The most talked-about Netflix drama finally released last weekend and has left a huge impression on K-drama fans and international fans alike. Heavenly Ever After mesmerizes us with not only an out-of-this-world cast but also with its wonderful harmony of comedy and light-hearted romance in this compelling storyline.
Starring Son Suk Ku and Kim Hye Ja, this series explores life after death– including romance! Some wonder of the ever after, and this drama takes that curiosity and puts a spin on it by suggesting even romance awaits us in the afterlife. Kim Hye Ja and Son Suk Ku portray a married couple whose love story bridges a 42-year age gap, and they traverse through the oddities of the circumstances.
Lee Hae Sook (Kim Hye Ja) dies after her husband and arrives in heaven. When given the choice to choose how she wishes to appear by the angels of heaven, she recollects her husband Ho Nak Joon’s (Son Suk Ku) last words saying, “You’re the most beautiful now.” With that in mind, she reunites with her husband in her 80-year-old body only to find him appearing as he did in his 30s. The drama explores Hae Sook’s vibrant new chapter in the afterlife, tracing her dynamic and unusual love story.
The storytelling is well fleshed out with necessary parts being emphasized, such as the long romance between the main characters and the fear they have of losing each other. Episode one easily stirs up our emotions and makes viewers sit back, wondering what they might fear as they get older. Although this is a comedy, the drama doesn’t shy away from reminding us of life’s sorrows and creating moments to feel introspective. Smaller details fed to the audience in a quick manner make the pacing enjoyable and easy to digest. It leaves room to highlight more emotional scenarios, such as the charming and atypical relationship between Lee Hae Sook and Lee Young Ae (Lee Jung Eun), whom Lee Hae Sook worries about leaving behind.
While the romance is good-hearted but often cheesy, it adds to the comedy elements. Lee Young Ae constantly bopping herself in the head with a pan to avoid hearing Lee Hae Sook and Ho Nak Joon’s lovey-dovey conversations is hilarious each time. A simple gag that doesn’t get old. The mix of verbal and physical comedy leaves viewers chuckling throughout. The portrayal of Heaven and hell is another wonderful aspect of the drama as it paints Heaven in a way that feels common but catered to Korean viewers.
The grim reaper did seem a little cliche and seen before. His attitude is a little humorous, but a finicky and grumpy grim reaper isn’t anything new. The scene where the dead traverse through Hell was actually scary and would terrify anyone who would witness people being sucked into that dark abyss of visually tormented souls firsthand. However, the CGI feels very… CGI. It is also interesting to see the rules that defined Heaven as they dabbled in various aspects, such as beloved pets gaining a human form, as seen with Sonya (Han Ji Min). Heaven seemed more business-esque with its uniformed structure emulating common experiences in any Korean service center. Albeit comical, it did feel like more could have been done with the imagination of what heaven could be. Perhaps future episodes will reveal more conditions and obscurities to twist up the plot and make things more interesting.
The highlights truly come in the storytelling and undeniably enjoyable chemistry between Son Suk Ku and Kim Hye Ja. Despite their real-life and on-screen differences, they merge together so beautifully and make love on earth and in the afterlife seem like a dream. Son Suk Ku’s angelic smile gives us wings, and Kim Hye Ja lights up the room alongside him.
>>Kim Hye Ja and Son Suk Ku on Their 42-Year Age Gap Romance in ‘Heavenly Ever After’
Overall, Heavenly Ever After revives Korea’s tired-out love stories and blesses us with its warm-hearted romance. Viewers can feel introspective and develop their own opinions about love, the afterlife, and what they would aspire to do after Earth. In this drama, love never dies, and viewers can giggle the whole way through. Although the scoring and CGI aren’t the most memorable, Heavenly Ever After is worth the binge and a comical romance worth dying for! (9/10)
