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


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[Review] ‘River Where the Moon Rises’: We Fall in Love with the Story Inside and Outside the Series

The series River Where the Moon Rises is based on The History of The Three Kindom’s “On Dal Tale” and Choi Sagyu’s novel “Princess Pyeonggang.” The series completely reinterprets the familiar classic Goguryeo folktale about Princess Pyeonggang and On Dal.

Princess Pyeonggang dreams of succeeding the throne from her father, King Pyeongwon. But her mother, Queen Yeon, is killed by Gyeru Tribe’s Gochuga Go Won Pyo and his people. On Hyeop’s son On Dal manages to save Pyeonggang’s life, but she loses all her memories. Eight years later, Pyeonggang became an assassin named Yeom Ga Jin, and she meets a herb gatherer teaching a poacher a lesson. At the moment, she recovers her lost memory and realizes that she was the princess, and the herb gatherer is On Dal, who lost this father because of her. To make things worse, those who killed her mother are still gunning after the throne.

With the help of her martial arts teacher Go Geon, Pyeonggang recovers her position as a princess. Teaching On Dal martial arts and writing, she plans to reconstruct the Sunno Tribe and augment her influence. On Dal picks up the sword for the person he loves the most and becomes the princess’s sword for her grand goal.

The TV series that was sailing just fine ran on a reef after the 6th episode. The controversy over school violence rose against Ji Soo, playing the role of On Dal. And the actor admitted his wrongdoings in just two days. It was a disaster that struck the entire production since 95 percent of filming was already completed. Since then, the drama outside of the work has begun. KBS and production company Victory Contents made an unprecedented decision to stop VOD service, discard existing recordings, and re-shoot with a new actor. Na In Woo hurriedly joined the production, and it aired re-edited version of the 7th and 8th episodes without cancellation.

There have been cases where the production replaced the main actor in the middle of the show. But to re-shoot the already-filmed scenes, immense physical and humanly losses were required. The only way to cheer for the production team and the cast who made a difficult choice is to watch the series steadily.

In River Where the Moon Rises, Pyeonggang is not a coward. Instead, she is a princess who has grand aspirations and loves the country and the people. She stands up against the aristocracy by refusing to marry politically. Furthermore, she marries On Dal, a déclasséd aristocrat, and trains him to be a general. She engages in a fierce political battle with the veteran politicians, and if necessary, she jumps into the battle with a sword. Oh the other hand, On Dal, who hates the act of killing, grabs the sword for his wife and willingly gives himself up. Thanks to the reinterpretations with a touch of modernistic sensibility, the familiar story begins afresh.

But River Where the Moon Rises has more than a love story from 1,500 years ago. In the scene where Pyeonggang cuts down the enemy with a sword, the action scenes fill the screen. When the princess and the aristocrat pressure each other with their political tactics, the series disguises itself as a political drama. And when Pyeonggang and On Dal whisper love, River Where the Moon Rises turns into a rom-com. Lastly when Pyeonggang turns down Go Geon’s heartfelt confession, and melodrama unfolds.

Every story unrolls rather quickly, and conflicts are resolved swiftly. In other words, most stories go as predicted, and there is not enough room for viewers to enjoy the play. Therefore, the director’s choice and actors’ performance stand out much more. Director Yoon Sang Ho, who filled his filmography with the historical genre, meticulously crafts every scene. And on top of that, actors fill in all the details with their acting.

In particular, Kim So Hyun’s presence as princess Pyeonggang is outstanding. Even shooting 20-episode series twice, she stuns us with the best performance in her filmography. She is Queen Yeon, assassin Yeom Ga Jin, On Dal’s wife, and princess. Looking at her performance, we can tell that her 14-year career finally flourished. Kim So Hyun, now 21 years old, reassures us as a “go-to” actress.

Na In Woo, who joined midway as a replacement, also surprises viewers with his overachieving acting. To viewers who shouted, “We’ll forgive you even if read off from script in front of the camera,” the actor showcases his version of On Dal. Perhaps it’s because his interpretation is closer to the already familiar “foolish On Dal.” People came up with many nicknames for Na In Woo and gladly welcomed him to the team. It does seem a bit hasty, but I’m ready to say that Na In Woo can be considered the “discovery of the year.”

What’s most surprising is that Pyeonggang and On Dal’s love became even more powerful when Kim So Hyun and Na In Woo met. The chemistry between the two is so incredible that it’s unbelievable that they only first partnered up not long ago. Whether you watched the series from the first episode or joined in halfway, viewers laughed and cried with the passionate love of the Goguryeo power couple.

River Where the Moon Rises has overcome the crisis and reached itself to the second half. After the war with Northern Zhou, Pyeonggang and On Dal entered the palace, and the plot became even more absorbing as the tangled relationships got untangled. Now there’s only one question left. Will the drama follow the footsteps of history?

Spoiler

The folktale says that On Dal died at war and his coffin only moved after Pyeonggang comforted him. I am both afraid to watch the foreseen death yet excited to see how they will illustrate the tragic ending. So now, I plan to stay grateful for those who didn’t give up on the production as I fully dive into the great love story that changed the history of Goguryeo.

 

Verdict: An ancient love story in which the production process itself became a movie (8/10

https://zapzee.net/2021/04/08/review-river-where-the-moon-rises-we-fall-in-love-with-the-story-inside-and-outside-the-series/

 

 

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That’s really sad :(

I’m a little nervous for what will be the ending. Whatever it is, I will trust our PD. He has made some emotional and heartbreaking scenes turn out very beautiful so far. I have a feeling he will make the ending a memorable one. :approves:

 

In the meantime, there’s only two weeks left. I’m already feeling nostalgic looking back at their earlier scenes. They have come a long way.  

 

Our present and future King....

 

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45 minutes ago, shinkeru said:

I think this is from the novel?

it seems so

 

45 minutes ago, shinkeru said:

They made a good choice for the next King 

they sure did...

i hope to see our otp happy...do you think we will see our otp son like in the novel?i hope they did not cut him only they changed the place where the princess will give birth to him...

 

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3 minutes ago, andy78 said:

i hope to see our otp happy...do you think we will see our otp son like in the novel?i hope they did not cut him only they changed the place where the princess will give birth to him...

I honestly have no idea though personally, I would like a happy ending, at least for this drama. Everyone who knows about the folktale knows how it ends. So maybe they make it end differently in the drama. Politics aside, the drama feels a bit like it is focused more on the Princess and Ondal’s journey together. Let’s see how it goes:please:

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Aww that scene with On Dal meeting his nanny mother, so sweet. I love their relationship.. On Dal must've really missed her especially since she was still at the ghost village :criesariver:

 

Ah yes i'm worried about the ending as well, will our OTP be able to live happily. I wonder if the drama will follow the novel and have On Dal die in battle?

 

Also so there is assumingly going to be a final battle between Gogoryeo and Silla right? What is the timeline for that because it seems like that happens when the Crown Prince is older. Does that mean it takes that long for the two nations to be in a war?

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@ferily

In the folktale, Ondal fights in Silla war after Crown Prince becomes King. It was there when he was shot by an arrow. Crown Prince rules as King Yeongyang from 590-618.  There were also other battles as they were also fighting off their Northern neighbors in China such as Tang and Sui dynasty. Until the 3 Kingdoms, including Silla and Baekje unite into one Goguryeo in 936. It is a long history :grimace:

Just to add, the novel ending... I’ll keep under spoiler
 

Spoiler

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@nitttss

It hasn’t been announced in international streaming sites yet. They’ve released Episode 1 and 2 on Korean VOD as they are scheduled to have final filming on April 12. Episode 7 and 8 with NIW are available as it was broadcast earlier.

 

 

Kim So Hyun is nickname as Sageuk Goddess. :blush:

 

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Kim So Hyun Faces Off Against Her Now Grown-Up Brother Kwon Hwa Woon In “River Where The Moon Rises”

Get ready for a tense conflict between the royal siblings on “River Where the Moon Rises”!

In the upcoming 17th episode of the KBS drama, Kwon Hwa Woon will make his first appearance as King Yeongyang, the now grown-up younger brother of Princess Pyeonggang (played by Kim So Hyun).

During their childhood, Pyeonggang doted on her beloved younger brother, who was then the crown prince, and he, in turn, adoringly obeyed his older sister.

However, after they reunite as adults, the relationship between the once-close siblings takes a dramatic turn for the worse. In newly released stills from the upcoming episode of “River Where the Moon Rises,” the sister and brother glare daggers at each other as they publicly face off in court. Yeongyang gazes frostily down at his older sister from the throne, while Pyeonggang returns his stare with a determined look that suggests she isn’t willing to back down.

Meanwhile, Sa Woon Am (played by Jung Wook), Kim Pyeong Ji (played by Ahn Shin Woo), and Jin Pil (played by Cha Kwang Soo) watch the fierce standoff with varied expressions, raising the question of what exactly is going down in Goguryeo—and how it led to such an intense scene.

The producers of “River Where the Moon Rises” teased, “With the arrival of Kwon Hwa Woon as King Yeongyang, the drama’s plot will become even more fun to watch. Please look forward to the whirlwind of new conflicts and stories that will develop in the final episodes of ‘River Where the Moon Rises.'”

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To find out how King Yeongyang’s arrival in the story will affect the fates of Pyeonggang and On Dal, tune in to the next episode of “River Where the Moon Rises” on April 12 at 9:30 p.m. KST.

 

https://www.soompi.com/article/1463445wpp/kim-so-hyun-faces-off-against-her-now-grown-up-brother-kwon-hwa-woon-in-river-where-the-moon-rises

i hope they'll not fight even if it looks so...

 

 

Seems people want General Go to run to Silla and be happy...

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6 Moments From Episodes 15-16 Of “River Where The Moon Rises” That Broke Our Hearts

This week’s episodes of “River Where the Moon Rises” bring plenty of pain and little in the way of levity. The portents of doom sprinkled last week bloom into war and revolt, as Go Won Pyo (Lee Hae Young) and Go Geon (Lee Ji Hoon) decide to stop manipulating King Pyeongwon (Kim Bup Rae) and go straight for the throne themselves.

Pyeonggang (Kim So Hyun) is prepared for what’s coming and what she has to do to rid Goguryeo of Go Won Pyo once and for all. But the man who loves her (Na In Woo) finds that he couldn’t possibly have known the extent of what he would have to bear. Without further ado, these are the moments that had us tearing up this week.

Warning: spoilers for episodes 15-16 below.

1. Pyeonggang lying to Dal

Pyeonggang’s confrontation with Go Won Pyo and Queen Jin Bi (Wang Bit Na) was epic, and her ploy results in her taking down the two people who directly brought about her mother’s death. On Dal’s fierce protectiveness of her throughout the scene is evidently a source of strength for her. Which is why it comes all the more as a surprise when he gently says that she lied to him about the letter being real.

There’s so much that’s heartbreaking about this scene. There’s the tender way Dal says it, and how he says it’s okay for her to use him in any way she sees fit but to not do it to anyone else. There’s the clear conflict in Pyeonggang’s eyes when she sees that he’s hurting but also believes that what she’s doing is right and necessary for the country. Then, there’s the awful fact that Pyeonggang’s never lied to Dal after their initial encounter. She’s always chosen to omit the truth instead. Even in episode 6, when she knew she would temporarily resume life as an assassin to save Tara Jin (Kim Hee Jung) and Tara San (Ryoo Ui Hyun), she merely crept out to do what she needed to do and return. And once Dal saw her, she readily admitted what she was up to.

But this time Pyeonggang actively lied to him by saying the letter was real when it wasn’t. And no matter how she justifies that it had to be done, that Dal couldn’t keep a lie to save his life, she knows that he also knows that she chose to hurt him. And even though he’s willing to take that, it still hurts to watch.

2. Their bittersweet date

But this isn’t to blame Pyeonggang, because she does make an effort to fix that mistake by taking Dal out on a date outside the palace. The happy couple of old finally resurfaces as the two leave the politics, scheming, and endless backstabbing of the palace for some fresh air and good old-fashioned fun.

Pyeonggang starts to smile again, and Dal, well he’s absolutely ecstatic. Yet, reality comes crashing down again in the worst of ways. Pyeonggang might leave the palace but the palace never leaves her. She learned the hard way in episodes 7 and 8 that palace life is in no way straightforward, and that she has to sink to the level of her enemies to survive. So, like Go Geon, Hae Mo Yong (Choi Yu Hwa), and Go Won Pyo, Pyeonggang can’t stop looking over her shoulder, focusing on what she’s missing and what she has to figure out before it’s too late. And just like that the magic is gone and the date is over.

Her dropping the mirror Dal was about to gift is an ominous warning as to what is to come and to how their relationship would fracture. And the sad way Dal stares at it while she focuses more on Go Won Pyo’s spy shows that he knows it. Incidentally, Victory Contents, the production company for the show, was inundated with so many complaints about Pyeonggang’s actions that they released a deleted scene that takes place right after this disastrous date.

In it, Pyeonggang tells Dal that she finds it hard to breathe in the palace every day, so she can’t imagine how stifling it must be for him. She says she wishes she could smile and laugh with him like a regular person, but she feels like she messed that up. She knows he’s having a hard time because of how she’s changed upon entering the Palace. Dal assures her that he doesn’t care about stuff like that. She’s scared of disappointing him but he tells her to go ahead and see if he even blinks at it. Pyeonggang’s worried but Dal leads her off to show her something. This scene segues into when he reminds her of the horse he carved her and its meaning: that he is always on her side. This one’s a hero for the books. What a guy!

3. Pyeonggang losing her temper with Tara Jin

Dal isn’t the only one feeling the change in Pyeonggang. When Tara Jin is insulted by Go Sang Cheol (Yoon Joo Man) for being a Goturk, Sa Poong Gae (Kim Dong Young) and Dal come to her defense, with the latter delivering a satisfying punch to Sang Cheol’s face. Yet, Ga Jin is dismayed at the fighting and tells them that this isn’t Ghost Village. As members of the palace they have a duty and dignity to uphold and cannot be seen fighting in the street like rabble, as the infighting could cause people to question the royal family’s strength. As fair as her comments are, they remain centered around politics and not around Tara Jin, who has recently lost her brother, uprooted her life to move to the capital just so Pyeonggang can have a friend around, and was insulted and demeaned by Go Sang Cheol.

While Dal does his best to defend his wife, Jin sighs that he has it the hardest and leaves. Dal tells Pyeonggang that Jin was hurt, and she does try to make it up to her by giving Jin her freedom: if she wishes to return home or go where she wishes Pyeonggang won’t be selfish and stop her. Yet, Jin stays, despite Doo Joong Seo (Han Jae Young) trying to recruit her to return to being an assassin, proving that the people around Pyeonggang love her enough to overlook anything. However, the question arises as to how long they can keep doing so.

4. Dal goes against Pyeonggang for the first time

Dal’s resolution to stay firm despite what Pyeonggang does is sorely tested when she threatens Yang Chaek (Choi Kwang Je) the leader of Hwangju Fortress with his family’s lives. Horrified, Dal pulls her away and tries to show her that she’s turning into Go Won Pyo, but unfortunately, that’s exactly what Pyeonggang wants. To defeat her enemy, she has to think like him and play the same game he’s playing. Trying to be kind and upright won’t take her far and she knows it.

What’s so awful about this scene is the way Pyeonggang defends the law and argues that she’s doing what’s right. While Dal begs for her to show Yang Chaek’s family leniency, Pyeonggang argues that as princess she is bound to the law no matter what that law is. It’s a strange argument for her to make given that she just used her authority as princess to argue for a tax on the wealthy (which was what precipitated the rebellion at Hwangju Fortress). And Dal sees it. That inflexibility and determination to stick to unjust rules instead of changing them doesn’t bode well, and he refuses to see Pyeonggang stain her soul this way.

So he does it himself.

There’s no words for how heartbreaking it is, and the look on his face when he kills Yang Chaek to prevent him from being threatened and to spare his family’s lives is so tragic and true to Dal’s character. Pyeonggang wants to save a country but Dal wants to save people, no matter who those people are. He sees himself and his tribe in the shattered remains of these revolutions and endless battles. And he won’t let anyone hurt them more than they already have been. Even if it’s Pyeonggang, because he loves her too.

5. Dal’s emotional breakdown

Pyeonggang and Dal’s argument post-Yang Chaek’s death is tragically true to their character arcs. He yells that this is a problem between the two of them and to stop bringing politics into it, and she retorts that she isn’t her as his wife but as a representative of the King. Ouch! And as always, Dal yields to Pyeonggang. The second he hears that there’s been a series of revolts in neighboring fortress, he immediately volunteers to go in and do all the dirty work necessary to quell the rebellion. To her credit, Pyeonggang does her best to make him return to the capital, knowing that this is too much for him and that he needs rest. But Dal points out that she can’t be in two places at once. Pyeonggang personally fighting would leave Pyeongwon and Crown Prince Won (Park Sang Hoon) defenseless against Go Won Pyo and Go Geon. So once again, Dal dons his armor and fights. Only, he can’t take it anymore. The war, the blood, it’s breaking him up inside and the show does an excellent job of showing how each successive fight wears him down until he’s a mess.

 

This culminates in a heartbreaking scene with a dead rabbit where Dal weeps aloud, wondering if he killed it. In a way, the rabbit represents everything good and innocent about his old life in Ghost Village. Dal’s innocence is gone. He’s learning exactly why On Hyeop (Kang Ha Neul) asked him to live as a fool, and he mourns those carefree days. Poong Gae and Jin are speechless in sorrow at how much this is hurting him. Dal’s a changed man when he returns victorious after those battles. He’s still the same kind, caring person inside but he’s been broken into a thousand pieces. And he’s terrifying as a warrior now.

When Dal returns to find Go Geon (who’s gone completely insane at this point) and Pyeonggang looking like this:

Kim-So-Hyun-e1617756316743.jpg

He loses it and snarls at Go Geon, looking so homicidal and battle-mad that even Pyeonggang shivers. Go Geon literally puts down his sword and lets himself get thrown in jail. That’s how scary Dal is now. And the sad thing is, he never wanted to be that way.

6. That bathtub kiss

This scene was incredibleHe’s so obviously shattered inside but still gently telling her that he’ll always be on her side.

This is so heartbreaking because it sets up what this show is hinting at: that Pyeonggang knows the toll this is taking on Dal but will still ask him to keep fighting, and that Dal knows what this will do to him but loves her too much to ever refuse. This doesn’t mean that Pyeonggang is a bad person. She isn’t. She just has different priorities than Dal, and he knew that from the start.

However, those different priorities mean that Pyeonggang won’t recognize just how important Dal is until it’s too late. She loves him, but he’s secondary to Goguryeo and defeating Go Won Pyo. Her goals are laudable and extremely impressive, but she hasn’t realized that building a new Goguryeo will mean nothing if Dal dies in the process. With the show heavily hinting at tragedy in every moment, it’s unclear if they will actually follow through and have Dal die, but there’s no denying both of them are on a dangerous path. And neither shows any sign of stepping back.

Speaking of people who have no intention of stepping back, Go Geon and Mo Yong have officially both gone nuts and are determine to become Goguryeo’s Bonnie and Clyde. As magnetic as they are onscreen, there’s no redeeming or understanding them anymore. At least they’ve found each other to be insane with.

Spoiler

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Mo Yong, you could’ve been so much better than this!

We’ve got Mo Yong about to kill Pyeonggang, Go Geon making declarations of love to her and completely forgetting that he was in love with Pyeonggang for eight years, Go Geon suddenly tearing up at the thought of being king, him getting thrown in jail with his dad, whom he’s also backstabbing because he loves Mo Yong, and we’ve got Doo Joong Seo (Han Jae Young) on the loose, so everything’s a mess.

Next week doesn’t bode well either. We have Lady Sa’s (Hwang Young Hee) dreams hinting at Dal’s death, and she’s worried enough to journey to the palace to ask him to return to the village. But the preview shows Dal getting angry with her and also shows Go Geon nearing Lady Sa’s carriage, which cannot be good. It’s looking very likely that she’ll die and that Dal will be tormented by regret. With four episodes left and Mo Yong, Go Geon, Go Won Pyo, Doo Joong Seo, and King Jinheung of Silla (Kim Seung Soo) to take down (so many enemies!), it looks like the action will keep going strong, as it has thus far.

But hopefully, the approaching darkness will be balanced out with moments of peace! Dal needs it and so do we!

 

https://www.soompi.com/article/1456478wpp/6-moments-from-episodes-15-16-of-river-where-the-moon-rises-that-broke-our-hearts

 

great article...

 

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@andy78 I feel like time went by so FAST for this drama!! We sure have been through alot, fromJisoo scandal to him getting removed, to not having many On Dal scenes in episode 7-8, to Na In Woo becoming the new On Dal....and now here we are with 4 episodes left for the drama.

 

Despite going through all the transition, I still love the storyline of River Where the Moon Rises.. Sageuk dramas are my favorite and I've been really enjoying this drama :) Can't wait to see the outcome of Go Won Pyo and his demise..!

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1 hour ago, ferily said:

On Dal scenes in episode 7-8, to Na In Woo becoming the new On Dal....and now here we are with 4 episodes left for the drama.

 

they should add more scenes with him in ep 5 and 6...some scenes with from ep 7 and 8 they could add its in ep 6...(ex.the scene with otp when she tells him she will not go with him that must stay at palace...from ep 7)

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