Fascinating Facts About 'Love in the Moonlight(2016)'

Korean Drama 'Love in the Moonlight'

Love-in-the-Moonlight-wallpaper


'Love in the Moonlight',that is also called "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds," is a South Korean television series that aired in 2016. It was produced by KBS2 and directed by Kim Sung-Yoon. The series is based on the web novel of the same name by Yoon Yi-soo. The show gained immense popularity and became one of the most successful dramas of the year. The series was nominated for several awards and won the Best Drama at the 22nd Asian Television Awards.


Cast (Actor & Actress)

'Love in the Moonlight' has an ensemble cast that consists of popular actors and actresses. The main cast includes:

  • Park Bo-Gum as Lee Yeong
  • Kim Yoo-Jung as Hong Ra-On
  • Jinyoung as Kim Yoon-Sung
  • Chae Soo-Bin as Jo Ha-Yeon
  • Kwak Dong-Yeon as Kim Byung-Yeon

While Park Bo-Gum and Kim Yoo-Jung were already recognized for their acting skills before the show aired, the other actors were not well known to Korean fans. However, the drama was a huge success, with actor Kwak Dong-Yeon in particular making a name for himself. 


Plot Summary

The series is set in the Joseon Dynasty and follows the story of Crown Prince Lee Yeong, who falls in love with Hong Ra-On, a woman disguised as a male eunuch. Hong Ra-On had disguised herself to survive after her family was falsely accused of treason. The show depicts their love story, as well as the political struggles and intrigues of the time. 



Viewership and Ratings

'Love in the Moonlight' was a huge success both in Korea. The show received high ratings and became one of the most-watched dramas of the year. the final episode recorded a nationwide rating of 22.9%. In fact, the competitor(Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo) was so strong that not many people predicted its success before it aired. But it was a surprising success, generating more buzz than I expected.

As a result, 'Love in the Moonlight' received numerous nominations and awards for its excellent production and performances. Park Bo-Gum won the Excellence Award at the 30th KBS Drama Awards, while Kim Yoo-Jung won the Best Actress. Also the drama wasn't just popular in Korea but also gained a massive following internationally. It was especially popular in countries like China, Japan, and Thailand, where it was dubbed or subtitled in their local languages.


Differences from Real History

While 'Love in the Moonlight' is set during the Joseon Dynasty, it is not a historically accurate portrayal. The series takes creative liberties with certain aspects of history to fit the storyline. 

For example, the show depicts Crown Prince Lee Yeong as a romantic hero, whereas in real life, he was an unhappy prince who died just three years after entering the political arena. Similarly, in regards to Hong Ra-On, not only were women not allowed to be eunuchs in real life, but she is a created character with no record in real history.

The drama is also different from the original novel. I won't go into too much detail because it would be a spoiler, but there is a big difference between the original novel and the drama in the ending. 


Interesting Facts

Now, let's dive into some fascinating facts about 'Love in the Moonlight.'


Park Bo-Gum's Horse-Riding Scene

In episode 6 of the drama, there's a scene where Park Bo-Gum's character, Lee Yeong, is riding a horse while playing a traditional Korean flute. This scene became a fan-favorite, and many viewers were curious if it was really Park Bo-Gum who was riding the horse. The production team later confirmed that it was indeed Park Bo-Gum, who had to undergo months of horse-riding training for this scene.


Park Bo-Gum's Singing Skills

In addition to his acting and horse-riding skills, Park Bo-Gum also impressed viewers with his singing skills. He sang the OST for 'Love in the Moonlight' titled "My Person," which became a hit on the charts. He also performed the song live at his fan meetings and concerts, showcasing his versatile talents.



Going Bromance Crazy

Another favorite aspect of 'Love in the Moonlight' is the bromance between Lee Yeong and his loyal bodyguard, Kim Byung-Yeon, played by Kwak Dong-Yeon. Korean fans cheered the deep bond and bromance between the two characters, and their scenes together were some of the most popular in the drama.


Historical References

Throughout the drama, there were numerous references to real-life historical events and figures. For example, one of the subplots, "Hong Kyung Rae's Rebellion," is a famous event that is even mentioned in Korean history textbooks. So Koreans watched the drama with even more trepidation because they knew how the real history ended.


Kissing Scenes Controversy

Despite the drama's popularity, it faced some controversy over its kissing scenes. Some viewers felt that the scenes were too suggestive and inappropriate, because Kim Yoo-Jung as Hong Ra-On was very young. However, the production team defended the scenes, stating that they were necessary for the romantic storyline and were not meant to be vulgar.


Unique titles

"Love in the Moonlight" is a paraphrased title, while the direct translation of the Korean title is "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds". The Korean title of "Love in the Moonlight" has some words written in old-fashioned notation, giving it a traditional feel for Koreans. 


Love-in-the-moonlight-poster



"Love in the Moonlight" is a timeless drama that continues to captivate audiences around the world with its beautiful romance, engaging plot, and memorable characters. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to Korean dramas, this drama is sure to leave a lasting impression. Thank you for reading and be sure to check out other posts