Film / Television
20120120_seoulbeats_moonthatembracesthesun

Moon That Embraces the Sun: Another great hit for Kim Soo-hyun

17
Written by On February 2, 2012

Our Editor in Chief, Amy, tried her best to convince me to watch the hit drama, The Moon That Embraces the Sun over dinner and dessert last Friday. She was clearly obsessed with it and wanted to spread the Moon/Sun addiction–and I’m thankful that she was persistent for I’m totally enamored with this drama!

In general, I don’t do saeguks, with the exception of Sungkyunkwan Scandal. What can I say, Song Joong-ki holds a special place in my heart. Despite the killer cast, I wasn’t particularly excited about Moon/Sun for it requires a certain level of attention (such as paying attention to the double meaning lines, the complex political situations, alignments, etc. etc.) that I don’t believe in dedicating to dramas period. However, after three episodes, I was hooked and wanted to see more.

The plot is rather simple — two destined lovers, the Prince (Kim Soo-hyun/Yeo Jin-gu) and his love at first sight, Yeon-Woo (Han Ga-in/Kim You-Jung) have to go through all the trials and tribulations, caused by external forces before they live happily ever after.  In fact, the story is portrayed in such a simplistic way that it’s so easy to dislike the antagonists and love the protagonist.

The antagonists or characters who create all the unnecessary conflict include Queen Yoon (Kim Young-ae), politician Yoon Dae-hyung (Kim Eung-soo), princess Yoon Bo-kyung (Kim Min-seo). And because their biggest motivation for malicious actions are greed for power and wealth, it’s rather easy to dislike them without a hint of guilt. In fact, it’s not that hard to dislike Queen Yoon who puts her family’s power in front of her love for her grandchildren. And did anybody else think that it was twisted for her to use her grandchild’s love for Heo Yeom (Song Jae-hee) to get rid of Yeon-Woo? This Queen has no boundaries whatsoever. As for Princess Yoon, I knew she was trouble when she devised the situation to make her maid accuse Yeon-Woo’s maid, Sul, that she stole her wallet, only to weasel her way out of the situation later on by blaming her maid. Like father, like daughter.

Similarly, the protagonists are rather easy for us to fall in love with. For example, how can we not fall in love with Yeon-woo, who’s pretty, loves to read, and has the heart of Mother Teresa? And I can’t help but to notice and appreciate that female leads from both Moon/Sun and Sungkyunkwan are bookworms. Perhaps the author of both novels are trying to make a point here.

And how about Prince Hwon who tries to run away from home to meet his step brother because he misses him so much and does everything in his power to make sure that Yeon-Woo has a fair chance of marrying him? Although Prince Hwon transformed into a bitter, but pragmatic character as the drama progressed, the viewers can immediately relate to and witness the pain he’s still suffering because he still misses Yeon-Woo. But let’s be honest here — how can you hate a character played by Kim Soo-hyun? My appreciation for Kim Soo-hyun was non-existent during Dream High. Not sure what it was, but I just didn’t gravitate towards him but half way into Moon/Sun, I’m battling Amy to win the label of “Kim Soo-hyun Biased” within the team.

Prince Yang-myung (Jung Il-woo) is another character that you can’t help but to feel sorry for. He wasn’t able to get the throne nor the girl, yet he doesn’t hold a grudge towards his brother and tries his best to just live without getting too involved in the politics that seem to plague Prince Hwon.

I have mixed feelings for Princess Min-hwa, for she worked with Queen Yoon to wed her first love and Yeon-Woo’s brother, Heo Yeom. But it doesn’t bother me as much, for her airtime is limited and her fruitless efforts of trying to get into the same bed with her husband is rather comical. However, I’m curious to see how Heo Yeom and his mom would react once they find out the truth behind Yeon-Woo’s fake death. Similarly, my feelings for the shaman, Jang Nok-young (Jeon Mi-seon) are mixed, but mostly because I have a hard time reading this lady. I know that she will stand by Yeon-Woo no matter what, but she engages in devious acts (did anybody else think that the fake death scenario was twisted?) so that I can’t fully love or hate her.

Although the characters are mostly one-dimensional, the drama does a good job of drawing you in. I sobbed when the lovers were split and I’m anxiously anticipating the scene when Yeon-Woo realizes who she is in the episodes to come. Additionally, the production value of this drama just makes the viewing experience so much more enjoyable. The hanboks, the scenery, and of course the pretty cast all contributed to making this drama a huge hit. The ratings are on the rise and the anticipation for this drama is very high. My only complaint is that despite Han Ga-in’s looks, her acting is mediocre and among such a great cast, it’s becoming more evident by the day. She either needs to step it up or simply pick dramas more suited to her skill set next time.

And I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but in comparison to Kim Soo-hyun, Jung Il-woo looks like he’s falling short on the looks department. I’d say that he just needs to make sure that he either plays the male lead or his co-stars need to be not as hot and good as Kim Soo-hyun.

Are you addicted to Moon/Sun and/or Kim Soo-hyun as much as I am?

Related Posts

TAGS: , , ,
  • http://twitter.com/soojin08 Camille

    MARRY ME, KIM SOO HYUN
    I’LL MAKE A GOOD WIFE, I SWEAR.

  • maldita

    I’m so loving this show right now, which is odd for me because I don’t really do sageuks either. The ones I go for are the pseudo sageuks like Sungkyunkwan Scandal or Hong Gil Dong.

    About Princess Minhwa. She technically didn’t have a hand in Yeonwoo’s ~death~. The Dowager Queen’s just messing with her and making her think she’s part of it. The only thing she’s guilty of is not speaking about it. But in a way, her marriage to Yeom saved the Heo family from total disgrace. Yeom and his dad could’ve easily been stripped of everything they had, but the Princess’s little crush on Yeom saved them in the end.

  • Kitty

    I never dared to watch Dream High (LOL Yes, #kdramaconfession) so this is actually my first time to watch Kim Soo Hyun act.

    First, I was hesitant since, Han Ga In is quite a veteran in acting, Kim Soo Hyun was just the second choice for his role, and Il Woo… well, he has a stigma of being a flower boy after his previous dramas.So from the plot, I don’t know how they’re going to make work. Will a chemistry show? Will the age gap betwen Ga In and Soo Hyun show? But amazingly, they were able to pull it together so far, based on the last three episodes I’ve watched.To be honest, I am carried away by the younger actors and actresses — they are flawless. So I was kinda disappointed they had to grow up. I was hoping to see more of Siwan, he was such an adorable Oppa, and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of him. And Lee Min Ho too, he’s a fine young actor.

    I have good faith in this drama, I hope they’ll be able to pull it off until the last episode. I am amazed by how high the ratings of an MBC drama is reaching. It has been so long!

    PS. I am kinda convinced that I am only watching it for Soo Hyun. I always have this urge to fast forward to his parts. Especially when he pokerfaces or show a hint of a smile. His eyes are beautiful, I have no words for it. And his thick lips, Ga In is gonna be so lucky when they kiss. Yes, even if she is already married to such a good-looking man.

    • Anonymous

      Funny enough even though Dream High is what made Soo Hyun a somewhat household name, he was well known for his acting prowess before that.  His acting as the child version for Go Soo in “Will It Snow for christmas” is what made me like him, his role was small but he made an impact with his ability.  You should check him out in that or Giant.

      Like you , at the moment I wouldn’t be lying if I said that Kim Soo Hyun and the pretty hanboks are what is keeping me with this drama. I love Jung Il Woo but they haven’t really done much with the adult Yang Myung yet for me to decide whether I like him in this role or not. Visually Han Ga In doesn’t bother me even though she is visibly older than the boys, but she comes off so dull in her delivery that it becomes more and more obvious when she has scenes with Kim Soo Hyun, who is killin it as King Hwon.

  • http://evacuatewithstyle.org/blog Amy

    Victory is sweet.

    >:D

  • K Ramadhani

    ga in’s acting is improving, esp in ep 9-10.. thank god!! and ksy is smexyyyyyyyy this boy can acttt. he can be a country bumpkin or king whatever the role is he nailed it!! and yeahhh jung il woo is def. overshadowed in this drama. ksy charisma is just too big

  • Anonymous

    I’m loving this show.  I can’t wait for ‘Wol’ to actually understand that all the flashes are of her own past.  Kim Soo Hyun is hitting it out of the park.  Han Ga-In not so much, she’s average here.  Can’t wait to watch the next episodes.

  • Aurora2687

    I was reluctant to watch this is aswell after other people recommended it – traditional dramas don’t really interest me. But I was hooked from the first episode and am becoming impatient for ep.10. Love, love, this drama!!

  • Spanks

    bring back the kids >.>

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6NR4CWLS6RLSC6PCXOWJ2HQLJA PasserBy

    I’m also trying to convince people into watching this drama… I just love it.
    I don’t even know the cast… Seriously, that’s how devoid my life is of Korean dramas/movies. Still, I fell for Moon/Sun.

  • Narae

    I think you’re taking these characters too simply. You seem to like the “good” characters and hate the “bad” characters. Yes, the Queen Dowager is manipulative, and Bok-young’s father greedy, but the other characters are a mixed bag. No one is pure good or evil, because in real life it doesn’t really work like that. Take Yeon-woo. She’s sweet, smart, and kind, but in the last few episodes starts to let go of her idealistic approach to life when she was almost tortured. You can’t simply judge a character based on good and evil, it’s not realistic. People change, and these characters will certainly change over time, (I hope) because that’s what makes a good drama–a realistic reflection of human life.

  • http://attentioning.blogspot.com/ Isti

    I love this drama thus far. I fell in love with the young cast, especially young Hwon and young Yeon Woo and despite loving Kim Soo-hyun, I had kind of wished the younger cast would stay. Episode 5 I spent sobbing. I find Kim Soo-hyun’s portrayal of the kind very interesting because the king, while very detail focused, seems to have lost it at some points lol. Also, anyone else find the whole “rumors of him being gay” and the bath scene hilarious? I have to say though, as shallow as this may sound, I was really disappointed with older Yeom…at first I literally had no idea who he was supposed to be. Even older Woon fits better. I don’t know, the guy playing Yeom just looks old in comparison to his fellow actors and considering he would be the same age as Woon and Jung Il-woo…I can’t see it. I want the dowager to die already…why couldn’t the shaman have used her evil voodoo on the woman-honestly no one would have cared…

    I haven’t watched ep 9 and 10 but thus far Han Ga-In’s acting is very very meh. Jung Il-woo and Kim Soo-hyun are really good at what they do, they emote really really well. I’m hoping she get’s better otherwise it’ll be a big hole in the progression. I don’t know, I don’t really like her as an actress.

  • http://www.twitter.com/hipployta Hipployta

    Dream High…you have to acknowledge Kim Soo Hyun and Eunjung as the actors that carried the load (with IU and Wooyoung dishing the cute) but in METS he’s dominating all alone.

    The child cast was great…they are next generation of actors and embodied their characters reallywell.  KSH was a great child actor as well. 

    Jung Il woo is…fulfilling the role but because it was so sparing in the novel they are inventing things to add him in more.

    Han Ga In…her acting is…I have this suspicion that they gave Wol amnesia in the drama, unlike the book, because she couldn’t carry out the subtlety required if Wol had her memory and had to pretend to not know any of them. 

    *sigh*  EMOTE…it’s like KSH and JIW are playing against a brick wall.  It’s worse than Jinwoon in scenes with the robot JB in DH2

    The rest of the adult characters…the less said the better 

  • Chelz

    I’m loving this drama. The younger cast got me hooked. I didn’t think I’d love it this much. I’m anxiously waiting for next Wednesday.

  • cahya

    The reason I watch this drama is Soo hyun!!! I love you oppa!!!

  • Anonymous

    I was addicted to the first 6 episodes, but  am not as emotionally invested but still enjoying it.  Compare to epic saeguks such as Dae Jang Geum, Yi San, and The Princess’s Man,  The Moon that Embraces the Sun–a fusion saeguk like  Sunkyunkwan Scandal- has a much simpler story line and less nuanced character portrayals.  I was fine with this because I am mainly in it for the romance– I am a sucker for fated love stories.  

    But it’s hard to get into the OTP when there’s barely any chemistry between them.  Young Yeon-woo was my favorite and the actress who played her was not only exquisite but was so animated and had such screen presence.   Han Ga In, while just as stunningly beautiful, totally underwhelms as Wol and sucks the tension out of practically every scene she is in.  I get that lowly shamans are suppose to be humble, especially in the presence of their superiors, but a good actress, through her eyes and subtle body movements,  can still imbue the lowliest protagonist with that certain spunk so that the audience can sense that she while she is down, she is not out by a long shot.  A case in point–Ha Ji Won’s Chae-ok in Damo.

    Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyn is doing splendidly as the the mercurial young king still pinning for his lost young love.   I was on pins and needles for that cliffhanger pictured above; but when Hwon flips Wol over and demands to know who she is, Wol just sorta lays there and gives him the insipid bug-eyed stare.  Aish–major let down.  I so want to see major heat radiating out of  both leads, but their scenes together so far have been lackluster.   Since the trajectory of drama is pretty much dependent on the romance of the OTP, I just hope that Ha Ga In can turn up the intensity–crank it up to the max, please– because I want the see fireworks, rainbows and unicorns whenever these two are within ten feet of each other.^^

  • Lulu Yalung

    YoungJi, well said.  Thank you for a wonderful article on The Moon That Embraces The Sun.