River Where the Moon Rises (TV Series 2021– ) Poster

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8/10
Stick with it!
Jodie_ds20 April 2021
The lead actor change part way through (in the original, although by now they may have re-shot all those earlier episodes) did create unevenness. Na In Woo hoo had no time for any character prep, so the first couple of episodes where he had to dive straight in had him seeming a bit wooden after JiSoo. Na In Woo quickly made up for that though and developed On Dal as his own intrinsic character, with excellent chemistry between the leads. The second leads' story was also very well done. Compelling writing and an epic tale.
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8/10
Good Korean Historical Series
AJ_McAninch4 July 2021
The cast is excellent, and I love the leads. Story line is okay but could have been tightened. This is one of the series (probably most) that simply didn't belong at 20 eps: the result when you do not have enough story is filler, which most fans recognize and bypass anyway. But I did enjoy it and thank Na In Woo for saving the project for the company and fans. He is charming. Recommended.
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8/10
I would have enjoyed with Ji Soo
merzcastro19 April 2021
I'm a fan of Na In-Woo, but Ji Soo is more effective as On Dal. Ji Soo has a boyish, innocent charm.
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10/10
one of the best historical kdrama !
jg_unlb18 July 2021
Congratulations to the lead actors and lead actresses especially Na in Woo, he is amazing. You can see all of his emotions in his expressive eyes. The story too was well written and was well directed. I hope they will have another historical drama like this !
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9/10
RIVER WHERE THE MOON RISES: A Masterpiece Despite the Controversy
Jinxxa_Wolf15 November 2021
RIVER WHERE THE MOON RISES (2021) was a really great show. Going into this, I was reluctant, given some of the controversy and outrage of changing the male lead cast member mid-show. I won't get into that topic, but was worried that presumably significant change might have caused the show to suffer and feel disjointed somehow, whether in story, character chemistry or even by editing flaws. I was concerned something might not feel right. Still, I reluctantly gave it a chance.

That was not the case, thankfully. The cast, Kim So Hyun as the Assassin / Warrior named Princess Pyeonggang, and Na In Woo as the charming, peaceful On Dal had such adorable chemistry and many of the side cast was likable or relatable as well, such as the other Ghost Village members, but especially On Dal's Mother / nanny. I adored On Dal and his mother's sweet, unique relationship. That was probably one of the most absolute sweetest things I've seen in a K-Drama in a while. The little orphan girl was so adorable as well. The side cast did a really good job honestly and truly helped make this show so memorable.

While the show used a few old drama tropes that I'm not a huge fan of, such as convenient amnesia, unrequited love from childhood friend (to the point of silliness imo), and random breakups of serious couples, it still managed to keep me engaged.

All that aside, this series was really touching, great writing and direction, great acting/casting, great character development, great story arcs and scene settings, and wonderful aesthetic design, such as costumes and cinematographic visuals. The music was really memorable as well. Overall, this was a show that has it all; adventure, action, romance, mystery, comedy, and tragedy. I highly recommend giving this one a fair chance (with the reshot episodes/scenes with Na In Woo), despite the critics, naysayers and casting controversy concerns.

STORY: 8/10 CINEMATOGRAPHY: 10/10 ART/DESIGN/VISUALS: 10/10 MUSIC: 9/10 OVERALL RATING: 8.5.
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6/10
I wish I could give a better rating than this, but...
ninchenbienchen4 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
First of all:

I HIGHLY respect the whole cast & crew for sticking together and basically filming the same drama twice and still maintain such a high quality in acting and cinematography. That's real professionalism right there.

Now onto the reason you're actually reading this: the drama itself.

This show is a constant up and down.

It started out really well. The story seemed interesting and I loved the characters.

From episode 6 to episode 7 is when the main actor switch from Jisoo to Na Inwoo happens which I was technically prepared for. In reality, due to the sudden change of the male lead's actor and the tight schedule of refilming the drama, On Dal (the male lead) barely appears for the following two episodes which obviously feels odd to the viewer because he's the male lead, his "disappearance" didn't really fit into the storyline and before and after said two episodes he's everywhere again (which he should).

Now, as the cast and crew did the best they could in a short period of time and considering Na Inwoo did an amazing job in portraying On Dal during the rest of the drama, I had managed to look past it. So starting from around episode 9, the drama had taken a turn for the better again and I really enjoyed watching it.

Unfortunately, only a few episodes later I started to get tired of the drama - this time not because of the cast & crew but because of the turn the storyline took from there. All the amazing characters I grew to love in all the previous episodes either died, had less and less screen time or changed for worse. In addition to that, the number of drama-typical scenes and apparent "plot twists" suddenly started to grow - with the couple breaking up even though it doesn't make sense, a perfectly sane crown prince with a very good relationship to his sister turning into a schizophrenic monster who blames and distrusts her, to name just a few.

At that point, I really started looking forward to finishing this show, though I gotta admit I still couldn't help but keep watching as I wanted to see it to its end.

The finale was also very stereotypical but at least it was generally a finale I can live with when it comes to the fate of the show's characters.

According to a screenwriters not in the beginning of every episode, the drama is supposed to be based on On Dal's life (of course with a few changes). But from my little research I did after reading it, I'm not really sure how much of the drama is truly based on his and the princess' life. Especially considering the many stereotypical drama elements and twist and turns they used towards the second half/the end.

The cinematography and the acting was phenomenal. The soundtrack was beautiful too.
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9/10
A must watch for sageuk fans
sharifahzahira30 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
If you see the ratings of below 8/10 because of Ji Soo's removal from the show, then trust me, the reviews are blinded because they are rhe frustrated fans of Ji Soo.

This drama is a gem. Stellar performances by Na In Woo, Kim So Hyun and all the other actors in this drama. A tale that intertwines in love, revenge, betrayal, honour, patriotism, politics, sacrifice, rebellion, heroism.. so much that is going on in a drama.

Na In Woo as a 'babo On Dal'-turned General On Dal is a delight to see. The director is so good in making NIW look amazingly agile as a swordsman and a general in war. KSH did well too in being the queen-assassin-princess again (2 roles in the drama), but the story won't be satisfying without the support of all the casts in it. Gochuga, Go Geon, Mo Yong, the leaders of the tribes, love them or hate them, they played their role really well.

I love the fact that the twists and turns are not as I predicted. I am appalled by the fact that the Princess's brother who turned king turned out to be a man of tantrum leading Goguryeo. I'm glad it's a happy ending for the Princess and On Dal though the plot twist was a bit puzzling to accept. I suppose maybe On Dal didn't thoroughly learnt the art of "pausing" his body from the monk, and due to that, he momentarily lost his memory.

A 9.2/10 from me. A must watch. The OSTs are quite nice too.
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6/10
Good Enough
PennyReviews26 May 2021
Korean Drama "River where the moon rises" was not a great romance story, but the strong female lead saved the day. Her story, the performance, and her presentation were all not only entertaining but also intriguing. That is not to say that the rest of the actors and actresses of the cast did not do a great job. But the leading lady's performance and dynamic appeal stole the scene every time. Her story was overall interesting, as well, and it was refreshing to have a period drama focusing on a female character. The clothes and settings were a nice touch too, as they were different, detailed and looked real.

However, at least for me, the drama was greatly affected by the switch of the male lead. They did not handle it well, and the character disappeared for a few episodes and had a few chopped scenes edited here and there. So, I do recommend watching it with the second actor right from the start, as it feels a bit awkward with the switch.

As for the romance, it was okay, but not as strong and impactful as it presented it, or hoped for it to be. That is because it was often overshadowed by the politics and, sometimes, the second lead. The ending was a bit off too and too unrealistic.

So, overall, six and a half out of ten.
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10/10
Why one should watch the drama.
nahajn21 April 2021
I want to say that those who left the drama due to Jisoo issue, they had missed a masterpiece. The cinematography, the acting , the actions and moreover the chemistry between the leads all are awesome. Though I am not a fan of historical drama but I was glued to TV during the drama broadcasting time. Kim So hyun was awesome. She played the role of queen, the assassin, the princess and portrayed different emotions according to character. Na in woo was an unfamiliar name to me as I first saw him in this drama but he showed how an innocent person became a great general. His pain, love, cruelty all type of emotions had shown here. Moreover , Lee ji hoon and Choi yu Hwa had done their job. I liked the king , queen, the prince and even the five tribe leaders. The child actors did their job very well. It was an emotional rollercoaster for me .
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7/10
The only reason to wield a sword was to protect your wife and family.
jgardiner-871-72672914 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This should be good both of the lead actors are really great. So I'm looking forward to it. Woah! This is powerful even in the first episode.

Jisoo is so handsome. This role suits him so well. He is a funny as well as a superior, fighter and has so much trust in( Kim So Hyun/ Pyeong Gang / Yeom Ga Jin / Queen Yeon )even though he knows that she is a dauntless and relentless assassin. The there is Kang Ha Neul/On Hyub, On Dal's father What a fantastic part he played, He character has so much integrity, kindness and loyalty. I was so sad that he had to die.

I was hoping though that the beginning is not a forewarning of the end. I get so cross when that happens but of course this has got historical roots and death is always a possibility.

What has happened at this stage is that the bulling accusations against JiSoo have arisen and have take priority over the the drama. He has been dropped and a new actors has come in to fill his space.

Oh I miss Ji Soo so much, his handsome face and cheeky mischievous smile the new lead actor Na In Woo just doesn't cut it for me. He doesn't have the devious kind of smartness of Ji Soo. He is too up tight and strait-laced. He has to move out of his boundaries and input and more extraverted personality. Aish! I'm so sad. I already invested so much time effort and love into Ji Soo. Oh! Know what he did wrong but I can't help the way I feel about him. He is an outstanding and superior actor. His past experiences has made him into the person he is today. Is she going to fall in love with this new On Dal? If you be hating on me just remember this is just my own personal opinion.

I know I'm picking on this poor actor(Na In Woo) but he hasn't got the energy charisma and abilities for this role and he is too wooden. He is also not humorous. Poor guy! He has got big shoes to fill.

It is a sad when because Dal learns the grave his father took him to was his mothers and the reason his father didn't want him to wield a sword. It is also where his fathers sword is buried. The one buried when he was a child. His father said the only reason to wield a sword was to protect your wife and family.

Lots of plots going on in the palace and the Ghost village gears up to fight say invaders.

It's ramping up! Can't wait for next week.

Well I've come to terms with the new actor Na In Woo since he has become a good fighter. I have immersed myself into the new style. They have all gone off on a suicide mission. Surely Dal is not going to die., but their small army of 300 has been victorious. She has found Dal seriously wounded. He says you are my country.

The King and the Crown Prince head out to the Princess whose small army has won.

Now the guy who trained Ga Jin as an assassin I trying to kill the king her father. Nice that she goes to save her dad when previously he ordered her to kill him. Ironic how this happened instead.

Lee Ji HoonGo Geon was once the one that loved the Princess Pyeong Gang the most. He was her protector and trained her in Martial Arts when she was a young girl but when they became adults. He found a new love (Choi Yoo Hwa/Hae Mo Yong (a spy from Silia and herb expert, medical resource person) and gained ambitions to be King. Don't tell me he's going to get himself killed?

The drama is moving well but I just miss JiSoo. I hope things are going well for him.

I love Kim So Hyun so much. I have followed her since she was a child actor and she has grown from strength to strength. She and Jisoo were the reasons I started watching this drama. She is the reason I stayed on when Jisoo dropped out. She has been the one that has carried this show. This has demonstrated her awesome talents as an actor and a Martial Arts Expert. I love her fighting demonstrations. Pyeong Gang taught her husband how to fight well but he never liked to kill any living thing. He also has got a bit of a chauvinist problem. He doesn't understand that his wife has had more fighting experience than him and knows how to control the situation better but he just want her to go back to the Palace and be safe. She is so great. Carry on sister do it for us.

She is surely putting her husband through the mill but he does everything for her, his love.

It was awesome he was fighting the son Lee Ji HoonGo Geon and she was fighting the father Lee Hae Young/Go Won Pyo the man who killed her mother. They were trying to protect the King her father and the crown Prince her brother. I think Dal had the harder job. She said the same words to him that her mother said as he killed her. She (Princess Pyeong Gang )called out "Go Won Pyo! You will never ..... have Goguryeo." as she stabbed him in the chest with her sword.

Two men were fighting Dal and Go Geon went to help his father. He killed them both. Go Geon found his father dying where the Princess left him. He finds Dal's mother, the blind woman in the princesses hidden passageway. He never knew existed. He kills her. He meets Choi Yoo Hwa/Hae Mo Yong the one who loves him and tries to take him away but he is determine to kill Dal and the Princess. Mo Yong puts him to sleep with a dart. She takes him out of the palace.

Dal is heart broken when he finds his mum dead and leaves the palace.

Four years later the General Princess is fighting for her King previously Crown Prince. He has grown arrogant now he is King.

Dal comes back to save his Princess and fight in the war to until the three Kingdoms. Two married couples led the army him and the Princess and the Princesses fellow assassin and friend ( Kim Hee JungTara Jin,Tara San's twin sister) and her husband (Kim Dong YoungSa Poong Gae, On Dal's friend ). So they go into battle side by side.

These must be the three stubbornest women in a Kdrama. Tara Jin, Hae Mo Yong and the Princess Pyeong Gang all refusing to leave the men that they love preferring to fight and die with them. It was so sad that Go Geon died protecting the princess whom he still loved and Hae Mo Yong the store keeper was injured protecting him.

Kim So Hyun what a stunning, outstanding and awesome actor. Surprise ending.
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10/10
sad to see Ji Soo not in it
yutko200411 April 2021
I have not watched the series yet but I surely will once its completed (can't wait every week). But I wanted to talk about the replacement of the male lead actor Ji Soo. It looks as if people awoken from a deep sleep and decided now after he stared in numerus series for the past 8 years to talk of their hurt from him bulling them at school. Why now? Why not before? Does he have more money now? I understand what he did is wrong and he should pay for it in one way or another, but preventing bulling starts from home, and school. And from what I see, The school and society is much to blame as well.
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7/10
People born with terrible lives ruin the lives of others
alaningle712 March 2024
Kim So-hyun plays Princess Pyeonggang whose mother, the Queen was killed when she was a child and whilst trying to escape she is assisted by the son of a General called On Dal played by Na In-woo. They become separated and the princess has an accident and loses her memory and she is adopted by a secret society and is trained to become a very efficient assassin. Many years later they meet by accident and this begins to unravel a chain of events going to the top of the Royal household and the events from their childhoods. It is an entertaining story and the pace of the first two thirds of the series is engaging and the momentum retains your interest. Sadly the final third is where to me the pacing is off and it would have benefitted from fewer episodes.
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1/10
Last episode was a mess
aminpe20 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
They just needed to end the series somehow, the last episode turned into indian fiction.
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3/10
River Where the Stars Fizzle Away
Park_Min29 December 2023
The story suffered from erratic pacing, cramming too many plots that made it hard keep any interesting narrative. The characters were a simulated circus clown that kept making foolish moves intentionally at every turn. Might explains why it's 20 episodes. The childish love square was another contributor in that regard. Na In Woo's portrayal felt strained, his expressions, intonations, inflections, and emotions seemingly forced to fit the character mold. Comparing it to the original version, it seems there was a notable disparity. Checked a couple of scenes side by side, there's a clear difference in the delivery, as big as expressing an entirely different emotion of the exact same scene. I wonder what was the director even doing? The lack of chemistry with his colleagues was obvious too. He was called to fill in a role on a quick notice with so little to work with in the first place. All of that didn't compare to the abysmal last episode, and even worse, the detestable last scene.
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