[Drama 2021] River Where the Moon Rises, 달이 뜨는 강

[andy78]

6 Moments From Episodes 11-12 Of “River Where The Moon Rises” That Had Us Tearing Up

 

The week’s flown by, and “River Where the Moon Rises” is back with plenty of action on and offscreen. There’s blood, tears, kisses, and Na In Woo re-filming episodes 1-6, all in all, much to swoon and fangirl over because this show keeps giving.

Episodes 11 and 12 are the calm before the storm, the build-up towards that fateful battle in episode 1 as we draw closer to the question of whether On Dal will survive, whether Pyeonggang (Kim So Hyun) will get her dream of ruling Goguryeo and get rid it of the quite crazy Go Won Pyo (Lee Hae Young), and whether Go Geon (Lee Ji Hoon) will ever realize that enough is enough (seriously dude, we’re all rooting for you but stop!).

It’s every man and woman versus themselves and lover versus lover, as our favorite couple, and our smoldering second leads wonder if they’re doing the right thing while the world around them goes increasingly berserk. There were plenty of amazing emotional beats in this duo of episodes, but here are our top six that had us tearing up for all the right reasons!

Warning: spoilers for episodes 11-12 below.

1. On Dal’s emotional argument with Lady Sa

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This conflict has been alluded to since the opening episodes where On Dal attempts to prove himself worthy of learning to fight and gets humiliated in front of everyone after failing General On Hyeop’s (Kang Ha Neul) test. That dichotomy was made more and more apparent upon Dal meeting Pyeonggang and realizing that he was far, far behind the rest of the world and wouldn’t be able to save the people he loves if trouble came to visit (and he knew it would!).

Lady Sa (Hwang Young Hee) has manipulated Dal since the beginning. She literally burned out her own eyes to prevent him from seeking revenge and from claiming his birthright. And she’s used that guilt to trap him in an oblivious, “peaceful” world for years and years. Dal has woken up to that, so it isn’t surprising that he reacts so angrily to Lady Sa blaming Pyeonggang for everything. He’s right in that it really is her fault for forcing him to remain ignorant at cost to the people he loves and at cost to his own maturity.

It’s a relatable conflict, even for those of us not living in Goguryeo. It’s the idea of rebelling against parental expectations, not purely for the sake of rebellion, but because the world they saw is different from the world you live in, and your path has to be different in order for you to survive. On Dal loves Lady Sa, but he cannot do as she asks, not anymore. It’s a painful realization for both of them, as both their worlds come crumbling down. So, it isn’t surprising that Lady Sa attempts to leave the village afterwards.

2. Pyeonggang begging Lady Sa to stay

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This was heartbreaking. Lady Sa’s put Pyeonggang through a lot in terms of menial labor, and also refusing to let her feel like she belongs. She’s always acted like Pyeonggang’s using Dal as a stepping stone to bigger and better things, when they both know it couldn’t be further from the truth.

But Lady Sa’s hurting in her own way. She’s lived for On Dal, done everything she could for him, only for him to take the one path she never wanted him to take. She doesn’t see anything left for her in Ghost Village, which is why she leaves. Yet, of all people, the one girl she hasn’t been the kindest to comes chasing after her and begging her to stay. It’s a testament to how kindhearted Pyeonggang is and also how lonely she must have been for so long. At first instance, it might seem stupid of Pyeonggang to chase after her sole detractor, but the explanation makes so much sense. Pyeonggang, who lost her mother so young, who didn’t know a parent’s love for years, and whose father quite literally cannot show her affection because Go Won Pyo would seize on that like a rabid tiger, would naturally yearn for the closeness Dal and Lady Sa shared.

Of course Pyeonggang would enjoy being a part of their family, no matter how tiring it was fetching all that water. All families are dysfunctional to some extent because no one can agree on everything. Yet On Dal and Lady Sa were the healthiest example she’s ever had. Pyeonggang’s teary confession moves Lady Sa to tears, enough for to her take an arrow for her. And it’s at that moment that she switches from calling Pyeonggang “princess” to calling her “child,” proving that she’s all soft beneath that crusty exterior. It’s a moving exchange that solidifies Pyeonggang’s place in her found family and gives Lady Sa someone else to fight for. It’s impossible not to tear up at that!

3. On Dal’s anguish upon taking a life

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The path On Dal walks has only one ending: disillusionment, followed by death at worst or guilt at best. He learned how to wield a sword from Pyeonggang with the enthusiasm and recklessness of someone who hasn’t seen bloodshed. This is evident in his interactions with Wol Gwang (Cho Tae Kwan). Dal literally swaggers up and says, “so when are we starting?” Wol Gwang knew his heart wasn’t ready for all the turmoil and bloodshed he was to experience, and that’s why he is sent off to meditate.

But steeling your heart to the pains of the future and encountering said pain is different. Dal gets a nasty dose of reality when all that training and reflexes he’s developed result in five dead men. For the first time, the road he’s on becomes clear, and he understands why his father took battle so seriously and refused to let him learn all those years ago. On Hyeop wanted to teach his son that he shouldn’t wield a sword until he can bear the weight of a human life. Unfortunately, Go Won Pyo never gave him a chance to impart that lesson, and Dal ended up learning it the hard way. And it leaves him in shock. No amount of Pyeonggang convincing him that it had to be done, else they’d all be dead, would convince him otherwise.

It might seem like Dal is insulting her when he comments that she sounds just like she did during her assassin days. But it’s more of a realization that her reason for fighting will not work for him. Pyeonggang fights for Goguryeo and a better world. On Dal doesn’t care about any of that. He just wants to protect her and the people he loves. The brilliant scene with On Hyeop at his mother’s grave only solidifies that resolution. He needed a reason to keep going, and it will always be her.

What’s fantastic about this, character development-wise, is that it’s not a selfless reason. It’s not the whole save-the-country bit that Pyeonggang has going on. Sweet, kind Dal has, in his own way, met his breaking point and has finally decided to live and fight by what he wishes. It’s heartbreaking because he’s losing all that innocence in front of our eyes, and the goofy fellow who bid farewell to Pyeonggang only days ago is gone.

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Worse is that Pyeonggang sees it too and blames herself for it. Which brings us to the next emotional climax.

4. Pyeonggang’s guilt at On Dal’s turmoil

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Pyeonggang wants Dal to hate her. None of this would have happened if she hadn’t enlisted his help, or shown him a world beyond Ghost Village, or taught him how to fight. She knows she put all this in action and that someone as honorable as Dal wouldn’t just sit and watch the world burn (though Go Geon would, and honestly, he would add more wood to the fire). She sees Dal withdraw, grow sadder, more world weary, and hates herself for starting all this. Hence, her literally fighting him, asking him to get angry with her and to let it all out.

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She doesn’t expect him to admit that he knew her plan all along but went along with it because he loves her. She wasn’t using him, he tells her, because he was a willing participant every step of the way. The depth of his commitment awes and frightens her because loving someone is a liability in her world. This isn’t the first conflict in their relationship (King Pyeongwon (Kim Bup Rae) did order On Hyeop’s death after all) but it’s the first conflict that stems from them, as opposed to other forces. Yet once again, as it did before, Dal’s love conquers all (side note: who else is excited to see Na In Woo play that scene where Dal stop Pyeonggang from dying by suicide because they’re going to nail it!) and our couple finally makes their marriage real, wedding bracelets and all. And we get a kiss, not those smooches that Dal was offering nonstop. And it’s one heck of a kiss. 

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Aww! Love in the time of Go Won Pyo

5. Go Geon’s idea of a drinking game

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While our main couple kisses and makes up, Go Geon and Hae Mo Yong (Choi Yu Hwa) remain the hottest of hot messes. They’re so, so electric on-screen, and their messy, warped motivations are altogether delightful and anxiety-inducing. Mo Yong’s played too many games, has her finger in too many pies, and all of it is rapidly catching up to her. She genuinely seems to care about Pyeonggang, as evidenced by her refusing to give Go Geon the details of her agreement with the princess. She doesn’t even tell Go Geon that Pyeonggang would be visiting.

In another time and another world, Mo Yong might have been a good person. But while Dal’s only seen the good that life has to offer, Mo Yong’s seen nothing but the worst. Goguryeo took everything from her and only Silla treated her like a human being. Of course, this was done to make her into a spy, but life as a human is better than the alternative: enslavement, sent as tribute. The life of a woman in Goguryeo is not easy. Mo Yong, for all her unscrupulousness and manipulation, is merely trying to make her way in a world that would crush her if she faltered for a second.

She sees the same determination in Pyeonggang. While the latter doesn’t agree with her methods, she sees that they’re similar in many ways, both killers in their own right. It makes sense that the two women have struck up an unusual friendship. Mo Yong’s finally growing a conscience and trying to protect Pyeonggang in her own way. So it’s all the more heartbreaking when her worst fear comes true and all the sides she’s been playing start stabbing her in the back.

First up, Go Geon. The man practically lives at her place. Every time he sees her, it’s all about Pyeonggang, Pyeonggang, Pyeonggang. Then why follow Mo Yong everywhere, Go Geon? She should start charging you rent, honestly. Go Geon’s always been selfish and cruel but that drinking game was low even for him.

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He’s been messing with her for a while now, saying stuff like:

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He knows that she feels something for him. But rather than be respectful and either ignore it, or at the very least not take advantage of it, he uses it to mock her. What’s worse, he follows it up by threatening her with the knowledge that she’s a Silla spy. It’s appalling, and if Mo Yong wasn’t morally grey herself, this would immediately disqualify him from being worthy of her. Unfortunately, she likes that about him and how they can be themselves around each other. But they’re fire and fire, and this week Mo Yong gets badly burned.

6. Mo Yong crying after Go Won Pyo’s repeated threats

This was a strangely hard scene to watch, perhaps because Mo Yong has been so strong for so long. She’s not a good person, not even close, but she does what she does to survive. Go Won Pyo does it because he can. Even for someone who hates the Goguryeo empire, she does not wish to poison King Pyeongwon because she knows the country would be so much worse with Go Won Pyo at its helm.

It’s interesting because Go Won Pyo has been shown to have secret deals with Silla (as in the case of the women sent as tribute). Plus, it’s doubtful that he would launch a full scale attack on Silla because he’s never shown any inclination beyond ruling Goguryeo. So she’s technically going against her own people by refusing to put someone favorable to them on the Goguryeo throne. Mo Yong doesn’t know it, but her loyalties are shifting.

For the first time, she’s stuck. If she obeys Go Won Pyo, King Pyeongwon dies, Goguryeo is forever changed, and its all her fault. If she doesn’t obey Go Won Pyo, she dies, and he finds someone else to do the job. And in the middle of all this, Go Geon keeps threatening her as well. It’s no wonder she fires back that he’s just like his father. It’s clear that Go Geon doesn’t like hearing that though, and is equally clear that his loyalty to his father isn’t 100 percent, given by how he saves King Pyeongwon. Whether it’s because he’s Pyeonggang’s father or because of some loyalty to Mo Yong is sadly unclear.

What’s very clear though, is that he knew his father would pretty much assault Mo Yong afterwards, and only had this to say:

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With all this, Mo Yong’s had more than enough of Goguryeo and of Go Geon, but the poor girl doesn’t even get to flee the country in peace.

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It sounds romantic as heck but the moment she mentions that Pyeonggang’s in danger, where does Go Geon go? To Pyeonggang, of course! Mo Yong is ditched once again. It appears that everyone matures leaps and bounds in this week’s episodes except Go Geon, who remains his father’s lackey, and is prepared to kill an entire clan that he knows is not guilty of treason, all because daddy said so.

With Pyeonggang surrounded, her army still in fledging stages, and Northern Zhou attacking at the border, next week’s episodes look heavy. It appears Pyeonggang will return to the palace with Dal and get her wish of having the Sunno Tribe reinstated, only for them to be immediately sent off to die at the border. On the other hand, if the preview is any indication, Go Geon will be busy smashing faces with Mo Yong.

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Will he be worthy of her and can he really switch from Pyeonggang to Mo Yong that quickly? Will he finally understand that he doesn’t love Pyeonggang and only wants her in the same way most people want a $10 bill that flew away in the wind? Stop chasing after it or you’ll get hurt! Focus on what you have, Go Geon!                

https://www.soompi.com/article/1456475wpp/6-moments-from-episodes-11-12-of-river-where-the-moon-rises-that-had-us-tearing-up

 

[yeli]

 

 

Kim So Hyun And Na In Woo Return To Face Their Fate In “River Where The Moon Rises”

 

New stills show Pyeonggang and On Dal making their return to the palace. They face the king, Pyeonggang with a resolute expression while On Dal’s face reveals his nervousness (see top photo). The scene is reminiscent of the time when they announced their marriage, the only difference being that they are now wearing suits of armor with rows of troops behind them. Looking back at them are Go Geon, King Pyeongwon, and Go Won Pyo. It remains to be seen how they will react to the pair’s return.

 

The drama’s production team commented, “Pyeonggang and On Dal will encounter a new situation when they return to the palace. Look forward to episode 13 to find out why they returned and how Go Geon, King Pyeongwon, and Go Won Pyo will react.”

 

https://www.soompi.com/article/1461479wpp/kim-so-hyun-and-na-in-woo-return-to-face-their-fate-in-river-where-the-moon-rises
 

[ferily]

On 3/27/2021 at 3:33 AM, andy78 said:

more scenes from ep 13 ...awesome!!!who were those soldiers?was she prisoner or something?were general Go MEN?Did Gochuga tribe betrayed again?

 

Omomomo! I can't wait to see the war scene and see On Dah IN ACTION!! AHHH!!! When I watched the first like minute or two of the drama, I was immediately hooked! That fighting sequence was AMAZING in episode 1 so I am super excited to finally see it in Episode 13!! 

On 3/26/2021 at 2:41 PM, SexyDolceVita said:

How do you find ji soo's portrayal versus na in woo's portrayal the character on dal?

Hmmm good question, I think I got used to Na In Woo portraying On Dal, but if I'm honest, I think I like Ji Soo as On Dal better.. I don't know haha.. Both are good! I forget if it was someone here who mentioned it, but Ji Soo portraying On Dal is more of an arrogant, prideful, confident On Dal while Na In Woo is a sweet, giant teddy bear On Dal, if that makes sense haha!

 

On 3/26/2021 at 9:50 AM, andy78 said:

I fear Go Geon's love & obsession for Pyeonggang will stay until the end, that  he's just using Hae Mo Yong for some  "secret plan". I'm their  shipper can't wait  for their scenes but I don't know why i have this feeling ...i hope i'm wrong...i want a happy end for them and i wish to know more about her ...she is still a mistery...it seems Lord KIM saved her and made her a spy...but who is she?What happened with her parents?

I fear the same thing and he is just using Mo Yong to get what he wants... It'll be beneficial for him to have Mo Yong on his side and he knows that MY has some feelings for her, so Go Geon might use her and pretend that he has feelings. Ugh I hope that he'll genuinely fall for MY as well @yeli

 

[andy78]

 

I CAN'T WAIT

[andy78]

SEEMS EP 13 AND 14 WILL BE GREAT!

 

[yeli]

PG’s crown prince brother and future King Yeongyang. 

[andy78]

57 minutes ago, yeli said:

PG’s crown prince brother and future King Yeongyang. 

wow...yes this drama is the best!!! Crown prince VS his sister!!!Yes she wanted to use DAL but she truly loves him right now...she is a princess but is also a woman and fears she might  lose him!!!

[shinkeru]

So apparently there is a statue of uri JinDal couple located at Gwangjingu. This folktale must be truly well-loved. There is even an Ondal park at Danyang City. And I can understand why. This couple represents the ideal relationship. They care, love and live for each other 

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Here is the novel written by a screenwriter, Choi Sangyu. It took 25 years to complete? Wow. I wonder if there is an English version. 

 

[rocher22]

wow...Dal looks so powerful..   

  

twt

[andy78]

i wonder is viki or viu will replace ep 1 with the new Ondal...

24 minutes ago, shinkeru said:

This couple represents the ideal relationship. They care, love and live for each other 

YES ...I agree...the perfect couple

[shinkeru]

1 hour ago, andy78 said:

i wonder is viki or viu will replace ep 1 with the new Ondal...

I presume they would and also eventually for episodes 2-6 too. 

Spoiler from the book?

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[andy78]

thanks for updates @shinkeru...i like

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their novel end

!!!

ep 13 was great even if we lost Tara San !!!And i was right they were betrayed by Go father and son...the otp won the war

[andy78]

ep 14 preview is out

 

[scribbledjunkie]

7 hours ago, yeli said:

PG’s crown prince brother and future King Yeongyang.

Ohhh, they're aging the Crown Prince?

 

That was a good episode today. Seeing the Sunno tribe regain their honor. 

 

Who abducted Mo Yong? Gahd. She and Geon have tragedy written all over their relationship so I am savoring every scene they have together. I wonder though which of Doo Jeong Seo's premonition about them will come true?

Edited March 29, 2021 by Jillia
Please do not quote pics! Thanks!

[andy78]

6 minutes ago, scribbledjunkie said:

Ohhh, they're aging the Crown Prince?

from ep 18 i read...

 

6 minutes ago, scribbledjunkie said:

That was a good episode today. Seeing the Sunno tribe regain their honor. 

was AWESOME I so hated General Go and his father...they let Dal and his army alone ...general Go just waited and watched...was great to see him how he could not belive they won...From the preview i think he still did not give up on Gajin even if he is with lady HEO...I also think chief told her to kill Gajin

[scribbledjunkie]

3 minutes ago, andy78 said:

from ep 18 i read...

 

was AWESOME I so hated General Go and his father...they let Dal and his army alone ...general Go just waited and watched...was great to see him how he could not belive they won...

Go Won Pyo is really ruthless. What he didn't expect was that Pyeonggang would manage to outwit his devious plan thanks to Dal's abilities as well. 

 

I hate that Geon is still focused on his obsession with Dal and Pyeonggang. I guess his wounded pride still can't accept he lost to a fool. But if it's any consolation, at least his scenes with Mo Yong humanizes him. It maybe a long shot but I would like both of them to survive the end of this story. Let them have their redemption and live away from palace politics.

 

[shinkeru]

That fight/war sequence was awesome. The way they strategized in order to get into Northern Zhou camp. Go Won Pyo and Go Geon underestimated our power couple! 

 

Their return to palace and Sunno tribe finally reinstated was satisfying. That scene felt like they were given medals by the King for their victory lol

As for Go Geon and Mo Yong, I’m not convinced their feelings for each other are sincere. They’re both loyal to their people. I have a feeling they’re just playing each other to their advantage. Oh well, I hope I’m wrong about it. 

 

Looking forward to tomorrow’s episode!

 

Episode 1 is out in Korea. It looks good!

 

[andy78]

1 hour ago, shinkeru said:

Episode 1 is out in Korea. It looks good!

is great...i hope i'll be able to watch it on viki soon

[partyon]

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[debbsthebee]

was super excited for the battle today and i'm glad it didn't disappoint. i'm digging our otp's chemistry and props to both actors given the last min switch. 

also did i miss something because i don't really understand geon's obsession with the princess. it seems like he believes he's entitled to her just because of his title and the power that his father wields? i prefer geon with mo yong and @scribbledjunkie i too hope that somehow they can find redemption through each other but i foresee only blood and tears in their future.