In To the Moon Episode 4, it showed something unexpected. It revealed a real link between Lee Sun-bin and Kim Young-dae that felt honest and raw. The story brought out sadness, warmth, and moments that hit home.
What does it mean to be rich? For most dramas, it’s about sports cars and penthouse suites. But in ‘To the Moon,’ the definition is heartbreakingly simple: the freedom to hammer a nail into your own wall.
This reframing of ‘wealth’ is the show’s genius, and Episode 4, ‘Why I Want to Be Rich,’ delivered its most powerful statement yet.
Jeong Da-hae, played by Lee Sun-bin, was happy to move into her new home. But that happiness faded quickly. She still couldn’t hammer a single nail into the wall. That small thing reminded her that freedom was still far away.
On her way to work, she heard news about a motel fire. It came on the bus radio. Her heart sank. She started sweating. Fear crept in.
Kang Eun-sang, played by Ra Mi-ran, was lost in memories. She kept thinking about her daughter’s daycare bus accident. The pain stayed. Kim Ji-song, played by Jo A-ram, also opened up.
She talked about her mother, who fell into a cult, her father, who left, and a house that never felt like a home. She said something that stuck — “I will only allow pretty things into my life.” It was small but full of hope.
Pain, Past, and One Unexpected Night
Later that day, Jeong Da-hae took the bus home. She couldn’t stop thinking about the night before the motel fire. She remembered drawing little doodles on Ham Ji-woo’s arm while he slept. That memory flashed like a movie in her head.
Before the fire, they met by chance at a karaoke bar. She was singing alone. He was drawn to her voice and opened the door. They talked. He learned she had survived tough days by listening to his music. His face softened. “I’m happy that my music saved someone,” he said.
Their emotions grew stronger. They kissed. It was passionate but also sad. Beneath the surface of this romantic connection lies the drama’s central thesis: the intersection of trauma and class.
Their kiss wasn’t a typical dramatic climax; it was an act of mutual recognition between two wounded souls.
The Weight of Feeling Unworthy
Da-hae’s subsequent shame isn’t just about romance, but a deep-seated belief that her poverty and trauma make her ‘unworthy’ of comfort or love. Ham Ji-woo, who ‘can hammer a nail,’ represents a stability she feels is forever out of her reach.
The drama brilliantly uses their relationship not just for romance, but to explore the invisible social and psychological walls that poverty builds. It wasn’t a fairytale, but it was two lonely people trying to find comfort.
After the fire, things changed. Jeong Da-hae felt ashamed. She thought she didn’t deserve to like him. She said quietly, “Dr. Ham is someone who can hammer a nail into a wall. I am someone who can’t.”
That one line summed up the whole drama — the invisible wall between those who have and those who don’t.
But Ham Ji-woo didn’t give up. He asked her, “Please don’t avoid me.” That simple plea broke the silence. It was real. It was raw.
From that moment, they became each other’s small light. She gave him back his courage to make music. He gave her hope that maybe, just maybe, life could be more than just surviving.
Jeong Da-hae later said, “I’ll go as far as money can take me.” It wasn’t greed. It was her way of saying she still wanted to live, to try, to hope.
Ordinary Dreams That Feel Real
The epilogue took viewers back in time. It showed that Jeong Da-hae and Ham Ji-woo had crossed paths before. She had once joined a school program for underprivileged students.
That day, he performed on stage. His voice cracked, and the crowd laughed. Because of that, no one noticed her poverty. Their story had quietly started there.
This detail changed everything. Their connection wasn’t new. It had been forming long before either of them realized.
Viewers reacted with emotion online. Many said it felt real and new to see a drama that didn’t make wealth look glamorous but instead showed what it means to live without it.
The “Munan” characters — Da-hae, Eun-sang, and Ji-song — all wanted the same simple things. They wanted a home where they could freely hammer a nail into a wall. Munan wanted to throw away the toothpaste without guilt. They wanted to eat yogurt without licking the lid.
These small wishes hit deep. They weren’t about greed. They were about freedom. About dignity. About having choices.
That’s why To the Moon feels relatable. It doesn’t tell grand stories about success. It talks about the people who want just a little more peace in life.
Ending
Every episode captures that truth. Ordinary people dreaming of small, human things. A nail in the wall. A home that’s really theirs. A little less fear tomorrow.
The chemistry between Lee Sun-bin and Kim Young-dae added heart to it. Their scenes didn’t feel forced. They looked like two broken people slowly healing.
MBC’s To the Moon keeps touching viewers by showing how fragile life can be — and how strong ordinary people are. Each episode brings quiet drama. No loud twists, no fake tension. Just people trying to keep going.
Episode 4, titled “Why I Want to Be Rich,” stood out because it wasn’t about luxury. It was about having the basics — safety, comfort, control. That’s what made it hit harder.
With each passing week, the show continues to feel close to real life. It stays simple, emotional, and deeply human.
As ‘To the Moon’ continues, its greatest strength remains its emotional honesty. It forgoes melodramatic twists for the more potent drama of everyday resilience.
The chemistry between Lee Sun-bin and Kim Young-dae serves as the fragile, beating heart of this narrative, making every small step toward healing feel like a monumental victory.
The question is no longer if these characters will find their peace, but how they will redefine it for themselves on their own terms. If it maintains this delicate balance, ‘To the Moon’ is on track to be remembered not just as a great drama, but as an important one.
To the Moon airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM on MBC.
Which moment in 'To the Moon' Episode 4 touched your heart the most?
How Does this Article Make You Feel?
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
We pour our hearts into every K-drama recap. If our work brings you joy, please buy us a coffee. Your support keeps us going ❤️
🛍️ Earn Cash Back
Sign up on Rakuten via my link to get cashback + bonus when shopping online.
Referral link — you get a bonus too!
