MBC Sageuk Romance K-drama Moon River with Kang Tae Oh and Kim Se Jung Perfectly Delivers in Every Way with Just 4-Episodes Aired
So my early verdict is that MBC drama Moon River (The Moon Flows Over the River) has just arrived like a knight in shining armor to save a lackluster 2025 year in K-drama land. This drama is amazing and like the best K-drama crack, with all the elements set up perfectly and executed beautifully. It’s best described as if The Moon Embraces the Sun and Secret Garden got married and had a updated sageuk baby. Just 4-episodes in and it’s on track to be my favorite K-drama of this year if it all holds up, and best yet the biggest conceit of the drama in the soul-swapping of the two leads hasn’t even happened yet! It’s just that good. Moon River tells the story of Kang Tae Oh‘s crown prince who loses his beloved crown princess wifey to evil Jin Goo‘s plotting only to find her doppleganger in Kim Se Jung‘s peddler commoner. Except she’s the real crown princess just with her memory wiped so the two lovebirds find their way back to each other drawn like moths to a flame (and thanks to a regenerating red string of fate). The second leads played by Lee Shin Young as another prince and Hong Su Zu as Jin Goo’s just as crazy daughter even have their own star-crossed loved story that’s compelling in its own way. Of the leads, Kang Tae Oh is the strongest so far but it’s also due to him having the strongest emotional scenes what with losing beloved wifey but Kim Se Jung is hitting ever mark and I expect way more from her once her character progresses. Next week the two will swap souls and at least it’s an onscreen husband and wife pairing even if they don’t yet know it. The ratings aren’t high but who cares, this drama has everything so far one wants from a good story – gorgeous leads, electric chemistry, beautiful cinematography, smart writing, and interesting side characters.
Swapping souls? Oh no way! I’d never been the one for this bizarre concept but now I just don’t care cuz how much I’ve been enjoying the storytelling so far LOL. I’ve been following this fun drama every week and looked forward to new episodes each time at the end.
I’m glad the drama finally got a mention on this site, and Koala likes it too. I agree everything from Koala’s initial review. I already knew KSJ was capable of being funny and serious in the same plot. But the ML surprised me. So far, I’m most impressed by KTO among all although the other cast are also good. He did a solid job but not shining in Extraordinary Attorney Woo as a decent support for the wonderful FL. Here in the new drama, it’s his show mostly, and his presentation is so colorful that I have to add him to my list of those who own his crafts. I was also thrilled to find out Jin Goo was the #1 antagonist in the show. JG is perhaps the hottest antagonist ever in the Sageuk history LOL. JG ages gracefully, at least visually LOL. He looks too young for the father of the 2nd FL. On top of all the major cast, my fav character is perhaps Crown Prince’s eunuch. His quips about his master LOL cracked me up so hard.
Moon River have vibes of old-school Sageuk fantasy. Some classic tropes still work. I believe many Kdrama fans have been missing this type of story telling for a while. Many OTT-produced dramas recently have fallen short of beloved concepts and filming focuses that used to attract legacy Kdrama fans. But I’m seeing efforts on the end of K-ent to come back with these classic selling points in some recent productions. Moon River is one example. Typhoon Family is another wonderful example. I love both these dramas.
Loving this drama so far. The setup seems like it could be stale and undercooked and there are some parts that are a bit undercooked, but the execution with Kang Tae-oh and Kim Se-jung leading the way makes it magic. I wouldn’t say 2025 has been a lackluster year, but it’s always a treat to end the year with a rom-com that just feels wonderfully romantic. And I hope it can keep up the magic through to the end.
How is Jin Goo a dad to a grown woman like Hong Suzu?! Meanwhile, Lim Jiyeon and Lee Jungjae with a bigger age gap are playing a couple ☠️ I do really like Kim Sejung and Kang Taeoh, so I will check this out when there are more episodes. I dont like to live watch because I’m impatient 🥲
The main leads are doing a good job. This one has mixed reviews so far. A lot feel the female lead is too modern and a lot feel tired of the soul swap. But I find it fairly good in storytelling so far. I feel the soul swap will be interesting so the Prince can get a good reality check on how stupid he has been living his life thus far. But there are two baddies in the story and it will be interesting to see how it all pans out. Also visually and soundtracks are so beautiful.
Oooh how fun. I’ll have to watch this one. I’ve been skipping most kdramas these days but this sounds like such a good time.
Kang Tae Oh really showed his range as an actor with this drama. I fully concur that he’s the powerhouse in the drama so far. Rest are doing a good job and the chemistry is serving. Really unfortunate they are up against really strong dramas with early traction already in before their broadcast and now Taxi Driver 3 just replaced Will You Marry Me making the fight for ratings even tougher. Its onscreen everywhere though, in airports, in shiktangs. Hope that brings in more viewers.
Not sure what you mean when you say the ratings aren’t very high. IMDB gives it a solid 8.0. Admittedly with only 104 people rating 4 episodes but it looks good so far.