Kang Haneul and Kim So-hyun confirmed for new sageuk drama

114 October 6, 2020February 18, 2021

Kang Haneul and Kim So-hyun confirmed for new sageuk drama

by tineybeanie

Kang Haneul, Kim So-hyun

Kim So-hyun (Tale of Nokdu) and Kang Haneul (When the Camellia Blooms) are embarking on a new project together called River Where the Moon Rises. It’s a re-imagining of the classic romantic folktale of Princess Pyeonggang and Fool On Dal.

In the original legend, the princess is exiled from the palace when she refuses to listen to her father, the king. She meets and falls in love with the beggar-idiot On Dal and they marry. Through her patience and wisdom, On Dal trains in archery and horsemanship to become unrivaled in the realm. At the national competition, the king bestows upon him the position of general, and when he realizes that On Dal is his daughter’s husband, there’s a heartwarming reunion.

For River Where the Moon Rises, there’s a huge twist from the original legend. Kim So-hyun plays Princess Pyeonggang, who uses On Dal’s sacrificing heart to pursue her dreams to become the next king of Goguryeo.

Set in the falling era of Goguryeo, the Princess Pyeongang in this drama firmly believes that it’s her life’s purpose to become the nation’s pillar and generate more honor so that its reputation won’t continue to falter. Although she was born a princess, she’s been trained as a killer, and her biggest ambition is to become the first female ruler of Goguryeo.

Kang Haneul is to play On Dal’s father, On Hyeob who is the head of one of Goguryeo’s five great political factions. A dignified and humanistic patriot, he’s adored by the populace for being the people’s general. According to the production team of River Where the Moon Rises, he will play a big role in the first half of the drama.

Casting Kang Haneul and Kim So-hyun just makes me more curious about who they’re looking for to be On Dal. Would it be too much to hope for a double Love Alarm-Camellia reunion with Jung Ga-ram? That would just make all my meta dreams come true.

River Where the Moon Rises, written by Han Ji-hoon (9.9 Billion Won Woman) and directed by Yoon Sang-ho (Saimdang, Light’s Diary), will begin airing in the beginning half of next year.

Via TenAsia, News1

114

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1 protect junwoo

October 6, 2020 at 10:04 AM

HOORAY FOR KANG HANEUL’S RETURN TO SAGEUKLAND!!!!! I was disappointed when he turned down that sageuk that linked him and Son Yejin, but I’m glad he’s taken this up, and I’m even more glad him and Kim Sohyun aren’t love interests. I was about to riot.

It sounds like an interesting role. I’ve liked Kang Haneul since waaay back when he acted in To The Beautiful You as Min Hyeonjae, and I’ve watched almost every project that he’s been in since then. I’m looking forward to this already. Bring on my first sageuk bean of 2020!

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protect junwoo

October 6, 2020 at 10:12 AM

In my excitement I missed the fact that it’s only airing next year 😩 my bean count is so sad.

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panshel

October 6, 2020 at 11:47 AM

This is the sageuk that linked him and Son Ye-jin. After Son Ye-jin passed on Kim So-hyun's role, the drama aged down the lead characters.

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halofan68

October 6, 2020 at 12:01 PM

@!#$% - with Son Ye-Jin in this, the show would have been appointment viewing, even taking into consideration the script-writer.

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lackingfive

October 6, 2020 at 6:31 PM

ahh this is so sad to hear...kim so hyun and kang haneul would be a great pair anyway but i really want to see son yejin in sageuk

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kiara

October 7, 2020 at 7:34 AM

I'm actually glad she declined. I would love to see her in a sageuk with solid sageuk writers like Jeong Hyun-min who is well versed in Korean history.

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lackingfive

October 7, 2020 at 7:04 PM

this writer did pretty well with 9.9 billion woman but looking at reactions here i guess she's bad at sageuk...as expected son yejin knows how to choose work

AK

October 7, 2020 at 7:34 PM

The writer is male and SYJ is busy with her Hollywood debut which is the reason she isn't choosing domestic projects.

Joy

October 6, 2020 at 7:56 PM

Shouldn't it be the other way around? The original folktale the princess is 16 and Son Ye Jin was going to be playing a princess in her early 20s. I don't think they were ever serious about casting her or so her fans said.

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protect junwoo

October 7, 2020 at 1:40 AM

It is? I don't know why I thought we got news that he turned that down. But thanks for telling me!

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 1:44 AM

So that drama went to Kim so-hyun? I guess they took the little Son ye-jin moniker literally.

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protect junwoo

October 7, 2020 at 1:47 AM

I went back to search and I see it now! Thanks again for helping clear that up!

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2 Serbene

October 6, 2020 at 10:07 AM

Jang ga ram is enlisting soon.... sorry to burst your bubble...

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 2:04 AM

Wait what?

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panshel

October 7, 2020 at 8:22 AM

He is enlisting on October 12.

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 10:01 AM

Has he already reached the enlistment age? Does this mean no Love Alarm S3? Now I'm sad.

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3 protect junwoo

October 6, 2020 at 10:09 AM

how do I make the producers give Jang Dongyoon the part of Ondal 🤔🤔🤔

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4 blissfulennaira

October 6, 2020 at 10:25 AM

Don't tell me it will be son vs father for the romance part.
Can Kim Minjae be Ondal?

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panshel

October 6, 2020 at 12:08 PM

I'd rather have Kim Min-jae since they were only briefly paired up in Goblin than repeat old pairings Jung Ga-ram Love Alarm or Jang Dong-yoon Tale of Nokdu.

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Miky

October 6, 2020 at 3:31 PM

Ah,i'd love her to reunite with Kim Minjae!

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 1:51 AM

Kim min-jae or Kwak dong-yeon would love for either to happen.

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Joy

October 6, 2020 at 7:31 PM

His role is just a cameo. They won't even meet on set.

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 10:03 AM

I wish they do. What a blessing it would be to have them in the same scene.

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AngieMu

October 7, 2020 at 6:03 PM

I'd love to see sohyun minjae reunion

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firefly

October 8, 2020 at 1:11 AM

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Lily

October 8, 2020 at 4:38 AM

Yeasss

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5 Kurama

October 6, 2020 at 10:42 AM

I'm kinda skeptical... it's the same person who wrote Dr. Jin, a really bad drama... Saimdang, Light’s Diary should have been the great return of Lee Young‑ae and it ended up being pretty disapointing.

I'm not sure about Kim So Hyun in fighting scenes neither, she doesn't really give off a brawler energy. She looks really beautiful in hanbock otherwise.

I want a full drama with Kang Ha Neul!

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halofan68

October 6, 2020 at 11:22 AM

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halofan68

October 6, 2020 at 11:23 AM

I second each of your points re the writer, Saimdang and especially Kim So-Hyun. I see her more as a schemer than a warrior.

News about this drama bodes poorly for my better half, as it suggests it will be quite a while before she gets to see the second installment of Love Alarm, if at all.

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mindy

October 6, 2020 at 12:14 PM

Love Alarm season 2 already had a scriptreading earliee this year and probably is done filming by now

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halofan68

October 6, 2020 at 12:37 PM

Thank you! You just made my wife's day.

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Joy

October 6, 2020 at 7:24 PM

Love Alarm will release in Feb next year. Don't worry.

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 1:49 AM

Love Alarm S2 finished their filming in June but the drama got pushed back to next year due to the virus. I'm bummed too but now that we potentially have two Kim so-hyun dramas to look forward to it doesn't sound so bad.

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kiara

October 6, 2020 at 2:49 PM

*sigh* We finally have a Goguryeo sageuk then they picked this writer and this over ambitious PD.

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Joy

October 6, 2020 at 7:30 PM

This PD is good though and both Ha Neul and So Hyun said they were fascinated by how strong the script was. So hope for the best I guess.

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 2:00 AM

I'm seeing people being concerned about this writer. Just how bad is he? I got excited by the character description but I guess I need to lower my expectations.

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Kurama

October 7, 2020 at 3:16 AM

Actually, he didn't have flop. His dramas had pretty good ratings. But except Time Between Dog and Wolf, any of them I watched let me a good impression, pretty forgettable. Dr Jin was really bad and so weird with time travel, so there was a sageuk and a modern parts.

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 10:07 AM

Ratings don't bother me but a poor quality drama with good casts like these should be criminal. I'll keep my expectations low and who knows maybe it'll surprise us like Rookie Historian did.

WishfulToki

October 7, 2020 at 1:05 PM

When they first announced this I thought Kang Ha-Neul would play Ondal. 😞 Now I’m worried the lead will be some idol. I’m not saying that’s necessarily bad, but it makes me nervous.

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kiara

October 7, 2020 at 4:00 PM

Same.

There's a lot of child actors with sageuk experience who would be great like the younger Lee Min-ho aka Lee Tae-ri, Park Gun-tae, Noh Young-hak, Kwak Dong-yeon can totally pull off Ondal and he is so over due for a lead role.
Yeo Jin-goo is probably going to take "Monster" so I don't know if he's going to be available.

Kang Ha-neul is on a roll and I'm so so happy for him. It makes sense that he's just doing a cameo since he's busy with other projects.

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firefly

October 8, 2020 at 1:14 AM

Not that I want an idol casting but I also don't necessarily think you need to have previous historical drama experience to be good in it. Best example is Jang dong-yoon he was excellent as Nokdu in his first historical drama. As long as they are talented I'm sure they'll be able to do well.

AK

October 7, 2020 at 7:39 PM

As far as I've noticed this director doesn't cast idols but this is a FEMALE CENTRIC drama so more established actors might hesitate to take up the male lead role. KHN fans were upset with the initial casting news because they didn't want him to be second fiddle to SYJ.

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firefly

October 8, 2020 at 1:17 AM

Good point. Makes me both curious and anxious who the male lead will ultimately be. Kim so-hyun finally get an action historical drama centered around her makes it hard for me to keep my expectations low.

kiara

October 8, 2020 at 8:05 AM

@firefly

It's a preference for me because even if the writing is crap I can still enjoy the performance like Yeo Jin-goo and Choi Min-soo in "Jackpot." I would have dropped that show if it wasn't for them.

firefly

October 8, 2020 at 11:54 PM

I understand. I've never seen that drama but I can share your sentiment. My only point was I think someone like Kim min-jae or Jang dong-yeon would have been just as riveting in those roles because of how talented they are.

marie

December 5, 2020 at 6:00 AM

We got JISOO for male lead! Wohooo!

Kurama

October 7, 2020 at 9:02 PM

Baek Seung-Hwan was great in Queen for Seven Days, as Yeon Woo-Jin young counterpart, and he acted in Different Dreams with this director.

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C

October 8, 2020 at 12:02 AM

Not popular enough to be a lead. Nam Darrin would be a great choice too but again not popular enough to be anything but the child version of the lead.

C

October 8, 2020 at 12:02 AM

*Nam Dareum

theimprintonmynose

October 7, 2020 at 9:36 PM

There are alot of pretty good young actors lately that they can cast as her love interest. I'm thinking jo byung gyu, Kim dong hee (extracurricular), kwak dong yeon. Lately, Song Geon-hee caught my attention because of Missing the other side. He's pretty good and handsome too lol. Most of the people I mentioned are from Sky Castle 😆

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firefly

October 8, 2020 at 1:19 AM

If Song geon-hee signs on it'll be his third time working with Kim so-hyun. I like the sound of that.

theimprintonmynose

October 8, 2020 at 5:44 AM

@firefly
I didn't watch his previous drama with Kim so Hyun but when I checked his other shows, I was surprised (pleasantly) that he had alot under his belt already, all supporting roles or cameos. He was even in arthdal chronicles as an assassin :O I wonder why he isn't getting more attention. The guy can act.

firefly

October 8, 2020 at 11:56 PM

Coincidentally he was in both Love Alarm and Nokdu last year. I haven't much of his other roles but a third reunion would be interesting.

Joy

October 6, 2020 at 7:25 PM

Kim So Hyun did her own fight scenes in LFG and she was excellent in them. When it comes to fight scenes she's at the same level as Son Ye Jin.

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thylane

October 6, 2020 at 8:31 PM

Agree. I watched both So Hyun and Yoo Jung's action scenes in LFG and BSR, respectively, and must say that So Hyun has more charisma in executing such scenes. And it is unbelievable because she appears to be shy and soft in real life.

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Kurama

October 7, 2020 at 12:06 AM

Her fight scenes in LFG were not difficult. She had more scenes with wires. But she was young so maybe she trained since.

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Joy

October 7, 2020 at 12:50 AM

Most fight scenes in sageuk dramas are with wires. There is no such thing as easy fight scenes. Kim So Hyun has no flaws when it comes to action scenes. She's being doing them since Reset.

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thylane

October 7, 2020 at 3:17 AM

Oh. Thanks for reminding that. She is so badass in Reset. One of the best characters she played in her career. Hence, I must say that she will prove these doubters wrong once she portray Pyonggang.

firefly

October 7, 2020 at 10:12 AM

Now that you mention it she has done quite a bit of action. I loved how bad ass she was in Nokdu with her bow. If this drama delivers on Kim so-hyun performing action stunts like Jang dong-yoon last year I'll be satisfied.

6 Tazzo

October 6, 2020 at 11:28 AM

Wait what?! Haneul will play ondals dad? Isn’t he too young for that if ondal is supposed to be so hyun’s husband?!!! Or am I missing something here???

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panshel

October 6, 2020 at 11:54 AM

Kang Ha-neul will only be making a special appearance as Ondal's father. My guess is the first half of the drama is the childhood portion.

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Tazzo

October 6, 2020 at 6:21 PM

This makes more sense. I have no doubt about haneul’s acting chops but even then would hate to see him act as the dad of a 20 something guy for the entire drama. He is much too young for that.

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 1:56 AM

I'm glad they aren't romantic interests but I wish there could be some scenes between Kang ha-neul and Kim so-hyun. I got excited just seeing their pictures next to each other.

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Made

October 7, 2020 at 2:24 AM

1st half or 1st episode? This drama is 16 episodes.

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halofan68

October 6, 2020 at 11:56 AM

One of Kang Haneul's appealing attributes is that he is of more masculine appearance in the Ji Jin Hee or Jang Hyuk mode rather than the delicate handsomeness of a Kim Soo-Hyun, PBG or Song Joong Ki, which makes me confident he can play 10 years older, which would make him about the right age to have a late teen/young adult son in that time period.

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ar_arguably romantic

October 6, 2020 at 5:04 PM

He looked amazing in Moon Lovers and looked older than he was.

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protect junwoo

October 7, 2020 at 1:42 AM

Agreed. He made all the ridiculous things happening watchable. I was thinking about him last night and it kind of occurred to me that he's been in so many trashy dramas, LOL. But every time, he puts on a great performance!

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soulsearch12

October 7, 2020 at 9:12 PM

KHN, being awarded a Baeksang was amazing. However, his hatred of live-shooting schedule of K-dramas and his love for theatre has made him choose some woof shows lol.

Now that he's A List now, it's prob. going to be hard to see him in drama land :( Hope he/Park Bo Young get to be in a romance film/drama. (He was originally the ML in On Your Wedding Day but military).

soulsearch12

October 6, 2020 at 9:19 PM

IA. Kang Ha Neul is masculine while also embodying cute qualities. One thing, I know he can pull the role off, I'm a bit concerned he's already playing father roles when he's only 30. That's fairly young imo, I still want him to do a rom-com/romance show with someone in his age range soon!

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Joy

October 6, 2020 at 7:27 PM

It's only a cameo appearance in the first episode. Like Kim Ji Won in Mr Sunshine.

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7 panshel

October 6, 2020 at 11:36 AM

Even though Kang Ha-neul is too young to play any of would-be Ondal's father, I wish to see Lee Do-hyun in a proper sageuk after Hotel del Luna.

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purplerain

October 6, 2020 at 8:56 PM

I'm confused why are people saying he's too young to play a 'dad'? Didn't he play 'dad' to Pilgu in Camellia? Also isn't he just a cameo?

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8 kidlyd

October 6, 2020 at 5:59 PM

It’s not confirmed to be on any channel yet right? The title is a bit misleading on Jtbc part. Other than that great article. Obviously So Hyun will do her character justice or even more layers of depth than required especially if the character is well written. I’m a big fan of good historical dramas but it must be good. The mediocre sageuks are sometimes unwatchable. Hopefully with the production originally had Son Ye Jin and Kang Ha Neul in mind it’s good sign. With how they put So Hyun and Ha Neul (only special appearance) in the same article I wonder if the male lead is rookie or less popular than those two big names?

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Globe

October 9, 2020 at 10:25 AM

KSH is always great in any character.

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marie

December 5, 2020 at 6:02 AM

Channel is confirmed for KBS!

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9 jit3rbug

October 6, 2020 at 6:28 PM

Kwak dong yeon would be perfect this no?

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aiwa

October 6, 2020 at 7:42 PM

If only!

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Mia

October 6, 2020 at 7:51 PM

Agreed. KDY in a lead role is long overdue.
After his well received performance in his guest role in 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' and after showing what he's capable of as a man of action in 'Moonlight Drawn by Clouds' it would be the perfect time for him to finally get a lead role. He's already signed on to Song Joong Ki's upcoming drama so he might not be able to do this one. He would be my first pick with Kim Min Jae being my second.

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shichybot

October 6, 2020 at 9:59 PM

He was great in No Second Chances, too!

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aiwa

October 6, 2020 at 10:18 PM

He's great in everything!

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Chandler

October 7, 2020 at 12:15 AM

This is the casting I’m dreaming of!

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protect junwoo

October 7, 2020 at 1:43 AM

GREAT CALL! But he's probably going to be busy :(

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 1:46 AM

He would. Manifesting please.

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10 aiwa

October 6, 2020 at 7:46 PM

Fight school KSH is back! Missed her in action scenes and this character description is bomb! Go girl!

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11 purplerain

October 6, 2020 at 8:59 PM

This is a new and interesting character for kim sohyun. I have misgivings about the writer and director but as long as they give her an age appropriate male lead I'm up for it.

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Kimmy

October 6, 2020 at 10:21 PM

I feel bad for her being stuck with this terrible writer. They should have given this plot a much better writer.

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12 OldLawyer

October 6, 2020 at 10:52 PM

I bet my wife is going to love this one.

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13 Joy

October 7, 2020 at 12:48 AM

Most fight scenes in sageuk dramas are with wires. There is no such thing as easy fight scenes. Kim So Hyun has no flaws when it comes to action scenes. She's being doing them since Reset.

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14 firefly

October 7, 2020 at 1:42 AM

Just when I was having a bad day I see Kim so-hyun has a new drama. Mood automatically renewed. I'm surprised she went for another historical drama but the character description is intriguing.

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 1:45 AM

Having Kang ha-neul is just the icing on the cake. I'm low key glad they don't have a love line.

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15 firefly

October 7, 2020 at 2:10 AM

Just realized Goguryeo and Goreyo are different time periods. I've never seen anything from this time. Interesting.

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kiara

October 7, 2020 at 7:56 AM

Try the tragic tale of Prince Ho-dong in "Ja Myung Go" with Jung Kyung‑ho, Jung Ryeo‑won and Park Min-young.
It's more for the younger viewers like this legend but it's early Goguryeo.

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loveiskim

October 7, 2020 at 9:00 AM

Fun fact : KSH & YJG are also in this drama.

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 10:21 AM

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firefly

October 7, 2020 at 10:20 AM

Where can I watch this? I'm curious about this period. I don't think I've heard of any drama from this time in recent years. I wonder what their hanbok will be like. Since I can't be excited about the writer guess I'll just invest in the little things.

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16 loveiskim

October 7, 2020 at 4:02 AM

KSH + KHN = A combination I didn't know I needed!

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17 oosiee

October 7, 2020 at 4:52 AM

Can we Yoo Seung-ho please?? So that we can overdo whatever "Ruler" was??😆 Or is he too old to be KHN's son?? You know what..Garam works fine too..uri JJongbie💞