Crash Landing on You 사랑의 불시착 - Review

Title: Crash Landing on You 사랑의 불시착

Genre: Military, Romantic Comedy, Political

Release: 2020

Starring (Main Cast): 

Hyun Bin as Ri Jung Hyuk

Son Ye Jin as Yoon Se Ri/"Sam Suk"

Seo Ji Hye as Seo Dan

Kim Jung Hyun as Goo Seung Jun

Director: Lee Jeong Hyo

Writer: Park Ji Eun

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Audience Rating: 4.9/5

MyDramaList Rating: 9.0/10

MyDramaList Synopsis: Click Here

Watch with Subscription on Netflix: Crash Landing on You 

Episodes: 16 Episodes (abt. 1 hr and 25 min each)

Content Rating: PG-13

Violence/blood: gun and knife fighting

Sexual Content: Hugging, kissing

Language: Moderate - some scenes have a decent amount of swearing in them

Ending: Happy, Satisfying

Synopsis

Yoon Se Ri (Son Ye Jin) is a popular public figure in Seoul as the owner of the hugely successful business Seri's Choice. Having lived her whole life in the luxury of a business family, she suddenly finds herself in an accident that places her across the northern border and into the poor and heavy military control of North Korea. Faced with the fact that she is in enemy territory and completely dependent on the man who found her, Ri Jung Hyuk (Hyun Bin), she must fight to keep her identity unknown until they can successfully return her home. Ri Jung Hyuk, in the midst of his own battle with the state, finds Se Ri and without the heart to turn her in, takes her under his wing. Together they face a unforgiving country, and the jealousy of Se Ri's family in a battle to return her home. As the risk to both of their lives intensifies, they must fight to stay alive, and fight their growing feelings. When the time comes for them to separate, will they be able to say goodbye?

Trailer

My Review: 10/10

This was a very beautiful story that easily placed this drama in my top 10. The great ratings and many awards this drama received were very well deserved and I will highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.

We begin this story with a glimpse into the daily life of Yoon Se Ri, who lives a wealthy life, financially speaking, but otherwise her life is very lonely. Her family is dysfunctional and care more for money than they do each other. So, though she seems happy on the outside, we see that it is not a reflection of her true feelings.

On an outing doing one of the things she loves the most, paragliding, she is swept up into a sudden storm and blown across the northern border. My only complaint of this drama comes from this scene's special effects. They were not great, but this may be budget related. And, it wasn't enough to take it down for me. Thus, having been blown over we find her falling into the strong arms of Ri Jung Hyuk and the start of an exciting and beautiful story begins.

I found the plot to be very intriguing, as well as the peek into life in North Korea. Both the stories of Yoon Se Ri and Ri Jung Hyuk had me glued to my screen, and I cannot say that I felt any part of it dragged. There is so much deep story telling going on in here that I could not even touch on it all. On top of that, the support cast was also very well developed; a huge bonus to the drama. So many people you will come to love.

Main Characters

Ri Jung Hyuk

Hyun Bin played the handsome and strong character of Ri Jung Hyuk. He has a very comforting presence on screen and I felt him very well cast in this role. This is my first time seeing him act, but it was easy to see why he is such a loved actor. He did a phenomenal job with everything this role required of him and I will look forward to seeing more of his works with very high expectations for his delivery.

The character of Ri Jung Hyuk was, as I said, a strong one, but also a comforting one. His character gave off the feeling that if he was there everything would be okay. Though he was easily concerned for others, when it came to himself, he had little regard for his own safety. At times he almost felt like a father figure to those around him. This, in my opinion, was a bonus to his character. The little glimpses into his growing feelings for Yoon Se Ri were also cute. And, as we delve into Jung Hyuk's deeper story you will only find more reasons to love his character.

Yoon Se Ri/ "Sam Suk"

Son Ye Jin played the beautiful Yoon Se Ri. This is also my first time seeing her act, and again, I was not disappointed with their casting of her. She did a beautiful job with her role and proved that she could act a wide range of emotions. I was very happy with her ability to not only play the serious, but also be comedic. She is an incredible actress who I will also look forward to seeing again on my screen.

The character of Yoon Se Ri was at first hidden behind the mask that she always wore. Fine on the outside, and strong. And though we continue to see her strengths, we also get to see a bit of her loneliness and how the care she receives from the strangers who are now protecting her life have a deep affect on her. She is much different than the front she put on, and the realness of those around her allow her to be herself. Even with the threat to her life, I think it is this that makes it so hard for her to desire a return to her "normal" life. It is hard not to love Se Ri, as we see her true beautiful character revealed.

Seo Dan

Seo Ji Hye played the beautiful but cold character of Seo Dan. She didn't get nearly as much screen time as our main couple, and didn't get challenged as much in her role. However, I felt she did a fine job with portraying her character and easily took on what her role required. I think I would like to see her in more before I make a final judgement of her acting skills, but as for this drama, I felt she did well.

Seo Dan is the betrothed (family arranged) of Ri Jung Hyuk, who has one-sided feelings for him. The character of Seo Dan is rather cold for the most part. She has her goals and motivations and really doesn't like others getting in the way. However, the writer does also bring out a softer side of Seo Dan that we get to see later on, and you may find her character growing on you.

Goo Seung Jun

Kim Jung Hyun played the mysterious character of Goo Seung Jun. This actor is the only one of the main cast that I have previously been familiar with. He is probably most known for his character in the hit drama Mr. Queen, which I have not yet seen. My introduction to his acting came from Welcome to Wiakiki where he played a very different role from this. He did an amazing job with his role in that drama, as well as this one. I was very excited to see him make an appearance here, and he definitely didn't disappoint me in this role.

The character of Goo Seung Jun is introduced to us in a more villainous form. Kind of a happy or fun mischievous type of villain. However, as the drama unpacks his story and character we learn there is much more to him. I have no doubt that viewers will find something to love about his character as they learn the reasons behind his actions, and the softer side of Goo Seung Jun. 

Ri Jung Hyuk and Yoon Se Ri

The first meeting of Ri Jung Hyuk and Yoon Se Ri was not love at first sight. Both were faced with the fact that a South Korean woman had dangerously landed in the northern enemy territory of North Korea. Jung Hyuk was faced with his legal responsibility of turning her in, and his moral responsibility of protecting human life. In the end his morals won out which, knowingly placed him in danger along side of her. As they protect each other and work to navigate a way for her to escape the country, we see the pieces of a growing fondness for each other.

The chemistry between these two was beautiful and the development of their love story was natural and satisfying. It probably helped that while these two characters fell in love on screen, the people playing them were falling in love behind the screen. So if the long looks and beautiful romantic scenes felt real, they probably were. As a joy to all those who have loved this drama and this couple, the real couple of Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin finally sealed their relationship with marriage the end of this last month. Our wishes and prayers for a love-filled long and happy life for them both!

Goo Seung Jun and Seo Dan

Though, again there was no love at first sight here, our handsome conman, Goo Seung Jun, was quick to take mental note of the beauty of Seo Dan. However, both had investments in another and it wasn't until they decided to join forces that an interest and admiration began to develop between these two.

The two were very different characters, and because of this I wasn't sure how this relationship was going to develop. Especially due to Seo Dan's coldness. It wasn't until she started to give glimpses of a softer side that I had any hope. So, though I wouldn't say their chemistry was super strong, the relationship between them worked, and I think many people will be rooting this couple on.

Support Character(s)

Pyo Chi Su, Park Kwang Beom, Kim Ju Muk, Geum Eun Dong

I could not possibly find the time to list all of the amazing side characters in this drama. There are so many that you grow to love. So, I felt that I would stick with who I felt were the most important of them. And, that would be the crew of four soldiers we meet at the beginning who also protect and love Se Ri. They almost feel like a family with Jung Hyuk and Se Ri as dad and mom. I love the found family trope, and this definitely satisfied that in me! The actors that played them were Yang Kyung Won, Lee Shin Young, Yoo Soo Bin, and Tang Jun Sang. The only one I have previously been introduced to was Yoo Soo Bin who played a support role in Start-Up, which happened to be the drama I watched prior to this one. All of them did an amazing job with their roles and different personalities. I loved each and every one of them. I hope for the opportunity to see these men take on other roles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I highly recommend this drama. It is a beautiful story of life, love, and hope. It is a story that has been enjoyed and loved world wide and I don't think it will ever grow old. You will learn a lot and will hopefully grow by the step you take into understanding the lives of those who live behind the communist border of North Korea. Please watch! There is so much more going on in this story then what I mentioned here. I have only touched the surface of a very deep story. Trust me. You won't be disappointed!

Awards Won

Crash Landing On You - 2020 - Outstanding Korean Drama (15th Seoul International Drama Awards); Best Drama Series [Korea] (Asian Academy Creative Awards); Best Drama Series [Grand Final] (Asian Academy Creative Awards); Global Award [VOD Category] (Korea Cable TV Broadcasting Association); Overseas Drama Special Award (Tokyo Drama Award 2020); Most In-Demand Korean Drama Series (3rd Annual Global TV Demand Awards) - 2021 - Grand Prize [Daesang] (Korea Communications Commission Broadcasting Awards); PP Specail Award [VOD Category] (Korea Cable TV Broadcasting Association)

Hyun Bin - 2020 - Popularity Award (56th Baeksang Arts Awards); Grand Prize [Daesang] (7th APAN Star Awards)

Son Ye Jin - 2020 - Popularity Award (56th Baeksang Arts Awards); Outstanding Korean Actress (15th Seoul International Drama Awards); KT Seezn Star Award (7th APAN Star Awards)

Seo Ji Hye - 2020 - Bazaar Icon Award (56th Baeksang Arts Awards)

Kim Young Min - 2020 - Best Supporting Actor (7th APAN Star Awards)

Kim Sun Young - 2020 - Best Supporting Actress (56th Baeksang Arts Awards); Best Supporting Actress (7th APAN Star Awards)

OST

This drama was full of amazing OSTs, but these were my favorites of them all.

Let Us Go by Crush

Photo of My Mind by Song Ga In

The Song for My Brother by Nam Hye Seung and Park Sang Hee 

(Orchestral Version)

안녕! - 줄스