Moon Embracing the Sun

The Queen Dowager orders the assassination of her stepson in order to protect her own son's throne. A-ri, a shaman of the Royal Star Mansion (Royal Astrology House), witnesses the murder. The pregnant wife of the palace's Chief Scholar helps her escape, and she vows to protect the unborn child, who has a "noble fate."

A-ri is arrested, tortured, and imprisoned. She tells her friend and fellow shaman, Jang Nok-yeong, to look after the unborn child in her stead. A-ri is declared guilty of treason and killed.

Years later, Heo Yeon-woo, the child A-ri swore to protect, and Crown Prince Lee Hwon fall in love. Prince Yangmyung, the Crown Prince's older half-brother, has also fallen in love with Yeon-woo, who does not reciprocate his feelings.

The Queen Dowager seeks to make Yoon Bo-kyung, the daughter of the Prime Minister and her blood relative, the Crown Princess in order to maintain her clan's power. However, the King is impressed by Yeon-Woo's intelligence and chooses her to be Lee Hwon's wife, infuriating Prime Minister Yoon and the Queen Dowager, who secretly orders Nok-yeong to cast a deadly curse on the new Princess.

Yeon-woo is diagnosed with an unidentifiable illness, expelled from the palace, and loses her title. She "dies" from this illness and is buried, but Nok-yeong digs her out of the grave, because the spell is temporary and only mimics the appearance of death. However, Yeon-woo is so traumatized by being buried alive that she has lost all of her memories. She and Nok-yeong leave the capital.

Crown Prince Lee Hwon unwillingly marries Bo-kyung, but refuses to consummate the marriage by citing an unnamed illness and continues to brood over his "dead" first love.

Eight years later, Lee Hwon is now king and Yeon-woo became Shaman Wol (which means "moon"). Unaware of Wol's true identity, the Grand Royal Queen Dowager calls her to the palace so that she can cure her grandson's "illness." The King is struck by Wol's unmistakable resemblance to Yeon-woo, and he quietly launches an investigation into Yeon-woo's death.

Meanwhile, Wol struggles to understand the strange memories of her life as Yeon-woo, which she interprets as shamanic visions. She must fight Queen Yoon, the Grand Royal Queen Dowager and Prime Minister Yoon in order to reclaim her rightful place as the Queen of Joseon. Political intrigue continues to build and comes shockingly to a head as Lee Hwon fights for his throne and the woman he loves.

• Han Ga-in{{cite news|last=Lee|first=In-kyung|title=Han Ga In Shows Off Her Elegant Beauty|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=2154|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128225049/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=2154|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2013|access-date=December 14, 2012|newspaper=enewsWorld|date=December 14, 2011|agency=CJ E&M}} as Lady Heo Yeon-woo / Shaman Wol
• Kim Yoo-jung as 13-year-old Lady Heo Yeon-woo

:'Moon Embracing the Sun': Although she is destined to be the Queen of Joseon, Yeon-woo is cheated out of her fate by the scheming Queen Dowager and Prime Minister Yoon. She is appointed Crown Princess, but she mysteriously dies before the wedding. In reality, she loses her memory and becomes a shaman. Eight years later, she returns to the palace as Shaman Wol and is struck by her inexplicable attraction to the king and her strange "visions" about the king's mysterious first love.

• Kim Soo-hyun{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Jin-ho|title=Kim Soo Hyun Cast in The Sun and the Moon|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1502|access-date=December 14, 2012|newspaper=enewsWorld|date=November 11, 2011|agency=CJ E&M|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202133810/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/1502/kim-soo-hyun-cast-in-the-sun-and-the-moon|archive-date=February 2, 2015|url-status=dead}} as Lee Hwon, King of Joseon
• Yeo Jin-goo as 15-year-old Lee Hwon, Crown Prince of Joseon

:'Sun Reaching for the Moon': Lee Hwon is the intelligent and kind boy who falls in love with Heo Yeon-woo and even after her sudden death, he remains devoted to her memory. When he meets Wol, he has doubts about Yeon-woo's death and begins an investigation, unearthing political machinations and dark secrets.

• Jung Il-woo{{cite news|last=Sunwoo|first=Carla|title=Jung Il-woo to appear in MBC drama|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/html/149/2946149.html|access-date=October 24, 2012|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=December 26, 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111023144/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/html/149/2946149.html|archive-date=January 11, 2013|df=mdy-all}} as Prince Yangmyung
• Lee Tae-ri{{efn|Credited as Lee Min-ho.}} as young Prince Yangmyung

:'Overshadowed by the Sun': Yangmyung is Lee Hwon's half-brother. Although he is the elder brother, he is the son of the king's concubine and therefore ineligible for the throne. He struggles to reconcile his lifelong, unrequited love for Yeon-woo, his love for his brother, and his attraction to Shaman Wol.

• Kim Min-seo as Lady Yoon Bo-kyung / Queen Yoon
• Kim So-hyun as young Lady Yoon Bo-kyung

:'A Mirror longing to be the Moon': Bo-kyung is used by the Queen Dowager and her father, Prime Minister Yoon, in order to maintain their clan's power. After Yeon-woo's death, she becomes Lee Hwon's Crown Princess. She remains in love with Lee Hwon all her life, but he still loves Yeon-woo.

• Sunwoo Jae-duk as Lord Heo Young-jae

:Yeon-woo and Yeom's father. He is King Seongjo's trusted advisor and an enemy to Prime Minister Yoon.

• Yang Mi-kyung as Madam Shin Jung-kyung

:Yeon-woo and Yeom's mother. She grieves over her daughter and husband's deaths.

• Song Jae-hee as Lord Heo Yeom
• Im Si-wan{{cite news|last=Oh|first=Mi-jung|title=ZE:A's Si Wan Becomes an Overnight Star|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=2818|access-date=December 14, 2012|newspaper=enewsWorld|date=January 17, 2012|agency=CJ E&M|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128225505/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=2818|archive-date=January 28, 2013|url-status=dead}} as 17-year-old Young Master Heo Yeom

:Yeon-woo's older brother and Hwon's tutor. After Yeon-woo's death, his family falls from grace and he marries Princess Minhwa.

• Yoon Seung-ah as Seol
• Seo Ji-hee{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Nancy|title="Hyun Bin's Niece" Seo Ji Hee is All Grown Up|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=2663|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128215058/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=2663|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2013|access-date=December 14, 2012|newspaper=enewsWorld|date=January 9, 2012|agency=CJ E&M}} as young Seol

: Yeon-woo's personal servant. She protects Yeon-woo during her time as Shaman Wol.

• Kim Young-ae as the Grand Royal Queen Dowager

: The mother of King Seongjo and grandmother of Lee Hwon. She kills Prince Uiseong in order to ensure that her son will become king and attempts to kill Yeon-woo in order to appoint her own relative to be Lee Hwon's wife and future queen. She and Prime Minister Yoon work together to protect their family's interests.

• Ahn Nae-sang as King Seongjo

: Father of Lee Hwon, Prince Yangmyung and Princess Minhwa. He is haunted by his beloved half-brother's death and the knowledge that his own mother killed him. In order to prevent such conflict between his own sons, he hides his love for Yangmyung.

• Kim Sun-kyung as Queen Sohye, later the Queen Dowager

:Mother of Lee Hwon.

• Kim Ye-ryeong as Royal Noble Consort Hui of the Miryang Park clan

:Mother of Yangmyung. King Seongjo's concubine. She has no political ambition and retires to a Buddhist monastery.

• Nam Bo-ra as Princess Minhwa
• Jin Ji-hee as young Princess Minhwa

:Lee Hwon's younger sister. She falls in love with Yeom and is determined to marry him at all costs.

• Song Jae-rim as Lord Kim Jae-woon
• Lee Won-keun as 15-year-old Young Master Kim Jae-woon

: 'Devil Swordman': An officer in the Royal Guard, he is the King's bodyguard. His loyalty to Lee Hwon strains his friendship with Yangmyung.

• Jung Eun-pyo as Hyung-sun

: Chief Eunuch Hyung-sun is Lee Hwon's trusted confidante and friend.

• Kim Min-kyung as Court Lady Min

:Coming from Yeom's family in Bukcheon, she serves as lady-in-waiting to Princess Minhwa.

• Chu Gwi-jung as Court Lady Jo

:Queen Yoon's lady-in-waiting since entering the palace as Crown Princess.

• Jeon Mi-seon as Jang Nok-young

: Nok-young is the head shaman. She is forced to obey the Queen Dowager's order to curse Yeon-woo, but she secretly saves her and raises her as Shaman Wol.

• Kim Ik-tae as Hye Gak

: A Taoist priest who helped Nok-young escape with Yeon-woo.

• Bae Noo-ri as Jan-shil
• Jo Min-ah as young Jan-shil

: A shaman with powerful visions who ultimately succeeds Nok-young as the head shaman.

• Jang Young-nam as A-ri

: A shaman who vows to help Yeon-woo from beyond the grave.

• Kim Eung-soo as Lord Yoon Dae-hyung

: Prime Minister Yoon is Bo-kyung's father and the leader of the Yoon clan. He is a greedy politician who seeks to expand his family's wealth and power.

• Jang Hee-soo as Madam Kim

: Wife of Prime Minister Yoon and Bo-kyung's mother.

• Seo Hyun-chul as Lord Shim San

:Deputy Minister of Personnel, who was named Chief Royal Secretary.

• Lee Seung-hyung as Lord Han Jae-gil

:Mayor, later became Minister of Defense.

• Kim Seung-wook as Lord Yoon Soo-chan

:Minister of Taxation, promoted to Minister of Personnel.

• Yoon Hee-seok as Lord Hong Gyu-tae

: Favored by the King, he is a former president of the student body at Sungkyunkwan, who became a secret investigator for the Uigeumbu (Court of Justice).

Based on the novel by Jung Eun-gwol, the screenplay was written by Jin Soo-wan (writer of Capital Scandal) and directed by Kim Do-hoon (who previously directed Royal Family) and Lee Seong-jun (who previously directed Gyebaek).

This production marked Han Ga-in's first historical drama and return to television since Bad Guy in 2010.{{cite news|last=Park|first=Hyun-min|title=Han Ga In to Star in The Sun and the Moon|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1805|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129195935/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1805|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2013|access-date=December 14, 2012|newspaper=enewsWorld|date=November 28, 2011|agency=CJ E&M}} It is also Jung Il-woo's second historical drama following The Return of Iljimae in 2009.{{cite news|last=Choi|first=Eun-hwa|title=Jung Il Woo to Star in The Sun and the Moon|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1967|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129005507/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1967|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2013|access-date=December 14, 2012|newspaper=enewsWorld|date=December 6, 2011|agency=CJ E&M}}

Filming began in November 2011, with child actors for the first six episodes, followed by the script reading session with their adult counterparts on December 25, at MBC Dream Center in Ilsan.{{cite news|last=Lee|first=In-kyung|title=Han Ga In Meets with Stars of The Sun and the Moon for Christmas|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=2385|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129101500/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=2385|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2013|access-date=December 14, 2012|newspaper=enewsWorld|date=December 26, 2011|agency=CJ E&M}}

In February 2012, there were talks of an extension of four episodes to the 20-episode drama. The production company, Pan Entertainment, later confirmed that there would be no extension and the series was to end on its original date of March 8, 2012.{{cite news|last=Hong|first=Lucia|title=Extension for MBC TV series Moon not finalized|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012021715150712913|access-date=October 19, 2012|newspaper=10Asia|date=February 17, 2012|archive-date=January 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118162341/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012021715150712913|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Hong|first=Lucia|title=MBC's TV series Moon will not be extended|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012022209304650325|access-date=October 19, 2012|newspaper=10Asia|date=February 22, 2012|archive-date=January 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118162341/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012022209304650325|url-status=live}} However it did not end till March 15, 2012, because director Kim Do-hoon joined the MBC strike leading to the last two episodes being delayed for a week, and replaced with two special episodes.{{cite news|last=Suk|first=Monica|title=Moon remains unchallengeable despite its replacement with series' special|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012030910310986843|access-date=October 19, 2012|newspaper=10Asia|date=March 9, 2012|archive-date=January 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118162341/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012030910310986843|url-status=live}}

Most of the royal palace scenes were filmed on location at MBC Dramia located at Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si in Gyeonggi Province, where other historical dramas such as Dong Yi, Jumong and Queen Seondeok were also filmed.{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Cin Woo|title=Beyond Seoul: 19 reasons to explore Korea|url=http://www.cnngo.com/seoul/visit/9-provinces-19-attractions-korea-311599|access-date=May 6, 2012|newspaper=CNN Go|date=March 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421202050/http://www.cnngo.com/seoul/visit/9-provinces-19-attractions-korea-311599|archive-date=April 21, 2012|url-status=dead}} The House of Choi Cham-pan was used as Yeon-woo's childhood home and the Korean Folk Village was used for local markets, private residences of commoners and night scenes.{{cite web|title=Korean TV Drama: The Moon Enbracing the Sun|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_5_1_72.jsp|work=Korea Tourism Organization|access-date=November 2, 2012|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222220550/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_5_1_72.jsp|url-status=dead}}

In March 2012, the drama's broadcast rights were sold to eight Asian countries, including Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines. At that time it set the record as the most profitable drama for MBC, which was later surpassed by Arang and the Magistrate in August 2012.{{cite news|title=Moon Embracing the Sun to be exported to seven Asian locales|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/html/926/2948926.html|access-date=October 31, 2012|newspaper=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=February 24, 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126232014/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/html/926/2948926.html|archive-date=January 26, 2013|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|last=Sunwoo|first=Carla|title=Lee Joon-gi's drama breaks Japanese sales record|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2958539|access-date=October 15, 2012|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=August 29, 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127003652/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2958539|archive-date=January 27, 2013|df=mdy-all}} It was made available on Netflix in 2015 in the US,{{cite web|url=https://usa.newonnetflix.info/info/80031790/s|title=The Moon Embracing the Sun|access-date=February 19, 2019|archive-date=January 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118162342/https://usa.newonnetflix.info/info/80031790|url-status=live}} later also in other territories.

{{Infobox album

| name = Moon Embracing the Sun:
Original Sound Track

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = Various Artists

| cover =

| alt =

| released = 2012

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Pop, K-pop, soundtrack

| length =

| label = {{flatlist|

• Pan
• RIAK
• Vitamin}}VDCD-6385

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

{{Track listing

| collapsed =

| headline = Released January 11, 2012

| total_length = 7:50

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = The Moonlight is setting

| note1 = 달빛이직

| extra1 = Heora

| length1 = 3:40

| title2 = The Moonlight is setting

| note2 = Inst.

| length2 = 3:40

}}

{{Track listing

| collapsed =

| headline = Released January 17, 2012

| total_length = 7:52

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Back in Time

| note1 = 시간을 거슬러

| extra1 = Lyn

| length1 = 3:31

| title2 = Back in Time

| note2 = Inst.

| length2 = 3:31

}}

{{Track listing

| collapsed =

| headline = Released January 26, 2012

| total_length = 8:18

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Path of Tears

| note1 = 눈뭄자

| extra1 = Wheesung

| length1 = 3:50

| title2 = Path of Tears

| note2 = Inst.

| length2 = 3:50

}}

{{Track listing

| collapsed =

| headline = Released February 9, 2012

| total_length = 7:02

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Shadow

| note1 = 그림자

| extra1 = Monday Kiz

| length1 = 3:56

| title2 = Shadow

| note2 = Inst.

| length2 = 3:56

}}

{{Track listing

| collapsed =

| headline = Released February 23, 2012

| total_length = 8:24

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = I hope It isn't

| note1 = 아니기를

| extra1 = Lee Ki-chan

| length1 = 3:47

| title2 = I hope It isn't

| note2 =

| length2 = 3:47

}}

{{Track listing

| collapsed =

| headline = Released March 3, 2012

| total_length = 7:44

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = The One and Only you

| note1 = 그대안사람

| extra1 = Kim Soo-hyun

| length1 = 3:52

| title2 = The Only and Only you

| note2 = Inst.

| length2 = 3:52

}}

{{track listing

| extra_column= Artist

| headline = Disc 2:

| title1 = The Moon that embraces the sun (Opening Title)

| note1 =

| extra1 = Various Artists

| length1 = 2:05

| title2 = The Sorrow Song of Love

| note2 =

| extra2 = Various Artists

| length2 = 2:40

| title3 = Song of the moon

| note3 =

| extra3 = Various Artists

| length3 = 1:45

| title4 = Dance of butterflies

| note4 =

| extra4 = Various Artists

| length4 = 2:15

| title5 = The Morning of Palace

| note5 =

| extra5 = Various Artists

| length5 = 2:32

| title6 = Misty rain falls

| note6 =

| extra6 = Various Artists

| length6 = 3:25

| title7 = Hidden Court Room

| note7 =

| extra7 = Various Artists

| length7 = 2:22

| title8 = Long Love Wisp

| note8 =

| extra8 = Various Artists

| length8 = 2:47

| title9 = Two Suns And One Moon

| note9 =

| extra9 = Various Artists

| length9 = 2:11

| title10 = Markets Street

| note10 =

| extra10 = Various Artists

| length10 = 1:56

| title11 = Like petal, Like a flame

| note11 =

| extra11 = Various Artists

| length11 = 4:06

| title12 = Tears of the Sun

| note12 =

| extra12 = Various Artists

| length12 = 2:27

| title13 = Hidden Moon

| note13 =

| extra13 = Various Artists

| length13 = 3:02

| title14 = Spirit Appeasement Ceremony

| note14 =

| extra14 = Various Artists

| length14 = 3:02

| title15 = Black Magic

| note15 =

| extra15 = Various Artists

| length15 = 1:46

| title16 = Song of the Moon

| note16 =

| extra16 = Various Artists

| length16 = 1:45

| title17 = Assuage Grief Stone

| note17 =

| extra17 = Various Artists

| length17 = 1:51

| title18 = Vortex of Fate

| note18 =

| extra18 = Various Artists

| length18 = 2:47

| title19 = Revolt Plan

| note19 =

| extra19 = Various Artists

| length19 = 3:24

| title20 = Rebellion

| note20 =

| extra20 = Various Artists

| length20 = 2:49

| title21 = Bloody Precursor

| note21 =

| extra21 = Various Artists

| length21 = 2:43

| title22 = Flowery Moon

| note22 =

| extra22 = Various Artists

| length22 = 2:49

| title23 = Stick playing game

| note23 =

| extra23 = Various Artists

| length23 = 3:11

| title24 = Moonlight Mist

| note24 =

| extra24 = Various Artists

| title25 = Determination of the Sun

| note25 =

| extra25 = Various Artists

| length25 = 3:20

| title26 =Identity of Moon

| note26 =

| extra26 = Various Artists

| length26 = 3:45

| title27 = Pean of the Monarch

| note27 =

| extra27 = Various Artists

| length27 = 2:13

| title28 = The Sun embracing the Moon

| note28 =

| extra28 = Various Artists

| length28 = 3:49

}}

{{hidden begin

|title = Ratings in the Philippines

|titlestyle = background:#D8D8D8;

}}

It aired on GMA Network from August 13 to November 2, 2012, on weeknights at 5:45 PM PST. Each episode runs 45 minutes including commercial breaks. The entire series was dubbed in Filipino.

{{Hidden end}}

A stage musical adaptation was performed at the Seoul Arts Center from July 6 to 31, 2013, with succeeding runs in 2014.{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Claire|title=Popular TV drama revisited onstage|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130718000750|website=The Korea Herald|access-date=November 5, 2014|date=July 18, 2013|archive-date=January 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118162340/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130718000750|url-status=live}} Kim Da-hyun, Jeon Dong-seok and Cho Kyu-hyun alternated as Lee Hwon, and Jeon Mi-do, Ahn Shi-ha, Lina, Jung Jae-eun and Seohyun alternated as Yeon-woo.{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Claire|title=Korean musical kicks off its Japanese run|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20131213000631|website=The Korea Herald|access-date=November 5, 2014|date=December 13, 2013|archive-date=January 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118162340/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20131213000631|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2983139|title=Ticket: The Moon Embracing the Sun|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=November 5, 2014}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://program.imbc.com/sunNmoon}} {{in lang|ko}}
• [https://content.mbc.co.kr/program/drama/2599317_64285.html Moon Embracing the Sun] at MBC Global Media
• {{hancinema film|The_Sun_and_the_Moon}}
• {{IMDb title|3143378}}

{{Works by Pan Entertainment}}

Category:2012 South Korean television series debuts

Category:2012 South Korean television series endings

Category:Korean-language television shows

Category:MBC TV television dramas

Category:Shamanism in popular culture

Category:Fiction about amnesia

Category:South Korean fantasy television series

Category:South Korean historical television series

Category:Television shows based on South Korean novels

Category:Television series by Pan Entertainment

Category:Television series set in Joseon