K-Drama Premiere: “One Spring Night” Ripples Realistic Romance Right Off The Bat

Finding true love that speaks through your heart is one of the takeaways from One Spring Night premiere.

It could be the music, or the minimalist vibe that highlighted the character’s introduction, or both — One Spring Night settles you in right away the moment it begins.

Jung Hae In and Han Ji Min’s new drama kicked off to a great start with impressive viewership rating of 6% for its first episode.

Premiere Week Rating:

Featuring Director Ahn Pan Suk’s signature indie vibe and Kim Eun’s lyrical screenplay, the writer-PD tandem of hit 2018 Something in the Rain series, sure knows how to draw hearts in a subtle yet lingering approach.

Premiere Week Recap

After drinking with her friend the night before, Lee Jung In (Han Ji Min) heads to a nearby pharmacy to buy some hangover medicine. Assisted by handsome pharmacist Yoo Ji Ho (Jung Hae In), she drinks the hangover cure. However, she forgot her wallet so she asked for Ji Ho’s phone number so she can send her payment later on. In tacit agreement, Jung In steps out of the pharmacy, only to be surprised when Ji Ho follows to give her money for her cab.

Later in the evening, Jung In drives with her long-standing boyfriend to Sang Hee’s place. The mood gets sour when he opened the topic of marriage to which Jung In quietly disregarded. Coincidentally, Ji Ho stays in the same building where Jung In’s friend Yeong Ju lives. He spots her with Gi Suk, whom he recently met as a new member of their basketball club.

When Jung In and her older sister visit their parent’s house for dinner, she declares her firm stance of marrying someone when she wants to. Clearly disregarding her father’s pressure to marry her boyfriend.

One fated moment

Not getting any response from the pharmacist about his bank information, Jung In visits him as he tries to invite her out. She politely refuses and heads to Yeong Ju’s place. When she picks up the chicken delivery, she gets surprised to see Ji Ho, unaware that he lives in the same building. Mustering courage and craziness, she sends him a message. Under the falling snow, Ji Ho rushes to the pharmacy where Jung In is waiting.

Clearly drawing the line, Jung In reveals her current relationship. At the same time, Ji Ho confesses that he is a single dad. He adds how he has been so curious about him after meeting her for the first time. Knowing her boundary, Jung In offers friendship to which Ji Ho refuses, reasoning it will be uncomfortable for him. Still bugged about Ji Ho’s thoughts, the two meet again when Jung In goes with her sister to the basketball club’s game.

Premiere Week Afterthoughts

I really like the indie film-ish vibe of Director Ahn’s story execution. His ability to present a love story that uses bare reality is always engrossing to watch. He makes sure that following the rule that drama characters are all connected, the link he utilizes leads the audience to feel the world of the characters as they move in the story.

One Spring Night delves on the romance experienced through pain and bliss. In one scene, it highlighted the prelude of how cheating begins between partners. In the case of Jung In, who has been in a monotonous relationship, meeting someone who sparks something in her heart and mind made her do things that are unbecoming of her. As Jung Hae In keeps getting better as an actor, his new single dad role, and how it will go along in the story is also something to anticipate.

I am curious how the relationship between Jung In and Ji Ho will finally happen, and how they will stand strong in the chaos that will come after. We are 15 episodes away, but yes, I can’t wait to unravel more stories.

We are also looking to touch the perceived reality of parent’s influence on the marriage of their children. In contrast, shedding light to brave insights of single people about marriage yields another gravitating point.

One Spring Night airs on MBC and is streamed globally via Netflix.

ABOUT THE WRITER

abbyinhallyuland reads and sleeps a lot when she is not traveling. Her calendar reminders are mostly K-Drama broadcast schedules and birthdays of her favorite Korean actors. Promoting K-Drama watching as stress therapy is her life advocacy. She is fond of Spencer Reid, Gregory House, Kenshin Himura, Starwars saga, Haruki Murakami and Hunter x Hunter.

Recommended Korean Dramas: Reply 1988, Nine, Misaeng, Gaksital, Discovery of Love, Because This is My First Life, Descendants of the Sun, My Love from the Star, Healer, Punch, You’re Beautiful, Coffee Prince, Princess Hours, The Greatest Love, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, City Hunter, and The Smile Has Left Your Eyes.

E: abby@hellokpop.com