meidreams

Could it be that the Chi Wen/Dragon Deity we've seen so far (played by TJR) is just another puppet? Perhaps Ji Ling is the real identity/past life and he's not aware?
Because why not showing his face as he interacts with the great demons and Tian Di, when we have already met him as a character? Could also explain the lack of dragon powers?
I am most curious about this mystery and possibile plot twist

In all honesty, I considered putting this one on hold or drop it completely during the first arc, because the acting felt a bit off, the writing was kinda (very) confusing at times and the way the characters stopped mid-action to literally pose like models instantly took me out of the scene. And it happened a lot.
But, as they moved towards the next arc of the story, things really started to balance out and click into place and now I am hooked, quite literally counting the hours for the new episodes to be released.
MJTY is one of my favourite cdramas ever, I loved FOF to bits despite its many flaws, but I have to say VOS feels more balanced, plot wise, more consistent and purposeful. Even when it comes to screen time per character, for now at least, everyone is getting a similar portion and their time and space to grow and shine. The worldbuilding, too, seems to make more sense compared to the previous works by this director.
Relationship wise, I still prefer what they did in FOF, but that’s because I personally love the found family trope over pure romance, but I have to say they are doing a great job with balancing the screentime of the two main couples, which is something they did not manage well in the other dramas and for that they received some... hate.
So, right now, I'd say this is the kind of drama that gradually but surely grows on the viewer and gets better and better as it moves forward. So, if anyone is considering dropping it after the first couple of episodes? Give it a bit more time, the writing really grows in quality and clarity and they don't stop and pose every couple of scenes anymore (please, let it keep it that way).
I am most worried about the last arc/final episodes, because this director tends to "lose" his hold on the story, usually, rushing and focusing on the wrong stuff or just going completely out of the way and things no longer make sense, but so far? The plot is building up very well and the characters are interesting and complex. I really can't wait to watch more and see the rest of the story unfold, because it's very, very promising.

Okay, as long as it's not put on a shelf and forgotten, there's still hope.

But why is it taking it so much time tho
I really wished to see this air by the end of the year, and yet here we are, still waiting sigh

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but you should do just the same with others.
If someone says they liked or loved the drama, they are not lying to themselves, they sincerely liked or loved the drama, why should they lie about such thing? You have no right and are in no place to say otherwise. Everyone has their own tastes and preferences.
I could too say the same to you, no? That you actually like the drama and you're just "trying to fool yourself ".

So... any news?

If only it could be possible to pin a comment to the top of the comment section.
I was there while the drama was airing, and you really managed to answer the questions that new viewers kept asking, while also explaining why the (unfairly) low rating.
Most useful comment indeed.

I have to say, this drama has its flaws and some plot holes or things that should have been developed better or gotten more focus on, BUT of all the historical fantasy dramas (or historical idol dramas or whatever you call it) that aired in 2025, this is by far the best one. Among the three/four I have followed, at least.
I honestly don't understand why it's so underrated and so many people are hating on it, because the other ones have crazy high ratings, compared to Moon River, when writing and plot wise (and also on the leads chemistry and love line development), they are not as consistent and have very rushed and very unsatisfying endings. Moon River never really lost its way when it hit the second half (or not in a super noticeable way) and I don't think they left things unanswered, by the time the ending credits started to roll.
They actually took their time to wrap up the story (both for the leads and supporting roles) and show us what happens after all is said and done and I wish more works will take this route in the future, instead of giving us a three seconds reunion with longing stares or weird time jumps that skip all the interesting and answer-y bits.
Is it really because of the body swap? I wish too that more fantasy elements were integrated within the storyline to make it flow better, but it's not like they didn't warn us about this being a soul exchange drama. And it had a reason and a purpose, what more do you want.
I personally found it has exceeded my expectations. If I were to go in expecting a complicated, serious court and political plot or an intricated worldbuilding, then I'd be indeed disappointed, but that's not what it is nor what the writers ever intended it to be. I think they showed us what they meant to show us and they did it well.

And for the production quality and OST alone, this should be a full 8.

I appreciated the effort, honestly. The cgi didn't look very natural, but at least they didn't go for a six months or even close to a whole year of age child to play a newborn.
Results were meh, but I understand their intentions.

She reminds me of Lee Joon Gi's sister in Flower of Evil, but I watched that some time ago, so I could be wrong.
And I believe they added some grey hair (either that or it was the light), but by now (thank you cdramas) I've gotten used to the same actor playing the teenage, adult and elder version of a character, so I just roll with it

It isn't a perfect drama, but 7.7 is a criminal rating

Currently watching Moon River and she reminds me so much of actor Lee Joon Gi

Did you just read my thoughts about this drama and put them in written form? I agree with every single issue you've pointed out and I'm currently s t r u g g l i n g to finish this one.
My mistake was probably starting it even though the cast and plot never really clicked with me, but then I read it had a group of friend solving cases and I just can't resist that trope. Lesson learned: trust in your instincts, because otherwise you are stuck for 40 episodes.
And I can't even say Luo Yunxi is helping me get through it (like many fans are saying, which is already telling of the writing quality and pacing of this drama), because his acting is really not resonating with me. I don't mean to attack him nor his acting in any way, because if he has such big following, there must be a reason and in some scenes I can see why he is considered a good actor and he can be very expressive, but I always find it hard to get into his interpretation of a character.
To me, he always feels very self conscious and over the top about his being the male lead in a drama and it always takes me out of the story, I don't know how else to put it (or perhaps I've always seen him in arrogant, super powerful roles and that way of carrying himself is intentional and part of the fictional character? I should probably check out more of his roles). But especially with Tang Lici's character, I find it very hard to connect with him.
And in this drama specifically, as you said yourself, many other actors/characters beside him are too much, too dramatic in their expressions and reactions, as if they have to keep up with the flashy costumes and eccessive hair accessories (some of which are very pretty to look at, but still too, too much)
It'd probably work better as a theatre piece or musical, rather than a tv show.

Sorry for the long reply/rant, but your review is, so far, the one that really captured what this drama is

That's nothing new in this kind of dramas (and in real history, I suppose) , but they are usually a lot more subtle or work with a group of allies, while this minister doesn't really hide the fact that he's controlling the royal family and plotting treason at least once a week - might as well wear the crown, instead of forcing that marriage with his daughter.
Do I like it? Not really, but I don't think palace intrigues and politics are supposed to be the main focus here, they are more like a plot device or drama fuel for the actual story to take place and move forward, so I'll let it pass and try to enjoy it for what it is.

I actually like how they took their time to introduce the body swap, letting us properly know the characters and see how they move about life, their mannerisms and thoughts, but I also wish they inserted a bit more magic/fantasy elements that hinted and lead up to the soul switching, because it really feels out of nowhere, as if I accidentally clicked on a whole different drama while in the middle of moon river.
I believe the fantasy bits were briefly shown in ep 1, when they talk about soulmates and fate, but after that... completely forgotten, to the point I had actually removed that plot line and the fact there's magic and fantastical things happening in this drama.
Up until that happened, it's been a normal (more or less realistic, given how overly dramatic it can get at times) historical drama about a crown prince and a peasant. And then * magic *
I'm honestly looking forward to the next episodes and see how they are going to hold up, but I'm not much of a fan of this sudden change in genre. They really could have made it seem more organic and better integrated with the realistic elements.

This may sound foolish (and it most likely is), but every time I see the (young) female characters' faces, I'm immediately pulled out of the story. They are both beautiful, but just look too modern - at least to me personally.
Like, when I see them, I see a contemporary actress wearing a costume, and I just cannot unsee it. It immediately kicks me out of the scene.
I don't know whether it's the make-up or their facial features. IPhone face, I think it's called?

I doubt they'll make a Blood River season 2, but this show is chronologically the second story in the trilogy Dashing Youth-Blood River-The Blood of Youth, so if you want to find closure for some of the characters introduced here or see how it ends with the Emperor and his sons and who's behind who, you should check out The Blood of Youth, which I believe is set a dozen years after the events shown in Blood River.
The three dramas are technically standalones and very different in style and colour palette, but there are recurring characters and storylines and everything is connected to some extent.

Am I the only one who feels a sort of pity towards the First Prince? I can't tell whether it's within the script or just the actor's baby face and big eyes, but I often get the feeling he would be a totally different person had he been raised by someone else. He feels more like a puppet being used and influenced by the Eunuch rather than the mastermind.
At least up until ep. 32, this is the impression I have of him.

I need to print every single one of them. Every. Single. One.

He's not evil nor morally corrupted, as one slowly finds out while watching TBOY, but he's an assassin of Dark River and Dark River in that drama works for the villains and is set to kill and stop and just antagonise the young protagonists, also with the use of the Drugged Puppets we are seeing in the drama Blood River.
You see his true colours towards the end of TBOY, but for the most part he's an antagonist.

In chronological order (within the story timeline, not the dramas airing years), Dashing Youth comes first, then Blood River and The Blood of Youth closes the circle, but each drama follows a different set of protagonists, so they work perfectly as standalone and one doesn't need to watch them in order or at all to understand what's going on. Still, it's nice visiting that same universe and seeing mentioned or meeting again characters you've known previously in the other two works.
I believe there is a topic discussion that explains everything a lot better and more in detail, so if you're interested, you can check it out.
And SMY has more of a guest appearance in Dashing Youth (where he's probably in his early 20s) and The Blood of Youth (late 30s, early 40s, most likely), so if you go into those dramas expecting to see a lot of him, you might get disappointed, since he's mostly secondary and, in TBOY, pretty antagonistic.