Love in the Moonlight () is a South Korean television series starring Park Bo-gum, Kim Yoo-jung, Jung Jin-young, Chae Soo-bin, and Kwak Dong-yeon. It is a coming-of-age story and youth romance set during 19th-century Joseon Dynasty based on the web novel Moonlight Drawn by Clouds which was first serialized on Naver in 2013 and consequently published as a five-part series of books in 2015. It aired on KBS2 at 22:00 (KST) every Monday and Tuesday for 18 episodes from August 22, 2016, until October 18, 2016.
A domestic hit, Moonlight achieved a peak audience rating of 23.3% in South Korea and was praised for its production, performances and music. It won Best Drama Series at the 22nd Asian Television Awards, and received six nominations at the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards where it won popularity Awards for leads Park and Kim. The press referred to its influence as "Moonlight Syndrome" as it topped topicality, content and brand reputation charts in and beyond its run.
The series aired worldwide, with English subtitles, starting August 23, 2016, every Tuesday and Wednesday at 21:50 (KST) on KBS World. It also streams internationally, on Viki.
Synopsis
The series is a coming of age story about Crown Prince Lee Yeong's (Park Bo-gum) growth from a boy into revered monarch and his unlikely relationship with eunuch Hong Ra-on (Kim Yoo-jung).
Cast
Main
Park Bo-gum as Lee Yeong
Jung Yoon-seok as young Yeong
He is the only son of the King and heir to the throne. Smart, bright, and mischievous, he is disliked by his servants for being unpredictable. He has an affinity for arts and music. He initially disliked his father blaming him for his mother's death. He is close to consort Park and dislikes Kim Heon and Queen Kim. He falls for Ra-on. Kim Yoo-jung as Hong Ra-on/Hong Sam-nom Kim Ji-young as young Ra-on Popular and street-smart, she was raised as a boy by her mother and makes a living by disguising herself as a male relationship counselor and romance novel author under the name Sam-nom. She eventually became a eunuch of Yeong. Looking for her mother, she hides immense pain behind her cheerful attitude. She falls in love with Lee Yeong. Jung Jin-young as Kim Yoon-sung Lee Hyo-je as young Yoon-sung Charismatic and poised, he is a scholar born to a powerful family. He grew up alongside Yeong and used to be best friends with him. He knew Ra-on's secret since their first meeting but pretends to not know it. Chae Soo-bin as Jo Ha-yeon A lady ahead of her generation, she is proud, worldly and straightforward. As the daughter of the influential Minister of Rites, she was chosen as crown princess of Yeong. Kwak Dong-yeon as Kim Byung-yeon Noh Kang-min as young Byung-yeon A skilled swordsman and scholar, he is also the Head of the Royal Guard of the Crown Prince's palace. Not only is he Yeong's childhood friend, he is also his trusted confidant. However he hides a secret that he cannot tell Lee-yeong, for fear of losing his trust.
Supporting
Royals
Kim Seung-soo as the King
Seo Jeong-yeon as Queen Yoon
Jeon Mi-seon as Park Suk-ui
Jung Hye-sung as Princess Myeong-eun
Heo Jung-eun as Princess Yeongeun, Lady Park's daughter
Kim Jin-yi as Pregnant court lady
Eunuchs and maids
Jang Gwang as Eunuch Han
Lee Jun-hyeok as Eunuch Jang
Jo Hee-bong as Eunuch Sung
Choi Dae-chul as Eunuch Ma
Tae Hang-ho as Do Gi
Oh Eui-shik as Park Seong Yeol
Cha Joo-young as Ae Sim-i
Jung Yoo-min as Wol-hee
Kim clan
Chun Ho-jin as Kim Heon, Prime Minister
Han Soo-yeon as Queen Kim
Park Chul-min as Kim Eui-gyo, Minister of Personnel
Bang Joong-hyun as Kim Geun-gyo, Minister of Taxation
Hong clan
Jung Hae-kyun as Hong Gyeong-nae
Kim Yeo-jin as Kim So-sa
Jo clan and advisors
Lee Dae-yeon as Jo Man-hyeong, Minister of Rites
Ahn Nae-sang as Jeong Yak-yong
Ahn Se-ha as Master Jung Deok-ho
Special appearances
Kim Byung-chul as Yeong's teacher
Cha Tae-hyun as a farm servant
Cho Yeo-jeong as a noble lady
Jung Yi-rang as gukbap lady
Lee Sung-jae as master Jeong (Ep.4) Lee Moon-sik as a man who castrates Kim Seul-gi as a eunuch trainee