The new historical fantasy drama Moon River introduces viewers to two women from completely different worlds, both drawn into the orbit of Joseon’s princes. Premiering on October 31, the MBC series stars Kim Se Jeong as a spirited merchant and Hong Su Zu as a nobleman’s ambitious daughter, whose lives become intertwined with Crown Prince Yi Kang (Kang Tae Oh) and Prince Yi Woon (Lee Shin Young).
The Story of Soul-Swapping and Court Politics
Moon River is a fantasy romance set in the Joseon era, centered on Crown Prince Yi Kang, a man who has lost his ability to smile, and merchant Park Dal Yi, a woman living with lost memories. Their paths cross unexpectedly, leading to a mysterious event where their souls are swapped, forcing them to live each other’s lives. This supernatural occurrence sets the stage for a series filled with comedy, political intrigue, and romance.
The crown prince acts as regent for his father, King Yi Hui, who appears to hold absolute power but is actually powerless against the true authority in the palace, Left State Councillor Kim Han Cheol. As Yi Kang searches for a way to shift this unfavorable power dynamic, his soul’s switch with a commoner throws the royal court into chaos.
Park Dal Yi: The Bright Merchant
Kim Se Jeong plays Park Dal Yi, a merchant gifted with natural business sense and a lively personality. She is characterized by her bright energy, wit, and a strong, adaptable will. While she appears graceful, she possesses a bold and unyielding spirit, unable to ignore injustice while remaining warm-hearted to those around her.
Her life changes dramatically after an unexpected encounter with Crown Prince Yi Kang. Mistaken for a deposed royal consort because they share identical looks, she soon finds herself in an even stranger situation—waking up in the body of the crown prince herself. This twist of fate takes her from carrying heavy market loads to navigating the treacherous corridors of the royal palace overnight.
Kim Se Jeong shared, “The idea of a soul-swapping romance really intrigued me, and after learning that Kang Tae Oh would be my co-star, I became even more confident and more interested in the story’s concept.”
For her first historical drama role, Kim Se Jeong revealed she tried on a variety of outfits, including men’s clothing, to portray her character’s unique situation. She also spent seven days in Boryeong to master the Chungcheong dialect for her role, practicing with local elders to perfect her character’s way of speaking.
Kim Woo Hee: The Ambitious Noblewoman
Hong Su Zu portrays Kim Woo Hee, the only daughter of the powerful Left State Councillor Kim Han Cheol. She is a woman of elegance, described as cold and commanding, much like her father’s influence over the royal court. Kim Woo Hee is beautiful, wise, and intelligent, radiating confidence and a strong determination to get what she wants.
Unlike other women of noble birth, she dreams of living life on her own terms, not defined by her family name. However, she finds herself caught between her father’s ambitions and her own desires. Her father pushes her to marry Crown Prince Yi Kang to become the crown princess, creating a conflict with her long-standing connection to Prince Yi Woon.
In her character poster, Kim Woo Hee stands under pouring rain, stating, “If I ever point this gun at someone, it’s to protect them,” revealing her strong and complex nature.
The Princes They Love
The drama features two central male characters connected to these women. Kang Tae Oh plays Crown Prince Yi Kang, a royal burdened by his position and the pain of losing someone he loved in a palace power struggle. He hides his suffering behind a wild and unruly exterior while secretly dreaming of revenge. His character poster shows him with a determined gaze and the line, “Then let me show you, I am the exception.”
Lee Shin Young plays Prince Yi Woon, Yi Kang’s cousin and a former crown prince who was deposed after a mysterious incident. Unlike typical royal characters, Yi Woon has no desire to reclaim power and instead lives a calm, carefree life, accepting his changed fate. His character is described as a tragic prince who promises, “Don’t fire this gun. No matter what, I’ll always be holding your hands,” showing his protective nature.
A Tale of Contrasting Lives
The drama highlights the stark contrast between the two female leads. Park Dal Yi represents warmth, adaptability, and earthy charm, having grown up in a happy and harmonious merchant family despite their humble status. Kim Woo Hee embodies cool elegance and calculated ambition, raised in a powerful household where rising to the top is the ultimate goal.
These two women of different social classes, with their opposing natures, become entangled with the princes amid fierce palace intrigues that threaten the royal positions of both Yi Kang and Yi Woon. Their intertwined fates promise a dramatic exploration of love, power, and identity.
The drama’s production has released posters highlighting the red thread of fate connecting Crown Prince Yi Kang and Park Dal Yi, symbolizing their destined meeting despite coming from different worlds. Yi Kang is shown against the grand palace with a solemn expression, while Park Dal Yi smiles brightly among wildflowers at dawn.
Moon River will be available for international viewers on the streaming platform Viki following its MBC premiere.
Also Read: Kang Tae Oh and Kim Se Jeong Lead The Cast of New Body-Swap Fantasy Drama “Moon River”
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