Moon River: When will episodes 3-4 release and what to expect

The South Korean historical romantic comedy Moon River makes its debut on MBC TV on November 7, 2025. The series is scheduled for broadcast every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 pm (KST), with episodes 3 and 4 arriving on November 14 and 15. The drama features Kang Tae-oh and Kim Se-jeong in the lead roles.

The story of Moon River tells the story of Crown Prince Yi Gang, who grapples with grief and vengeance after the death of his first wife and Park Dal-I, a mysterious merchant. Their fates collide in Hanyang, setting the stage for love, intrigue, and dangerous secrets.

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What to expect from episodes 3 & 4 of Moon River?

The preview of the upcoming episodes of Moon River show Crown Prince Yi Gang ordering Park Dal-i to leave Hanyang, warning her that she must pay the price for her striking resemblance to the late Crown Princess. Dal-i is left confused and unsure whether she must obey the Crown Prince’s command.

On the other hand is the Prime Minister’s daughter. Her father wishes her to marry the Crown Prince, but she harbors feelings for Prince Yi Un and is willing to go to great lengths to protect him. She asks Yi Un to make a choice, hinting at a potential rebellion that leaves him stunned. Following that, tension escalates as Crown Prince Yi Gang faces mortal danger. Cornered at the edge of a cliff, he is attacked and severely wounded, ultimately falling into a river below. Episodes 3 and 4 of Moon River promise high-stakes intrigue, with dramatic twists that will test loyalties, reveal hidden motives.

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Moon River episode 1 & 2 recap: Park Dal-i’s hidden royal identity and Crown Prince Yi Gang’s plan of vengeance

Still from Moon River (Image via X/@mbcdrama_pre)

Moon River began with Crown Prince Yi Gang, who has lost his first wife who was his fated soulmate and the former Crown Princess. She was forced to commit suicide after being falsely accused of assassinating the Queen. The conspiracy was orchestrated by the Prime Minister, who wanted his own daughter to become the Crown Princess.

Though the King understood the truth, he was powerless against the Prime Minister’s manipulations. Under pressure, he ordered the deposed Crown Princess to take her own life to protect Yi Gang from ruin. The Crown Princess had drowning herself in a lake, and when her body was recovered, it was beyond recognition. Yi Gang could identify her only by the wedding ring he had once placed on her finger.

The Prime Minister’s control over the royal family deepens as he keeps the King captive in his own chambers, spreading rumors that the ruler has gone mad and is losing his sanity. Using this deception, he installs Yi Gang as a puppet monarch. He is a Crown Prince in title, but powerless in action. Yi Gang initially unaware of the scheem, learns the truth only when the Prime Minister taunts him, telling him he can do nothing even after knowing.

On the surface, Yi Gang appears shallow and self-indulgent, obsessed with his appearance, fine clothes, and drinking. But beneath this façade, he hides deep pain and an unrelenting desire for vengeance. Haunted by the death of his wife, he secretly trains at night, perfecting his swordsmanship and archery. Every arrow he aimes, is imagined to strike the Prime Minister’s back.

Yi Gang is tormented by visions of the late Crown Princess. He dreams of her often then waking up suddenly, believing she is still alive, only to be crushed by reality. Her death has left him broken and grief-stricken.

Still from Moon River (Image via X/@mbcdrama_pre)

Meanwhile, the story introduces Park Dal-i, a merchant with no memory of her past. She is rescued as after a drowning accident by a woman she calls her aunt, even though they share no blood relation. She is then taken in by a former courtlady and eunuch who have eloped together after falling in love. With sharp intelligence and determination, Dal-i makes a living selling salt to wealthy households.

Dal-i's aunt once told her that she had been a runaway slave who fell into the water and lost her memories. She also warned Dal-i to never set foot in the capital, the Hanyang. However, driven by ambition, Dal-i traveled wherever business takes her.

One day, her work brings her to the capital city, Hanyang. She accepts a job to help a fifteen-year-old widow whose in-laws are pressuring her to commit suicide to preserve the family’s honor. By a twist of fate, in Hanyang, Dal-i becomes entangled with Prince Yi Un, the younger brother of Crown Prince Yi Gang. After accidentally breaking something valuable belonging to him, Yi Un takes her captive in anger.

Yi Un has just returned to the capital after a long absence. Upon hearing the news, Yi Gang visits the inn where his brother is staying. As Yi Un steps out to meet him, leaving Dal-i locked away. She however seizes this opportunity and escapes.

Chaos ensues as chased by guards she is eventually cornered on a rooftop of the inn. In desperation, Dal-i jumps to save herself. At that very moment, Yi Gang and Yi Un rush outside after hearing the commotion. As Dal-i falls from the roof, she lands straight into the arms of Crown Prince Yi Gang.

Still from Moon River (Image via X/@mbcdrama_pre)

Dal-I, looks exactly like the late Crown Princess. Earlier in the day, Yi Gang has once caught a glimpse of her in the market and has been shaken by the resemblance, but she has vanished before he can approach her. Now, seeing her up close, he freezes in disbelief, shock, sorrow, and hope. As he stands in awe looking at her, unable to move, episode 1 of Moon River ends.

Episode 2 opens with a flashback. The deposed Crown Princess is seen running toward a lake. The King’s command echoes in her mind, to take her own life if she wishes to save the Crown Prince. Bound by love and duty, she steps into the lake.

Fate, however, spares her life but erases her memories and she is rescued by her loyal court lady. The court lady is the very woman who later becomes Park Dal-i’s aunt. It is now revealed that Dal-I is the 'dead' Crown Princess. Her aunt has hidden this truth for years, fearing that if Dal-I returns to the capital or is recognized, her life will once again be in danger.

The story then returns to the present, where Dal-i is being interrogated by Yi Gang and Yi Un. She nervously explains that she lives as a merchant selling salt with her parents. Yi Gang is confused listening to her and thinking that she is his late Crown Princess. However Park Dal-i's nose is missing the mole the Crown Princess has, which confuses him more.

Meanwhile Yi Un grows curious, learning from Yi Gang that, how much Dal-i resembles his late sister-in-law, whom he has never met. Yi Un insists she must stay until she compensates for the items she has broken during her captivity. Dal-i, desperate to leave, promises to repay him after completing her current job and hurries away.

Still from Moon River (Image via X/@mbcdrama_pre)

Dal-i proceeds to rescue the young widow. But before she can succeed, she is captured by the girl’s relatives and their men. Just as danger looms, Yi Gang, Yi Un, and their guards arrive to save her. Together, they devise a plan to rescue both Dal-i and the girl, ensuring their safety.

In gratitude, Dal-i tells Yi Gang she will repay him by buying him a meal as thanks. Yi Gang is excited by it and accepts, though his mind remains clouded with confusion. Her appearance and words, mirror his late wife’s so closely. At one point, Dal-i unknowingly repeats a phrase the Crown Princess once said to him, leaving him deeply unsettled.

The next day, trouble strikes again. The relatives of the rescued girl plant stolen money in Dal-i’s bag and accuse her of theft. The authorities arrest her and sentence her to a punishment of thirty lashes and leg amputation. Dal-i protests her innocence, but her pleas fall on deaf ears.

Just as the enforcers raise their rods to strike, the doors burst open qnd the Crown Prince Yi Gang with his men storm into the courtyard. He commands the officials to stop immediately ane walks up to the trembling Dal-i. He removes the binds around her and reminding her that they have a meal to grab together, asks her to go with him. With that, episode 2 of Moon River ends.

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Moon River is available for streaming on Viki, Wavve and TVING.

Edited by Adrija Chakraborty