MBC’s upcoming sageuk–fantasy “Moon River” sets the stage for a combustible court drama: a crown prince and a merchant swap souls—while Hong Su Zu storms the palace as Kim Woo-Hee, a dazzling aristocrat determined to climb to the very top, no matter the cost. 

Who is Kim Woo-Hee?

Described as “the most beautiful and intelligent woman in Joseon,” Kim Woo-Hee is born to be her clan’s puppet—but rejects that fate to chase the highest position in the kingdom. Expect a character who weaponizes elegance, information, and alliance-building with zero hesitation. 

The world of “Moon River”

At its core, the drama is a fantasy romance sageuk: Crown Prince Yi Kang (Kang Tae-oh), who has “lost his smile,” and Park Dal-i (Kim Se-jeong), a merchant who has lost her memory, are forced to “walk in each other’s shoes” after a mysterious soul switch. This high-concept premise guarantees comic reversals, political chaos—and plenty of chances for Woo-Hee to exploit confusion at court. 

Why Hong Su Zu’s role matters

Recent teasers and stills frame Woo-Hee as the tonal counterweight to the leads’ empathy: she’s ambition distilled—testing loyalties, pressuring courtiers, and bending etiquette to her will. Korean press has highlighted the character’s “beauty and ambition” as the X-factor that sharpens the show’s palace stakes. 

Release details, network & team

• Network: MBC

• Premiere: October 31, 2025 (Fri–Sat 21:50 KST)

• Director: Lee Dong-hyeun (“Bitter Sweet Hell”)

• Writer: Cho Seung-hui (“More Than Friends”)

• Studio: HighZium
  These details align across official profiles and trade reports as the show enters final promotions. 

Character dynamics to watch

• Woo-Hee vs. the Crown Prince: Her courtly poise masks a strategist probing every weakness in the royal line. If the soul-swap destabilizes protocol, she’ll be first to capitalize. 

• Woo-Hee vs. Dal-i: As Dal-i navigates the palace in a borrowed soul, Woo-Hee’s agenda may collide with a new, unpredictable player—fuel for rivalry and reluctant alliances. 

Themes & tone

“Moon River” merges palace politics, romance, and identity play. Through Woo-Hee, the script can interrogate the cost of power: when does survivalist ambition become tyranny? In a world obsessed with lineage, she is the self-authored outlier—compelling, dangerous, and necessary. 

Hong Su Zu’s career momentum

From “Sweet Home” to “The Impossible Heir,” Hong Su Zu has built a résumé of layered, steel-spined women. Woo-Hee looks like the role that fuses that steel with sageuk elegance—and could be a breakout in mainstream historicals. 

Final take

If you love court chess with a fantasy twist, circle Oct 31, 2025. Between the soul-swap chaos and Hong Su Zu’s born-to-rule Kim Woo-Hee, “Moon River” is poised to deliver a gripping clash of hearts and crowns.