The Moon That Embraces the Sun
(1,427 Comments)


Title: 해를 품은 달 / The Moon That Embraces the Sun
Chinese Title: 月亮怀抱太阳
Also known as: The Sun and The Moon / The Moon Embracing the Sun
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Period
Episodes: 20 + 2 Special
Broadcast network: MBC
Broadcast period: 2012-Jan-04 to 2012-Mar-15
Air time: Wednesday & Thursday 21:55
Synopsis
“The Moon Embracing The Sun” tells a love story between King Lee Hwon and a female shaman named Wol. Wol was born from a noble family and became the crown princess, but she was entrapped and faced execution. Finally, she lived as a shaman.
Cast
Main Cast
Kim Soo Hyun as Lee Hwon
- Yeo Jin Goo as Lee Hwon (young)
Han Ga In as Wol / Heo Yeon Woo
- Kim Yoo Jung as Wol / Heo Yeon Woo (young)
Jung Il Woo as Prince Yang Myung
- Lee Min Ho (1993) as Prince Yang Myung (young)
Kim Min Seo as Yoon Bo Kyung
- Kim So Hyun as Yoon Bo Kyung (young)
The Palace
Kim Young Ae as Queen Jeonghui (Lee Hwon’s grandmother)
Ahn Nae Sang as as King Sung Jo (Lee Hwon’s father)
Kim Sun Kyung as Queen So Hye (Lee Hwon’s mother)
Nam Bo Ra as Princess Min Hwa (Lee Hwon’s sister)
- Jin Ji Hee as Princess Min Hwa (young)
Jung Eun Pyo as Hyung Sun
Song Jae Rim as Kim Chae Woon
- Lee Won Gun (이원근) as Kim Chae Woon (young)
Yoon Hee Suk as Hong Kyu Tae as Hong Gyu Tae
Kim Ye Ryung as Lady Park (Yang Myung’s mother)
Seo Hyun Chul as Shim San
Lee Seung Hyung as Han Jae Gil
Chu Gwi Jung as Court Lady Jo
Kim Min Kyung as Court Lady Min
Kang Chan Yang as palace maid
Hong Hyun Taek as royal prince (cameo, ep.20)
The Sungsuchung
Jun Mi Sun as Female shaman Jang Nok Young
Kim Ik Tae as Hye Gak
Bae Noo Ri as Jan Shil
- Jo Min Ah as Jan Shil (young)
Jang Young Nam as Ali (cameo, ep 1)
Heo Family
Sun Woo Jae Duk as Heo Young Jae (Yeon Woo and Yeom’s father)
Yang Mi Kyung as Shin Jung Kyung (Yeon Woo and Yeom’s mother)
Song Jae Hee as Heo Yeom
- Si Wan as Heo Yeom (young)
- Kim Jin Woo as Yeom (child)
Yoon Seung Ah as Seol
- Suh Ji Hee as Seol (young)
Yoon Family
Kim Eung Soo as Yoon Dae Hyung (Bo Kyung’s father)
Jang Hee Soo as Mrs. Kim (Bo Kyung’s mother)
Kim Seung Wook as Yoon Soo Chan
Production Credits
Director: Kim Do Hoon
Screenwriter: Jin Soo Wan
Awards
2012 MBC Drama Awards: Golden Actress Acting Awards, Yang Mi Kyung
2012 MBC Drama Awards: Best Child Actress Acting Awards, Kim Yoo Jung
2012 MBC Drama Awards: Best Child Actress Acting Awards, Kim So Hyun
2012 MBC Drama Awards: Best Child Actor Acting Awards, Yeo Jin Goo
2012 MBC Drama Awards: Popularity Actor Awards, Kim Soo Hyun (The Moon That Embraces the Sun)
2012 MBC Drama Awards: Writer of the Year, Jin Soo Wan (The Moon That Embraces the Sun)
2012 MBC Drama Awards: Top Excellence Actress Awards (Mini Series): Han Ga In (The Moon That Embraces the Sun)
2012 MBC Drama Awards: Top Excellence Actor Awards (Mini Series): Kim Soo Hyun (The Moon That Embraces the Sun)
2012 MBC Drama Awards: Drama of the Year
2012 48th Baeksang Arts Awards: Top Excellence Actor: Kim Soo Hyun (The Moon That Embraces the Sun)
2012 48th Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Drama (The Moon That Embraces the Sun)
Notes
- Based on the novel 해를 품은 달 (The Moon That Embraces the Sun) by Jung Eun Gwol (first published December 29, 2005), who is also the author of the novel that Sungkyunkwan Scandal was based on.
- Actor Joo Won was originally cast as Prince Yang Myung, but dropped out of the show due to Ojakgyo Brothers being extended. Actor Jung Il Woo has been replaced for this role.
- Actor Kim Jeong Hoon scheduled to play Heo Yeom but dropped out the series prior to filming due to his album being released early 2012 in Japan. Song Jae Hee has been replaced for this role.
- The Ratings for this drama dropped significantly on 29/Feb/2012 due to the Live Broadcasting of FIFA World Cup Qualification of Asia Region on the same time.
- On 6/March/2012, MBC confirms that Episode 19 & 20 will not air this week and will air Special Episodes in its place due to the MBC labor strike. (Source)
- Kim Soo Hyun sings the song “You Are The One” for this drama series’ OST which will be released 13/March/2012 in Korea.
Episode Title & Episode Preview
| Epsiode | Title | Preview |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Two Suns and a Moon | NA |
| 2 | Two Moons and a Sun | Preview |
| 3 | Like Petals, Like Fireworks | Preview |
| 4 | One Sun, one Moon | Preview |
| 5 | Fallen Moon | Preview |
| 6 | Hidden Moon | Preview |
| 7 | Shaman Wol – Moon | Preview |
| 8 | Shaman Who Absorbs Adversity | Preview |
| 9 | Moon That Is Hidden Beside The Sun | Preview |
| 10 | Correspondence Of The Dead | Preview |
| 11 | Secret Love | Preview |
| 12 | Road Of Tears | Preview |
| 13 | Witch Hunt | Preview |
| 14 | Why Am I DEad? | Preview |
| 15 | Once Again Two Suns and Two Moons | Preview |
| 16 | True Identity Of The Moon | Preview |
| 17 | The Sun Embracing The Moon | Preview |
| 18 | Bloody Precursor | Preview |
| 19 | Rebellion | Preview |
| 20 | The Moon Embracing the Sun | Preview |
Episode Ratings (TNmS Media Korea)
| Date | Episode | Nationwide | Seoul |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-01-04 | 1 | 15.0 (3rd) | 16.9 (3rd) |
| 2012-01-05 | 2 | 17.3 (3rd) | 20.8 (2nd) |
| 2012-01-11 | 3 | 19.4 (2nd) | 22.3 (1st) |
| 2012-01-12 | 4 | 20.6 (2nd) | 25.1 (1st) |
| 2012-01-18 | 5 | 21.6 (2nd) | 24.9 (1st) |
| 2012-01-19 | 6 | 25.9 (1st) | 28.6 (1st) |
| 2012-01-25 | 7 | 25.5 (1st) | 28.8 (1st) |
| 2012-01-26 | 8 | 26.2 (1st) | 29.4 (1st) |
| 2012-02-01 | 9 | 28.4 (1st) | 32.3 (1st) |
| 2012-02-02 | 10 | 30.5 (1st) | 35.1 (1st) |
| 2012-02-08 | 11 | 34.3 (1st) | 38.6 (1st) |
| 2012-02-09 | 12 | 33.7 (1st) | 37.8 (1st) |
| 2012-02-15 | 13 | 34.6 (1st) | 39.3 (1st) |
| 2012-02-16 | 14 | 37.2 (1st) | 42.0 (1st) |
| 2012-02-22 | 15 | 37.7 (1st) | 42.6 (1st) |
| 2012-02-23 | 16 | 39.8 (1st) | 45.5 (1st) |
| 2012-02-29 | 17 | 33.3 (1st) | 36.1 (1st) |
| 2012-03-01 | 18 | 40.7 (1st) | 47.0 (1st) |
| 2012-03-07 | Special 1 | 24.7 (1st) | 26.0 (1st) |
| 2012-03-08 | Special 2 | 19.8 (3rd) | 21.7 (1st) |
| 2012-03-14 | 19 | 38.9 (1st) | 42.9 (1st) |
| 2012-03-15 | 20 | 42.3 (1st) | 46.5 (1st) |
Episode Ratings (AGB Nielson)
| Date | Episode | Nationwide | Seoul |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-01-04 | 1 | 18.0 (3rd) | 19.7 (2nd) |
| 2012-01-05 | 2 | 19.9 (2nd) | 22.2 (1st) |
| 2012-01-11 | 3 | 23.2 (1st) | 26.1 (1st) |
| 2012-01-12 | 4 | 23.4 (2nd) | 26.0 (1st) |
| 2012-01-18 | 5 | 24.9 (1st) | 28.3 (1st) |
| 2012-01-19 | 6 | 29.3 (1st) | 32.9 (1st) |
| 2012-01-25 | 7 | 29.7 (1st) | 33.8 (1st) |
| 2012-01-26 | 8 | 31.7 (1st) | 35.3 (1st) |
| 2012-02-01 | 9 | 34.5 (1st) | 38.9 (1st) |
| 2012-02-02 | 10 | 37.1 (1st) | 40.5 (1st) |
| 2012-02-08 | 11 | 37.1 (1st) | 41.7 (1st) |
| 2012-02-09 | 12 | 37.1 (1st) | 40.8 (1st) |
| 2012-02-15 | 13 | 38.4 (1st) | 42.9 (1st) |
| 2012-02-16 | 14 | 37.6 (1st) | 42.1 (1st) |
| 2012-02-22 | 15 | 39.1 (1st) | 43.1 (1st) |
| 2012-02-23 | 16 | 41.3 (1st) | 46.1 (1st) |
| 2012-02-29 | 17 | 36.0 (1st) | 39.7 (1st) |
| 2012-03-01 | 18 | 41.2 (1st) | 45.8 (1st) |
| 2012-03-07 | Special 1 | 24.5 (1st) | 26.9 (1st) |
| 2012-03-08 | Special 2 | 19.2 (2nd) | 20.9 (2nd) |
| 2012-03-14 | 19 | 38.7 (1st) | 41.8 (1st) |
| 2012-03-15 | 20 | 42.2 (1st) | 45.8 (1st) |
*** Different between TNmS Media Korea & AGB Nielson – Here
Poster
Wallpaper (1280×1024)
Mobile Wallpapers (480×800)


















January 16th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
i really like kim soo hyun….so talented…. charming and has a sexy body… ehe
the drama was really good….pls watch it!!!!!!!
hang ga in… so pretty
jung woo…good actor also n flower boy ramyun shop..
keep it up guys!!!!!!!!!
January 16th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
do they have preview of next episode???? pls advise.. tnx
January 16th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
i can tell from the previous episode that prince yang myung really care about his brother, if ever this two prince will turn against its other it is their father fault he is bias he didnt treat his kids the same, it is not yang myung fault if his an illegitimate child why he has to live like an outcast…
January 16th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
The young cast is so good that I feel like I can watch n love a whole drama featuring only them! At the same time, I know that Jung Il Woo n others of the grown up cast will be awesome. This drama gives us chars that we absolutely adore, n therefore worry abt their fate immensely. No wonder the ratings r jumping ep by ep.
I said I may jump ship becos it makes me too nervous, but I can’t help staying on board for the love of these young teenagers, the prince–soo romantic, Yeon Woo–soo beautiful n graceful n smart, his brother –Siwan, who is oh sooo handsome, the lovely bubbly princess, and of course Lee Min Ho (93)! Another lovely saguek after TPM!
As for the evil girl Yoon, I hope she falls into a well soon. It’ll be payback time when we see the fall of the evil dowager! That actress is equally hateful n scary in The Royal Family too!
January 16th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
This will be one of the best kdramas that i’ve ever watched!!!!
Amazing actors and actresses. i really love the story. i love everything in this drama!
So many things to look forward in this drama! This is so exciting! There are so many good dramas in line for 2012!!!!!
January 16th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
It’s a really good drama but I recommend to read the book
January 16th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
I finished watching ep 4, n am very much impressed w the young actors n actresses. The actor playing the crown price was born in 1997, making him 14. The pretty girl playing Yeon Woo was born in 1999, making her 12. How can they act so well at such tender ages! They sure start them young in the K-ent industry. They’ll both have gt futures I’m sure.
The evil dowager asks the head sha-woman to use black magic to kill off Yeon Woo. I’ve a better idea: Why not use black magic to kill off the dowager herself; everyone will breathe easier!
January 16th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Awesome cast and acting. Enjoying every moment of it, mayb more than TPM cos it’s so much fun watching these young stars. Hope it continues to be better :-*
January 17th, 2012 at 12:01 am
Yo-
This drama good as rating?
I think I will try to watchmit
January 17th, 2012 at 1:12 am
@KDaddict: hehe, thought you wanna abandon the ship but you didn’t and already finished episode 4 which I haven’t…yeah, talking abt their acting is really great that it makes me forget that they are only kids. I will surely continue watching this drama, it is too good to give up
January 17th, 2012 at 1:19 am
@Jennie: Hi Jennie !!! Yeah, I also think that this drama is more interesting than TPM too and maybe more complicated
hope it is getting better and better.
January 17th, 2012 at 10:06 am
This drama is Based On a novel, just as SKKS was based on a novel. Both novels are written by the same author. That’s good news to me, judging fr the quality n tone of SKKS. To me it suggests that the author will be kind to Yeon Woo n to us, the viewers. She probably won’t rescue her fr death only to kill her at the end, like the writer of 49Ds! And Lee Hwon being a fictional king, anything can happen for them that the author desires.
SPOILER ALERT:
By the end of ep 4, it is clear that the head sha-woman has to kill YW on the dowager’s order, n she’ll figure a way to save her. So YW will be made to look like she died, but in fact hidden away to live in obscurity. But thru the trauma, she’ll lose her memory. The story is abt her meeting n falling in love w Lee Hwon again; then Hwon, her brother Yeom and his best friend Woon, will help her gain her memory again. Now, that’s not too stressful for my delicate nerves!
@kanha, hi,
It’s only 4 eps in; It is unclear to me yet if this will be more interesting than TPM. If it is, IMO it’s in that it gives us two casts instead of one; a “b4 the faked death” back story, n an “afterwards” section. Both METS n TPM stories r v interesting, n both dramas have tremendous merit to me. The more good KDs, the merrier!
January 17th, 2012 at 10:30 am
I adore the bubbly little princess! She is a breath of fresh air in the palace n in this show!
January 17th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
@OK OK OK-93,
Abt Yeo Jin Goo:
Did you see him play the young Ijimae (in Lee Joon Ki’s version)? He was super good-looking and acted so well in it. IMO, he was a really really handsome little boy. He is also handsome now.
January 17th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@kanha I can say I’m really gaga over this drama and I wouldn’t even mind if the entire drama is about the young cast and their young n innocent love. They are all so cute and lovable. This is the first time that I actually enjoyed watching the first few eps of a drama from the word go and watched it twice too! The music in the first two eps reminded me so much of Goong (which I loved back then) that it made me want to dig up the drama to watch again! Can’t wait to see Ep 5 alto I’m pretty sure it’s going to be very heartbreaking in the following eps. Looking forward to seeing the adult cast too.
January 17th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
still waiting next ep!!!
January 17th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
@ 114 kDaddict
I forgot the young cast for Iljimae but only remember the adult Lee Joon Ki & Han Hyo Joo – he he.
And i didn’t watch Iljimae part 2 by Jung Il Woo bc I heard that the female lead dont hv adorable “character” and her lookds so so only. My priority is leads must be pleasant to watch.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
ill woo is so gratefull,,,
i love you so much,,,
i think this drama will be the best,,
kim soo hyun n ill woo oppa!!!!
January 17th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
@OK OK OK-117,
Yeo played the young Iljimae. Remember as a young boy, he was with his family under the cherry tree. That scene was replayed again and again thru the drama. He was really good looking then too.
Oh I completely love Jung Il Woo’s Return of Iljimae. It actually is not a part 2. It came out a little after Lee JK’s version, so the tv station gave it a diff name for differentiation. The female lead is very good-looking, and is a lovely actress. Her char was extremely adorable. If u like, JIW, Pick a random ep to watch n see what you think. But don’t start w the first 3 eps.
January 17th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
@119 KDaddict
Since you said the lead actress is good, in that case I will watch it then when I am free. But I will start from ep1 bc I won’t enjoy a show if I miss out any scene. I will be blur…………
I also like Jung Il Woo.
January 17th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
@OKOKOK-120,
Ahh, you finally got my name right!
But be warned that the show is a little slow in getting started, n you don’t see much of JIW in the 1st 3 eps. It’s when he is grown up that he looks so fine! I really like the actress n her char. I don’t know why anyone would say otherwise. Her char is really liberated for those feudal times. She follows her heart n chooses IJM tho it means a diff lifestyle. A pretty girl, n daring too!
January 18th, 2012 at 9:36 am
The Child actors have been stellar. I’ll miss them when they are gone.
If there is weak links, one of them might be the one playing Seul, the servant girl who practices sword skills on her own. I get the feeling that she has a crush over Yeom. Who wouldn’t, as it is played by the outrageously handsome Siwan?
The other one is Woon, the martial arts champion. I know his char is supposed to be quiet. The young actor lacks the experience to play a quiet char yet bring him to life. That’d be a difficult job even for an experienced actor. Hope to see his char develop.
January 18th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
@Jennie-115: Agree with you, even they are young but they can act as good as adult too. i haven’t finished episode 4 yet, will watch it today since Brain is gone….Is there any other good drama that you are watching? it would be better to have a comedy drama to watch…hehe…
January 18th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@KDaddict: Got the same feeling as you but i think Yeom is the one who is interested in that servant girl.
January 18th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
lee min ho also one of the cast of Sungkyunkwan scandal…