Kim Se-jeong Proves Her Worth in First Historical Drama 'The Moon That Rises in the River' with a 'Kim Se-jeong Style Rom-Com'

Actress Kim Se-jeong has solidified her presence in her first historical drama, 'The Moon That Rises in the River,' successfully crafting a 'Kim Se-jeong Style Rom-Com.'

In the premiere episode of MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'The Moon That Rises in the River,' which aired on the 7th, Kim Se-jeong made her debut as Park Dal-yi, a tenacious and hardworking peddler. The character is known for her excellent business acumen, kind heart, but also her bold personality and charmingly rustic Chungcheong dialect.

Kim Se-jeong's signature vibrant energy and witty romantic comedy performance immediately captured viewers' attention. The episode showcased Park Dal-yi's easygoing daily life as a peddler and foreshadowed her fateful encounter with Crown Prince Lee Kang (played by Kang Tae-oh).

Dal-yi, living as a commoner peddler after losing her memory, captivated the market with her friendly smile and authentic Chungcheong dialect. However, her journey took a turn when she ventured into Hanyang, the capital, drawing her into a whirlpool of destiny.

She became entangled in an incident involving the destruction of the Seo Guk's clock and caught the eye of Crown Prince Lee Kang due to her resemblance to the late Crown Princess. During her escape, she falls from a rooftop and lands in Lee Kang's arms, marking their first meeting and signaling the beginning of their romance, significantly heightening the drama's immersion.

The ending hinted at Dal-yi's true identity, resembling the late Crown Princess, raising anticipation for the unfolding narrative to its peak.

Kim Se-jeong flawlessly portrayed Dal-yi's multifaceted nature, balancing her resilience and the romantic undertones. Her performance in the market scenes, selling goods and bringing laughter to people, was a masterclass in witty dialect acting, complemented by her natural smile, colloquial speech, and playful expressions, maximizing the character's vitality.

From her bright and mischievous demeanor to the heart-fluttering fated encounter with the Crown Prince, Kim Se-jeong delicately expressed the emotional shifts and subtle tension, delivering a high-quality romantic comedy performance that belied her first foray into historical dramas. Her energy and diverse expressions instantly enlivened the early part of the drama, marking a successful start to the 'Kim Se-jeong Style Rom-Com.'

Meanwhile, 'The Moon That Rises in the River,' featuring Kim Se-jeong's outstanding performance, is a soul-swapping romance fantasy historical drama about Crown Prince Lee Kang, who has lost his smile, and the amnesiac peddler Park Dal-yi. The second episode airs on Saturday, the 8th, at 9:50 PM KST.

Korean netizens are showering praise on Kim Se-jeong's performance, with comments like, "Kim Se-jeong's acting is so natural, I was surprised! I didn't expect her to fit so well in a historical drama," and "Park Dal-yi is such a charming character! Kim Se-jeong truly brought her to life." Many are also expressing excitement for the romantic storyline, noting, "She's the queen of rom-coms! I'm already smitten," and "Looking forward to her chemistry with Kang Tae-oh! Can't wait for the next episode."