I must admit it took me over a year to get around to watching this short Korean drama Soundtrack #2 (late 2023) because I had been so enamored of the previous Soundtrack #1 (2022) drama and I didn't think anything similar could surpass it in quality. While it's true this one isn't as hypnotic as the first one I did enjoy it very much. The actors all did very well in their roles, including almost too handsome male lead Noh Sang Hyun (who had wowed me in Curtain Call as the North Korean soldier), and female lead Keum Sae Rok from the excellent Youth Of May. Newcomer actor Sohn Jeong Hyuck was very endearing in this, his very first drama. In real life he is a songwriter and guitar player and singer, and these talents were put to good use in this drama. Very talented young fellow! I hope I see him act in future dramas soon!

The Story:

Do Hyeon Seo (Keum Sae Rok) graduated from university with a degree in piano performance but now several years later she is having troubles making ends meet financially just giving piano lessons and doing odd jobs like food deliveries for various cafes in the city. Because of her money troubles she lacks self-esteem and struggles with depression at times. She does have one dear older female friend named Kim Jin Kyeong (Jeon Hye Jin, Ruler Of Your Own World, Mother, My Liberation Notes, Agency) who helps her out when she can; her friend runs her own restaurant and has two adorable young children, boy and girl (Choi E Jun, Kim Yun Seul) who take piano lessons from Hyeon Seo and who enjoy the special tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice cakes dish) she makes while taking care of them.

While she was a university student Hyeon Seo had fallen in love with an ambitious fellow student named Ji Su Ho (Noh Sang Hyun) and they had joined forces in making music together. However after graduation they had broken up and drifted apart. Su Ho became the CEO of his own music marketing firm that was pretty successful but the stress began affecting his health, so much so that he even fainted on the job from exhaustion.

His doctor tells him to take a month off and just rest. "Take up a hobby, that can help you relax" he is told. Su Ho's friend and business partner Hong Chang Sik (Kwon Seung Woo) suggests taking piano lessons as the hobby and he calls a random name out of the phone book for a piano tutor and ... you guessed it: the person he calls is Su Ho's old estranged girlfriend Hyeon Seo!

Their sudden reunion surprises them. Both aren't quite sure they want to be teacher and student together but Su Ho definitely realizes he is still very attracted to the now standoffish Hyeon Seo. He tries to be gentlemanly toward her and she eventually agrees to be his piano teacher. Of course their renewed attraction brings up old feelings.

Hyeon Seo also meets a new talented musician client of Su Ho's nicknamed K (Sohn Jeong Hyuck) and they are able to compose and perform duets together. This endeavor helps to restore Hyeon Seo's love of piano performance and to increase her confidence in performing in public. Su Ho of course becomes jealous of their camaraderie but doesn't want to lose either of them because he feels they can make some good money for him and his company eventually!

Finally Hyeon Seo and Su Ho grow closer again romantically but there are still several dangers ahead for their relationship, due mainly to Hyeon Seo's inability to compromise with the way Su Ho wants them to proceed with their relationship, to make it permanent. She still has other ambitions for herself, like succeeding in her own business ventures apart from being taken care of by Su Ho.

Su Ho becomes jealous of her desired independence from him professionally. He gives her some space to achieve her own goals, but grudgingly. Meanwhile Su Ho is back at work at his company and is experiencing even greater success in signing up new musical artists. Is there any hope that these two volatile people will ever be able to commit to one another fully?

One thing I noticed about this drama that was extra-special (besides its nice music) was its cinematography. I don't know who the camera people were but they were phenomenal. Many gorgeous, picturesque scenes of the city and country abound. Many lovely-looking, tender close-up scenes of all the actors really help the viewer to feel close to the characters, to know what they were feeling even when they aren't speaking. Keep an eye out for that beautiful camerawork as you enjoy this short drama, Soundtrack #2!