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My review of the first four episode is coming shortly. 🙂
Enjoy the show.
34 Comments On “River Where the Moon Rises: Eps 5 & 6 Open Thread”
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The thread is now open.
My review of the first four episode is coming shortly. 🙂
Enjoy the show.
Comments are closed.
The hippy chic mountain village romance is cute, but I am intrigued by the Palace Gothic one…
@SnowFlower that’s such an apt description. 😂. Everything about this drama is surprising me. It presents problems and doesn’t bother to drag it out. It resolves it just as quickly. Just when we think OD is a fool for hiding the fact that GJ is the Princess, we get him coming clean to the Village Chief. Chief is almost zen like in his response. “Your father would’ve followed the rules of nature. There’s a reason to stay even if you want to send someone away. And even if you want to hold them, the time to leave will come.”
The little girl is just the bomb. So cute and feisty. With a curiosity that’s just enchanting. 😂 Insinuating that GG (who is handsome and has a good voice) has “history” with GJ. You go girl.
Yay for clarity that comes with industry. That’s how real men work through their thoughts. Not in shower scenes. By digging a well for the village (it’s productive). Then he chases her down…KaJiMa…live as Yeon GaJin. O you’re killing me OD. 😢❤️. Cue dulcet music 🎶 I hope you will stay with me 🎶. And he pulls her in for an embrace. She asks tearfully, “do you forgive me?” He smiles and says gently, “you’ve done nothing wrong. What’s to forgive?” She thanks him and snuggles in. He tightens his hold on her. Gah… I shed a tear.
Assassin Chief gets a threatening letter from GWP who is angry that the plot failed and wants the head of the assassin or he would reduce their HQ to ashes. Assassin Chief is unimpressed and decides to add GWP to his kill list.
Honestly I really like how they are portraying the 2 female leads in this drama. Both are strong and resilient and smart. Even MY with her devious cunning. It is done within the realms of reason (consistent with the era) so it’s believable. They work within the hierarchical system and find loopholes to get around it.
Sigh I almost wish they would give us a breather to just let GJ and OD enjoy some semblance of a peaceful life for an episode or 2 without the constant threat of disruption. By the end of Ep5, it looks like she’s forced to head back to the Palace already? 🤔. The drama is just galloping along at a pace that I am not entirely used to for a Sageuk.
Lots of peaceful and touching scenes. Pyeong Gang made the choice to live normally. We see happy people, and inevitably, it won’t last. A serious and terrible event will put Pyeong Gang back on the path to arms. And the only event that would be serious enough would be the massacre of the ghost village. For Pyeong Gang, it will be a realization that it is not possible to hide in order to live happily, you have to attack the evil at its root, before it destroys you.
And just like that, she’s (GJ/PG) back in the Palace. 😮. Already? MY intrigues me. For some bizarre reason I find myself warming to her? She’s just so mysterious and unpredictable. Devilishly intelligent (this is probably why she captures my attention). Her dad is a dunce next to her. This drama really is running at a cracking pace. And it’s 20eps? How will they keep it up for that long? 🤔. I am still wondering who dropped the warning note. Is it the guy in white at the ritual? The one who was reluctant to kill the King? Or is it MY? But if it’s MY, why write the note and then have her henchman toss GJ the sword?
I find MY intriguing too. She likes General Go, but he is using her. The love square is shaping up. I still don’t understand what is going on with the assassins, other than they hate everybody.
@Snow Flower I think the Assassin Chief was one of the monks who survived at the temple that the King was at where he killed everyone in his jealousy fueled rage. And he carried PG off and raised her to be one of his assassins. That’s why he wanted her to kill her own father. His hatred for the King was that deep. He formed a renegade band of assassins primarily to take down the King (and his Kingdom) and whoever got in their way. GWP threatened him (Chief) so he was added to the kill list as a result.
I agree about GG using MY. 😢.
To be honest I don’t know if I can keep watching right to the end. This drama is giving the audience zero breathing space to just settle? It’s just constant threats from every corner and you feel on edge the whole time? There’s a lot to be said about pauses and lulls. If you’re constantly at fortissimo it gets very draining (for me). I am showing my age. 😂
I’m enjoying it so far. I’m watching for the relationship between OnDal and the Princess but I find MY to be the most interesting character (partially based on thinking I now what will happen with OnDal & Princess.) So far I’m not a fan of GG but I don’t hate him. I agree that I don’t know how they’ll keep this pace up for 20 episodes but I’m gonna keep watching for the time being.
@nrllee,
It’s strange because I have the opposite impression, I find the rhythm quite slow. At least for the many sentimental scenes, which are actually successful. The emotion is there. For the rest, there is some intrigue, some action. There is little tension and hardly any sense of risk, the drama unfolds a little too much like in an armchair.
Have you seen Empress Ki? Because it’s perfection as intense drama and fast paced. After 4 episodes, you feel like you’ve seen 20. And it never slows down until the end. The tension is much higher as well.
On RWTMR, I noticed other good background music. The one with a bit of piano. The beginning of the progression (first 4 chords) is reminiscent of Interstellar. On RWTMR, there was not the other good music I had noticed.
All in all, it’s pretty good for BGM. With a few small exceptions. I spotted a scene with soporific music, a slow plot scene with people talking in low voices. I don’t like that at all. I made the comparison with other historical dramas (Ja Myun Go and others). In this kind of scene, the rendering is clearer, more nervous, more punchy, and the scene is shorter as well. This means that the drama never loses its rhythm and does not put the spectator in a “head on the pillow” position.
I can’t speak much about story and script because I don’t rewatch episodes, like I do with Sisyphus. And it’s quite classical as a historical drama. So, it’s just a drama I enjoy every week. I don’t loose track too much about the story. I don’t remember all names, but it’s not really a problem, I feel like I can easely understand, and the drama make sure you remember what people are talking about. So, names are naturally assimilated.
@WEnchanteur yes I will give it that much. It has done very well to define who are the good guys and who are the bad. And it doesn’t really matter that you don’t know which tribe they are with and what they are working towards. The lines are very clear. So it makes it easy to watch even though there were so many characters thrown at us. You must like action. I like my dramas slower. 😂. And also I tend to like them to have ebbs and flows. So there’s a chance for me to just settle and then build to a crescendo again. If it keeps keeping me on edge all the time I tire quickly. That’s how I gear myself to watch a thriller. But for Sageuk I expect lulls. So I guess for me it’s more of an expectation. I didn’t watch Empress Ki. I avoid anything over 20eps.
Urgh…the male lead JiSoo has been accused of bullying. Every day I see another idol or celebrity accused of violence or bullying from way back. I don’t know what to believe anymore.
https://www.allkpop.com/article/2021/03/actor-ji-soo-accused-of-school-bullying
There’s talk that they want him edited out of the drama. How can they possibly do that? It would make no sense. Poor KSH. And everyone else dragged into it. 😢
Unfortunately the article I read mentioned sexual assault, he just might be dropped from the show like what happened to Kang Ji Hwan.
This is so disturbing, if the allegations are not true somebody’s career will be completely destroyed.
@M the drama is preproduced? They can’t possibly edit him out of existing footage? They would have to film the whole thing over again? And it’s a lavish production. It would be costly. And everyone else would’ve other projects they’ve moved on to? It’s a nightmare.
@nrllee,
Too bad you don’t like longer dramas. Big sageuk are the best. Empress Ki, Six Flying Dragons, Queen Seon Deok. In the essentials, I still have Jumong to see, but alas, I find it only in low quality (480p).
Note that it’s not a question of action for me, but rather of progression, sequence of plot-twists, density, fast pace. And Big sageuk get that more often than short ones, even if it look contradictory, plus the Epic vibe. This is a classical narration, like comic-books.
The action scenes in RWTMR are a bit disappointing. (camera shaking + cuts, or too dark). I’m waiting to see how it is with other more intense fights, or war battle scenes.
As an example, a random scene of 6 flying dragons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL6c0pb6sqs
There are cuts, it’s not in the long sequence style, but there’s a lot of energy and tension. It’s punchy !
@WEnchanteur JiSoo has been accused of bullying and sexual assault. I don’t know what they will do with the drama as a result. I thought it was preproduced but it may not be so (I was wrong in my comment above) they may end up filming without him and replacing him with someone else? We need to wait and see how it unfolds. I feel sorry for all the cast.
I hope the drama production is not stopped. I like it so far. Sageuk is my favorite genre, so I will watch both longer and shorter sageuks. Jumong, Six Flying Dragons, and Queen Seondeok are my favorite long ones. Great sageuks of middle length are Chuno and Nokdu Flower (both with 24 episodes). For shorter ones, there is Damo (14 episodes) and Conspiracy in the Court (8 episodes).
I am currently watching Haechi, and is shaping up to be another excellent mid-length sageuk (24 episodes).
River Where The Moon Rises gives me fairytale vibes. Like Ja Myung Go, it tries to expand on a well known story and is doing OK so far. Ja Myung Go spent too much time setting up the background, but River seems to be better paced so far.
Like Snow Flower, I prefer that this drama continue.
And without changing the script, actors or anything.
I don’t participate to the bullying of the actor. 🙂
So I don’t care about this mess.
@Snow Flower,
Ja Muyng Go had so Harsh and hard hitting plot twists, shoooo!!!!
PEGI 77 thing !
I didn’t watched it entirely, I feel some boredom, 7 episodes before the end.
So, “on-hold”.
It’s not as good as other historicals dramas, except… these twists.
@nrllee
If scandal escalates who knows what will happen.
There were so many instances in the past when a scandal break out just before a show’s broadcast. Jang Keun Suk was completely edited out from Three meals a day fishing village due to tax evasion charges.
In 2018 during #Metoo movement several production either replaced the actor and reshoot his scenes or removed the character such as My Ahjushi and Cross.
Based from the past, when it concerns any kind of scandal the production quickly drops the actor involved like a hot potato, even if they have to reshoot so many scenes such as Be Melodramatic.
It figures just when I decide to go ahead and watch this drama after reading everyone’s first impressions, all heck breaks loose with male lead Ji Soo accused of bullying and sexual assault and the drama’s future in chaos.
From the article I read, the accusations are very serious indeed, so I hope that a thorough investigation is conducted. I read over in Soompi forums that the drama has finshed filming 18 out of 20 eps, so if they wanted to reshoot all scenes with another actor that would be a costly, time intensive effort. They could still change the ending though with the last 2 eps. Since the story is almost finished there seems to be hope that the production will just continue the script as planned without massive changes. I guess we will see.
K Drama does have a history of “erasing” actors involved in the scandals and either replacing them with a new actor or making massive edits/script changes. Drama might go on hiatus if they decide to make lots of edits.
He’s written a letter of apology? Admitting to wrongdoing? But to all the allegations or just to some? Just the school violence? Whatever it is, the production would be shrouded with controversy now.
https://www.soompi.com/article/1457474wpp/ji-soo-shares-handwritten-letter-of-apology-in-response-to-school-violence-allegations
If they make change in the script or editing, the drama is dead.
Well, for me, it’s dead.
Korean system use to never keep actors when there is affairs like that.
So, there is no much to think about the actor in or out of the drama.
He will be out.
So, only good solution is shoot again all scenes with this actor.
And even so, it will be inadequate. Need a reason for the character change face.
Create a quick twist : he is disfigurated. Could be a good plot.
Instead of a lead with a pretty face, a lead with scares.
Then change only a few lines for a love story about pretty princess and a Frankestein with great heart.
But all this would cost too much money, and probably they won’t do that.
So… bye bye drama.
Sigh I think you’re right @WEnchanteur. If Kang HaNeul (he was OD’s father) came back and played OnDal, I will watch. But this is a costly production. The scale of it. I honestly do not know how they will move forward. They’ve only aired 6eps. And the love story is pivotal to the whole plot. They have already filmed 18eps. 2 to go? How can you possibly edit out all OD’s scenes? Or recoup costs with DVD/Blueray sales post production? Such a pity because the other cast members are dealt the blow with the fall out. Sigh. Guess we will wait and see what happens. I might have to hop on Hello Me and watch that instead.
I was planning to watch these series, but I have read about the allegations, his written apology and things are pretty awful as it seems.
What a shame really…
Thanks for the info @nrllee. That’s sad but more sad for KSH, the rest of the cast and the production team.
I’ll wait and see too what happens. I’ll welcome a replacement for JS if it’s Jang Dong Yoon. ☺️
@agdr03 JDY is unavailable. He’s busy slaughtering zombies in Joseon Exorcist right now. And someone tells me that KHN isn’t available either. 😢
@nrllee, yeah I know JDY is busy with zombies. It was just wishful thinking. I don’t think I can even watch his show but maybe I can get hubby to watch with me and in the daylight 😄
KHN would have been good.
So who else is available if ever? It’s a pity because they were ahead in ratings, if I’m not mistaken?
It’s official: Ji Soo has left the drama. According to Soompi, Production Company offering the role to Na In Woo. I guess the drama will be on hiatus for reshoots.
https://www.soompi.com/article/1457664wpp/ji-soo-confirmed-to-be-leaving-river-where-the-moon-rises-na-in-woo-in-talks-to-replace-him
Na In Woo? I liked him in “Mr. Queen.” He played the Queen’s cousin. I thought he gave the character austerity.
But can he act like a buffoon? Hmmm… I’ve got to see this.
Thanks for letting us know, Table122000.
Kalimera.
Here is a new article base on Ji Soo’s Agency regarding the accusations.
They accept the bullying part but deny the sexual assault :
https://www.soompi.com/article/1457684wpp/ji-soos-agency-releases-new-statement-regarding-past-school-violence-denies-sexual-violence-accusations
Sigh. I was hoping for Lee Jae Wook…
You and me, Snowflower. You and me.
Here were my choices:
Lee Jae Wook from Do Do Sol Sol La La Dol
Yeo JinGoo from Hotel del Luna (but he’s busy)
Yoo SeungHo, but he and KSH were leads in Emperor: Owner of the Mask. I doubt they’d want to be together again.
Kim MinJae, he and KSH were also King and Queen in Goblin, but Kim MinJae was a baddie there.
No. Not Cha Eun Woo. And it’s too soon for a leading role for that other guy in “True Beauty.”
Park JinYoung from GOT7. 👍 This guy! Why not him? He’d make a lovable fool. He had me laughing in He’s Psychometric.
Na In Woo? I’ll hold off on judgment till I watch him.
Why not Do Kyungsoo? 🤪 It would be hard for that guy to act like a fool. He doesn’t do swag.
Lee Jae Wook would be ideal. He can do fool or psycho. Im Siwan, too.
Such a pity that this sort of thing needs to be considered. A lot of collateral damage whether or not the allegations are true.
I will give the new guy a chance.
Now I need to catch up with Sisyphus and write a piece for LUCA’s grand finale.
It is a shame for all involved. I wasn’t impressed at all with Ji Soo in Strong Girl Bong Soon, but had come around to his performance in this role so far.
I don’t think they really need to explain the recasting by rewriting part of the story. They can briefly address it with subtitles in the first episode with the new actor. We all know it is a TV show and are capable of suspending disbelief, so can make that mental adjustment. At least we’ll know who new actor On Dal is in the story.
It is a difficult situation for a new actor to step into, particularly with another actor originating the role with episodes already aired. I’m going to give him a few episodes’ watch no matter what.