TVING’s eagerly awaited original series, Way Back Love, is set to premiere on April 3. On March 19, the network unveiled the main trailer and poster for the show. This fantasy romance explores the life of Ram Woo (portrayed by Gong Myung), an older man who unexpectedly encounters Hee-wan (played by Kim Min-ha), a woman with whom he shares a deep romantic history. The series delves into how they confront their unresolved emotions after all these years.
Way Back Love features a unique narrative where Hee-wan, who has distanced herself from life, seeks to reconnect with her first love. In a surprising twist, Ram Woo returns as a grim reaper, facilitating a compelling exploration of life, death, and love.
This drama is an adaptation of the popular novel by Seo Eun-chae, highlighting the week-long journey Hee-wan has when she returns to her hometown. The series poignantly weaves together cherished memories from the characters’ pasts with their current experiences. Viewers can look forward to two episodes being released every Thursday over six weeks.
Cast and Plot Overview
In Way Back Love, Kim Min-ha takes on the role of Jung Hee-wan, a 24-year-old grappling with existential despair who has withdrawn from the world around her. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she encounters her childhood friend and first love, Kim Ram-woo, who tragically died six years prior and now appears as a grim reaper.
As children, Hee-wan and Ram-woo shared an inseparable bond filled with unspoken affection, but their feelings were never declared due to their circumstances. Following Ram-woo’s premature demise in an accident, he now appears to Hee-wan with a startling revelation: she has one week left to live.
Ram Woo informs Hee-wan that to achieve a peaceful passing, she must call his name three times. However, gripped by her introspective loneliness, Hee-wan is reluctant to let him go, leading her to refuse to utter his name. To make the most of her remaining time, Ram Woo encourages Hee-wan to compile a bucket list, sparking a series of adventures that allow them to create lasting memories together.
This series made a notable impression at the Busan International Film Festival, where it was showcased in the “On Screen”section and generated substantial excitement. The recently released main poster highlights the intricate connection between the lead characters.
Kim Min-ha gained international acclaim for her performance as young adult Sunja in the Apple TV series Pachinko, earning the Rising Star Award at the 2022 Asia Contents Awards. Gong Myung, previously a member of the actor group 5urprise, has made a name for himself through roles in dramas such as The Bride of Habaek and Revolutionary Love.
Insight into the Trailer
The trailer for Way Back Love features the compelling tagline, “My first love returned as a grim reaper,” hinting at the emotional reunion between the two characters. The depiction of an older Ram Woo alongside an emotionally expressive Hee-wan sets the tone for a narrative steeped in nostalgia and unresolved feelings.
Through the trailer, viewers witness Hee-wan reflecting on their shared past and the paths their lives could have taken had they acted on their feelings or if she hadn’t played a childhood prank that led to amusing misunderstandings in school. The appearance of a bouquet of chrysanthemums in the trailer also subtly foreshadows a looming tragedy.
In a poignant moment, Ram Woo declares, “You have one week to live,”as he confronts Hee-wan, whose mixed emotions of resentment and longing create a powerful dynamic. He expresses his feelings, adding, “I missed you and came back,”bringing warmth and purpose back into her life in her final days.
Be sure not to miss the first two episodes of Way Back Love, premiering on April 3rd, exclusively on TVING.