Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
For some time, rom-coms that have combined various genres have been dominating the industry. But as the breeze turns colder and colder as winter approaches, we find ourselves wanting calm romance stories. Yes, we have seen enough of the love stories that repeat meeting and parting due to minor misunderstandings and conflicts, but the performance of two awesome actors provides us with visual satisfaction. Recently, Now, We Are Breaking Up, starring Song Hye Kyo and Jang Ki Yong, saw a solid start as a romance drama that makes viewers feel various emotions. And if you’re a fan of such love stories, the list below is for you.
JTBC The Wind Blows (2019)
The Wind Blows is a series that awakens the essence of love with the subject of “memory.” Do Hoon (Kam Woo Sung) decides to divorce his wife because he loves her too much. Without knowing why he came up with such a decision, Soo Jin (Kim Ha Neul) divorces him with one wish in mind, to have a baby. And six years later, the two reunite. Only then did Soo Jin find out about her ex’s secret. The drama received favorable reviews for realistically portraying what an ordinary couple might go through, such as divorce, pregnancy, and fighting disease. Especially, the passionate performances of the actors made the viewers cry with them. Kam Woo Sung breathed life into Do Hoon, who lost his memories after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, by losing more than 10kg. Additionally, Kim Ha Neul convincingly portrayed Soo Jin’s emotions that change with the passage of time.
MBC One Spring Night (2019) �
One Spring Night follows a woman in her 30s as she looks back on her longtime lover and accepts a new love. Pharmacist Ji Ho (Jung Hae In) is a single dad. One day, he gets strangely involved with a customer Jung In (Han Ji Min) and starts to develop feelings for her. Jung In, who feels hesitant to marry her longtime lover, also finds herself attracted to Ji Ho. Since the Something in the Rain crew and Jung Hae In came together once again for One Spring Night, many argued that both dramas give off a similar vibe in the beginning. However, One Spring Night managed to spotlight its own unique charm as the story went on, gaining more positive reviews. Jung Hae In successfully transformed from a cute younger guy to a single dad with a history, winning the title of the new ” best romance” actor. Of course, Han Ji Min, who had continued her sweeping upturn with Miss Baek and The Light in Your Eyes, did her part by realistically portraying the complex mind of a woman who feels trapped in her relationship and chooses a new excitement.
JTBC Secret Affair (2014) �
Secret Affair is a romance drama about unconventional love that centers around classical music. Hye Won (Kim Hee Ae) has run an art foundation with only one goal, success. One day, she meets Seon Jae (Yoo Ah In), a piano genius. But their relationship doesn’t end with just that of a teacher and disciple but turns into something more intense and erotic as they commune with each other through music. Familiar classical songs such as Mozart, Schubert, and Brahms were used as a device that reveals the characters’ emotions. In particular, Kim Hee Ae and Yoo Ah In’s piano performance scenes became a hot topic. Professional pianists played some scenes, but the actors themselves pulled off most scenes. They memorized the songs almost perfectly and spent a lot of time practicing. Secret Affair started with the provocative topic of an “affair.” Still, thanks to the two actors’ brilliant acting and elegant and delicate directing, it remains one of the most traditional romance dramas even today.
SBS That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013) �
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMiP6AklL90
That Winter, the Wind Blows is the Korean remake of a Japanese series Ai Nante Irane Yo, Natsu. The story begins when conman Oh Soo (Jo In Sung) approaches Oh Young (Song Hye Kyo), a blind heiress to a giant conglomerate who lives a lonely life. And the method he chooses is pretending to be her deceased brother, who is also named Oh Soo, whom he used to be friends with. Though the two only met due to Oh Soo’s deceitful intentions, they start to rely on each other and find hope together. The remake has kept most of the character settings from the original drama but changed the weather from summer to winter, maximizing the affectionate and heart-rending love story. Of course, the absolute beauty of Song Hye Kyo and Jo In Sung drew acclamation.
JTBC Padam Padam (2011) �
It tells the story of Kang Chil (Jung Woo Sung), who was only given a few months to live after being released from prison, and Ji Na (Han Ji Min), a veterinarian who is skeptical about humans. At first glance, it seems like a traditional romance drama. But the Guk Soo character (Kim Bum), who claims himself to be the “guardian angel” of Kang Chil, added freshness. And surprisingly, he turned out to be a real angel with wings that could perform miracles. It was the first fantasy character that writer Noh Hee Kyung, famous for her realistic composition and dialogue, tried. Padam Padam is a traditional romance drama with fantasy elements and tells a miraculous story of an unfortunate man who was framed for murder and served 16 years in prison. The beautiful scenery gained favorable reviews, and among them, the scene where Kang Chil and Ji Na confess their love for each other surrounded by white snow is especially magnificent.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
Translator Kim Hoyeun: If you are a fan of K-drama, K-movie, and K-pop, I am your guy. I will continue to provide you with up-to-date K-entertainment news.
