K-Drama Flashback: ‘Love in the Moonlight’

I give all the brownie points to Love in the Moonlight for being exactly what it is: a timeless classic K-drama that looks into the intersection of culture and society while placing an improbable love story at the forefront of the fascinating dynamics of palace life during the Joseon dynasty. We follow the ascent to prominence of Crown Prince Lee Yeong (Park Bo-gum) and the bond he shares with Eunuch Hong Ra-on (Kim Yoo-jung)—an emotional roller coaster of love, laughter, loyalty, friendship, sacrifice, and suffering through tense moments brought on by political intrigue.

Here’s how it all begins: Lee Yeong decides to meet the writer of the love letters his sister (the princess) is receiving. Interestingly, Ra-on, a romance novelist and love counselor, has been drafting them under the alias Hong Sam-nom. Dressed as a man, she always hides her reality. One day when summoned to meet the princess she’s caught off guard, seeing the Crown Prince there (who’s also in disguise). The encounter leads to something of an initial hostility between them, and shortly thereafter, her creditors sell her as a eunuch to the palace. In how and what ensues, Lee Yong and Ra-on fall for each other.

As much as Kim Yoo-jung’s exquisite expressiveness vividly conveys the essence of Ra-on’s character on screen, Park Bo-gum is remarkably adept at expressing the subtleties of Lee Yong’s emotions. Their love story is an odyssey of significance cutting beyond class, stigma, and prejudices—one of the best historical K-dramas in my book, intuitively presenting its take on the fundamentals of self-growth and the specifics of interpersonal interactions.

In its detailed description of a time in Joseon, Love in the Moonlight invites us to reflect on the flow of time and many universal values. Immersing your senses in an age that feels both foreign and familiar, the elaborate setting, complex court politics, and social mores of the era enhance an already rich drama. You’re given an insight into the intricate power structures and social hierarchies that influence the lives of those living within the royal walls. The characters’ intricate interactions—each with their backstories, hardships, and moments of personal development—help to personalize the historical setting and make it relatable to viewers today.

Love in the Moonlight is a moment to remember in its heartfelt and lighter episodes that segue between profound emotional punches and fun moments in flawless unity. Along with its leads, the other main characters are just as beautiful—particularly the rich, magnetic scholar Kim Yoon-sung (Jung Jin-young), who becomes Ra-on’s confidant from the start, figuring out her truth, and Kim Byung-yeon (Kwak Dong-yeon), an expert swordsman and scholar, the Head of the Royal Guard of the Crown Prince’s palace and his trusted friend.

But I’ll bring up Park Bo-geum once more. His rendition of the endearing and multifaceted Crown Prince is a favorite for the way he manages deep within his burgeoning feelings for Ra-on while cognizant of the gravity and the technicalities of who he is. Their on-screen rapport is the cornerstone of what made Love in the Moonlight a phenomenon, sparking the “Moonlight Syndrome” throughout and following its run in 2016.

The coming-of-age drama premised on the 19th-century Joseon Dynasty, originates from the web novel Moonlight Drawn by Clouds and comes into being through its production details, staying true to and recreating the period’s physical surroundings. From the royal interiors to the streets, the setting of daily business, the clothing, and the sight of people clad in vibrant, billowing hanboks, the entirety captures the spirit of the time.

Its’ warm palette adds to the overall classic quaint ambiance underlining the cinematographic appeal thanks to the ambient lighting and thoughtfully used mix-and-match textures across multiple scenes. Into the bargain, its amazing OST complements the story enriching the watch experience. With everything falling into place, Love in the Moonlight is an epic tale of romance, humor, and politics that ably and aesthetically reflects Korean culture breaking down boundaries across cultures, and bringing people together via the shared language of storytelling.