MBC’s Friday–Saturday drama Moon River is enjoying a sharp rise in ratings after delivering one of its most intense episodes yet—complete with a highly talked-about bed scene.
The episode that aired on December 5 recorded 6% nationwide and 5.8% in the Seoul metropolitan area. One particular moment—when Crown Prince Yi Hee commands, “Kill the Royal Consort,”—peaked at 7.4%, marking the drama’s highest viewership so far.
Episode 9 followed Lee Kang and Park Dal-i as they successfully exposed the schemes of Left State Councillor Kim Han-chul and had him arrested. Now officially husband and wife, the two characters enjoyed blissful days together, sealing their feelings with heartfelt affection.
The episode also revealed a shocking twist: Lee Kang and Dal-i’s blood mixing in water causes their spirits to switch—heightening curiosity about their mysterious fate.
Lee Kang surprised Dal-i with a heartfelt proposal, gifting wedding shoes and preparing a romantic event. When he asked, “Will you become my wife?” Dal-i accepted with joy, and the two held a wedding surrounded by warm blessings. Their destined bond, symbolized by a blooming “flower of fate,” turned a bright red.
Despite their happiness, danger continues to lurk. While tracking the creature raised in a cave, Lee Kang uncovers the link between the incident, Kim Han-chul, and the mysterious creature.
Kim Han-chul’s plot becomes clearer: to eliminate Dali by forcing her into the role of Crown Princess, then accusing her of treason. Using a false confession from his niece Mi-geum, he drags Dal-i to trial—only for Dal-i to expose the inconsistencies and prove her innocence.
Lee Kang arrives with critical evidence, connecting the creature’s hidden cave to Kim Han-chul’s home. Kim Han-chul is ultimately arrested for treason.
However, Dal-i grows increasingly troubled by nightmares involving the memories of Lady Kang Yeon-wol. Meanwhile, King Yi Hee shocks everyone by ordering, “Kill the Royal Consort,” raising questions about why he must eliminate her now, especially when Kim Han-chul has already fallen.
The drama centers on Crown Prince Lee Kang—who has lost his laughter—and Park Dal-i, a traveling merchant who has lost her memory. Their soul-switching, fate-tangled romance unfolds in a lush fantasy sageuk setting.
Cast includes:
- Kang Tae-oh as Lee Kang
- Kim Se-jeong as Park Dal-i
- Jin Goo as Kim Han-chul
- Lee Sin-young as Prince Jeon
The series, which began at 3.8% viewership, has risen steadily through each episode—5.6% in episode 3, 6.1% in episode 5, and now 7.4%. Notably, episode 3’s scene where Lee Kang collapses into Dal-i’s arms reached 8.3%, ranking second among all MBC Friday–Saturday dramas this year.
Meanwhile, SBS’s Taxi Driver 3, airing in the same time slot, recorded 8.9% nationwide, with a peak of 10.8%.
The show recently ranked No. 1 in TV drama social media buzz according to Good Data Corporation. Audiences praised its fast-paced plot, strong performances, and cinematic visuals, prompting MBC to move the broadcast time 10 minutes earlier, beginning with episode 3.
Directed by Lee Dong-hyun and written by Choi Seung-hee, Moon River airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:40 PM for a total of 14 episodes. Episodes are available for streaming on TVING and Wavve.
