Way Back Love (2025) 내가 죽기 일주일 전
Directed by Choi Ha-na and Kim Hye-young, starring Gong Myung as Kim Ram-woo, Kim Min-ha as Jeong Hee-wan, Jung Gun-joo as Lee Hong-seok, Oh Woo-ri as Yoon Tae-kyung.
Directed by Choi Ha-na and Kim Hye-young, starring Gong Myung as Kim Ram-woo, Kim Min-ha as Jeong Hee-wan, Jung Gun-joo as Lee Hong-seok, Oh Woo-ri as Yoon Tae-kyung.
Watched 11 - 12 July 2025 — 6 episodes (VIKI PASS)
After losing all hope to live, Jeong Hee-wan unexpectedly reunites with her first love, Kim Ram-woo, who is now a grim reaper, opening a new chapter in her life. (Synopsis: Letterboxd)
*Pitched as a coming-of-age romantic fantasy, I finished this short drama in 2 days and enjoyed it. I had seen both leads before, Gong Myung in The Happy Loner and Kim Min-ha in Pachinko and Light Shop, and they have nice chemistry. To be honest, I had anticipated more depth and drama, given the story premise, and found the tone surprisingly light from time to time. (Okay, this has also to do with the fact that a lot of screen time is spent on the high school days of the main characters.)
*Of course there are emotional moments too, and something resonated with me because I cried a lot, more than I had expected, especially during the last episode. Also when Kim Ram-woo (as a grim reaper) saw his mum again, and the scene where the 2nd male lead (Jung Gun-joo as Lee Hong-seok) cried and said to Jeong Hee-wan that he also suffered from Ram-woo's death. I love the character of Lee Hong-seok, by the way, actually prefer him to Kim Ram-woo. And the actor Jung Gun-joo holds more appeal for me than Gong Myung whose overall sunny disposition I find less attractive. I will definitely look for more series starring Jung Gun-joo.
*There'a a clear message that Jeong Hee-wan has still so many things to live for, despite her loss and subsequent depression. The series handles the themes of grief and healing well.
*Jeong Hee-wan: "Loving myself means loving you."
Kim Ram-woo: "Saving yourself is saving me."
*I was more impressed with Kim Min-ha's acting and her character than with Gong Myung. She's truly the star of the show. I like her looks, unconventional for a K-drama heroine. She's beautiful in her own natural way and I love her freckles.
*I just knew it wasn't going to be a happy ending and I was okay with that. But the ending is quite heartbreaking.
*I didn't really understand the character of the College senior Go Yeong-hyun, played by Shim Eun-kyung. She was just there, all of a sudden, could see Ram-woo as grim reaper, and becomes friends with Jeong Hee-wan. Not sure what her role was.
*I love Jeong Hee-wan's dad and Kim Ram-woo's mum. They also made a connection with each other but it was a bit futile to wish for a romantic outcome between them. I also love the connection between Jeong Hee-wan and Kim Ram-woo's mum and their love for painting and drawing.
*I love the fitting OST!