The show tugged at the heartstrings of the audience with its classic forbidden love story trope between Yoon Se-ri and Captain Ri Jeong-Hyeok.
Korean drama Crash Landing On You was a major hit in 2020. It became the highest-rated drama on the South Korean television network, tvN, and the third highest-rated South Korean TV drama in cable television history. The series starring Hyun Bin, Son Ye-Jin, Kim Jung-Hyun, and Seo Ji-Hye was a sensational hit with an engaging rom-com storyline, packed with action as well as well-known actors.
The show tugged at the heartstrings of the audience not only locally but across the world. The forbidden love story between a North and South Korean had everyone rooting for the two lead actors, hoping for a happy ending against all odds. Here's what the K-drama had in store, which left the audience wanting more in the final episode.
The story follows Yoon Se-ri, a chaebol heiress who owns her own fashion and beauty company, "Se-ri's Choice." She does not see eye-to-eye with her family and this wedge is further widened when Se-ri's father announces that he wants her to take over his business and not his two sons. Se-ri is at the precipice of a new life as the head of her father's company but the uncompromising businesswoman decides to test her new sportswear products out herself. She gets caught in a tornado and crashlands in a forest region across the border, in North Korea.
There she is found by a soldier, Captain Ri Jeong-Hyeok who takes her under his wing. Along with his four subordinates, he hides her in his house till they can find a way to smuggle her across the border. When she is discovered accidentally, Captain Ri introduces her to his village as his fiancée. But he is, in reality, engaged to a wealthy businesswoman's daughter, Seo Dan. Over time she endears herself to the North Korean soldiers as well as the villagers. Across the border, Se-ri's brother finds out she's alive and does everything in his power to make sure she can't find her way back to take over their father's company.
The first attempt to help her escape fails when antagonist and corrupt soldier, Cho Cheol-gang intercepts the effort, seriously injuring Captain Ri. The two realize they have feelings for each other, upsetting Seo Dan who is comforted by conman Gu Seung-jun who is trying to get back at Se-ri's father for bankrupting his father's business, costing his life. He joins forces with Se-ri's brother to prevent her from going back home as well. But after recovering from his injuries, Captain Ri organizes a fake border patrol and leads Se-ri across the border to South Korea. She tries to go back to her old life but finds herself missing Captain Ri and her life in North Korea.
Captain Ri finds out about Cheol-gang's illicit practices and has him arrested. But he makes it out of prison and crosses the border to the South to kill Se-ri as revenge. Captain Ri follows him through an underground tunnel to protect Se-ri. The two work together to capture Cheol-gang. Captain Ri's father, who holds a high position in the North Korean army, sends the captain's subordinates to look for his son. The gang is reunited on the other side of the border where they share happy memories together. But this is cut short when Cheol-gang reappears and shoots at Captain Ri. Se-ri takes the bullet for him and is hospitalized.
Captain Ri corners Cheol-gang but they are both met by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) who are investigating Se-ri's incident. Cheol-gang is shot dead and Captain Ri is arrested. So are his subordinates. In order to protect Se-ri from getting embroiled in rumors of her involvement with North Korea, Captain Ri lies that he used Se-ri for his own benefit. This would absolve her from any charges. Captain Ri and the other soldiers are used by the authorities to exchange South Korean prisoners held in the North. In a dramatic race against time, Se-ri is driven to the border where the exchange is to take place so she can say goodbye to Captain Ri, whom she can never see again.
Before Captain Ri is sent away, he makes sure to leave behind messages for Se-ri so she can make peace with their separation. He leaves pre-scheduled messages for her over the span of three years, keeping her company and helping her lead a better life. To live a life without him in it. But then things change for the better.
Se-ri is in Switzerland where she is paragliding. When she lands, she finds that she's face-to-face with none other than Captain Ri himself. She then learns that he has been discharged from the military and is now pursuing music again. Se-ri then creates a musical scholarship foundation headquartered in Switzerland. She appoints Captain Ri as a director of her foundation thus creating a way for them to meet annually. Se-ri and Captain Ri spend two weeks of every year with each other in the mountains. Their love finds a way to transcend borders and they find their own, unique happy ending.
The show ended on a bittersweet note with Se-ri and Captain Ri finding a way to be together against all odds. The story arc of Korean dramas is written in such a way that they usually end in the span of a season, with 16-20 episodes only. The show may have been one of the highest-ranking shows but hardly any other high-rated show has ever been renewed with a second season, with a few exceptions of course. The chances of there being a second season of CLOY are low but fans can't help but hope for there to be one.
If there were to be a second season, it would most likely focus on the long-distance relationship of the couple and how their entire year leads up to the two weeks they get to spend together. Or the show will have to include new characters with a similar premise of forbidden love. All we can do is wait and find out.
Share on Facebook
