Park Bo-gum, Kim Yoo-jung, Jinyoung, Chae Soo-bin and Kwak Dong-yeon came together for a special September cover and pictorial for Elle Korea, commemorating the 10th anniversary of Love in the Moonlight.
Originally released in 2016, the coming-of-age historical romance became one of the most memorable dramas of its generation, particularly for its youthful cast and the chemistry between Park Bo-gum and Kim Yoo-jung.
For the anniversary shoot, the five actors returned to a traditional Korean setting, dressing in hanbok and posing together in a hanok. The reunion created a striking contrast between their youthful appearances from the drama and their present-day selves, offering fans a nostalgic look back at the series.
Park Bo-gum, who played Crown Prince Lee Young, expressed his happiness at being reunited with his former castmates. “Everyone looks just like they did when we first met. I’m really happy that we can wear hanbok again and capture who we are today.”
Looking back on the significance of Love in the Moonlight, the actor said he was grateful to have been able to act in beautiful surroundings that captured the essence of Korean culture while wearing traditional clothing. Most importantly, he expressed his appreciation for fans who still remember the characters even 10 years after the drama aired.
Park Bo-gum also reflected on the lasting impact of Lee Young, recalling a line spoken by Kim Yoo-jung’s character, Hong Ra-on. He said that the love viewers gave Lee Young has continued to give him strength throughout his career. Addressing his fellow cast members, Park Bo-gum added a heartfelt message wishing that their youth would continue to shine brightly like moonlight.
Kim Yoo-jung was only 17 years old when she played Hong Ra-on, the spirited heroine at the center of the story. The actress explained that Ra-on’s name itself means “joyful” in pure Korean and said the character was someone who shared warmth and affection with the people around her.
When asked what had changed most about her over the past decade, Kim Yoo-jung said she had gained a greater sense of inner strength. She explained that she now has the courage to face difficult situations more directly and continue moving forward.
Jinyoung, who played Kim Yoon-sung, said that one quality he hopes never to lose is his love for people. He also shared a touching message with his former co-stars, telling them, “Let’s stay together for a long, long time.” The actor noted that although they initially met through work, maintaining a relationship for 10 years continuing to contact one another, share their lives and support each other’s careers is not easy. He said he was happy that the five of them had ultimately managed to maintain that bond.
Chae Soo-bin reflected on her character Jo Ha-yeon, describing her as a woman who did not remain trapped simply because she was not loved. Instead, she remembered Ha-yeon as a confident woman who chose her own life and continued moving forward. To her younger self from 10 years ago, Chae Soo-bin said she would offer the reassuring words: “You’re doing well, you’ll do well, and you’ll live well.”
Kwak Dong-yeon, who recently enlisted in the military, gave his 20-year-old self a much shorter but equally memorable message: “Don’t be scared.” Looking back on his time filming Love in the Moonlight, he said he approached every production and every scene as though it were the last performance of his life. He also jokingly reassured his four former co-stars that he would be “protecting the country” until early 2028, encouraging them to pursue their dreams without worrying about him.
The reunion quickly sparked nostalgic reactions from fans online. Many were delighted to see all five main cast members together again after 10 years, with comments praising their appearance in hanbok and noting how well they had grown since the drama’s original broadcast. The special pictorial also served as a reminder of the lasting popularity of Love in the Moonlight and its characters.
The four special covers, pictorial and interviews featuring Park Bo-gum, Kim Yoo-jung, Jinyoung, Chae Soo-bin and Kwak Dong-yeon are featured in Elle Korea’s September special edition.
Sources: Daum | 스포츠동아