The TVING original series 'Way Back Love,' featuring Gong Myoung and Kim Min-ha, resonated with audiences.
'Way Back Love' was released on the 3rd amid intense interest, with its first two episodes becoming available. The relationship between Ram Woo (played by Gong Myoung) and Hi Wan (played by Kim Min-ha), which began as an April Fool's prank, signaled the start of a youthful first love, sparking excitement. The school days are filled with dynamic episodes that immersed viewers in memories through the fun of 'youth romance.' In particular, the four young actors—Gong Myoung, Kim Min-ha, Jung Geon-joo, and Oh Woo-ri—moved and amused the audience with their genuine 'best friend' chemistry. Most importantly, Gong Myoung and Kim Min-ha showcased detailed performances, adding depth to the fateful narrative of the two characters moving between the past and present. Gong Myoung depicted the awkward yet deeply sensitive Ram Woo, drawing excitement, while the now-resurrected character captivated viewers with a different charm. Kim Min-ha also caught attention by richly expressing the dramatic emotional spectrum, from the sparkling youth to a darker atmosphere.
'Way Back Love' begins with Ram Woo, now a grim reaper, seeking out Hi Wan. With Ram Woo calling out Hi Wan's name, saying, "Did you do well, Kim Ram Woo?" curiosity is piqued, and their school days unfold. Ram Woo and Hi Wan first crossed paths on none other than April Fool's Day. The name-changing prank started to fool their student teacher, and Ram Woo and Hi Wan ended up as partners. The straight-A student Ram Woo, uninterested in April Fool's pranks, adopted 'insider' Hi Wan's name tag, while Hi Wan roamed the school with Ram Woo's name tag on.
Then, the two's fates began to shift intriguingly. Hi Wan received a confession for the first time in her life, and her test scores improved, marking a high point in her life. Meanwhile, Ram Woo's day turned chaotic. Because Hi Wan was parading around using Ram Woo's name, he faced numerous misunderstandings, and he even had to get a fake tattoo that seemed permanent on his arm. Moreover, Ram Woo's unfortunate day didn't end there. When Ram Woo met Hi Wan during a transaction for used goods, he accidentally handed her women's underwear and, instead of revealing this secret, agreed to fulfill Hi Wan's request. Hi Wan's request was for them to continue changing names in the future. Thus, Ram Woo became Hi Wan, and Hi Wan became Ram Woo.
At first, everyone was confused, but as time passed, the two were naturally called by their new names. Ram Woo, who initially rejected Hi Wan's name, ultimately accepted his 'fate.' Afterwards, the two began to intertwine in each other's lives. In particular, Hi Wan's feelings for Ram Woo grew larger. Occasionally, she would dress up nicely, hoping to run into Ram Woo, and her diary was filled with Ram Woo's name. It was an unexpected first love that arrived without notice.
However, a crisis emerged for their budding first love. The most popular girl at school, Ji Su (played by Jung Ra-el), was contemplating confessing to Ram Woo. Furthermore, Ji Su asked Hi Wan, who wrote well, to help her write a confession letter. Afterward, Hi Wan even fell from a window to avoid Ji Su but was unable to stop the confession. After even writing Ram Woo's reply, Hi Wan spent the night in tears. But not long after, a twist occurred. The letter Ram Woo requested was to be sent to his mother, and Ram Woo had actually rejected Ji Su's confession. A smile bloomed back on Hi Wan's face.
Now, six years later, Hi Wan bore a strikingly different appearance. Her shoulders drooped, her eyes lacked vitality, and a dark shadow enveloped her. The first love, now a grim reaper, returned as Ram Woo, forewarning Hi Wan of her impending death. Saying, "You're going to die. In one week," he presented an unbelievable tale. Despite desperately rejecting the existence before her eyes, Ram Woo did not vanish. Instead, he ominously followed her. To avoid this pesky Ram Woo, Hi Wan promised to fulfill a bucket list together. Just like in their school days, Ram Woo and Hi Wan spent time together again. Throughout this time, Hi Wan began to smile once more.
However, the ending of Episode 2, which returned to the past, hinted at an unexpected event between the two. Behind the tearful Hong Seok (played by Jung Geon-joo), a long funeral procession followed, and children were whispering that Ram Woo's death was because of Hi Wan. Hi Wan's figure, looking on from a distance at her friends, stirred curiosity about the enormous repercussions brought on by their 'name-changing' prank.
The spring day arrived with the youthful fantasy romance 'Way Back Love,' combining the excitement of first love and the tenderness of the present, capturing the audience's attention from its premiere. The uniquely emotional and beautifully directed narrative maximized the fateful story of Ram Woo and Hi Wan, with their episodes touching the viewers' hearts at times adorably and at times poignantly. Moreover, the events that occurred to Ram Woo and Hi Wan raised curiosity about the next story. What events will transpire as they go through the bucket list in the remaining week for Hi Wan? What are the secrets entwined with Ram Woo's death? Attention is focused on these questions.
[Photo] Provided by TVING.
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