Moonshine did not disappoint with the humor, tension and emotional moments displayed in its opening week.
The opening broadcast of the series has finally arrived. In its first two episodes, the main casts Lee Hyeri, Yoo Seung Ho, Byeon Woo Seok and Kang Mi Na all have shown commendable portrayals. Depicting the life during the strictest alcohol prohibition in the Joseon period, Moonshine delivers convincing and superb cinematography.
Nathan Llantos watches Moonshine on Viu
Opening Week Ratings:
Moonshine Opening Week Story
Introducing the four main characters from different social classes, the main characters’ lives have intertwined in the first two episodes. Secrets, alcohol, misery, and longing weave together paving the way for the characters to cross paths.
In detail, the first episode unveiled the bustling and treacherous town full of conniving people deprived of alcohol. Not only did the first scene welcome viewers into the secret trade business of alcohol, it vividly presented the conditions of the people living during the prohibition period. Particularly, the commoners and the government officials.
Moreover, Nam Young (Yoo Seung Ho) and Ro Seo (Lee Hyeri) had an intense meet-up. Nam Young journeyed all the way to Hanyang to take the civil service exams. Fingers crossed in hopes of earning a title; he heads on his way to the royal palace.
Unfortunately, Entangled in a mishap in the harbor, he and his servant engage in a cat and dog chase with the pickpockets that stole their money. Subsequently, he encounters Ro Seo.
Amusing First Encounter
Nam Young witnesses the feisty Ro Seo fighting a group of thugs who run the street market. He remembers that his father advised him not to get involved with impertinent people once he reaches Hanyang.
Nevertheless, he intervenes and tries to save Ro Seo from the predicament. Little did he know that his meeting with Ro Seo is only the works of many. In fact, because of that incident, his fate is already knotted into a chaotic bond.
Meanwhile, to support her older brother, Ro Seo juggles her time taking whatever job she can. Besides washing the blood-stained sheets of a medical clinic. She also takes on eccentric tasks for a woman such as delivering goods as well as searching for a lost ring in the midst of a field full of manure.
To make matters worse, her brother Hae Soo accumulates even more debt. This urges her to take desperate measures—to bring back her late father’s recipe and discreetly sell her brewed rice wine.
Fate’s Savage Humor
On top of the enormous debt to worry about, Ro Seo has to be on her toes because of Nam Young. After impressing the King with his wits and loyalty, He is no longer a mere scholar from a title-less aristocrat family.
With him earning a position in the government, he now has to find a place to stay, which is ironically the spare room that Ro Seo’s brother put up for lease. Nam Young starts hunting offenders who sell and drink alcohol.
Nonetheless, Ro Seo has no choice but to let him rent the room for them to pay the guileful loan shark. This is happening consequently while Ro Seo precariously started her liquor business.
The Pivotal Point
Simultaneously, the mischievous endeavors of Crown Prince Lee Pyo (Byeon Woo Seok), and the playful ventures of Han Yie-Jin (Kang Mi Na), unfold in the first two episodes. Lee Pyo runs into Ro Seo twice during his usual misadventures. Meanwhile, he encounters the uptight newly announced top 1 examinee Nam Young while he was on the run from the prohibition drifters.
On the other hand, Yie-Jin was caught up in trouble when she bumped into Ro Seo and was caught stealing a hairpin.
Additionally, the circumstances of these characters unfold and progress in the opening chapters of Moonshine. Thus, giving the viewers an evocative glimpse into the lives of the four main characters.
Moonshine Opening Week Musings
Before the opening week aired on KBS and Wavve, I was already curious about how the world building will be executed. Moreover, I have long admired the way Korean dramas carefully craft their series.
So far, the way they presented the narratives of the four main characters would mold into one whole story is remarkable. It is astonishing how they can incorporate elements that lead the characters into meeting each other, without being a hard sell.
Not only did the series show how women take on difficult jobs, it encourages how women (even the side and extra characters) can face life’s difficulties head-on. Accordingly, it is evident how the writer and director stray away from the typical damsel in distress stereotype.
Scenic Characters and Setting
Despite the abundance of historical dramas in Korea, this series was able to provide yet another Joseon-period story with striking cinematography. Particularly, their location and production design do not look immensely the same as the other costume dramas.
Additionally, Lee Hyeri’s natural look affirms the spirit of heroine dubbed as a family breadwinner. Her angst and authenticity really shone in the first two episodes. Expecting amusing moments with Yoo Seung Ho would highly become the drawing points of the series.
Byeon Woo Seok is a refreshing gift in his portrayal as the Crown Prince. Not only does he look good in his costume, but he also displays great charisma in internalizing his character. Likewise, despite the short screen time Kang Mina had, she also effectively exudes a demure, sly aura that is perfect for her character, Han Yie-jin.
Things To Ponder About
I guess some of the concerns I have are mainly about the story’s pacing and the lack of chemistry I feel between Nam Young and Ro Seo. The cat and dog dynamic of the main characters is not new to everybody. For that reason, it is a challenge how to give a fresh take on that.
Despite the two brilliantly internalizing their characters individually, I think them as a pair still need more spice or something. I regret to say that I feel more chemistry between the short interactions shared by Lee Hyeri and Byeon Woo Seok’s characters.
Moreover, I am a bit bothered by how fast the pacing goes. I do not know if it is just me, but I feel like the first two episodes almost gave everything away already. I feel uneasy thinking about what the other episodes have to offer.
Hopefully, the layering of the plot details would blend well with its speedy trajectory.
Catch the weekly broadcast of Moonshine every 9:30 pm on KBS2 TV. In case you missed the first two episodes, you can also stream it on Viu.
Photos: KBS2
[wpedon id=”3227″ align=”center”]
