Episode 11 of MBC’s historical drama Moon River, delivered the moment fans had been waiting for. The mystery of Dal-i‘s forgotten past was solved, leading to a crucial choice that reshaped her future and deeply impacted Crown Prince Yi Kang. Aired on December 12, the episode achieved a national viewership rating of 5.6%, with the emotional climax even peaking at 5.9%.
Dal-i’s Past Returns With a Newfound Resolve
The episode begins with a tragic flashback revealing Dal-i‘s true identity. She is Crown Princess Kang Yeon-wol, who was deposed and nearly killed five years earlier on false charges of murdering the Queen. To save her life and protect those she loved, she was forced to fake her own death. A plan orchestrated by King Yi Hui involved her leaping into an icy lake, after which she was given a new life and identity as the peddler Dal-i, her memory wiped clean.
In the present day, those memories return in full force. Dal-i remembers everything: her life as Yeon-wol, her deep love for Yi Kang, and the painful decision to leave him. The King, fearing for her safety once more, arranges another fake death—this time by fire—to help her escape the scheming Left Minister Han-chul. However, Dal-i makes a firm and different choice.
“She vows to stay by the prince’s side and tells the king they can protect him together.”
With the help of her adoptive parents, she stops the royal guards from setting the fire and confronts the King. No longer the woman who would run, she declares that she has changed. She chooses to stay by Yi Kang’s side, publicly as Dal-i while secretly working with the King to uncover the truth and bring down their enemies. This decision to stop hiding and start fighting marks a major change for her character and sets a new course for the story.
Yi Kang Uncovers the Heartbreaking Truth
While Dal-i grapples with her memories, Yi Kang remains unaware of her true identity. He continues to investigate the Nameless Ones, a criminal gang he believes is backed by the Left Minister. His investigation leads him to seek information from Kim Woo-hee, who is confined to her palace. Dal-i cleverly arranges a secret meeting with Woo-hee by befriending the Grand Queen Dowager, gathering key clues that point the search to a mountain stronghold in Yangju.
The truth finally reaches Yi Kang in a moment of overheard conversation. While following his father, the King, he listens as Hong-nan—the woman who has watched over Dal-i—speaks with the monarch. The King states that protecting the “vacant palace” is the same as protecting his son. In that moment, Yi Kang pieces it all together: Dal-i is his lost wife, Yeon-wol.
The realization hits him with immense force. He understands the immense pain she endured, the near-death experiences, and her life on the run. Most of all, he comprehends why she had been so determined to stay close to him recently, despite the danger. Overwhelmed with a mix of shock, grief, and love, he immediately runs to find her.
An Emotional Reunion Five Years in the Making
The episode builds to a long-awaited and deeply moving climax. Yi Kang finds Dal-i, and the two finally come face-to-face with the full truth between them. Emotions overflow as Yi Kang, tears streaming down his face, apologizes to her.
He repeats a symbolic question from their shared past: “What happens when one catches a falling petal?”. With tears in her own eyes, Dal-i gives the answer that confirms everything. “She must have caught two falling petals since she married her first love twice,” she replies.
The scene resolves not with more words, but with a powerful, silent embrace. As they hold each other, five years of separation, grief, and longing finally come to an end. Fan reactions to this scene were intensely emotional, with many praising the actors’ performances. One viewer noted, “The ending scene is simply beautiful… Se Jeong and Tae Oh’s acting will move anyone to tears”.
Other Key Developments in the Palace
While the main couple’s story took center stage, other characters faced major turning points.
- Je-woon’s Reckless Attack: Desperate and feeling he had no future, Je-woon attempted a suicide mission. He launched a direct attack on Left Minister Han-chul within his own quarters. The fight was brutal, but Han-chul gained a sudden advantage. He hesitated when Je-woon’s eyes reminded him of a woman from his own past. Yi Kang intervened to save Je-woon, and Han-chul, for mysterious reasons tied to that memory, chose to pretend the attack never happened.
- A Risky Political Plan: Earlier, Yi Kang had proposed a dangerous plan to Je-woon: having the King abdicate so Je-woon could take the throne and legally punish the Left Minister. Je-woon refused, as becoming King would demote the woman he loves, Woo-hee, to the status of a palace slave.
- Han-chul Tightens His Grip: The Left Minister was not idle. After suspecting Dal-i’s true identity, he began targeting her hidden family. He also started tracking Hong-nan, whom he suspects is Dal-i’s aunt, signaling that his threat to the reunited couple is more immediate than ever.
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What to Expect Next and How to Watch
The preview for Episode 12 suggests that danger escalates immediately. Dal-i is shown in prison, while her family faces arrest. The question now is whether she can escape death a second time.
Moon River airs new episodes on MBC. For international viewers, the series is available to stream on Viki. Episode 12 aired on Saturday, December 13, at 9:50 PM KST. Global air times included:
- United States & Canada: 7:50 AM EST
- United Kingdom: 12:50 PM GMT
- India: 6:20 PM IST
- Singapore & China: 8:50 PM
- Australia: 11:20 PM AEST
Also Read: City of Shadows Ending Explained: How a Case Exposed Police Corruption and a Dark Past
