MBC’s Friday-Saturday drama The Moon Flows Over Igang has shattered its own ratings ceiling just three episodes in, drawing a strong response from viewers. On the night of the 14th at 9:40 p.m., Episode 3 posted Nielsen Korea nationwide ratings of 5.6% and 5.1% in the metropolitan area. The finale moment, where Crown Prince Lee Kang collapses into Park Dal-yi’s arms, boosted the rating to 8.3%.

This performance marks a meaningful result for MBC’s previously struggling Friday-Saturday dramas, which had languished at around 1–2% and trailed SBS and JTBC. In response to the reception, the series shifted its schedule to start at 9:40 p.m. from Episode 3, extending the night’s lineup.

The drama’s episode 3 featured a dramatic turn as Kang, having been shot and left teetering on a cliff, was rescued by Dal-yi. The producers noted that Episodes 1 and 2 laid out the characters’ arcs, while Episodes 3 and 4 will advance the core story and tighten relationships, encouraging viewers to watch how the “Hongyeon” thread introduced in Episode 1 will unfold.

Described as a fantasy sageuk blending romance, politics, and melodrama, The Moon Flows Over Igang has been praised for its ambitious visuals and strong performances, helping it establish itself as a top-tier project for MBC’s 금토 (Fri-Sat) lineup. Episode 4 is slated to air at 9:40 p.m. on the 15th, with further developments expected to deepen the narrative and character dynamics.