Crash Landing on You is a South Korean television series that aired in early 2020 and quickly gained popularity among audiences. The show, which follows the love story of a South Korean heiress and a North Korean officer, achieved the highest ratings in the history of South Korean TV channel TVN. The show is praised for its well-researched and nuanced portrayal of North Korea, something it achieved by having a North Korean consultant on set.
The show's creator, director and writer, Lee Jeong-hyo, said that he drew inspiration from a real-life event involving South Korean actor Jung Yang. The Korean drama series unfolds in an unrealistic set up comprising the neighboring countries - South Korea and North Korea. The show is a love story, but it also deals with political and social issues, as well as the emotional and psychological changes that the characters undergo.
The show's performances are also one of the reasons for its success. Hyun Bin, who plays the North Korean soldier, shows yet another great performance that confirms his versatility in acting. He doesn't play the same kind of role twice and did really well, while Son Ye-jin, who plays the South Korean woman, gives a very nuanced and emotional portrayal of her character.
Crash Landing on You has been a massive critical and popular success across Asia and globally. The show, which aired its last episode in early February, achieved the highest ratings in the history of South Korean TV channel TVN, and has caught the imagination of audiences around the world. Clearly, it has reached more people than all Kim Jong Un's missile launches combined.
The show's popularity also highlights the growing interest in South Korean culture, known as "Hallyu" or the "Korean Wave." South Korean dramas, music, and films have become increasingly popular in many countries around the world in recent years, and Crash Landing on You is no exception.
Despite the show's fantastical premise, it manages to tackle important issues such as the divide between North and South Korea, the refugee crisis and the human cost of war and political conflict. The show also explores themes of love and sacrifice, and how they can transcend cultural and political boundaries.
In conclusion, Crash Landing on You is a must-watch show that offers a unique and nuanced look at North Korea, while also telling a compelling love story. The performances of the lead actors, the well-researched and nuanced portrayal of North Korea, and the show's ability to tackle important issues, make it one of the most successful and impactful dramas of recent years. It will be interesting to see how the show's popularity continues to shape the conversation about North Korea and the Korean peninsula as a whole.