MBC’s latest Friday-Saturday drama, “To the Moon“, made its debut on September 19, 2025, entering a competitive time slot against established shows. The series, which focuses on three women navigating financial struggles through cryptocurrency investments, achieved a nationwide rating of 2.8% for its first episode. While this places it behind SBS’s “Queen Mantis,” which scored 6.6% in the same slot, MBC is hopeful that the show’s relatable themes and cast chemistry will help it gain momentum.
Plot and Characters
“To the Moon” follows the lives of three office workers from modest backgrounds who turn to cryptocurrency investing in hopes of achieving financial freedom. Lee Sun-bin plays Jung Da-hae, a contract employee in the marketing team at Marron Confectionery, who dreams of securing a full-time position. Ra Mi-ran portrays Kang Eun-sang, a sales team employee obsessed with finding ways to make money, while Jo Aram takes on the role of Kim Ji-song, an accounting team employee who lives by the YOLO (You Only Live Once) philosophy.
The male lead, Kim Young-dae, plays Ham Ji-woo, the director of the big data TF team. Despite his successful career, he feels unfulfilled until he meets Jung Da-hae, who inspires him to pursue his dreams. The drama is based on the novel “Let’s Go to the Moon” by Jang Ryu-jin and adapted by screenwriter Na Yoon-chae.
Production and Direction
The series is directed by Oh Da-young, who previously worked on the drama “Oh My Ladylord” in 2021. Director Oh emphasized that the drama highlights the friendship, solidarity, and struggles of three women from poor families working in a corporate setting. The production company, Bon Factory, is known for its focus on character-driven stories.
Filming began in May 2025, with Kim Young-dae’s agency confirming his involvement as Ham Ji-woo. The cast conducted live broadcasts on social media in June 2025 to introduce the drama’s sets and build anticipation among viewers.
Controversy and Response
Before its premiere, “To the Moon” faced controversy over a teaser trailer that was criticized for cultural insensitivity. The teaser, which featured the three lead actresses wearing Middle Eastern-inspired clothing and dancing playfully, was pulled by MBC after backlash from international viewers. The broadcaster explained that the scene was intended as a parody of a popular 1980s-1990s ice cream advertisement for Lotte’s Screw Bar popsicle but acknowledged that it failed to consider how the imagery might be perceived by audiences in the Middle East. The teaser was removed from all channels, and MBC promised to be more cautious in the future.
Ratings and Competition
The premiere episode of “To the Moon” recorded a nationwide rating of 2.8%, placing it third in its time slot behind SBS’s “Queen Mantis” (6.6%) and JTBC’s “My Youth” (2.2%). While the show has yet to top the ratings, MBC is betting on its fresh storytelling and the chemistry of its cast to attract viewers. The drama airs every Friday and Saturday at 21:50 (KST) on MBC.
Future Episodes and Expectations
With 12 episodes planned, “To the Moon” will continue to explore the lives of its protagonists as they dive into the world of cryptocurrency investing. The title itself is a reference to a popular phrase in the crypto community, meaning prices are rising rapidly. The show aims to blend comedy and slice-of-life elements while addressing real-life issues such as job insecurity, financial struggles, and the pursuit of dreams.
The cast includes supporting actors such as Eum Moon-suk, Hong Seung-hee, and Bin Chan-wook, who play colleagues at Marron Confectionery. The drama also features Kang Tae-oh and Roh Jeong-eui in undisclosed roles.
Streaming and Availability
“To the Moon” is available for streaming on KOCOWA+ with multiple subtitle options. International viewers can catch new episodes every weekend following their broadcast on MBC.
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