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Time Magazine
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Breaking Down the Heartfelt Ending of 'Our Unwritten Seoul'
Warning: This post contains spoilers for the ending of Our Unwritten Seoul. For a K-drama series that begins with a somewhat outlandish twin-swap conceit, Our Unwritten Seoul remains surprisingly grounded throughout its 12-episode run. The clues were there from the beginning, of course. Underachieving 30-something Mi-ji (Melo Movie's Park Bo-young) offers to switch places with her identical twin sister, burnt out office worker Mi-rae (also Park), because Mi-rae is distressed enough to injure herself by jumping out of a third-story window to avoid returning to her toxic workplace. Hijinks, these are not. In writer Lee Kang's slice-of-life script, the melodrama-like set-up is merely an excuse to jumpstart the exploration of some heavy, complex, and relatable themes, including learning to live with disability, workplace harassment, and moving past the kind of grief that gets its claws into you. The Netflix series released its final episode on June 29, bringing to a close one of the most quietly affecting Korean dramas of 2025. Let's break down Our Unwritten Seoul's heartfelt ending… Mi-ji finally leaves her room When Mi-ji was a teen, she dreamed of using her athleticism to carve a life path for herself—and, in the process, to finally get the kind of attention from her mother, Kim Ok-hui (Love Next Door's Jang Young-nam), that Ok-hui always seemed to reserve only for Mi-rae. However, when an ankle injury abruptly ends Mi-ji's track career, she falls into a deep depression, only graduating from high school because Mi-rae attends classes for her. Mi-ji develops a severe agoraphobia, and spends three years in her room. It's not until her grandmother falls and injures herself in their family home that Mi-ji forces herself to leave, walking miles to get her halmoni help. Years later, when Our Unwritten Seoul begins, Mi-ji still feels stuck in that room. She may go out and about, visiting her grandmother at the nursing home, working odd jobs around town, and hanging out with neighborhood friends, but she's still afraid to take a chance. She stays in her rural hometown because it feels safe. Because, in many ways, she's still afraid to leave her room. Her decision to swap places with Mi-rae is driven by sisterly concern, but it also pushes Mi-ji out of her comfort zone for the first time in years. Heading into the final few episodes of Our Unwritten Seoul, Mi-ji and Mi-rae have already switched back. But Mi-ji is still in Seoul, and is starting to ask herself what she truly wants to do with her life. It helps that she has someone there to support her… Mi-ji and Ho-su choose to stay by each other's side Mi-ji and Lee Ho-su have loved one another since high school. Their classmates and parents always assumed it was bookworms Mi-rae and Ho-su that clicked, but it was actually polar opposites Mi-ji and Ho-su. Mi-ji brought Ho-su out of his shell when he was the intense new kid in school who, unbeknownst to his classmates, was learning how to live with the disabilities he developed after the car accident that killed his father. Mi-ji and Ho-su meant a great deal to one another, but through a series of miscommunications, they never realized their love was requited. Ho-su left for Seoul to go to school and become an elite lawyer, and Mi-ji stayed in their hometown. When Mi-ji comes to Seoul years later, Ho-su is one of the first people who realizes that Mi-ji has swapped places with Mi-rae. Even before that knowledge is revealed, Ho-su becomes Mi-ji's closest confidante. Mi-ji eventually admits who she is, and the two confess their feelings to one another. For a while, everything is great. However, when Ho-su realizes his hearing loss is accelerating, he breaks up with Mi-ji, convinced that he will become a burden to her. Ho-su's issues with relying on loved ones didn't start with Mi-ji. After Ho-su's parents died, he was raised by his stepmother, Yeom Bun-hong (Crash Landing On You's Kim Sun-young), and he never truly dealt with his survivor's guilt. That guilt is compounded by the fact that the car accident that killed Ho-su's father left Ho-su with disabilities that require accommodations. When Bun-hong finds out about Ho-su's additional hearing loss from his doctor, she confronts her son for not telling her. When he confesses he has always assumed Bun-hong resented having to take care of him, Bun-hong sets him straight. After her husband's death, Ho-su is what kept her going. She loves Ho-su, and love means staying by someone's side through the wins and the losses. The conversation helps Ho-su realize that he wants Mi-ji by his side, if she wants to be there. Meanwhile, Ho-su's initial decision to push Mi-ji away has Mi-ji reflecting on how it must have felt for her loved ones when she isolated herself during her depression. The two reunite, and commit to one another. They want to be together, through it all. Mi-rae brings her company to justice Like Mi-ji, Mi-rae has been struggling in adulthood. She has always felt a pressure to be the smart, successful twin, and has prioritized living up to those expectations above all else. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't come easily to her; she works hard for every success. After failing to pass the civil service exam several times, Mi-rae gives up and finds a solid job working at a state-owned financial management company called KFMC. Mi-rae may not love her life, but she is surviving. Then, a married manager makes an unwelcome advance one night. She tries to move on without fanfare, but rumors about her promiscuity are encouraged by the manager, leading to further workplace bullying. Inspired by her supportive colleague Kim Su-yeon (Park Ye-young), who has also faced workplace bullying, Mi-ji files an official complaint. Then, Su-yeon leaves, and Mi-rae begins to feel truly alone. Mi-ji's offer to temporarily swap places with Mi-rae, like they did when they were young, gives Mi-rae a much-needed break. She starts a seasonal job Mi-ji has lined up: as a worker on a strawberry farm owned by successful investment entrepreneur Han Se-jin (Ryu Kyung-soo). Se-jin has taken over the farm from his late grandfather, but has no idea what he is doing. With Mi-rae's help, the two get the farm running, and heal some of their unresolved trauma in the meantime. With Se-jin's support, Mi-rae feels able to return to Seoul and face the toxic management she left behind. Not only does Mi-rae file the harassment claim again, but she uses evidence gathered by Tae-i (Hong Sung-won) to expose KFMC's corrupt deal with a construction company. Tae-i is the younger brother of Mi-rae's former colleague, Su-yeon. He began working at the company to find a way to get justice for his sister, who has sequestered herself in her room after being bullied out of KFMC. While the plot's conclusion feels a bit rushed, especially knowing how much Mi-rae suffered at her office, Mi-rae gets her justice. The manager who sexually harassed loses his job and gets a suspended sentence in court. The department head who prioritized his corrupt, money-making scheme over a safe office for his workers is transferred to the regional office no one wants to work at. And Su-yeon leaves her room, much to her brother's relief. Kim Ro-sa and Sang-wol's love story One of the major subplots in Our Unwritten Seoul concerns Kim Ro-sa (Won Mi-kyung), an older woman who runs a restaurant in the block KFMC wants to develop. When Mi-ji first replaces Mi-rae at the company, she is tasked with convincing Kim Ro-sa to sell her restaurant for the development deal. Ro-sa, who has been running the restaurant for 35 years, refuses. However, Kim Ro-sa has been hiding a major secret. As we learn in Episode 10, Kim Ro-sa's real name is Sang-wol. She and the real Kim Ro-sa grew up together in an orphanage and it is implied that they were in love. Temporarily torn apart by life's circumstances, Sang-wol finds Ro-sa again when Ro-sa is married with a baby. Her husband has abused her, leading to her son being born with developmental disabilities. Sang-wol takes Ro-sa and her son and they build a life together. When Ro-sa's husband catches back up with them, Ro-sa and Sang-wol kill him in self-defense. Because of the baby, Sang-wol takes the fall. When they are reunited again after Sang-wol's release, Sang-wol struggles to find work because of her label as a murderer. Ro-sa convinces Sang-wol to use her name. They share it, really, until Ro-sa's death from cancer. Before she dies, Ro-sa admits her son to a facility, and asks Sang-wol to keep using her name. Officially, Sang-wol dies and Kim Ro-sa lives on. Sang-wol, who is illiterate due to her dyslexia and poor upbringing, plans to bring this secret to her grave. But, when the KFMC lawyer tasked with getting Kim Ro-sa to sell her restaurant uncovers the truth, he frames Sang-wol as a killer and an identity thief. It doesn't help that Sang-wol has not only been using Ro-sa's name to run the restaurant, but also taking credit for Ro-sa's poetry, which has gained recognition after the real Ro-sa's death. With Mi-ji and Ho-su's help, Sang-wol is finally able to tell the true story of her life with Ro-sa. Sang-wol has been using the money garnered from Ro-sa's poetry book sales to fund a college scholarship. Over the years, dozens of kids, including Lee Ho-su, have benefitted from the fund. Mi-ji and Ho-su read the documents Ro-sa left for Sang-wol. They include an official letter making it clear that everything Ro-sa had belongs to Sang-wol. Later, Mi-ji and Ho-su encourage Sang-wol to learn how to read. By series' end, she is able to read Ro-sa's poetry, some of which is about Ro-sa's love for her Sang-wol. Mi-ji and Mi-rae's grandmother dies To Mi-ji, Kang Wol-sun (The Potato Lab's Cha Mi-kyung) isn't just her grandmother. She is the person who helped raise Mi-ji and Mi-rae after the death of their dad. She is the person who saw an act of survival in Mi-ji's three-year isolation. She is the person who understood Mi-ji when no one else seemed to be able to. So, when Wol-sun has a serious heart attack in the final episode, Mi-ji is devastated. At first, she refuses to accept that her grandmother is dying, but Wol-sun's request that Ok-hui, Mi-ji, and Mi-rae bring her home is granted. When Wol-sun dies, Mi-ji is sleeping next to her. She dreams of her grandmother saying goodbye. In the dream, Wol-sun is able-bodied and clear of mind in a way that she hasn't been in the years since her fall. She speaks excitedly to Mi-ji of the adventures she is planning to go on, but tells Mi-ji that she will hold on longer, if Mi-ji needs her to. Mi-ji lets her go. Mi-ji finds her way forward Sang-wol offers to pass on her restaurant to Mi-ji when she retires, but Mi-ji decides she wants to take on a different career path. She goes to college to become a therapist, perhaps inspired by her own struggles with agoraphobia and depression. Meanwhile, both Ho-su and Mi-ji are learning Korean sign language. Ho-su uses the language ability to serve clients with hearing loss. Do Mi-ji and Ho-su end up together? Yes. Following a one-year time jump in the series finale, we learn that Ho-su has bought an engagement ring for Mi-ji. However, when Mi-ji accidentally finds it, the two discuss not getting married until after Mi-ji finishes her graduate degree and gets her first paycheck. In the meantime, however, they play on moving in together. But don't tell their mothers. Do Mi-rae and Se-jin end up together? The relationship status of Mi-rae and Se-jin is less conclusive at the end of Our Unwritten Seoul. They remain 'business partners,' with Mi-rae running Se-jin's grandfather's strawberry farm and acting as an investor in Mi-rae's financial investment advice blog. In the final episode, Se-jin returns from his time in America and immediately goes to find Mi-rae in Seoul. Mi-rae blows off her plans with Mi-ji and Ho-su to travel back to the strawberry farm with Se-jin. It is implied the two will start a romantic relationship, but never confirmed. The viewer can choose for herself. Does Our Unwritten Seoul have a happy ending? Yes, Our Unwritten Seoul has a happy ending—and a pretty realistic one, too. The characters face their share of hardship in the final episode, most notably the death of Wol-sun, and the story recognizes that there will be more reasons to grieve in the future. However, the series main character, Mi-ji, has been able to move past the depression that kept her from chasing her ambitions for years. She has plans to start grad school to become a therapist. She is in a happy and healthy relationship with boyfriend Ho-su. She is loved by her family and friends, including her mother, sister, and Sang-wol. She is no longer afraid of what's next.
Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Bukchon emerges as a new shopping hot spot in South Korea for global tourists
The House of Sulwhasoo, located in the heart of Bukchon. PHOTO: THE HOUSE OF SULWHASOO BUKCHON/FACEBOOK Bukchon emerges as a new shopping hot spot in South Korea for global tourists SEOUL – Nestled between the historical grandeur of the main palace Gyeongbokgung and the winding alleys of traditional hanok, Bukchon is being transformed from a heritage enclave into one of Seoul's most dynamic shopping destinations, particularly for international travellers. Once known primarily for its well-preserved architecture and cultural significance, it is now a growing hub for fashion, beauty and fragrance brands. With an influx of flagship stores, limited-edition product launches and experiential spaces, the neighbourhood is drawing attention fro m domestic trendsetters and foreign visitors. The transformation began around fiv e y ears ago, with small, independent perfumers popping up around Bukchon. 'That became a unique characteristic of the area, which then attracted an increasing number of fragrance brands. Now, you can find many domestic scent-related brands here. And with Tamburins – the most popular among foreign visitors – opening a store here too, it really proves Bukchon's growing status,' said a staff member of a local perfumery. That growth is backed by hard data. According to Seoul's real-time statistics, monthly credit card spending in Bukchon Hanok Village rose from 1.9 billion won (S$1.78 million) in January to more than 2.57 billion won in April. Projections suggest spending may exceed three billion won by the end of May. Recognising its potential , global and local brands are establishing a presence in the neighbourhood. Tamburins, a K-beauty fragrance label known for its minimalist design and immersive retail experience, opened its Bukchon flagship store in 2023. Tourist Giselle Roberts from Britain said: 'I'm a huge fan of South Korean actor Jung Hae-in, and after watching K-drama Love Next Door (2024), I really wanted to visit this area. It feels so authentic with all the traditional Korean architecture. Since Tamburins is one of the must-have items in South Korea, visiting the store was a top priority for me.' Luxury skincare brand Sulwhasoo also launched its House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon in a renovated hanok-yangok hybrid space that blends traditional Korean and Western architectural styles in 2021. A look into the interior of The House of Sulwhasoo. PHOTO: THE HOUSE OF SULWHASOO BUKCHON/FACEBOOK 'Bukchon is a symbolic area where the past and present coexist beautifully,' a Sulwhasoo representative said. 'The concept of 'house' is both private and expressive of one's tastes, which allows for a deeper connection to the brand.' House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon offers guided tours in Korean, English and Chinese, with foreign visitors making up about 60 to 70 per cent of attendees. 'I'm an exchange student from Mexico, and my Korean friend arranged this guided tour for me,' said Dominique Rodriguez. 'I really enjoyed experiencing the products while learning about the brand's history. It felt more like being in an exhibition than a typical store.' Fashion has followed suit. In August 2024, Adidas opened the Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store – its first sneaker-focused location in Korea. The shop features hanok-inspired architecture, traditional motifs and exclusive product drops. Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store. PHOTO: ADIDAS KOREA 'The Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store is a special place where customers can experience the history and culture of South Korea, which is gaining worldwide attention, while enjoying shopping,' said Mr Peter Kwak, general manager of Adidas Korea. The store's standout release, the Samba Tal, reinterprets the Samba sneaker with design elements from traditional Korean mask dance. Adidas Korea reports that more than half of the customers at its Bukchon Heritage Store are international visitors, highlighting the location's growing global appeal. Other notable openings include K-beauty store Yless, artisan fragrance atelier Granhand and lifestyle brand Nonfiction. Global brands, such as fragrance house Le Labo, are preparing to enter the scene sometime in 2025. Industry insiders say Bukchon's unique blend of heritage and innovation gives it a distinct edge. Yless' flagship store in Bukchon. PHOTO: YLESS 'Unlike areas like Seongsu-dong or Hannam-dong, Bukchon leverages the appeal of 'Korean tradition', making it the perfect place for experiential space marketing,' said fashion editor Lee Han-gyu. 'From hanok-inspired interiors to cultural storytelling, these brands give tourists a reason to visit and come back.' THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Korea Herald
28-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Bukchon emerges as new shopping hot spot in Seoul for global tourists
Bukchon becoming must-visit Seoul shopping district, where global visitors discover Korean style rooted in tradition Nestled between the historical grandeur of the main palace Gyeongbokgung and the winding alleys of traditional hanok, Bukchon is being transformed from a heritage enclave into one of Seoul's most dynamic shopping destinations, particularly for international travelers. Once known primarily for its well-preserved architecture and cultural significance, Bukchon is now a growing hub for fashion, beauty and fragrance brands. With an influx of flagship stores, limited-edition product launches and experiential spaces, the neighborhood is drawing attention from both domestic trendsetters and foreign visitors. The transformation began with small, independent perfumers. 'Around five to six years ago, small perfume shops by independent perfumers began to pop up around Bukchon. That became a unique characteristic of the area, which then attracted an increasing number of fragrance brands. Now you can find many domestic scent-related brands here. And with Tamburins — the most popular among foreign visitors — opening a store here too, it really proves Bukchon's growing status,' said a staff member of a local perfumery. That growth is backed by hard data. According to the city of Seoul's real-time statistics, monthly credit card spending in Bukchon Hanok Village rose from 1.9 billion won ($1.38 million) in January to over 2.57 billion won last month. Projections suggest spending may exceed 3 billion won by the end of this month. Recognizing its potential, both global and local brands are establishing a presence in the neighborhood. Tamburins, a K-beauty fragrance label known for its minimalist design and immersive retail experience, opened its Bukchon flagship store in 2023. 'I'm a huge fan of Jung Hae-in, and after watching 'Love Next Door,' I really wanted to visit this area,' said Giselle Roberts from the UK. 'It feels so authentic with all the traditional Korean architecture. Since Tamburins is one of the must-have items in Korea, visiting the store was a top priority for me.' Luxury skin care brand Sulwhasoo also launched its House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon in a renovated hanok-yangok hybrid space. 'Bukchon is a symbolic area where the past and present coexist beautifully,' a Sulwhasoo representative said. 'The concept of 'house' is both private and expressive of one's tastes, which allows for a deeper connection to the brand.' House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon offers guided tours in Korean, English and Chinese, with foreign visitors making up about 60 to 70 percent of attendees. 'I'm an exchange student from Mexico, and my Korean friend arranged this guided tour for me,' said Dominique Rodriguez from Mexico. 'I really enjoyed experiencing the products while learning about the brand's history. It felt more like being in an exhibition than a typical store.' Fashion has followed suit. In August last year, Adidas opened the Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store — its first sneaker-focused location in Korea. The shop features hanok-inspired architecture, traditional motifs and exclusive product drops. 'The Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store is a special place where customers can experience the history and culture of South Korea, which is gaining worldwide attention, while enjoying shopping,' said Peter Kwak, general manager of Adidas Korea. The store's standout release, the Samba Tal, reinterprets the iconic Samba sneaker with design elements from traditional Korean mask dance. Adidas Korea reports that over half of the customers at its Bukchon Heritage Store are international visitors, highlighting the location's growing global appeal. Other notable openings include K-beauty store Yless, artisan fragrance atelier Granhand and lifestyle brand Nonfiction. Industry insiders say Bukchon's unique blend of heritage and innovation gives it a distinct edge. 'Unlike areas like Seongsu-dong or Hannam-dong, Bukchon leverages the appeal of 'Korean tradition,' making it the perfect place for experiential space marketing,' said fashion editor Lee Han-gyu. 'From hanok-inspired interiors to cultural storytelling, these brands give tourists a reason to visit and come back.' With global brands like Le Labo preparing to enter the scene sometime this year and hundreds of weekend visitors at stores like Yless, Bukchon is fast becoming a premier destination for experiential retail.
Tatler Asia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
K-drama love language: How characters say ‘I love you' without ever saying it
Cooking a meal Above Hyun Bin makes noodles from scratch in the K-drama 'Crash Landing on You' (Photo: tvN) Just like in real life, one of the fastest ways to a K-drama character's heart is through their stomach. Whether it's Vincenzo (Song Joong-ki) cooking instant ramen for Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-been), or Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) kneading noodles from scratch for Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin), a lovingly prepared meal is as good as a confession. See also: 10 Most Expensive Korean Dramas to Produce: 'Crash Landing On You', 'Vincenzo' and More Piggyback rides Above Song Kang gives Kim Yoo-jung a piggyback ride. (Photo: screencap from 'My Demon', Netflix) Here's something you don't see every day, at least not in real life. In K-dramas, however, piggyback rides are so common, they're practically a love language. Whether someone sprains an ankle hiking in questionable footwear, like Jin Young-seo (Seol In-ah) in Business Proposal , or is tipsy, like Do Do-hee (Kim Yoo-jung) in My Demon —or pretending to be tipsy, like Hyoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha —this gesture is a clear indication that someone has fallen hard. Sharing a bicycle ride Above Jung-Jung couple from the K-drama 'Love Next Door' on a romantic bicycle ride (Photo: tvN) Couple tees, shoes and hats are cute, but couple activities are on another level. In K-dramas, few things are more romantic than a tandem bicycle ride. If you can throw in a shower of cherry blossom petals, even better. From classics like Legend of the Blue Sea and W - Two Worlds to more recent hits like Love Next Door and My Demon , a bicycle ride for two symbolises more than a shared ride; it's a shared journey. Don't miss: Love thy neighbour: 10 K-dramas where love was found living right next door Leaning on someone's shoulder Above Park Hyung-sik is a shoulder to lean on. (Photo: JTBC) K-dramas take 'a shoulder to lean on' quite literally. Characters who need a quick nap after a long day or have had one too many shots of soju can always find someone quietly waiting on the sidelines, willing to lend a shoulder—to sleep on, cry on or simply rest their head on. Just ask Nam Ha-Neul (Park Shin-hye) from Doctor Slump or Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) from Start-Up . Tying someone's shoelaces Above Nam Joo-hyuk bends down to tie Kim Tae-ri's laces. (Photo: screencap from 'Twenty Five Twenty One', Netflix) This small gesture speaks volumes and reveals they're paying attention to the small details. It's evident when Baek Ye-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) ties Na Hee-do's (Kim Tae-ri) laces for the last time in Twenty Five Twenty On e and when Yoo Shi-jin (Song Joong-ki) kneels to tie Kang Mo-yeon's (Song Hye-kyo) shoes in Descendants of the Sun . And it's not just reserved for lovers—who could forget Han Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho) gently tending to halmeoni's shoes in Start-Up ? Back hugs Above A romantic backhug in the K-drama hit 'Doona!' (Photo: screencap from 'Doona!', Netflix) Back hugs in K-dramas are emotionally charged moments that come with a flood of unspoken feelings. Whether it's to stop someone from leaving, like when Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) holds Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) close to him in Crash Landing on You , or it's brought on by a surge of emotion, like when Lee Won-jun (Yang Se-jong) suddenly pulls Lee Doo-na (Bae Suzy) in a tight embrace in Doona! , it speaks of quiet yearning. Shielding their face from the sun Above Park Bo-young lovingly shields Park Hyung-sik's eyes from the sun. (Photo: JTBC) Another distinctly K-drama way of showing affection is by shielding someone's eyes from the sun's harsh glare. Sweet and endearing, it's code for 'I love you' in the world of romance K-dramas. Think of Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) shading An Min-hyuk (Park Hyung-sik) during their picnic date in Strong Woman Do Bong-soon , or Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy) protectively covering Jung Jae-chan's (Lee Jong-suk) face as he naps on her shoulder in While You Were Sleeping .
Gulf News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
5 K-Dramas that took dream leads and ruined them with ice-cold chemistry: K2 to Forecasting Love and Weather
K-Dramas are usually on point with the leads and the chemistry. Not often, does it miss the mark even if the storytelling does. But then there are some that build up the hype: You see actors, who have had stunning chemistry with every other actor before, and you are sure it can't go wrong. But sigh, when it does, you're left with rather dull, lifeless and soulless chemistry between two otherwise very charismatic leads. 1) Forecasting Love And Weather *Grumbles* This one still singes. How do you go wrong with Song Kang and Park Min-young, who have had practically sizzling chemistry with everyone other lead character in their shows? Set in a weather forecasting agency, the story sees their characters fall in love early on, only to spiral into a storm of work stress and emotional baggage. Even the reunion and love confession lacked warmth. What should've been heart-fluttering felt like… a drizzle. 2) Love Next Door It was almost there. We felt the tension rising slightly between Jung Hae-in and Jung Som-in, till…we didn't. Jung Hae-in's character quickly devolved into a man-child who threw tantrums over So-min's career decisions—including a major one where she considered going abroad. The romance drowned in ego and immaturity. 3) Memories of the Alhambra If you thought Forecasting was a dull disappointment, you should see what happens to the pairing between Hyun Bin and Park Shin-ye in this fantastical drama. We're talking about two actors who practically reshaped the K-entertainment industry, instead we got a very awkward romance between the two of them, or barely anything at all. Not to mention that the story itself went off the rails by the last episode. 4) The K2 Ji Chang-wook, another lead actor who could have chemistry with a stone, if he wants. And there's the stunning Yoona, in this action-packed thriller, where Ji Chang-wook is just busy flexing muscles, beating up people as he suffers from bullet wounds. Yoona plays a traumatised woman, trapped by her devious stepmother, who ironically seemed to have had more chemistry with Chang-wook. That's right, we said it. You know what you had to do, K2 writers. 5) Doctor Stranger So much chaos, so little chemistry. Between political conspiracies, North Korean escape plots, and absurd medical drama, Lee Jong-suk and Jin Se-yeon's love story never found its pulse. The emotional beats felt forced, the reunion lacked spark, and honestly? Jong-suk had much more chemistry with the second lead. But in true K-Drama fashion, the second lead never stood a chance.
