Love Blossoms Amidst Revenge in 'Moon River'

The relationship between Kang Tae-oh and Kim Se-jeong is gradually blossoming.

In the 8th episode of MBC's Friday-Saturday drama 'Moon River' (directed by Lee Dong-hyun, written by Jo Seung-hee), aired on the 29th, Lee Kang (played by Kang Tae-oh) washed away the hatred and guilt that weighed on his heart and confessed his true feelings to Park Dal-i (played by Kim Se-jeong), delivering a heart-fluttering ending. The episode recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 5.4%, with the scene where Lee Kang kills Jimjo reaching a peak of 5.8%, according to Nielsen Korea.

Lee Kang was planning to accept Park Dal-i as his beloved after completing his revenge, fearing that Deputy Prime Minister Kim Han-cheol (played by Jin Goo) might kill his loved one again. However, Kim Han-cheol, who would ruthlessly kill even his close aides to achieve his goals, was showing murderous intent. Unable to lose Park Dal-i, Lee Kang eventually brought her into the palace as a concubine.

Kim Han-cheol, suspicious of Lee Kang's actions of bringing in a concubine before the royal marriage, requested a private meeting with Park Dal-i, who had become the crown prince's concubine, to confirm Lee Kang's feelings for her. Seeing Lee Kang rush to Park Dal-i upon hearing she was with the Deputy Prime Minister, Kim Han-cheol was convinced of Lee Kang's feelings.

Not wanting to reveal his affection for Park Dal-i, Lee Kang told Kim Han-cheol that Park Dal-i's concubine status was merely out of responsibility, but Kim Han-cheol was unlikely to believe this. Although Lee Kang's words were meant to protect Park Dal-i, they ended up hurting her feelings.

Furthermore, Lee Kang drew a line by telling Park Dal-i to stay out of the Gyesa year incident, as he wanted to approach her after removing the Deputy Prime Minister and washing away his hatred and guilt over the deceased concubine. Unaware of Lee Kang's intentions, Park Dal-i felt hurt by his continued pushing away.

Amidst this, an unexpected figure extended a helping hand to Lee Kang. Having promised Lee Woon (played by Lee Sin-young) that he would protect Lee Woon and Kim Woo-hee's love if he succeeded in his revenge, Kim Woo-hee (played by Hong Su-zu), Lee Woon's beloved and Deputy Prime Minister Kim Han-cheol's daughter, revealed the location where Kim Han-cheol had hidden Jimjo. The collaboration between the young lovers, who were victims of Kim Han-cheol's ambitions, added intrigue.

With Kim Woo-hee's help, Lee Kang found the location of Jimjo and tried to use a baby Jimjo to find clues. However, Kim Han-cheol had already realized that Lee Kang was on his trail and instructed his subordinate, Chorengital, to lead Lee Kang to release Jimjo into the world, heightening the tension.

Finally, the veiled Jimjo revealed its true form to the world, turning the palace into chaos. Park Dal-i, aware of Lee Kang's revenge plan, tried to capture Jimjo but couldn't stop it with human strength. Ultimately, Lee Kang destroyed Jimjo to save Park Dal-i, who was in danger.

Especially, Park Dal-i's face showed despair and guilt as she realized she had thwarted Lee Kang's long-awaited revenge with her own hands. Unable to meet his eyes due to guilt, she shed tears, and Lee Kang wiped them away, confessing, "I love you very much, Park Dal-i."

Hearing the words she had longed to hear, Park Dal-i responded with a tender smile, saying, "Me too." The two, looking at each other with eyes full of affection, shared a kiss, ending the 8th episode with their relationship blossoming anew. The next story of 'Moon River,' as Lee Kang and Park Dal-i's rekindled romance unfolds, is eagerly awaited.

The 9th episode of MBC's Friday-Saturday drama 'Moon River' will air on December 5th at 9:40 PM.

Reporter Chaeryeong Lim, TENASIA syjj426@tenasia.co.kr