Moon River Episode 3 Review: A Slow-Burning Romance

Moon River episode 2 brings Dal-i and Lee Kang together. The latter knows who she is, but without her memories, Dal-i doesn’t understand her connection to Lee Kang. With the thread of fate connecting, the two have to fight against the evil people who want severe their connection again.

Moon River Episode 3 has a runtime of around 60 minutes.

This new Korean drama consists of 14 episodes, with one episode released every Friday and Saturday. The series takes over MBC’s drama To The Moon.

Moon River Episode 3 Recap

Episode 3 delivers a gripping blend of political intrigue, emotional connection and escalating danger, while setting a new milestone for the series. The episode centres on Park Dal-i repaying Crown Prince Lee Kang’s kindness after he once saved her life. When Lee Kang collapses from a gunshot wound, Dal-i becomes his devoted caretaker, nursing him back to health and unknowingly becoming his lifeline.

Before the attack, Lee Kang had already cleared Dal-i’s name after she was falsely accused in a fabricated case designed to ruin her reputation. The nobleman responsible sought revenge, but Lee Kang publicly upheld justice and protected Dal-i from the scandal. Despite this, he struggled with the uncomfortable truth that his concern for Dal-i stemmed from her uncanny resemblance to the late crown princess. Fearing his own emotional confusion, he pushed Dal-i away and insisted she leave Hanyang.

Also read: Would You Marry Me Episode 11 Review: Truths, Tears and Total Chaos

Unable to settle her debt to Lee Un, the younger prince, Dal-i remained in Hanyang as his messenger. While delivering a letter to Kim Woo-hee, Dal-i unexpectedly crossed paths with Lee Kang, who was on his way to meet his fiancée. Their forced journey together, filled with awkward tension, revealed how unresolved their emotions were.

Meanwhile, Kim Woo-hee devised a chilling plan driven by both ambition and obsession. Determined to marry Lee Un and secure her father’s rise in political rank, she concluded that Lee Kang had to disappear. Convinced that Lee Un would inherit the throne if the crown prince died, she plotted Lee Kang’s murder herself.

Unaware of the danger, Lee Kang was ambushed by assassins and fought fiercely to survive. Although he managed to defeat them, a bullet fired by Kim Woo-hee struck him in the chest. The force sent him tumbling down a cliff, and Woo-hee’s cold smile as she watched him fall revealed the extent of her ruthlessness.

By sheer coincidence, Dal-i discovered Lee Kang unconscious in a valley while returning from her task for Lee Un. Recognising him immediately, she carried him to safety and nursed him tirelessly for fifteen days until he finally regained consciousness. With her help, he sent word to Hanyang that he was alive and prepared for the journey back to the palace.

However, Lee Kang’s recovery was far from complete, and the journey ahead proved dangerous. Exhausted, feverish and still suffering from his wound, he insisted on travelling despite his condition. Dal-i, unwilling to abandon him, vowed to stay by his side. She declared, “The life I saved is my responsibility. I will protect you,” revealing both her resolve and the depth of her gratitude.

As Lee Kang attempted to push her away again, Dal-i chased after him, refusing to leave him in such a vulnerable state. Her concern softened him, and for the first time, he accepted her help openly. Moments later, he collapsed into her arms and quietly said, “Do your best to protect me,” leaving viewers shocked and deeply moved.

With Lee Kang barely standing and Dal-i determined to keep him alive, their uncertain journey back to Hanyang sets the stage for an intense continuation in the next episode.

Moon River Episode 3 Review

Episode 3 delivers exactly what fans love about a sageuk romance: danger, longing, political intrigue, and two leads who pretend to hate each other while their hearts clearly disagree. Park Dal-i stepping up to save Lee Kang flips their dynamic in the most satisfying way. She goes from being the misunderstood commoner constantly caught in palace politics to the one holding the crown prince’s literal life in her hands. Their forced proximity, her stubborn loyalty, and his quiet vulnerability create a tender shift that feels earned and emotionally grounded. The pacing is tight, the build-up is brilliant, and every small moment between them sparks with chemistry.

What truly elevates the episode is how it balances heart-pounding tension with character depth. Kim Woo-hee’s betrayal adds a strong jolt to the political plot, especially with her cold determination masked by elegance. Meanwhile, Lee Kang’s collapse into Dal-i’s arms near the end is not just a dramatic cliffhanger, but a symbolic reversal of all their past interactions. He finally lets her in, physically and emotionally. The episode hits emotional highs without dragging, and as the ratings suggest, it feels like the moment Moon River shifts into a higher gear.

Also read: Moon River Season 1 Review