Crash Landing on You is undeniably one of the best Korean dramas of all time. It even surpassed the very popular K-drama Goblin in ratings and became tvN’s highest-rated drama.
So, if you’re someone who didn’t watch the show back then or are new to K-dramas, you may be wondering, is Crash Landing on You worth watching? Here’s why you should watch Crash Landing on You:
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The Interesting Story
In Crash Landing on You, an accident forces a South Korean businesswoman named Yoon Se-ri to make an emergency landing in North Korea.
She is saved by a North Korean soldier named Ri Jeong-hyeok. Jeong-hyeok decides to help her go back to the South, and along the way, they fall in love.
From the premise, you will know that it’s a forbidden romance. But it’s not just any forbidden romance; it’s one involving a North Korean and South Korean, so it’s very intriguing.
Apart from romance, Crash Landing on You also tackles family relationships and friendships. It also depicts the everyday life in North Korea.
So, it’s not only the romance that draws in viewers. For a romantic comedy series, it has the right amount of everything else too. This, among many other factors, makes Crash Landing on You stand out from other K-dramas.
The Romance
Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok are star-crossed lovers. The longer they are together, the more dangerous. They look for ways to let Se-ri go back home safely. But the thing is, they have fallen in love, so it’s hard to say goodbye.
They go through many obstacles, which mostly have to do with them coming from opposing countries. Things are even harder because they both come from prominent families.
The romance in the series is thrilling. You will keep thinking about how they are going to be permanently together, or if they get a happy ending. At the same time, there are many romantic moments to look forward to – even the small gestures.
And because it’s a forbidden romance, expect to cry a lot. Prepare tissues.
The Second Lead Couple
It is not uncommon for K-dramas to have second lead couples, but Crash Landing on You’s Seo Dan and Gu Seung-jun are on a different level.
Seo Dan is Jeong-hyeok’s fiancée through an arranged marriage by their parents, while Seung-jun is a conman in hiding. With their backgrounds, you wouldn’t really expect a romance between them at first. But later on, you will see how touching their love story is.
Seung-jun is very sincere toward Dan, and he tries to be a better person for her. There are many cute moments to look out for involving the two of them. No spoilers, but theirs is a story that will definitely stick with you.
The Friendships
Apart from love, the K-drama also deals with friendship. Jeong-hyeok has a squad that is definitely friendship goals. You will be touched by how loyal they are to their Captain.
Throughout the series, they also become closer to Se-ri. Se-ri also becomes friends with the village ajummas. You will definitely see what true friendship is in this K-drama.
You won’t just be crying about the romance in the series. Crash Landing on You will make you cry in the friendship moments as well.
The Comedy
It’s not all drama and crying in Crash Landing on You. There’s also a good amount of comedy that will definitely have you laughing out loud. There are characters that serve as a comedic relief in the show, but there are also funny moments between the couples.
Crash Landing on You has the right amount of comedy that will balance out all the tears you will shed.
The Main Cast
The main cast does a good job portraying their characters. Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin have great chemistry, and viewers cannot help but be drawn to Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok’s love story.
Interestingly, their on-screen romance resulted in a relationship in real life. The couple got married in March 2022 and welcomed their first child in November of the same year.
Seo Ji-hye and Kim Jung-hyun have undeniable chemistry as well, which is why viewers can’t help but ship their characters too.
Their on-screen romance didn’t lead to a romance in real life, but Kim Jung-hyun did make a special appearance in Seo Ji-hye’s next K-drama, Dinner Mate, where he played her character’s ex-boyfriend.
So, if you’ve finished watching Crash Landing on You and can’t get over the couples, you can look at Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin’s wedding pictures or watch Dinner Mate (2020).
The Memorable Supporting Cast
Another thing that’s unforgettable in Crash Landing on You is the supporting cast members. The actors of Captain Ri’s squad did so well in their roles that you can’t help but grow attached to them.
The same thing can be said for the village ajummas. In fact, Kim Sun-young, who played one of the ajummas, received the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards for her role.
The side stories of Crash Landing on You add to the entertainment in the series. You’ll find yourself looking forward to the supporting cast members’ scenes too.
And once you’re done with Crash Landing on You, you might want to check out other K-dramas the supporting cast members have starred in. Yoo Su-bin, who played one of the North Korean soldiers, stars in another hit series, Start-Up (2020).
The Stunning Cinematography
You will be impressed with the visuals and cinematography in Crash Landing on You. The beautifully shot scenes will certainly make you appreciate the K-drama more.
The Soundtrack
A heartfelt scene will not be complete without matching background music. The songs in Crash Landing on You will definitely stick with you for quite some time.
One of the show’s OST includes a song from Korean singer and actress IU, titled “Give You My Heart”. The song quickly topped the Korean music charts after it was released.
The Iconic Cameos
Who doesn’t love cameos? Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun makes a cameo appearance in Crash Landing on You, playing his role in the 2013 Korean movie Secretly, Greatly.
In the film, his character, Won Ryu-hwan, is a North Korean spy disguised as a village idiot. Kim Soo-hyun only appears briefly in Crash Landing on You, but his scene will definitely entertain you.
A-list actress Choi Ji-woo, who’s known for her roles in Winter Sonata (2002) and Stairway to Heaven (2003-2004), also makes a cameo appearance.
So, go watch Crash Landing on You!
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