Way Back Love is a six-episode South Korean fantasy romance series that debuted on TVING on April 3, 2025, releasing two episodes every Thursday. The show explores themes of love and regret through a gripping narrative.
At the heart of the story is Jung Hee-wan (played by Kim Min-ha), a 24-year-old woman who has withdrawn from her friends and family after enduring personal trauma. Her mundane existence is shattered when her childhood friend and first love, Kim Ram-woo (Gong Myung), returns to her life—not as a human but as a grim reaper. He delivers the shocking news that she only has a week left to live.
Directed by Choi Ha-na and inspired by Seo Eun-chae’s novel A Week Before I Die, Way Back Love includes notable performances from Jung Gun-joo as Lee Hong-seok and Oh Woo-ri as Yoon Tae-kyung. The series was highlighted at the Busan International Film Festival under the “On Screen”section prior to its official premiere.
Way Back Love Episodes 1-2 Recap: Hee-wan Faces Her Grim Reality
The premiere episode opens with hustle and tension as Jung Hee-wan is jolted awake by a series of loud knocks on her door. To her shock, she finds Kim Ram-woo standing there. In a panic, she slams the door shut, unintentionally injuring his finger. The narrative then transitions into flashbacks of their playful high school days.
During their school years, we see a vibrant Hee-wan, known for her pranks and fearlessness against bullies. Conversely, Ram-woo, a new transfer student, is more reserved but soon finds himself roped into Hee-wan’s antics, particularly when they engage in a humorous name-swap scheme to confuse their teachers.
In a pivotal moment, Hee-wan defends a classmate from bullies, hurling chocolate milk at them—a compassionate yet impulsive act that leads to unintended chaos involving Ram-woo’s name tag.
When the bullies confront Hee-wan at school, she and Ram-woo retaliate by pretending to be tough through fake tattoos, and when the situation escalates, they claim to be orphans to garner sympathy. Their bond deepens even as Ram-woo’s friend, Hong-suk, notices the ink stains, which refuse to wash away.
In a playful subplot, Hee-wan anonymously purchases girls’ underwear from Ram-woo’s mother as a gift for her friend Tae-kyung, leading to humorous misunderstandings that strengthen the youthful connection between Hee-wan and Ram-woo.
As the name-switching prank spirals out of control, a school meeting reveals that they are both high-achieving students, which brings their families closer. Hee-wan’s father, a restaurant owner, extends hospitality to Ram-woo’s family, enhancing the interpersonal dynamics among the characters.
However, as Hee-wan grapples with her burgeoning feelings for Ram-woo, the timeline shifts to six years forward. We find Hee-wan isolated in her apartment, burdened by the weight of her past, when Ram-woo’s ghost appears to reveal his tragic fate: he died four years ago.
In the second episode, now acting as a grim reaper, Ram-woo informs Hee-wan of her impending demise. Initially resistant to believing his words, she resorts to desperate measures to dispel him—including spraying him with a fire extinguisher.
The narrative returns to their high school years, where Hee-wan is recruited by a fellow student to aid in drafting a love letter, unaware that the crush is none other than Ram-woo. Despite her jealousy, she ultimately complies, unwilling to confront her own feelings.
In a moment of clarity, Ram-woo proposes they create a bucket list of experiences he missed during his lifetimes. Initially dismissive, Hee-wan begins to entertain the idea, revealing a potential for emotional growth in their fleeting days together.
As the episode progresses, a crucial scene sees Hee-wan attempting to stop a classmate from confessing to Ram-woo, only to suffer a comical injury. Her misinterpretations heighten the tension as they navigate their complicated feelings.
Episode 2 concludes with a chilling funeral scene that foreshadows the darker implications of their past pranks and Ram-woo’s tragic demise—laying the groundwork for the unfolding drama.
The anticipation builds as viewers await the next episode, scheduled for release on April 10, promising further revelations and emotional depth.