MBC Friday-Saturday drama Moon River (written by Jo Seung-hee/ directed by Lee Dong-hyun/ planned by Kwon Seong-chang/ produced by Highjeum Studio) moved toward the peak of its storyline through episode 9-10 as the tangled truths of power and reversed fates began to interlock in earnest. In particular, actor Lee Shin-young, who plays Jeun Daegun I-un, exploded with hidden emotions and resolve, revealing a powerful presence that anchors the royal narrative.
In the drama, Jeun Daegun I-un is portrayed as a character who wavers between his own beliefs, brotherhood and responsibility amid cracks in the royal household. In episode 9, the emotional wounds he had long hidden and the weight of his feelings were gradually revealed, and in episode 10 an inevitable truth forced him to confront reality, initiating the character's internal transformation.
Lee Shin-young drew praise for deeply conveying I-un's inner world with restrained eyes and a steady voice, prompting viewers to respond, "the episode that perfectly captured I-un's emotional arc." The royal secret I-un faced in episode 9 was a point that completely shook the character's emotional line, and rather than pouring out shock, anger and sadness all at once, he layered suppressed emotions like the calm before the storm, maintaining the drama's tonal balance. In episode 10 I-un's emotions finally burst forth, creating a dramatic turning point, and I-un's decision not only changes the fate of the royal household but also firmly establishes itself as an axis that reconfigures the narrative flow.
Lee Shin-young is receiving acclaim for expressing the moment through eyes, silence and breath alone, maximizing the character's depth. On social media and online communities, reactions such as "the mood changes whenever I-un appears," "Lee Shin-young is controlling the emotional line," and "the ending of episode 10 is legendary" continued, confirming that Lee Shin-young's presence is growing stronger with each episode.
Lee Shin-young previously showcased youthful pure passion in the film Run with All His Might and is scheduled to play the protagonist "Ru," who harbors a rougher side, in Park Hoon-jung's next film Sad Tropics, demonstrating a versatile acting spectrum that crosses the screen and the small screen.
Through this Moon River, he is being evaluated as creating a new pinnacle as an actor by portraying the essence of a historical character with a "quiet but strong inner core."
Meanwhile, Moon River is a fantasy romance historical drama about Crown Prince I-gang (Kang Tae-oh), who became a ruffian after losing his beloved Bin-gung, and the strong-willed commoner park dal-i (Kim Se-jeong) whose souls are swapped. As power and love, truth and betrayal intersect, it is expected to see what ripple effects Jeun Daegun I-un's choice will cause going forward. It airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:40 p.m.
[Photo] Moon River
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