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Love in the Moonlight
A luminous coming-of-age Joseon romance bathed in pastel hues, where sovereign isolation dissolves into tender yearning as a forbidden royal connection flickers against the stormy shadows of palace intrigue.
Love in the Moonlight
Love in the Moonlight

구르미 그린 달빛

"The unlikely love story between a crown prince and his eunuch."

22 August 2016 — 18 October 2016 South Korea 1 season 18 episode Ended 7.0 (107)

Cast: Park Bo-gum, Kim You-jung, Jung Jinyoung, Chae Soo-bin, Kwak Dong-yeon

Drama Comedy War & Politics Identity, Concealment, and Authenticity Sovereign Duty vs. Personal Freedom and Love Social Hierarchy, Class Mobility, and Political Reform Loyalty, Brotherhood, and the Cost of Sacrifice

Love in the Moonlight — Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

Lee Yeong (Crown Prince)

Park Bo-gum

Archetype: Transformative Sovereign / Hero Key Trait: Brilliant, empathetic, playful, unyieldingly principled

Motivation

To survive court assassinations, protect those he loves, and build a Joseon where the monarch serves the people.

Character Arc

Begins as a seemingly volatile, insolent prince masking deep grief over his mother's death and frustration with royal powerlessness. Through his bond with Ra-on, he evolves into an assertive regent and enlightened ruler who dismantles corrupt patronage networks.

Hong Ra-on (Hong Sam-nom)

Kim You-jung

Archetype: Disguised Trickster / Pure-Heart Hero Key Trait: Resilient, perceptive, warm, emotionally generous

Motivation

To survive, locate her long-lost mother, and live authentically alongside Prince Yeong.

Character Arc

Raised on the run without knowing her father's revolutionary identity, she starts out focused solely on day-to-day survival. In the palace, her empathy moves royalty, leading her to eventually embrace her true identity as a woman and celebrated author.

Kim Yoon-sung

Jung Jinyoung

Archetype: Tragic Noble / Chivalrous Rival Key Trait: Melancholy artist, honorable, fiercely protective

Motivation

To break free of his grandfather's corrupt ambition and ensure Ra-on's safety and happiness.

Character Arc

A prodigy of the powerful Kim clan who rejects his family's political brutality, living as a detached libertine and painter until his love for Ra-on transforms him into her quiet protector, ultimately defying his grandfather.

Kim Byung-yeon

Kwak Dong-yeon

Archetype: Shadow Guardian / Divided Loyalist Key Trait: Stoic, lethal, deeply conflicted, noble

Motivation

To honor the memory of his disgraced family while remaining true to his brotherhood with the Prince.

Character Arc

Yeong's trusted childhood friend and Head of the Royal Guard who secretly serves as a high-ranking operative for the rebel Baegundang. Torn between loyalty to the oppressed and love for Yeong, he risks his life to defend both.

Jo Ha-yeon

Chae Soo-bin

Archetype: Dignified Noblewoman / Maiden Key Trait: Pragmatic, graceful, candid, self-respecting

Motivation

To love earnestly and maintain her autonomy and self-respect within Joseon's rigid royal confines.

Character Arc

A high-born maiden chosen as Crown Princess consort. Despite knowing Yeong's heart belongs to another, she maintains her dignity and ultimately relinquishes her title so Yeong can find freedom.

Cast

Park Bo-gum as Lee Yeong / Crown Prince Hyo Myeong
Kim You-jung as Hong Ra-on / Hong Sam-nom
Jung Jinyoung as Kim Yoon-seong
Chae Soo-bin as Jo Ha-yeon
Kwak Dong-yeon as Kim Byeong-yeon
Kim Seung-su as King Soonjo
Jeon Mi-seon as Consort Park Soo-ki
Heo Jung-eun as Princess Yeongeun
Jung Yoo-min as Wol-hee
Cheon Ho-jin as Premier Kim Heon
Jung Hye-sung as Princess Myeongeun
Jang Kwang as Eunuch Han Sang-ik
Choi Dae-chul as Eunuch Ma Jong-ja
Tae Hang-ho as Do-gi
Oh Eui-sik as Seong-yeol

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