“Crash Landing on You” is a South Korean drama series created by Park Ji-eun, directed by Lee Jeong-hyo, and featuring Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye, and Kim Jung-hyun. It aired on tvN from December 14, 2019, to February 16, 2020, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (KST). The series is also available for streaming on Netflix.
During its broadcast, “Crash Landing on You” achieved remarkable success, becoming the highest-rated tvN series and the second highest-rated series in Korean cable television history in terms of viewership ratings and audience numbers. The storyline revolves around Yoon Se-ri (played by Son Ye-jin), a prosperous South Korean businesswoman and heiress of a conglomerate. One fateful day, while paragliding in Seoul, she is caught in a tornado and crash-lands in the North Korean territory of the DMZ. There, she encounters Ri Jeong-hyeok (portrayed by Hyun Bin), a high-ranking member of the North Korean military and a captain in the Korean People’s Army, who discovers her presence. Despite the risks, Ri Jeong-hyeok decides to shelter and assist Se-ri in her quest to return to South Korea.
CHARACTERS
Main:
- Hyun Bin stars as Ri Jeong-hyeok, a skilled and emotionally reserved captain in the Korean People’s Army stationed along the North Korean portion of the DMZ. He hides his lineage, being the son of a powerful political figure, to investigate his brother’s mysterious death.
- Son Ye-jin portrays Yoon Se-ri, a successful South Korean CEO and chaebol heiress with a troubled family history and a strained relationship with her stepmother. She accidentally crash-lands in North Korea and falls in love with Ri Jeong-hyeok.
- Seo Ji-hye plays Seo Dan, a North Korean department store heiress and Ri Jeong-hyeok’s fiancée through an arranged marriage. She eventually falls for Gu Seung-jun after realizing Jeong-hyeok doesn’t reciprocate her feelings.
- Kim Jung-hyun portrays Gu Seung-jun, a charming South Korean conman with British citizenship who falls for Seo Dan after fleeing to North Korea to avoid arrest.
Recurring:
- Yang Kyung-won appears as Pyo Chi-su, an acerbic sergeant-major in Ri Jeong-hyeok’s unit who grows to care for Yoon Se-ri despite initially antagonizing her.
- Yoo Su-bin plays Kim Ju-meok, a jovial corporal in Ri Jeong-hyeok’s unit who enjoys Korean dramas and helps explain South Korean culture to his colleagues.
- Tang Jun-sang portrays Geum Eun-dong, an innocent lance-corporal in Ri Jeong-hyeok’s unit who misses his family dearly.
- Lee Shin-young depicts Park Kwang-beom, a quiet staff-sergeant in Ri Jeong-hyeok’s unit who remains oblivious to his good looks.
People around Yoon Se-ri:
- Nam Kyung-eup appears as Yoon Jeung-pyeong, Se-ri’s father and chairman of Queens Group.
- Bang Eun-jin plays Han Jeong-yeon, Se-ri’s stepmother, who struggles with her resentment towards Se-ri.
- Choi Dae-hoon portrays Yoon Se-jun, Se-ri’s immature and hot-headed half-brother.
- Hwang Woo-seul-hye depicts Do Hye-ji, Se-jun’s materialistic but supportive wife.
People around Ri Jeong-hyeok:
- Jun Gook-hwan appears as Ri Chung-ryeol, Jeong-hyeok’s father and Director of the General Political Bureau.
- Jung Ae-ri plays Kim Yun-hui, Jeong-hyeok’s mother and a former actress grieving her elder son’s death.
People around Seo Dan:
- Jang Hye-jin portrays Ko Myeong-eun, Dan’s ambitious mother eager for her daughter to marry Jeong-hyeok.
- Park Myung-hoon plays Ko Myeong-seok, Dan’s cheerful maternal uncle and a powerful major-general in the Ministry of State Security.
People in the North Korean village:
- Kim Sun-young appears as Na Wol-suk, the no-nonsense chief of the People’s Unit who eventually warms up to Yoon Se-ri.
- Kim Jung-nan plays Ma Young-ae, Senior Colonel Kim’s wife frustrated by her son’s performance in school.
- Jang So-yeon depicts Hyun Myeong-sun, Man-bok’s supportive wife who shows kindness to Ma Young-ae.
STORYLINE
In a twist of fate, Yoon Se-ri finds herself drifting off course during a paragliding adventure in Seoul, courtesy of an unexpected tornado. Knocked unconscious, she awakens to an unusual sight: her paraglide ensnared in a tree within the North Korean portion of the DMZ. It’s there she encounters Ri Jeong-hyeok, who extends his hospitality and devises a clandestine plan to aid her return to South Korea. Despite the geopolitical chasm between them, their bond deepens into love.
Meanwhile, in South Korea, Se-ri’s family opts to conceal her disappearance to prevent any negative impact on their business empire. Prior to her vanishing act, her father had earmarked her as his successor, citing her astute business acumen exemplified by Seri’s Choice. This decision irks her half-brothers, each vying for their father’s approval but struggling to manage their respective domains. The power struggle is amplified by their ambitious spouses, who seek to assert control. Se-hyung, seizing the opportunity in Se-ri’s absence, resorts to unethical tactics to bolster his claim, while his wife aims to seize control of Seri’s Choice.The narrative intricately weaves the tale of Seo Dan and Gu Seung-jun into the mix. Dan, a refined scion of a wealthy North Korean family, is betrothed to Jeong-hyeok through an arranged engagement. However, her path intersects with Seung-jun, a fugitive seeking refuge in North Korea. Their encounters become more frequent, complicating matters further.
The initial part of the storyline focuses on Jeong-hyeok’s efforts to safeguard Se-ri and orchestrate her return home, all while evading the clutches of Cho Cheol-gang, a corrupt official with a vendetta. Jeong-hyeok’s actions strain not only his relationship with Dan but also his familial ties, threatened by the potential fallout of harboring a South Korean national.
As the plot progresses, Se-ri’s reappearance in South Korea triggers a whirlwind of events. Cheol-gang’s pursuit intensifies, prompting Jeong-hyeok’s journey southward to shield Se-ri from harm. Meanwhile, in North Korea, Dan and Seung-jun’s relationship blossoms amidst the turmoil, as they navigate betrayal and peril.The saga, spanning love, loyalty, and intrigue, culminates in a riveting tale of resilience and romance across borders, where the protagonists brave all odds for love and freedom.
