A fantasy supernatural romance, with very bittersweet undertones, Way Back Love (2025) was yet another short Korean drama that told a memorable story of true love which surpasses even death. Lead actor Gong Myung, whom I had loved so much in another unforgettable short drama a few years earlier, called Individualist Ms. Ji Young, was excellent here in this drama as well, playing a Grim Reaper. Korean dramas always depict Grim Reaper characters so memorably well, whether in 49 Days, Goblin, Arang And The Magistrate, Hotel del Luna, or even a female one in Mystic Pop-Up Bar.

Gong Myung's character's love interest in the story was played to perfection by lead actress Kim Min Ha (Pachinko, Light Shop). She plays a young woman who can't forget her first love, a young man who had died a tragic death, for which she blamed herself. Gong Myung's character returns into her life six years later as a Grim Reaper to warn her that she is soon scheduled to die as well.

Although as a Christian Bible believer I don't believe in the existence of Grim Reapers, I do recognize that fictional fantasy stories about them can be quite appealing. especially when they are played with touches of humor. There's nothing like a well written fantasy romance story to help you escape from your daily grind and into a poignant love story instead. I liked that this one was only six episodes long, deftly paced by female director Choi Ha Na. It was based on a popular novel by female author Seo Eun Chae called One Week Before I Die.

The Story:

Jung Hee Wan (Kim Min Ha) is a twenty-four year old woman, working in the field of education at a university, who suffers from severe bouts of depression. When she's not working she punishes herself with a dreary reclusive life indoors, living in the dark. Then one day her high school classmate and not so secret first love Kim Ram Woo (Gong Myung) appears at the front door of her apartment. She is shocked when she answers his persistent knock at the door and sees him standing there gazing at her. He had died six years earlier in a terrible vehicle accident, for which she had blamed herself, and he tells her he is now a Grim Reaper and has some important news to share with her.

Hee Wan doesn't quite believe Ram Woo is real, and she asks him pointed questions about their past lives to see if he can answer them correctly. These questions propel them both to nostalgic flashbacks into their student Eunsung High School days together when Hee Wan was a bright and happy girl, and Ram Woo a quiet and shy young man, an awkward newcomer to the school.

Because the students in their class were expecting a new student teacher to show up on April 1st, April Fools' Day, they decide to switch name tags with one another to confuse the new teacher and have a few laughs at her expense. Hee Wan becomes Ram Woo, and Ram Woo becomes Hee Wan. Because the switch resulted in some hilarious moments for the students Hee Wan doesn't want to return Ram Woo's name badge to him after April 1st. He is frustrated by her tease but since he is starting to like her he goes along with it. When both of them had helped an old lady in distress she rewards the school with scholarship money for them both and of course then they finally have to switch their names back to receive their awards.

Then Hee Wan and Ram Woo learn they actually live in the same apartment complex, she with her single Dad named Jung Il Bum (funny actor Ko Chang Seok, Melo Movie) and her sister Jung Hee Joo (Jeon Chae Eun), and he with his pretty single Mom named Kim Jung Sook (Seo Young Hee, Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?). Now their close proximity brings them even closer together emotionally, and Hee Wan even tries to dress in more attractive clothing to impress Ram Woo. Hee Wan's Dad owns a restaurant and treats them all to flavorful meals frequently, so the two families become even closer.

Back in the present day, with Grim Reaper Ram Woo's encouragement, Hee Wan creates a bucket list of things to do in her final days alive, and the two begin to fulfill her final wishes, sometimes in humorous, ironic ways. As Hee Wan and Ram Woo reconnect emotionally as human and spirit, they explore what both life and death means to them – and what love might have in store for both of them in future. Hee Wan is given an option to remain on earth and not die if she agrees to one specific command of her Grim Reaper sweetheart. But if she obeys that command she will have to stay on earth as a human and her love Ram Woo will disappear. So what will Hee Wan choose? Life but without Ram Woo's presence, or death in which she won't be parted from her long time love? What would you choose if you loved someone more than life itself?

Way Back Love can be watched currently on Viki at THIS LINK. Enjoy!

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