MBC, which once enjoyed a reputation as the "Drama Kingdom," has been in a deep slump for the past few years regarding its Friday-Saturday drama slot. The works it ambitiously released, one after another, achieved results far below expectations in both viewership and buzz, seemingly fading from public interest. During this period of desperation to reclaim its past glory, the new drama <The Moon Flows in This River> (이강에는 달이 흐른다) has become like welcome rain in a drought. The positive reactions and encouraging ratings right from the first broadcast have raised expectations for a splendid revival of MBC drama.
<The Moon Flows in This River> announced its pleasant start with an impressive 1st-episode viewership rating of 3.8% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide). This figure is significant not just as a starting point, but because it is the highest premiere rating among all MBC Friday-Saturday dramas in recent years. It has signaled the arrival of a strong relief pitcher, breaking the streak of its predecessors' failures all at once. It's not just the ratings; the explosive reactions on various online communities and social media immediately after the broadcast prove that it has perfectly succeeded in attracting an initial audience.
In fact, before the drama aired, many viewers expected this work to be a typical romantic-comedy historical drama (roco sageuk). Kim Se-jeong, the female lead, has been a "rom-com fairy" who has led several hits with her unique bright and lovely energy. Kang Tae-oh, making his grand return after military service, is also an actor who has shown unrivaled strength in the romance genre. The meeting of these two proven "rom-com masters" naturally raised expectations for a sweet and delightful palace romance.
The released trailers and the beginning of the drama seemed to meet these expectations. In particular, Park Dal, played by Kim Se-jeong, led the cheerful atmosphere. As a lively merchant (bubosang) roaming the market in men's clothing, she provided big laughs to the viewers with her straightforward speech, brave demeanor, and sly comedic acting. Kim Se-jeong, as if a fish in water, perfectly melted into the character, infusing vitality into the drama and satisfying those who expected a lighthearted historical piece.
However, <The Moon Flows in This River> pleasantly betrayed viewers' expectations and did not stop at simple comedy. The drama, which had been full of laughter, rapidly changed its tone as it passed the midpoint. Behind the cheerful meeting of Park Dal and Yi Kang, a deeply sorrowful and poignant emotional line began to surface, as if tears could fall at any moment. The two lead actors delicately captured the changing texture of emotions, strongly stimulating the sensibilities of viewers who thought it was just a simple rom-com.
This drama's genre is a "fantasy historical drama" intertwined with secrets and mystery. Crown Prince Yi Kang, played by Kang Tae-oh, is the successor to the throne in name only, a puppet with no real power. All state affairs are in the hands of the Left State Councilor, Kim Han-cheol, played by Jin Goo, who wields immense power and controls the royal family. Yi Kang is a character trapped in deep despair and anger, having even lost his beloved Crown Princess to a mysterious suicide.
Meanwhile, Park Dal, played by Kim Se-jeong, lives energetically as a resourceful merchant. She is a resilient character who will do anything to earn money, but she holds a critical secret: she has lost all her memories from a few years ago. She also lives with a strict prohibition: "If you go to Hanyang (Seoul), you will be caught by slave hunters (chuno)." The shocking reason for this mysterious setup is revealed in the second episode, pulling viewers into the vortex of a grand narrative.
The recent trend in historical dramas is to use fictional nations or actively incorporate fantasy elements to avoid historical distortion controversies. <The Moon Flows in This River> also follows this trend. Park Dal's true identity is none other than the Crown Princess who had died years ago. She met a mysterious death but was resurrected by an unknown, mystical power, and in return, she lost all her memories and began living a new life.
The people who care for the amnesiac Dal like family are played by Park Ah-in (as Park Hong-nan), Im Ki-hong (as Dal's father), and Park Bo-kyung (as Dal's mother). They are dedicated to protecting Dal and form the warm-hearted core of the drama. It is especially welcome to see actress Park Ah-in, who has often played impressive villains, take on a good-hearted role this time. While the drama provides laughter in the beginning with the comedic "woman disguised as a man" setup, as the story progresses, the focus will shift to its heavy narrative, sorrowful melodrama, and the mystery of uncovering hidden truths.
Given its current momentum, <The Moon Flows in This River> is expected to be the most outstanding MBC Friday-Saturday drama of the year. It is not just a simple comic sageuk but offers the complex fun of multiple genres, including fantasy, melodrama, mystery, and political intrigue. Furthermore, with the powerful element of a "soul change" between Crown Prince Yi Kang and Park Dal also teased for the future, this 14-episode drama is expected to remain a well-made series that will provide unforgettable enjoyment to viewers until the end of the year.
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