15 Reasons Why I Finally Got Hooked on 'Crash Landing on You,' Crying, Laughing, and Swooning - K-Drama Diary Vol. 5

My 2024 began with 'Crash Landing on You.'

It is no exaggeration to say so.

I have arrived at this masterpiece of a drama late, or rather, many laps behind everyone else.

And now that I have finished watching it, I am suffering from complete 'Crash Landing on You' withdrawal.

I am currently watching several other dramas at the same time, but the sadness of finding them all lacking is real.

Today, I would like to list the reasons why I fell into the trap of 'Crash Landing on You,' a show whose charms have surely been talked to death long ago.

So, let's go all at once!

15 Reasons Why I Finally Got Hooked on 'Crash Landing on You,' Crying, Laughing, and Swooning - K-Drama Diary Vol. 5

1. Son Ye-jin, who played Yoon Se-ri, is beautiful. Whether she is crying or laughing, in times of wealth or poverty, when she is bossy or when she is vulnerable, her beauty stands out.

2. I am moved by the various changes in Son Ye-jin's expressions. When she cries, my heart aches, and when she smiles, my heart warms. How many times has her tears and crying face gripped my heart? This diversity and depth of her facial expressions—this is what it means to be a top-tier actress.

3. The manliness of Hyun Bin, who played Ri Jeong-hyeok, is powerful, straightforward, and refreshing. I fell in love with his conviction to protect and love Yoon Se-ri no matter what, which goes beyond mere devotion.

4. The setting of Ri Jeong-hyeok being the son of a high-ranking North Korean official and a former pianist also gives Hyun Bin's manliness a touch of nobility, which works well for the romance that unfolds in the second half! This delicate, artistic side of being a former pianist brings out a romantic charm that isn't just about being serious, which connects to the deep, multifaceted charm of Hyun Bin's performance.

5. The interactions between the selfish chaebol heiress Yoon Se-ri and the rigid North Korean army officer Ri Jeong-hyeok—two people who are complete opposites—are funny and heartwarming. As their true selves are gradually revealed, their trust deepens, and love begins to sprout, I found myself unable to take my eyes off them, hoping with all my heart that they would somehow end up together.

6. The characters of Ri Jeong-hyeok's Company Five subordinates are interesting. The foul-mouthed sergeant, the model-faced handsome guy, the K-drama lover who is a fan of Choi Ji-woo, and the innocent youngest member—the well-balanced character settings are also GOOD!

7. Furthermore, the interactions between the North Korean subordinates and the South Korean chaebol heiress Yoon Se-ri, who is like a 'close encounter of the third kind' from another world, are hilarious. Eventually, they weave a deep friendship and bond that even brings tears to your eyes. The show becomes even more interesting once the setting shifts from North Korea in the first half to South Korea in the second half.

8. The elegant and aloof charm of Jeong-hyeok's fiancée, the heiress Seo Dan, and the somewhat lovable charm of Gu Seung-jun, a British businessman and con artist who was Se-ri's former blind date. The development of their deepening emotional connection is also poignant and wonderful.

9. The brilliance of using small items to create iconic scenes! The touching moment when Jeong-hyeok finds Se-ri lost in a pitch-black market by holding up an aromatic candle he learned about from her, and the way the whereabouts of the wristwatch left behind by Jeong-hyeok's murdered brother becomes a key to the truth—the use of props is highly effective.

10. The cowardly and persistent villain Cheol-gang repeatedly puts Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri in dire straits. He is incredibly hateful, but he undeniably makes the story thrilling. Still, this guy just won't die! Haha.

11. Man-bok, who was forced to wiretap Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri under threat from the terrifying villain Cheol-gang, gathers his courage to choose the right path and fights alongside them—it's truly heart-wrenching!

12. The cold-hearted chaebol family of Yoon Se-ri, who never knew familial love, is so hopeless that while I found myself criticizing them, it served as a contrast to the bond formed between Jeong-hyeok and his subordinates in North Korea, which was filled with laughter and tears, feeling like a real family and warming the heart.

13. I'm not sure how close the street scenes and impoverished life in the first half set in North Korea are to reality, but the simple daily life scenes are great. The local group of housewives is interesting, especially the district head who keeps making slips of the tongue when drunk. The strangeness of Yoon Se-ri, who is the complete opposite of them, building a friendship with them is also fascinating.

14. It is a perfect, all-inclusive entertainment package that masters almost every genre: romance, suspense, action, comedy, and human drama! That is exactly why it is so addictive that other dramas start to feel lacking.

15. The Swiss scenery, which serves as a symbol of destiny, is incredibly beautiful! And the sequence of events leading to the final scene, combined with the beauty of the scenery that seems to cleanse the soul, leaves a deep lingering impression and emotion that makes you think, 'Ah, I watched a great drama,' and ensures you won't forget it.

15 plus alpha. After co-starring in 'Crash Landing on You,' Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin officially announced their relationship, got married, and had a child. I am caught in the illusion (haha) that Yoon Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyeok exist in the present and that their story continued after that final scene, and I find myself grinning while looking at their affectionate photos and news.

So, I have written about the 15 reasons why I got hooked on 'Crash Landing on You' and the one follow-up story, but there are still many other charming details.

That is exactly why I think so many people watch it over and over again.
I truly believe it is the drama of the century.

Sigh, I haven't been able to find the next drama to get hooked on after watching this one, so if you have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments section!

I look forward to encountering new wonderful dramas in the future.

Fighting!

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