MBC, home to hit historical dramas like The Red Sleeve, My Dearest, and Knight Flower, is ready to unveil its next big title — Moon River. The highly anticipated series held its official press conference on October 30 at MBC’s Golden Mouse Hall in Seoul, attended by lead actors Kang Tae-oh, Kim Se-jeong, Lee Shin-young, Hong Su-joo, Jin Goo, and director Lee Dong-hyun.
Moon River Cast / News1
A Fantasy Romance with a Twist
Moon River tells the story of a crown prince who has lost his laughter and a female merchant who has lost her memories, whose souls unexpectedly swap bodies. The result is a “reverse-identity” romance that blends humor, emotion, and fantasy — marking a refreshing new direction for MBC’s historical lineup.
Kang Tae-oh’s Return to Historical Drama
This marks Kang Tae-oh’s first historical role in six years. The actor admitted, “It’s been so long since I did a sageuk (historical drama) that I was nervous. I rewatched my old performances to adjust my tone and expression again.”
Kang, who gained immense popularity through Extraordinary Attorney Woo, said he’s ready to show a deeper, more mature side in this new role.
Kim Se-jeong’s First-Ever Historical Role
For Kim Se-jeong, this drama represents her first historical performance since debut. “I was both excited and nervous,” she shared. “I had to speak in a dialect and express many emotions at once, which was challenging. I even sought advice from senior actress Ha Ji-won, who told me to spend time talking and rehearsing deeply with my co-star.”
Se-jeong added that she worked hard to showcase “the beauty and grace that historical characters should have,” especially through her hanbok styling and gestures.
High Expectations for Another MBC Hit
Director Lee Dong-hyun addressed the pressure of following a strong lineup of MBC hits that all surpassed 10% ratings. “There’s definitely pressure, but also pride,” he said. “I pushed the actors hard because I truly believe this drama can continue MBC’s legacy.”
Premiere Details
MBC’s Moon River premieres on November 7 at 9:50 p.m. KST. With its mix of fantasy, humor, and emotional storytelling — and the star power of Kang Tae-oh and Kim Se-jeong — all eyes are on whether it can join the ranks of MBC’s next record-breaking hits.