance, creating one of K-drama’s most ambitious love stories.
Legend of the Blue Sea aired from November 16, 2016, to January 25, 2017, with 20 episodes running approximately 60 minutes each, broadcasting on SBS every Wednesday and Thursday. Available on Netflix globally, this fantasy romance drama was inspired by Korea’s first collection of supernatural tales from the Joseon Dynasty. The series follows Shim Cheong, a mermaid from the Joseon era who follows her true love to modern-day Seoul, where she encounters Heo Joon-jae, a skilled con artist who may be the reincarnation of her past love.
What makes this drama extraordinary is its dual timeline narrative that seamlessly weaves together past and present love stories. The series doesn’t just tell one romance but explores how true love transcends time, death, and even species. It’s a visual masterpiece that combines stunning cinematography with high production values and fantasy elements that feel both magical and emotionally grounded.
Shim Cheong: The Mermaid Learning to Be Human
Shim Cheong (Jun Ji-hyun) is a mermaid who sacrifices everything to follow her heart across centuries and dimensions. Her character journey from an innocent sea creature to someone navigating the complexities of human emotion and modern society showcases Jun Ji-hyun’s incredible range as an actress. Cheong’s evolution throughout Legend of the Blue Sea explores themes of identity, belonging, and what it truly means to be human.
Jun Ji-hyun’s dual performance as both the Joseon-era Se-hwa and modern-day Shim Cheong demonstrates her ability to portray the same soul across different lifetimes while maintaining distinct characteristics for each era. Her comedic timing in fish-out-of-water scenarios balances perfectly with the deeper emotional moments.
Heo Joon-jae: The Con Artist with a Heart
Heo Joon-jae (Lee Min-ho) starts as a sophisticated con artist whose carefully constructed walls begin crumbling when he encounters Shim Cheong. His character represents someone who has lost faith in genuine human connection until he meets someone whose love is completely pure and unconditional. Joon-jae’s transformation from selfish schemer to devoted protector forms the emotional core of the series.
Lee Min-ho’s chemistry with Jun Ji-hyun creates magical moments that feel both fantastical and deeply romantic. His portrayal of both the modern con artist and his Joseon-era counterpart Kim Dam-ryeong shows how souls recognize each other across lifetimes.
The Joseon Era Connection
The parallel storyline set in the Joseon Dynasty adds profound depth to Legend of the Blue Sea, showing how the tragic first love between Se-hwa and Kim Dam-ryeong echoes through time. These historical segments aren’t just flashbacks but essential pieces of the puzzle that explain the characters’ intense connection and the supernatural forces at play.
The way the series uses these dual timelines to explore themes of fate, sacrifice, and eternal love elevates it beyond typical fantasy romance into something more profound and mythic.
When Love Faces Impossible Odds
The series reaches its emotional climax when Shim Cheong must choose between her mermaid nature and her human love, while Joon-jae discovers the true depth of their connection across lifetimes. These final episodes showcase Legend of the Blue Sea at its most powerful, as the lovers face separation that seems insurmountable. The way the series handles the fantasy elements during these crucial moments proves that the best supernatural romances are grounded in genuine emotional truth.
The climactic sequences demonstrate that sometimes love requires the ultimate sacrifice, and the greatest strength comes from letting go of what you love most.
Success on Netflix
Legend of the Blue Sea achieved impressive ratings during its original broadcast, reaching a peak of 21.0% audience share, making it one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of 2016. The series became a massive international success on Netflix, introducing global audiences to high-budget Korean fantasy production. Legend of the Blue Sea sparked conversations about reincarnation, true love, and environmental themes, while showcasing Korea’s ability to create world-class fantasy content. The show’s success established both Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho as top-tier Hallyu stars and set new standards for production values in K-dramas.
A Fantasy Romance of Epic Proportions
If you love stories about eternal love, fantasy elements, and visually stunning cinematography, Legend of the Blue Sea is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. It’s a drama that proves love stories can be both fantastical and deeply human, creating an unforgettable viewing experience.
Why This Series Remains a Visual and Emotional Masterpiece
Throughout its 20 episodes, viewers witness how true love can transcend every obstacle, including time, death, and the fundamental differences between species. Legend of the Blue Sea proves that the most beautiful love stories aren’t bound by the limitations of reality but by the infinite possibilities of the heart.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 20 (Completed)
Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2016-2017
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Status: Completed series
Main Characters: Jun Ji-hyun (Shim Cheong/Se-hwa), Lee Min-ho (Heo Joon-jae/Kim Dam-ryeong), Lee Hee-joon (Jo Nam-doo)
Antagonist: Time, fate, and the fundamental differences between human and mermaid worlds