KBS2’s Love in the Moonlight aired in 2016 and propelled its lead actors, including Park Bo Gum, Kim Yoo Jung, Jinyoung, Chae Soo Bin, and Kwak Dong Yeon, to new heights of stardom. Thanks to the drama’s popularity, Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo Jung won the Best Couple Award at the 2016 KBS Drama Awards. They later received the “Legendary Couple Award” at the AAA 2025 ceremony, further cementing their status as one of K-drama’s most beloved on-screen pairings.
This year, news that the Love in the Moonlight cast will reunite for a special variety program to celebrate the drama’s 10th anniversary has generated significant buzz. As anticipation grows, renewed interest in the decade-old series is also surging. Ahead of the variety show’s release, fans are revisiting what made the drama such a phenomenon.
One of the drama’s greatest strengths was its powerhouse creative team.
The series brought together directors Kim Seong Yoon, known for works such as Big, Discovery of Love, and Who Are You: School 2015, and Baek Sang Hoon, who earned acclaim through Secret Love, Who Are You: School 2015, and Descendants of the Sun. The script was written by Kim Min Jung and Im Ye Jin, who had already demonstrated strong chemistry working together on Who Are You: School 2015. The result was a dream team rarely seen in Korean television.
The story follows Crown Prince Lee Yeong (Park Bo Gum), who unexpectedly falls in love with Hong Ra On (Kim Yoo Jung), a young woman disguised as a eunuch. Combining a refreshing palace romance with themes of youth and self-discovery, Love in the Moonlight became a standout production that revitalized the struggling Monday-Tuesday drama slot and established itself as one of the most successful dramas of the year.
Another major attraction was the explosive chemistry between Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo Jung.
The youth historical romance gained attention from the moment it was announced thanks to its charming story and appealing characters. The unpredictable relationship between the tsundere crown prince and the cross-dressing eunuch offered viewers a fresh and unique premise. Inspired by Crown Prince Hyomyeong while set in a fictionalized historical world, the drama also explored the image of a ruler who truly listened to his people.
The chemistry between Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo Jung significantly enhanced viewers’ immersion, while the strong performances of the supporting cast further strengthened the production. Together, they helped the series achieve its remarkable peak rating of 23.3%.
At the heart of the drama was the romance between its two leads. Even during the production press conference, the pair openly expressed their admiration for each other. Kim Yoo Jung surprised everyone by saying, “I was really happy when I heard Park Bo Gum had been cast. There were times during filming when I was so distracted by how handsome he was.”
Park Bo Gum responded with equal warmth, joking, “I was happy to work with senior Kim Yoo Jung,” creating a cheerful atmosphere and fueling the public’s affection for their partnership.
However, chemistry in Love in the Moonlight extended far beyond romance.
While the palace love story provided plenty of heart-fluttering moments, the drama also featured numerous entertaining character dynamics that added humor and depth. These supporting relationships became another reason viewers fell in love with the series.
Unlike traditional palace romances built around strict social hierarchies, Love in the Moonlight often used comedy to break down those barriers. Despite the vast difference in status between Crown Prince Lee Yeong and eunuch Jang, played by Lee Jun Hyeok, the two shared an inseparable bond and generated countless memorable moments together.
Similarly, the friendship between Hong Ra On and Kim Byung Yeon, played by Kwak Dong Yeon, developed into one of the drama’s most beloved relationships. Although their first encounters were far from friendly, the two gradually became trusted allies who protected each other’s secrets. Their bond transcended gender expectations and evolved into a heartfelt friendship that resonated strongly with viewers.
The main cast members of Love in the Moonlight, including Park Bo Gum, Kim Yoo Jung, Kwak Dong Yeon, Jinyoung, and Chae Soo Bin, are currently expected to participate in the upcoming 10th-anniversary variety show. While the broadcast date has yet to be announced, excitement surrounding both the reunion and the drama itself continues to grow.
Sources: Daum
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