It has everything: action, comedy, romance, drama. For some reason, I really admired the first couple of episodes but I started to lose interest very soon. Probably because the storyline was quite unrealistic and predictable at times. I felt obligated to continue watching. Despite the plot holes, I was really drawn to the gender-bender side of this series although it irritated me at times. The lead couple had an amazing chemistry. Although I'm really late on this one, this was the series where I discovered the amazing Park Bo Gum. Damn, he has charm and his acting skills are top notch. The soundtrack was quite powerful as well which made the drama even more emotional and enjoyable.
This drama is an easy-to-watch historical series for beginners that are only starting to get interested in the genre. Especially romance genre lovers, beware of the cutesy/lighthearted romance scenes and start watching this!
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A promising story that failed to live up to its potential
This could have been a really great drama since it had all the right ingredients and quite a few talent led stars amongst the cast.However, it dragged on and on. They spread the story over too many episode, creating the necessity to fill the gaps with useless scenes and way too many blank stares from the FML that lasted ages. For the first time since I started watching kdrama's, I actually skipped a few episodes, it was the only way for me to finish the show.
The FML frustrated me to no end. She started out really well but after a few episodes she lost her spark and just became a weak and needy character. I would have much rather seen her as a strong woman who took control over her own life. A lioness instead of a little mouse.
Park Bo Gum and Kwak Dong Yeong were really great in their respective roles and made up for a lot of lacking scenes. The same goes for Jung Jin Young and Chae Soo Band who's characters and talent have been greatly underused in this drama. Their characters held a lot more potential than just fools in love.
All in all, the story wasn't fulfilled to it's potential but it's definitely not the worst drama I've seen.
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Just an average drama
I started this drama due to all the hype from fellow drama watchers and because the ratings were high in South Korea. While I enjoyed the drama, I thought it was pretty average.Story: The story isn't anything new with the FL disguising as a man to survive in court. In my view, this trope is overdone and a bit boring but whatever. The court politics I found to be stale and repetitive. Maybe because I have seen many historical dramas, particularly Chinese ones, I'm use to it. I kept waiting for that "A ha!" moment where I understand the hype but I never got that. I'm glad that this had a happy ending though.
Acting: KYJ killed it here. I can't believe she was only 17 when she filmed this drama.
Music: Some pretty memorable songs such as "because I miss you"
Rewatch: Again this drama was average and nothing stood out to me so I won't rewatch it.
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Adorable Female Lead & Smart Male Lead
I watched this some time back after it was aired not too long ago but I only decided to write a review about it now.This drama is one that I will certainly recommend to others. It’s a very good drama to watch.
Watch because:
- plot is intriguing and fast-paced
- plot is meaty enough to keep you in suspense and to want to know more
- characters are believable and some are quite cute
- female lead is sweet-looking and she acts well
- male lead isn’t my favorite male actor out there but he is handsome in his own right and he acts well enough too
- in general, plot is fairly well-linked
- if my memory serves me right, the ending is a happy one and well, I’m a sucker for happy endings
- the OST is ‘da bomb’ - many talented singers sing the songs in this drama - wow!
Overall, a good show to watch. Moves along fast along. Main leads are so easy on the eyes and they have good chemistry. Yay!
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- Acting: the acting was both marvelous and sub par. You have a couple of veterans who, of course, pulled through. At the same time you have characters that didn't really convey what they were supposed to. I'll mention those who stood out:
The crowned prince: by far the best performance in this drama. His facial expressions were on point. He had this royal aura around him combined with confidence and consistency. It was like this role was tailored for him. He only needs to work a little bit on his crying scenes because he looks like he's laughing instead of really crying.
Hong Ra On: the weakest acting came from her unfortunately. She lacked the heart to portray emotions. She was always looking down for no apparent reason. She didn't know how to convey what the character was supposed to be feeling. that's why most of the time her expressions were the same regardless of the situation.
The Queen: Marvelous acting on her part. Her evilness was palpable. I was even a little scared.
The rest were alright.
-Plot: This story needed work in both characterization and plot progression. You have a revolution that was only a revolution in name. Characters that spent their whole lives trying to spark a rise from the people but that plot point was converted into a plot device mid way. Nothing was done with it, It only served to put Ra On on her knees in front of the prince, with a sword on her neck so he could save her. I mean, what was even the point of Ra On's father's appearance? He was brushed aside fairly quickly after his introduction.
Ra On was a reactive character. She did nothing for the entirety of the series other than get captured by whoever and confuse the two love interests. She didn't feel like a main heroin at all. Her chemistry with the prince was questionable as well. At some points, I even felt bad for him because he was giving it all he got but she didn't have the same level of compromise. Also, I didn't understand her decisions. They didn't make one bit of sense.
Another thing to mention is that the politics here didn't make sense. How many times did the two ministers get caught red handed by the royal family and yet they were still there, unpunished?. Minister Kim also did some questionable things like killing a criminal that was being interrogated right before he was going to name the real culprits and yet nothing was done. This was kind of frustrating.
-The cinematography, music and direction were average.
In average, I give this a 6.5/10. It could've been better if the female lead was someone with a more powerful acting.
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Strong start but weak progression
Love in the Moonlight is one of those dramas that are considered gateway dramas for most. I can see why and how it can make for a good first start in saegeuks , cross dress and just overall first k drama. It's approachable, youthful and cute.Be that as it may, it's not great and watches tiredly.
At first, it's lively balance of comedy, politics and romance was pretty well done that you will be tuning in for next 10 eps like I did. The female lead is tenacious, spunky and witty and she is surrounded by a cute crown prince and two very strong mysterious men who encompass the crown prince's friend group. The story surrounding why she cross dresses will pique your interest, so will the court intrigues surrounding the Premier and his dastardly tricks and some uprising that occurred before the show started. BUT even with all that, it got boring, wearisome and tiring.
I believe it's down to underwriting the main leads who just became puddles of their former glorious selves. The female lead lost her spunk and the main lead lost his grace. In fact, he became less understandable and pricklier which I found confusing. The trope for the prickly male lead is prickly in the first half and soft and self-sacrificing in the second half? No? Well, apparently, it's a no.
It even had some great and reflective quotes going for it but then they started saying some really cringe things. I did not like that inconsistency too.
The direction and editing were also annoying. There were so many pauses and focuses on their faces as they were staring at NOTHING. It got infuriating, I just dropped it.
OVERALL: There are far better youthful saegeuks out there that one can watch. i.e Moon Embracing the Sun . Sungkwan Scandal etc
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This drama was a very good choice to watch on my mondays/tuesdays: it was a cute crossdressing story filled with a lot of bromance and beautiful friendships. Although the plot seemed really ordinary, the cast and the acting made it really beautiful and turned Moonlight Drawn by Clouds into an unique drama. This drama is a perfect choice for people who enjoys a cute romance, because guys, they surely did it so cutely. As I said before, towards the end I felt somethings were missing or not developed really well, and I really missed this.. thats why I gave it 8.5. I really hope that there will be a second season and I'll definitively watch it with this huge amazing pleasure.
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After the completion of episode 3, I found myself enraptured in a story about first love, political schemes, hidden identities and much more. The acting was great in the remainder of the drama by both new faces and well-renowned Korean actors. Although many have made the comparison between this drama and Moon that Embraces the Sun, I found this one a more complete love story but perhaps a less complete political one. In Moon that Embraces the Sun, the political aspect was extremely well created keeping one on the edge of your seat, with twists and turns every episode. However, the love story, for me, felt forced. More love at first sight, versus in Moonlight drawn from the Clouds were the romance is gradual. The prince and Ra on initially dislike each other, but grow to love each other as they also grow as people.
Both the cinematography and the soundtrack were excellent. However, the pacing was not consistent with some parts feeling rushed, while others were delved upon too long. The story would have benefited from reducing/condensing episodes 12-16 as the last few episodes seemed to lag. In addition, some of the subplots and side characters were not as exciting and at points detracted from the drama. Overall it was a highly enjoyable drama that I would definitely recommend especially for those who enjoy: gender-benders, love-triangles, historical, first-love, hidden-identities, etc.
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The romance is quite pure, like others have mentioned. I still kind of liked it. It was refreshing.
Acting was really good, and the prince's character, development (especially), and acting was great.
The female lead was awesome in the first episode, and sadly I fell into that trap thinking she'd always be like that. It feels like she's got a strong character, but she kept flailing around and crying all the time and became annoying. I think that's actually why I didn't give this drama an 8. I guess I was disappointed with the female lead thinking she might be able to react better in several situations.
Other than that, many cliches, I admit, but the story was nice and it was enjoyable watching the prince's development. Lots of cute and funny scenes, as well as tear-inducing ones. Overall, a very fun and enjoyable drama that I would've given an 8. Oh, and did I mention our gallant Kim-hyung?
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It's a light and pleasant show... The actors did a great job...
Once you start watching, you'll gradually sart falling in love with them...
If you like romance, then don't delay it any more...
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