Kang Tae Oh and Kim Se Jeong delivered their sweetest moment yet on MBC’s Moon River, ending Episode 8 with a long-awaited confession and kiss that sent nationwide ratings to 5.4%, with a peak of 5.8% (Nielsen Korea).
The episode follows Lee Gang (Kang Tae Oh) as he tries to finish his revenge before allowing himself to love Park Dari (Kim Se Jeong). Fearing that Left State Councillor Kim Han Cheol (Jin Goo) will kill someone he cares about again, he brings Dari into the palace as a concubine—before his official royal marriage—hoping to keep her safe.
Acting so good, you can recognize the character she is playing even without talking #MoonRiver#MoonRiverEp8#KimSejeongpic.twitter.com/J1zaKo2g5v
— Lian | corpo slave era 🤕 (@lian_archives) November 29, 2025
But the minister’s suspicions grow, and when he summons Dari privately, Lee Gang rushes to her side, revealing just how deeply he’s fallen for her. Still wanting to hide his feelings, he insists bringing Dari into the palace is “just out of responsibility,” a lie that leaves her hurt. He even pushes her away from the investigation into the incident in the Year of Gyesa, determined to cleanse his guilt and defeat the minister first.
Their emotional distance is interrupted when Kim Woo Hee (Hong Su Zu) secretly helps Lee Gang locate the monster Jimjo, hoping to protect her own lover Lee Woon (Lee Shin Young). But the minister anticipates the move, leading to Jimjo being unleashed in the palace. Dari tries desperately to subdue it, but Lee Gang ultimately kills the creature himself to save her—losing his long-sought revenge in the process.
Unless I’m mistaken, this is the first time I’m seeing a creature like this in a historical kdrama #MoonRiver #MoonRiverEp8 pic.twitter.com/VEGHRMDWcL
— Kayla 💙 (@BluKimchiKdrama) November 29, 2025
Seeing what she cost him, Dari breaks down in guilt. Lee Gang gently wipes her tears and finally confesses, “I care for you very deeply, Park Dari.” She answers with a soft “Me too,” and the two share a tender, blooming kiss to close the episode.
Falling in love again with the same person 🥺 finally they both confessed 💛#MoonRiver #MoonRiverEp8
— ♡ (@kdramaloveu) November 30, 2025
With their love finally taking root, fans are now counting down to Episode 9, airing December 5th at 9:40 PM KST on MBC.
>> Kim Se Jeong Thanks Kang Tae Oh for Their Soul-Swapping Chemistry in ‘Moon River’
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