MBC's Friday-Saturday drama "Moon River" is continuing its upward trajectory and logged its best performance yet after an episode filled with major plot developments and heightened emotional tension.
The December 5 broadcast recorded 6 percent nationwide and 5.8 percent in the Seoul metropolitan area, where it has seen steady growth since its premiere.
One particular scene, wherein Crown Prince Yi Hee says, "Kill the Royal Consort," reached a peak of 7.4 percent, the highest viewership the series has received so far, according to a report from KBIZoom. This increase comes after a buzzworthy episode that combined romance and political intrigue along with the dramatic twist of the lead characters.
I love how they directed this scene, the way she got her memory back and felt so heartbroken knowing that hongnan lied to her for 5 years 💔 #MoonRiverEp10 pic.twitter.com/U6FrATIXOq
— gyne (@winter4been) December 6, 2025
Soompi reports that the latest episode focused on Lee Kang and Park Dal-i exposing Left State Councillor Kim Han-chul's crimes, which put him in jail. According to the news report, the report depicts how the couple finally settles into married life and demonstrates their quick-lived happiness before things started to go wrong again.
Dal-i's statement reveals the main plot twist in the episode. She had said, "Lee Kang and Dal-i's blood mixing in water causes their spirits to switch—heightening curiosity about their mysterious fate." The revelation added a supernatural layer that advanced viewer interest even more.
The proposal scene of Lee Kang: "Will you become my wife?" - a moment in the emotional solidification of the pair before looming threats returned to the narrative.
The episode also expanded the overarching political tensions. King Yi Hee declared, "Kill the Royal Consort," a decision which raised several questions among the characters, and indeed viewers, about his motives, especially in light of Kim Han-chul's fall.
In other words, as reported by KBIZoom, Lee Kang soon linked the cave-raised creature and the hidden machinations to Kim Han-chul's estate, providing the key evidence needed to finalize the latter's charges of treason. However, Dal-i's growing nightmares hint at unresolved mysteries tied to Lady Kang Yeon-wol.
The ensemble cast includes Kang Tae-oh, Kim Se-jeong, Jin Goo, and Lee Sin-young anchoring the drama's blend of fantasy, romance, and palace politics. Starting at 3.8 percent, the series has risen with each episode, continuing to close the gap with SBS's "Taxi Driver 3," which in its latest broadcast recorded 8.9 percent nationwide.
With strong viewer engagement, rising ratings, and growing social media traction, Moon River is well-positioned as one of MBC's standout titles this season.
