Moon River Episode 4 Review: A Soul-Swapping, Heart-Flipping Delight

In Moon River Episode 3, Dal-i nurses the gravely wounded Crown Prince Lee Kang back to life, showing unwavering devotion even as danger closes in. Though still haunted by his late wife, Lee Kang quietly accepts how deeply Dal-i’s presence comforts him, yet he tries to push her away for her own safety. But Dal-i refuses to leave, vowing to protect him no matter what, and Lee Kang finally lets his guard down, collapsing into her arms with a vulnerable plea for her to stay.

Moon River Episode 4 runs about 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 4 Recap

In Episode 4 of Moon River, the red thread of fate tying Crown Prince Lee Kang and Park Dal-i finally comes to life dramatically and unexpectedly. The episode begins with Lee Kang, still severely injured after being shot, travelling toward Hanyang with Dal-i by his side. Although weakened, he pushes forward with determination, knowing that assassins sent by powerful political rivals are still hunting him. Meanwhile, Kim Woo-hee, the daughter of Left State Councillor Kim Han-cheol, and Han Seok-won, a royal secretary loyal to the Grand Queen Dowager, continue plotting to install Lee Un as the next crown prince, intensifying the danger surrounding Lee Kang.

Fortunately, the returning Left Royal Guard Commander, Oh Shin-won, arrives in time to strengthen Lee Kang’s protection. With his help—and Dal-i’s relentless support—the crown prince finally reaches Hanyang safely. Upon entering the palace, Lee Kang immediately restores order and ensures justice is served. Grateful for Dal-i’s unwavering care during his most vulnerable moments, he rewards her generously with fine silk clothes and jewellery. For Dal-i, who has never experienced such luxury, the moment is both surreal and heartwarming.

Also read: Typhoon Family Episode 11 Review: Strictly Professional Relationship

The pair then share their long-promised soup-with-rice meal, a simple wish they had held onto through countless hardships. Lee Kang makes the outing even more special by urging Dal-i to stay and watch the falling flower festival with him, a rare glimpse of softness that reveals how much he has come to enjoy her presence.

However, the warm atmosphere quickly fractures when Dal-i becomes entangled in an unexpected commotion. Her humiliation—and Lee Kang’s cold remark in response—deeply wounds her, especially because her resemblance to the late crown princess has already put her in countless uncomfortable situations. Before the misunderstanding can be resolved, Kim Woo-hee intervenes aggressively, accusing Dal-i of treachery and going so far as to threaten her with a sword. Lee Un steps in just in time to stop her, but not before blood trickles down Dal-i’s neck from the confrontation. Sensing Lee Un’s concern for Dal-i, Lee Kang tightens his grip on the sword and glares at Kim Woo-hee, heightening the tension around the already fragile dynamics.

After the situation calms, Lee Kang approaches Dal-i in frustration, but she firmly pushes back. She tells him he should apologise, meeting his gaze with unwavering conviction. Her words and manner are reminiscent of the late Queen Yeon-wol, unsettling Lee Kang and weakening his resolve to distance himself from Dal-i.

In that moment, the scar on Dal-i’s wrist, the mark of their red thread, begins to throb with a painful glow. Shocked, the two fall together into the river below. As their blood mingles in the water, their once-separated fates begin to reconnect in a powerful, otherworldly surge.

When they regain consciousness, both awaken in the wrong bodies. Lee Kang finds himself trapped in Dal-i’s form, while Dal-i wakes up inside the crown prince’s body. The shocking soul switch leaves them panicked and confused, marking the beginning of an extraordinary role-reversal journey that neither of them could have foreseen.

Moon River Episode 4 Review

Episode 4 is deliciously chaotic in the best way possible, like someone mixed royal politics, forbidden crush vibes, and a sprinkle of fantasy dust into one bubbling drama cauldron. Lee Kang and Dal-i start the episode running for their lives (again), but this time their red-thread connection literally refuses to stay subtle. From the moment they arrive in Hanyang, the drama gives us everything: Dal-i living her best silk-draped princess life, Lee Kang pretending he’s not charmed by her being thrilled over jewellery, and their long-awaited soup-with-rice date finally happening like the cute little domestic moment we all needed.

But the peace is short-lived because, of course, palace chaos returns—sword fights, jealous ladies, and Lee Kang accidentally hurting Dal-i’s feelings faster than he can blink.

And then the universe said, “Enough emotional tension—time for comedy!” The glowing wrist mark, the dramatic river fall, and the chef’s kiss final twist of the episode give us a hilarious setup for the next chapter. Watching Lee Kang wake up in Dal-i’s body and have an existential crisis while Dal-i tries to process being the crown prince is pure serotonin. The soul swap is outrageous, adorable, and exactly the spice this slow-burn royal romance needed. If Episode 3 warmed our hearts, Episode 4 grabbed those hearts, dunked them in a river, and swapped them for someone else’s—leaving us giggling, squealing, and begging for more.

Also read: Moon River Season 1 Review