ltspada
This review may contain spoilers
My new favorite crown prince. Once he fell for her he did not waver.
9/10 os my rating. This is a 2016 South Korean coming of age historical romance with 18, 60 minute episodes. It is based in a web novel entitled “Moonlight Drawn by Clouds”.
First I provide a unique synopsis then review.
Synopsis
Crown Prince Lee Yeong (Park Bo-Gum) is awash in palace intrigue as he navigates the dangerous waters of becoming a monarch. His journey is made better with his friendship with Hong Ra-on (Kim Yoo-jung) who serves as one of his few allys and offers loyal friendship. Most servants avoid extensive contact with Lee Yeong as he is mischievious amd has the unpredictable nature of someone whose interest center in music and art. a series of unfortunate events involving debt collectors and being sold into servitude lands Ra-on in the palce seving as a Eunich. Although Ra-on has pretended to be a male her whole life, this turns out to be her most dangerous and complex ruse. As the two start to fall for each other, can Lee Yeong see through Ra-ons guise to discover he is not engaged in a forbidden attraction? Will the reason Ra-on has pretended to be male be what keeps them apart?
Review
This is a must watch for romance fans. It has that sort of slow burn romance that is so appealing. One of my favorite tropes is where main guy is hard to win over but once he falls for the girl, that’s it. You do have to put up with a lot of the typical politics in Josean era historical romance with the infighting for power. But that just comes with the territory with historical romance. It is well paced, the romance is believable, and there are enough interesting things that happen and mysterious back story to make it all flow nicely and remain engaging. I highly recommend it and would watch it again.
Spoilers
It ends happy in the sense that the good overcomes evil and the couple wind up together. I see what a lot of other reviewers said about it being very rushed. To watch 18 episodes and only get to see them be fully together in the last tens of minutes is a bit disappointing but not enough to ruin it as a very good, superior even, historical romance.
For the longest time I could not get the total fixation with Park Bo Gum. He is undeniably handsome and just has this air about him where he seems like a very kind person. I got that. But I hadn’t seen anything where his acting was beyond just really good. But this showed me why people are so invested in him as an actor. His portrayal of Lee Yeong was nothing short of masterful. I think he is now my favorite Crown Prince. He was playful in a spiteful I really hate this position that was thrust on me way. I liked how loyal his character was to all of those he cared about and the people in general. Every aspect of his acting was spot on and his expressions and even his body language were perfect for the role. It was such a highlight of his talent for really brining out the unique aspects of a character so that they felt real. Great acting makes you feel thankful. I am very thankful to him for the magical journey he took me, as a viewer, on with this character.
The only disappointment I had in the way the Lee Young’s character was portrayed was around his relationship with Jo Ha-Yeon (Chae Soo-Bin) who later became the Crown Princess. Although I think it is true to life in a way, I still did not like it. She falls for him basically because he is handsome and debonaire. And that is when she starts being clingy and manipulativ, both traits I really dislike in females. I don’t know why he wasn’t annoyed when she followed him in the marketplace. I did not like how arrogant and entitled she acted from their first encounter and how she continued to act that way even after she found out who he was. He doesn’t ask her to accompany him, but she follows him and essentially puts him in more danger trying to protect her while fighting the masked ninjas that attacked them. I liked when Lee Young was like stay out of my space but then, later, he does a reversal when she manipulates him into believing she is willing to be the Crown Princess just to help him. As a position/title but not like his spouse. And he falls for that. Then she proceeds to invade his space as much as she wishes even bragging that because she is the Crown Princess they just let her in to wait for him. When he was pushing her away, he clearly told her he was already in love with someone else, but she did not respect that at all. I do not know why when she screwed up and winded up feeding him poison that didn’t get her deposed. Like an idiot she guilted him into drinking some tonic they had been trying to get him to drink and he almost dies. But she didn’t act remorseful about her role at all. And she did not get deposFor the longest time I could not get the total fixation with Park Bo Gum. He is undeniably handsome and just has this air about him where he seems like a very kind person. I got that. But I hadn’t seen anything where his acting was beyond just really good. But this showed me why people are so invested in him as an actor. His portrayal of Lee Yeong was nothing short of masterful. I think he is now my favorite Crown Prince. He was playful in a spiteful I really hate this position that was thrust on me way. I liked how loyal his character was to all of those he cared about and the people in general. Every aspect of his acting was spot on and his expressions and even his body language were perfect for the role. It was such a highlight of his talent for really brining out the unique aspects of a character so that they felt real.
The only disappointment I had in the way the Lee Young’s character was portrayed was around his relationship with Jo Ha-Yeon (Chae Soo-Bin) who later became the Crown Princess. Although I think it is true to life in a way, I still did not like. She falls for him basically because he is handsome and debonaire. And that is when she starts being clingy and manipulate, both traits I really dislike in females. I don’t know why he wasn’t annoyed when she followed him in the marketplace. I did not like how arrogant and entitled she acted from their first encounter and how she continued to act that way even after she found out who he was. He doesn’t ask her to accompany him, but she follows him and essentially puts him in more danger trying to protect her while fighting the masked ninjas that attacked them. I liked when Lee Young was like stay out of my space but then, later, he does a reversal when she manipulates him into believing she is willing to be the Crown Princess just to help him. As a position/title but not like his spouse. And he falls for that. Then she proceeds to invade his space as much as she wishes even bragging that because she is the Crown Princess they just let her in to wait for him. When he was pushing her away, he clearly told her he was already in love with someone else, but she did not respect that at all. I do not know why when she screwed up and winded up feeding him poison that didn’t get her deposed. Like an idiot she guilted him into drinking some tonic they had been trying to get him to drink and he almost dies. But she didn’t act remorseful about her role at all. And she did not suffer any repercussions for her role in nearly poisoning the Crown Prince.
I don’t think there has been a 2nd male lead I have liked as much as I liked the Kim Yoon Sung (Jung Jinyoung) character in awhile. Excellent acting. His love and caring for the main girl was palpable. The conflict he felt over his loyalty to his friend and family obligations was real. He did so much for Ra-on and the Crown Prince behind the scenes and never felt the need to get the credit for it. He was smart, and foiled so many plots. I loved that character.
The other character I completely loved was Kim Bryung-yeon (Kwak Dong Yeon). He was such an amazing martial artist and swordsman and such a loyal friend. I was so happy he survived and that it was Yoon Sung that discovered he was still alive.
I have been a fan of Kim Yoo-jung for quite some time. Perhaps it is her youth, but she brings such a whimsical feeling to every role. When she smiles her whole face just lights up and it makes it so convincing why the men fall for her. She is an amazing actress, and she was so good in this role.
I don’t think there has been a 2nd male lead I have liked as much as I liked the Kim Yoon Sung (Jung Jinyoung) character in awhile. Excellent acting. His love and caring for the main girl was palpable. The conflict he felt over his loyalty to his friend and family obligations was real. He did so much for Ra-on and the Crown Prince behind the scenes and never felt the need to get the credit for it. He was smart, and foiled so many plots. I loved that character.
The other character I completely loved was Kim Bryung-yeon (Kwak Dong Yeon). He was such an amazing martial artist and swordsman and such a loyal friend. I was so happy he survived and that it was Yoon Sung that discovered he was still alive.
I have been a fan of Kim Yoo-jung for quite some time. Perhaps it is her youth, but she brings such a whimsical feeling to every role. When she smiles her whole face just lights up and it makes it so convincing why the men fall for her. She is an amazing actress, and she was so good in this role.
They showed where Lee Young pardoned Ra-on for her “crime” (which to me is odd crime was basically being born the daughter of a rebel) so that she was able to live normally as a woman. The Crown Princess basically had their relationship annulled. So, he is free but there is no indication they will have any kind of public facing permanent relationship. Knowing those royal positions, at least as they are portrayed in other historical dramas, he would normally have a wife and maybe some consorts or concubines. But he is changing the rules so we don’t know what that means for him or for their relationship.
Ra-on’s father was supposed to be some super rebel. Akin to the Star Wars rebels. But he is seen talking to Kim about watching over ML. They seem buddy, buddy but there is no clarity around what He supposedly has such dangerous ideology that everyone wants to know where his offspring is. Some want to use her as a bargaining chip, but they made it seem as if she had some power to reunite and reenergize the rebels behind her. But then they locate her and all they want to do is put her in hiding. But not even good hiding. She has lived her life pretending to be a man because they are looking for a woman. But now they are looking for a woman that hides as a man and she goes incognito but then continues to hide as a man. Seems like the best cover would have been as a woman. And for cripes, change your name. Don’t go by, in hiding, the very name of the individual they are looking for.
The dad’s whole mystique became a nothing burger. They find out he is alive, he has some strong words for the King, talks to the Crown Prince a couple of times, decides CP is how he wants things to be and that’s it.
Huge missed opportunity in my mind to have FL be a strong swordsman super ninja. In her circumstances, wouldn’t that have made sense? And it sure would have been more entertaining than watching her stand there while whomever is protecting her is getting absolutely trashed. I think the most I ever saw her do was kick a sword to the CP. And she did try to get in front of second guy to block a sword. But, her typical, was to stand there and just watch. I mean tackle their legs or something. You got teeth woman – bit them. Throw dirt at them. I don’t care. But do something other than just watch the battle. I mean she all but had popcorn.
Why did 2nd guy die? He was one of my favorite characters. I wanted to see him join the light side. Once evil grandpa was gone, he could have joined the CP as a trusted advisor. But I guess the focus was on fulfilling the prophecy where one of them died young. But come on, Kim was way more injured and he lived. That was a bummer. I really liked him.
And we just don’t get to know about some characters. Like the Little Princess. Now that she told her story is she all better? Talking? Her boogeyman is now gone. What about the baby princess? She was recovered. How is she doing? And the fake prince. What did they do with him?
Where did the king go? ML’s father. Did he retire? I mean he doesn’t have a primary wife now. She was deposed. Did he finally get with his nice consort that ML liked who had the Little Princess?
#LoveInTheMoonlight #MoonlightDrawnByClouds #ParkBoGum #KimYooJung #KwakDongYeon #ChaeSooBin #JungJinyoung
First I provide a unique synopsis then review.
Synopsis
Crown Prince Lee Yeong (Park Bo-Gum) is awash in palace intrigue as he navigates the dangerous waters of becoming a monarch. His journey is made better with his friendship with Hong Ra-on (Kim Yoo-jung) who serves as one of his few allys and offers loyal friendship. Most servants avoid extensive contact with Lee Yeong as he is mischievious amd has the unpredictable nature of someone whose interest center in music and art. a series of unfortunate events involving debt collectors and being sold into servitude lands Ra-on in the palce seving as a Eunich. Although Ra-on has pretended to be a male her whole life, this turns out to be her most dangerous and complex ruse. As the two start to fall for each other, can Lee Yeong see through Ra-ons guise to discover he is not engaged in a forbidden attraction? Will the reason Ra-on has pretended to be male be what keeps them apart?
Review
This is a must watch for romance fans. It has that sort of slow burn romance that is so appealing. One of my favorite tropes is where main guy is hard to win over but once he falls for the girl, that’s it. You do have to put up with a lot of the typical politics in Josean era historical romance with the infighting for power. But that just comes with the territory with historical romance. It is well paced, the romance is believable, and there are enough interesting things that happen and mysterious back story to make it all flow nicely and remain engaging. I highly recommend it and would watch it again.
Spoilers
It ends happy in the sense that the good overcomes evil and the couple wind up together. I see what a lot of other reviewers said about it being very rushed. To watch 18 episodes and only get to see them be fully together in the last tens of minutes is a bit disappointing but not enough to ruin it as a very good, superior even, historical romance.
For the longest time I could not get the total fixation with Park Bo Gum. He is undeniably handsome and just has this air about him where he seems like a very kind person. I got that. But I hadn’t seen anything where his acting was beyond just really good. But this showed me why people are so invested in him as an actor. His portrayal of Lee Yeong was nothing short of masterful. I think he is now my favorite Crown Prince. He was playful in a spiteful I really hate this position that was thrust on me way. I liked how loyal his character was to all of those he cared about and the people in general. Every aspect of his acting was spot on and his expressions and even his body language were perfect for the role. It was such a highlight of his talent for really brining out the unique aspects of a character so that they felt real. Great acting makes you feel thankful. I am very thankful to him for the magical journey he took me, as a viewer, on with this character.
The only disappointment I had in the way the Lee Young’s character was portrayed was around his relationship with Jo Ha-Yeon (Chae Soo-Bin) who later became the Crown Princess. Although I think it is true to life in a way, I still did not like it. She falls for him basically because he is handsome and debonaire. And that is when she starts being clingy and manipulativ, both traits I really dislike in females. I don’t know why he wasn’t annoyed when she followed him in the marketplace. I did not like how arrogant and entitled she acted from their first encounter and how she continued to act that way even after she found out who he was. He doesn’t ask her to accompany him, but she follows him and essentially puts him in more danger trying to protect her while fighting the masked ninjas that attacked them. I liked when Lee Young was like stay out of my space but then, later, he does a reversal when she manipulates him into believing she is willing to be the Crown Princess just to help him. As a position/title but not like his spouse. And he falls for that. Then she proceeds to invade his space as much as she wishes even bragging that because she is the Crown Princess they just let her in to wait for him. When he was pushing her away, he clearly told her he was already in love with someone else, but she did not respect that at all. I do not know why when she screwed up and winded up feeding him poison that didn’t get her deposed. Like an idiot she guilted him into drinking some tonic they had been trying to get him to drink and he almost dies. But she didn’t act remorseful about her role at all. And she did not get deposFor the longest time I could not get the total fixation with Park Bo Gum. He is undeniably handsome and just has this air about him where he seems like a very kind person. I got that. But I hadn’t seen anything where his acting was beyond just really good. But this showed me why people are so invested in him as an actor. His portrayal of Lee Yeong was nothing short of masterful. I think he is now my favorite Crown Prince. He was playful in a spiteful I really hate this position that was thrust on me way. I liked how loyal his character was to all of those he cared about and the people in general. Every aspect of his acting was spot on and his expressions and even his body language were perfect for the role. It was such a highlight of his talent for really brining out the unique aspects of a character so that they felt real.
The only disappointment I had in the way the Lee Young’s character was portrayed was around his relationship with Jo Ha-Yeon (Chae Soo-Bin) who later became the Crown Princess. Although I think it is true to life in a way, I still did not like. She falls for him basically because he is handsome and debonaire. And that is when she starts being clingy and manipulate, both traits I really dislike in females. I don’t know why he wasn’t annoyed when she followed him in the marketplace. I did not like how arrogant and entitled she acted from their first encounter and how she continued to act that way even after she found out who he was. He doesn’t ask her to accompany him, but she follows him and essentially puts him in more danger trying to protect her while fighting the masked ninjas that attacked them. I liked when Lee Young was like stay out of my space but then, later, he does a reversal when she manipulates him into believing she is willing to be the Crown Princess just to help him. As a position/title but not like his spouse. And he falls for that. Then she proceeds to invade his space as much as she wishes even bragging that because she is the Crown Princess they just let her in to wait for him. When he was pushing her away, he clearly told her he was already in love with someone else, but she did not respect that at all. I do not know why when she screwed up and winded up feeding him poison that didn’t get her deposed. Like an idiot she guilted him into drinking some tonic they had been trying to get him to drink and he almost dies. But she didn’t act remorseful about her role at all. And she did not suffer any repercussions for her role in nearly poisoning the Crown Prince.
I don’t think there has been a 2nd male lead I have liked as much as I liked the Kim Yoon Sung (Jung Jinyoung) character in awhile. Excellent acting. His love and caring for the main girl was palpable. The conflict he felt over his loyalty to his friend and family obligations was real. He did so much for Ra-on and the Crown Prince behind the scenes and never felt the need to get the credit for it. He was smart, and foiled so many plots. I loved that character.
The other character I completely loved was Kim Bryung-yeon (Kwak Dong Yeon). He was such an amazing martial artist and swordsman and such a loyal friend. I was so happy he survived and that it was Yoon Sung that discovered he was still alive.
I have been a fan of Kim Yoo-jung for quite some time. Perhaps it is her youth, but she brings such a whimsical feeling to every role. When she smiles her whole face just lights up and it makes it so convincing why the men fall for her. She is an amazing actress, and she was so good in this role.
I don’t think there has been a 2nd male lead I have liked as much as I liked the Kim Yoon Sung (Jung Jinyoung) character in awhile. Excellent acting. His love and caring for the main girl was palpable. The conflict he felt over his loyalty to his friend and family obligations was real. He did so much for Ra-on and the Crown Prince behind the scenes and never felt the need to get the credit for it. He was smart, and foiled so many plots. I loved that character.
The other character I completely loved was Kim Bryung-yeon (Kwak Dong Yeon). He was such an amazing martial artist and swordsman and such a loyal friend. I was so happy he survived and that it was Yoon Sung that discovered he was still alive.
I have been a fan of Kim Yoo-jung for quite some time. Perhaps it is her youth, but she brings such a whimsical feeling to every role. When she smiles her whole face just lights up and it makes it so convincing why the men fall for her. She is an amazing actress, and she was so good in this role.
They showed where Lee Young pardoned Ra-on for her “crime” (which to me is odd crime was basically being born the daughter of a rebel) so that she was able to live normally as a woman. The Crown Princess basically had their relationship annulled. So, he is free but there is no indication they will have any kind of public facing permanent relationship. Knowing those royal positions, at least as they are portrayed in other historical dramas, he would normally have a wife and maybe some consorts or concubines. But he is changing the rules so we don’t know what that means for him or for their relationship.
Ra-on’s father was supposed to be some super rebel. Akin to the Star Wars rebels. But he is seen talking to Kim about watching over ML. They seem buddy, buddy but there is no clarity around what He supposedly has such dangerous ideology that everyone wants to know where his offspring is. Some want to use her as a bargaining chip, but they made it seem as if she had some power to reunite and reenergize the rebels behind her. But then they locate her and all they want to do is put her in hiding. But not even good hiding. She has lived her life pretending to be a man because they are looking for a woman. But now they are looking for a woman that hides as a man and she goes incognito but then continues to hide as a man. Seems like the best cover would have been as a woman. And for cripes, change your name. Don’t go by, in hiding, the very name of the individual they are looking for.
The dad’s whole mystique became a nothing burger. They find out he is alive, he has some strong words for the King, talks to the Crown Prince a couple of times, decides CP is how he wants things to be and that’s it.
Huge missed opportunity in my mind to have FL be a strong swordsman super ninja. In her circumstances, wouldn’t that have made sense? And it sure would have been more entertaining than watching her stand there while whomever is protecting her is getting absolutely trashed. I think the most I ever saw her do was kick a sword to the CP. And she did try to get in front of second guy to block a sword. But, her typical, was to stand there and just watch. I mean tackle their legs or something. You got teeth woman – bit them. Throw dirt at them. I don’t care. But do something other than just watch the battle. I mean she all but had popcorn.
Why did 2nd guy die? He was one of my favorite characters. I wanted to see him join the light side. Once evil grandpa was gone, he could have joined the CP as a trusted advisor. But I guess the focus was on fulfilling the prophecy where one of them died young. But come on, Kim was way more injured and he lived. That was a bummer. I really liked him.
And we just don’t get to know about some characters. Like the Little Princess. Now that she told her story is she all better? Talking? Her boogeyman is now gone. What about the baby princess? She was recovered. How is she doing? And the fake prince. What did they do with him?
Where did the king go? ML’s father. Did he retire? I mean he doesn’t have a primary wife now. She was deposed. Did he finally get with his nice consort that ML liked who had the Little Princess?
#LoveInTheMoonlight #MoonlightDrawnByClouds #ParkBoGum #KimYooJung #KwakDongYeon #ChaeSooBin #JungJinyoung
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