Summary: A South Korean heiress lands in North Korea by accident when she was paragliding. She is captured by a North Korean soldier who treats her well and helps her get out of the country safely. But the more time she spends longer with her captor, the more she is falling for him.
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Chaebol, Countryside Romance, Military
Episodes: 16
Stars: Hyun Bin as Ri Jung Hyuk
Son Ye Jin as Yoon Se Ri
Seo Ji Hye as Seo Dan (Jung Hyuk’s fiancée)
Kim Jung Hyun as Koo Seung Joon
Likes: A different impression. There are so many reasons to love this drama but for me the most important is how this drama gave a different impression of North Korea. Finally, we have something popular in the south which is humanizing the people of the north. It was good to see all sides even if they’re only possibilities.
The humour. I’ve got to say this is the funniest kdrama so far this year! Every episode always left me giggling. It’s good to see something that could have left so much tension to be sooo funny (especially that it involves the military). So many funny moments in this drama but my favourite would be when the North Korean soldiers under Capt. Ri Jung Hyuk went to the south to bring back their captain in one piece. Oh gosh, I couldn’t stop laughing from all those naive experiences in the south! Of course, it had a good share of crying moments but I would highly recommend it for something that will really make you laugh.
The contrasting sets. I’ve seen over a hundred kdramas so I’m used to how the sets taken in South Korea would look like. But to have two contrasting sets, first the North Korean sets then the South, I found that very interesting. How different these two countries are – pointing out the lacking and good in one and same with the other. The very basic lifestyle in a North Korean village stroke me as primitive but on the other hand, there was emphasis on camaraderie among each other. The advanced, stylish lifestyle of the South brought out estrangement but on the other hand, there was freedom.
Lessons about the North. What did I learn from this drama about the North? Ah, the accent! It must have been Hyun Bin’s doing but suddenly North Korean accent just became so sexy! Agree or disagree? How about those surprise house inspections. I thought, no way, but it actually made sense. The tapping was funny if you’re just watching it but if you’re actually there, that could be quite scary. How about power and connection? Serve and follow the powerful otherwise you’re dead meat. The traffic in Pyongyang is not at all bad, and that’s even the capital! And yes before it gets forgotten, bring some blankets and food in case trains get stranded for 12 hours!
The cast. Undoubtedly, we had an awesome cast, I love them all but will focus on the leads. Let’s start with…
Hyun Bin as Ri Jung Hyuk – so handsome in North Korean military uniform and he also did so well with the northern accent. No reason not to fall in love with Ri Jung Hyuk’s character, he might be stiff but a good and true person. I think Hyun Bin carried it so well.
Son Ye Jin as Yoon Se Ri – I love her in this drama – fierce, pretty, powerful and smart. She was awesome here. Her chemistry with Hyun Bin was top. Son Ye Jin, didn’t leave a good impression with me in Personal Taste (with Lee Min Ho). I had to drop that drama a long time ago, never finished it. It’s good to see her awesome in this one.
Seo Ji Hye as Seo Dan – oh my gosh, I love Seo Dan! I should have taken notes when Koo Seung Jun told her what he liked about her. That fierce, stylish North Korean lady. Love her stares! They were like lasers, lol! And isn’t she looking like Chanyeol of EXO? She could be his sister!
Kim Jung Hyun as Koo Seung Joon – First, I found him just good looking but when his character developed, I couldn’t help liking this guy. I bet this supporting role will bring Kim Jung Hyun to the top.
The kissing scenes. Ha! How I like a good one! But wait, I didn’t just get one but several and they were all great! Which one was my favourite, let me think… no, not the last one but the one outside the hospital! I thought that was so romantic!
Romanticising the demarcation lines. Well, after watching this drama, everyone will think romantic about those lines. Am I wrong? Oh, it’s already happening!
Important reference. I love the reference to Hyun Bin’s previous drama, Memories of the Alhambra! It was funny when the famous music of Memories of the Alhambra played when Hyun Bin’s character here, Ri Jung Hyuk was playing a computer game.
Cameo. Was that really Kim So Hyun? This just tells us that a new drama from him is dawning. Please, make it happen soon!
The ending. How would I say it. It pleased me and I guess most of you too. I’m glad they found a way to make it work despite the Romeo and Juliet kind of situation. And I love how they ended it where it all started, at the picturesque Switzerland.
Dislikes: It’s obvious how desperate they were to make that sudden paragliding scene. I know it looks cool and it justified that Yoon Se Ri was still alive, but it just didn’t make sense. How did she manage to get the parachute fixed suddenly, same with her paragliding outfit?
I was hoping and crossing fingers for the supporting love team but sadly someone had to be sacrificed.
I dislike very much when episodes don’t get shown on schedule. The excitement gets interrupted. It happened twice with this drama. But glad it didn’t take a month to continue.
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