Love in the Moonlight
Set in the vibrant Joseon dynasty, Love in the Moonlight is a captivating historical romance K-drama that blends political intrigue, youthful charm, and heart-fluttering love. The story revolves around Park Bo Gum as Lee Young, the Crown Prince known for his intelligence and elegance, and Kim Yoo Jung as Hong Ra On, a smart and spirited young woman who disguises herself as a man to work as a love advisor. A twist of fate brings them together inside the royal palace under unexpected circumstances. Unaware of Ra On’s true identity, Lee Young is drawn to the clever and candid eunuch in his service. As their bond deepens, their relationship becomes increasingly complicated—not only by her secret, but also by royal expectations, looming betrayals, and palace politics. Meanwhile, Jung Jin Young plays Kim Yoon Sung, a charming nobleman and childhood friend of the prince, adding a touch of rivalry and emotional depth to the storyline. The drama offers a beautiful balance of romance and tension, with Kwak Dong Yeon as Kim Byung Yeon, the prince’s loyal bodyguard, who hides his own burdens. Chae Soo Bin as Jo Ha Yeon, a noblewoman chosen to be Crown Princess, adds layers to the palace's love dynamics. With lush visuals, traditional costumes, and breathtaking music, Love in the Moonlight is a timeless tale of forbidden love, loyalty, and personal freedom. Perfect for fans of coming-of-age sageuk dramas, Love in the Moonlight is a must-watch for its stunning performances, royal romance, and unexpected moments of laughter and sorrow. Whether you're drawn to Park Bo Gum's regal presence or Kim Yoo Jung’s powerful disguise performance, this K-drama delivers emotion, elegance, and excitement in every episode.
Details
🙂 Native Title: 구르미 그린 달빛
🌎 Also Known As: Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, Gureumi Geurin Dalbit
🎭 Genres: Historical, Romance, Comedy, Political
🏷 Tags: Cross-Dressing Female Lead, Crown Prince Male Lead, Secret Identity, Palace Politics, Coming of Age
✍ Screenwriters: Kim Min Jung, Im Ye Jin
🎬 Directors: Kim Sung Yoon, Baek Sang Hoon
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 18
🗓️ Aired: August 22, 2016 – October 18, 2016
📅 Airing Days: Monday & Tuesday
📺 Original Network: KBS2
⏰ Duration: 60 minutes
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older
Best Scenes
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Ra On’s Dance Performance: In Episode 3, Hong Ra On’s impromptu dance captivates Crown Prince Lee Young, marking a turning point in their relationship.
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The Rain Shelter Scene: A tender moment unfolds as Lee Young and Ra On seek shelter from the rain, leading to a heartfelt exchange that deepens their bond.
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Crown Prince’s Confession: Lee Young’s heartfelt confession to Ra On under the moonlight showcases the depth of his feelings, leaving viewers emotionally moved.
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Ra On’s Identity Reveal: The dramatic revelation of Ra On’s true identity as a woman brings intense emotional turmoil and challenges to their relationship.
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Final Farewell: The concluding scene where Lee Young and Ra On part ways is both heart-wrenching and beautifully executed, leaving a lasting impression.
Filming Locations
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Gyeongbokgung Palace: This iconic palace in Seoul served as a primary filming location, providing an authentic royal backdrop for many scenes.
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Baekje Cultural Land: Located in Buyeo, this historical theme park recreated the grandeur of the Joseon era, enhancing the drama’s visual appeal.
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Jeonju Hanok Village: The traditional Korean houses in this village added authenticity to the drama’s setting, immersing viewers in the period.
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Hwaseong Fortress: This UNESCO World Heritage site in Suwon provided majestic exteriors for royal processions and military scenes.
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The Garden of Morning Calm: Known for its picturesque landscapes, this garden was used for romantic scenes, adding to the drama’s aesthetic beauty.
Visual Design and Costumes
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Authentic Hanbok Designs: Costume director Lee Jin-hee ensured the hanboks reflected the era’s fashion, using traditional fabrics and colors.
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Symbolic Color Palette: The use of colors in costumes symbolized characters’ statuses and emotions, enhancing storytelling through visual cues.
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Intricate Accessories: Detailed accessories, such as hairpins and jewelry, were meticulously crafted to reflect the characters’ personalities and ranks.
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Set Design Authenticity: Sets were designed to replicate the architecture and interiors of the Joseon dynasty, providing an immersive experience.
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Lighting Techniques: Soft lighting was employed to create a romantic and dreamy atmosphere, complementing the drama’s tone.
Themes and Messages
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Love Beyond Social Boundaries: The drama explores how love can transcend class and gender roles, challenging societal norms.
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Identity and Self-Discovery: Ra On’s journey highlights the importance of self-identity and the courage to live authentically.
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Political Intrigue and Loyalty: The series delves into palace politics, emphasizing themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of governance.
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Coming-of-Age: Characters undergo significant personal growth, learning about responsibility, love, and sacrifice.
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Empowerment and Feminism: Ra On’s character challenges traditional gender roles, promoting messages of female empowerment.
Interesting Facts
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Based on a Web Novel: The drama is adapted from the web novel “Moonlight Drawn by Clouds” by Yoon Yi-soo, which gained popularity before its television adaptation.
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High Viewership Ratings: The series achieved impressive ratings, peaking at 23.3% nationwide, reflecting its widespread acclaim.
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Award-Winning Soundtrack: The original soundtrack, featuring artists like Gummy and Baek Ji-young, received accolades for its contribution to the drama’s emotional depth.
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Cultural Impact: The drama sparked a surge in interest in traditional Korean attire and historical sites, influencing tourism and fashion trends.
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International Recognition: “Love in the Moonlight” was broadcast in multiple countries, expanding the global reach of Korean historical dramas.
Awards
Here is a comprehensive list of awards and nominations received by the Korean drama Love in the Moonlight (2016):
🏆 Major Awards and Wins
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22nd Asian Television Awards (2017)
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🏅 Best Drama Series – Love in the Moonlight
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12th Seoul International Drama Awards (2017)
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🏅 Top Excellence Award for a Hallyu Drama – Love in the Moonlight
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🏅 Outstanding Korean Actor – Park Bo-gum
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29th South Korean Directors and Producers Awards (2017)
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🏅 Best Television Drama – Love in the Moonlight
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50th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival (2017)
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🏅 Platinum Remi Award – Love in the Moonlight
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🎭 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards (2017)
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🏅 Most Popular Actor (TV) – Park Bo-gum
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🏅 Most Popular Actress (TV) – Kim Yoo-jung
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🎖️ Best Drama – Love in the Moonlight (Nominated)
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🎖️ Best Actor (TV) – Park Bo-gum (Nominated)
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🎖️ Best New Actor (TV) – Jung Jin-young (Nominated)
🌟 2016 KBS Drama Awards
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🏅 Top Excellence Award, Actor – Park Bo-gum
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🏅 Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama – Kim Yoo-jung
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🏅 Best Supporting Actor – Lee Jun-hyeok
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🏅 Best New Actor – Jung Jin-young
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🏅 Best Young Actor – Jung Yun-seok
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🏅 Best Young Actress – Heo Jung-eun
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🏅 Netizen Award, Actor – Park Bo-gum
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🏅 Best Couple Award – Park Bo-gum & Kim Yoo-jung
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🎖️ Grand Prize (Daesang) – Park Bo-gum (Nominated)
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🎖️ Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-length Drama – Park Bo-gum (Nominated)
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🎖️ Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama – Chae Soo-bin (Nominated)
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🎖️ Best Supporting Actress – Jung Hye-sung (Nominated)
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🎖️ Best New Actor – Kwak Dong-yeon (Nominated)
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🎖️ Best New Actress – Kim Yoo-jung (Nominated)
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🎖️ Netizen Award, Actor – Jung Jin-young (Nominated)
🌐 Asia Artist Awards (2016)
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🏅 Asia Star Award, Actor – Park Bo-gum
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🏅 Best Star Award, Actor – Park Bo-gum
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🏅 Best Icon Award, Drama – Kim Yoo-jung
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🎖️ Popularity Award, Actor – Park Bo-gum (Nominated)
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🎖️ Popularity Award, Actress – Kim Yoo-jung (Nominated)
🎶 Music Awards
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Mnet Asian Music Awards (2016)
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🎖️ Best OST – Gummy for “Moonlight Drawn by Clouds” (Nominated)
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These accolades underscore Love in the Moonlight‘s critical acclaim and popularity, highlighting its exceptional storytelling, performances, and production quality.
Real-Life Loves on Set
There has been no confirmed real-life romance between the lead actors of Love in the Moonlight, Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo Jung. Despite their incredible on-screen chemistry and the romantic tension between their characters Lee Young and Hong Ra On, both stars have consistently stated that they share a professional and friendly relationship off-screen.
Their natural connection and emotional performances led many fans to speculate about a possible romance, especially during the show’s peak popularity. However, both actors have denied dating rumors in interviews, emphasizing their mutual respect and appreciation for one another as colleagues.
In short, while Love in the Moonlight gave viewers a beautifully portrayed love story, that romance did not continue into real life. The emotional depth seen in the drama remains a testament to the actors’ talent rather than a reflection of an actual relationship.
Trailer
Music / OST
Gallery
