Love in the Moonlight is one of those dramas that are considered gateway dramas for most. I can see why and how it can make for a good first start in saegeuks , cross dress and just overall first k drama. It's approachable, youthful and cute.

Be that as it may, it's not great and watches tiredly.

At first, it's lively balance of comedy, politics and romance was pretty well done that you will be tuning in for next 10 eps like I did. The female lead is tenacious, spunky and witty and she is surrounded by a cute crown prince and two very strong mysterious men who encompass the crown prince's friend group. The story surrounding why she cross dresses will pique your interest, so will the court intrigues surrounding the Premier and his dastardly tricks and some uprising that occurred before the show started. BUT even with all that, it got boring, wearisome and tiring.

I believe it's down to underwriting the main leads who just became puddles of their former glorious selves. The female lead lost her spunk and the main lead lost his grace. In fact, he became less understandable and pricklier which I found confusing. The trope for the prickly male lead is prickly in the first half and soft and self-sacrificing in the second half? No? Well, apparently, it's a no.

It even had some great and reflective quotes going for it but then they started saying some really cringe things. I did not like that inconsistency too.

The direction and editing were also annoying. There were so many pauses and focuses on their faces as they were staring at NOTHING. It got infuriating, I just dropped it.

OVERALL: There are far better youthful saegeuks out there that one can watch. i.e Moon Embracing the Sun . Sungkwan Scandal etc