Winter Sonata
Encyclopedia
Winter Sonata is a South Korean television drama series broadcast by KBS in 2002. It is the second part of the Endless Love installment directed by Yoon Seok-Ho. It stars Choi Ji-woo
and Bae Yong Joon
.
It was broadcast on Japan
's NHK
and has been a major part of the Korean wave
both there and throughout Asia
. Filming also took place on the resort island of Namiseom
. It has also been adapted into an anime series which aired in October 2009.
, a rural city in South Korea. As an extraordinarily talented student, Jun-Sang is welcomed by his fellow students as well as teachers, but remains a quiet, introverted young man. As a result of his belief that his father is dead, as well as conflict with his mother, Jun-Sang believes that no one truly loves him.
One day on the ride to school, Jun-Sang's classmate Yoo-Jin interrupts him on the bus. Jun-Sang soon falls in love with Yoo-Jin, who opens herself to him with an innocent heart. Their love, however, is cut short after Jun-Sang is involved in a serious auto-accident and, due to brain damage, is unable to recall his past life.
Jun-Sang's mother, desiring Jun-Sang's love and respect, has Jun-Sang brainwashed by a psychologist, so that Jun-Sang will not remember his painful childhood, as an illegitimate child. As a result, Jun-Sang's memories prior to the accident are erased. Jun-Sang's mother decides to move to the United States with Jun-Sang, where he can start a new life under the identity of lee Min-Hyeong. His friends and teachers are told that Jun-Sang is dead.
Ten years later, Min-Hyeong is an award-winning architect in the United States. He does not remember anything about his life in Korea. He is completely different, an open-minded person who cares about other people, including his mother. He returns to Korea and Yoo-Jin sees him on the street, prompting her to put off her engagement to childhood friend Sang-Hyeok. Little does she know that Min-Hyeong is dating her friend and sometime rival Che-Rin. The story's plot intensifies when Yu-Jin begins work at the firm where Min-Hyeong is employed, and tries to find out if he is her lost lover Jun-Sang.
In addition, "Moment" performed by Ryu and available on his album Ryu 2 (류 2집) is included on some bootleg versions of the Winter Sonata soundtrack.
on October 17, 2009, consisting of 26 episodes. The program featured 23 members of the original Korean cast voicing the characters and was broadcast with Japanese subtitles. During October 2011, Animax Asia
aired the anime in Korean audio and English subtitles across Asia.
Choi Ji-woo
Choi Ji-woo is a South Korean actress.- Career :Choi was first discovered when she won a talent audition organized by MBC in 1994, and made her debut in the 1995's War and Love, after which she adopted the stage name Choi Ji-woo....
and Bae Yong Joon
Bae Yong Joon
Bae Yong-joon , is a South Korean actor best known for his roles in numerous television dramas and one of the first kkonminam icons. He is known as Yon-sama to his Japanese fans.- Early and private life :...
.
It was broadcast on Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
and has been a major part of the Korean wave
Korean wave
The Korean Wave, also known as the Hallyu , refers to spread of South Korean culture around the world. The term was coined in China in mid-1999 by Beijing journalists surprised by the fast growing popularity of Korean entertainment and culture in China...
both there and throughout Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. Filming also took place on the resort island of Namiseom
Namiseom
Namiseom is a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon, South Korea, formed as it was inundated by the rising water of the North Han River as the result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam in 1944...
. It has also been adapted into an anime series which aired in October 2009.
Synopsis
The story begins when Jun-Sang, the son of an eminent musician, moves to ChuncheonChuncheon
Chuncheon is the capital of Gangwon Province, South Korea. The city lies in the northeast of the country, located in a basin formed by the Soyang River and Han River. There are some large lakes around the city, most notably Lake Soyang and Lake Uiam...
, a rural city in South Korea. As an extraordinarily talented student, Jun-Sang is welcomed by his fellow students as well as teachers, but remains a quiet, introverted young man. As a result of his belief that his father is dead, as well as conflict with his mother, Jun-Sang believes that no one truly loves him.
One day on the ride to school, Jun-Sang's classmate Yoo-Jin interrupts him on the bus. Jun-Sang soon falls in love with Yoo-Jin, who opens herself to him with an innocent heart. Their love, however, is cut short after Jun-Sang is involved in a serious auto-accident and, due to brain damage, is unable to recall his past life.
Jun-Sang's mother, desiring Jun-Sang's love and respect, has Jun-Sang brainwashed by a psychologist, so that Jun-Sang will not remember his painful childhood, as an illegitimate child. As a result, Jun-Sang's memories prior to the accident are erased. Jun-Sang's mother decides to move to the United States with Jun-Sang, where he can start a new life under the identity of lee Min-Hyeong. His friends and teachers are told that Jun-Sang is dead.
Ten years later, Min-Hyeong is an award-winning architect in the United States. He does not remember anything about his life in Korea. He is completely different, an open-minded person who cares about other people, including his mother. He returns to Korea and Yoo-Jin sees him on the street, prompting her to put off her engagement to childhood friend Sang-Hyeok. Little does she know that Min-Hyeong is dating her friend and sometime rival Che-Rin. The story's plot intensifies when Yu-Jin begins work at the firm where Min-Hyeong is employed, and tries to find out if he is her lost lover Jun-Sang.
Cast
- Bae Yong-joonBae Yong JoonBae Yong-joon , is a South Korean actor best known for his roles in numerous television dramas and one of the first kkonminam icons. He is known as Yon-sama to his Japanese fans.- Early and private life :...
as Kang Joon-sang / Lee Min-Hyeong - Choi Ji-wooChoi Ji-wooChoi Ji-woo is a South Korean actress.- Career :Choi was first discovered when she won a talent audition organized by MBC in 1994, and made her debut in the 1995's War and Love, after which she adopted the stage name Choi Ji-woo....
as Jeong Yoo-jin - Park Yong-haPark Yong-haPark Yong-ha was a Korean actor and singer. He committed suicide at the age of 32.-Career:At seventeen, Park was noted for his acting and musical skills, as well as his good looks which earned him popularity with fans. After his debut in MBC drama Theme Theater , Park appeared a range of TV dramas...
as Kim Sang-Hyeok - Park Sol Mi as Oh Che-Rin
- Lee Hye Eun as Jin Seok
- Ryu Seung Soo as Yong-Gook
- Jung Dong Hwan as Sang-Hyeok's father
- Lee Hyo Chun as Sang-Hyeok's mother
- Yoo Yul as Radio broadcaster
- Kim Hae Sook as Yoo-Jin's mother
- Song Ok Sook
- Lee Hye Young
- Kwon Hye Hyo
- Jung Woon Joong
- Jang Hang Sun
Soundtrack
- 처음부터 지금까지 Cheoeumbuteo Jigeumkkaji (From the Beginning to End) - performed by Ryu(류)
- "My Memory" - performed by Ryu
- 처음 Cheoeum (First Time)
- 그대만이 Geudaeman'i (Only You) - performed by Ryu
- 처음부터 지금까지 Cheoeumbuteo Jigeumkkaji (From the Beginning to End) - instrumental version
- "My Memory" - piano and violin version
- 보낼 수 없는 사랑 Ponael Su Eobsneun Sarang (The Love I Cannot Send) - performed by Seon (선)
- 시작 Shijak (The Beginning)
- 그대만이 Geudaeman'i (Only You) - piano and violin version
- "My Memory" - piano version
- 잊지마 Itjima (Don't Forget) - performed by Ryu
- 기억속으로 Gieoksog'euro (Inside the Memories)
- 연인 Yeon'in (Lover) - performed by Ryu
- 제비꽃 Jebikkoch (Violet) - performed by Ryu
- 그대만이 Geudaeman'i (Only You) - piano version
- 처음 Cheoeum (First Time) - piano version
- 제비꽃 Jebikkoch (Violet) - instrumental
- "Love Hurts" - Yiruma (Ep 1)
- "When The Love Falls" - Yiruma (Ep 2)
In addition, "Moment" performed by Ryu and available on his album Ryu 2 (류 2집) is included on some bootleg versions of the Winter Sonata soundtrack.
Anime
An anime adaptation of Winter Sonata premiered on Japan's SKY PerfecTV!SKY PerfecTV!
SKY PerfecTV! is a direct broadcast satellite service that provides satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services to households in Japan, owned by parent company SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation....
on October 17, 2009, consisting of 26 episodes. The program featured 23 members of the original Korean cast voicing the characters and was broadcast with Japanese subtitles. During October 2011, Animax Asia
Animax Asia
Animax Asia is the Japanese anime TV network Animaxs English language feeds in Southeast Asia and South Asia, as well as its feeds across other regions of mainland Asia, including Hong Kong and Taiwan...
aired the anime in Korean audio and English subtitles across Asia.
Reairings
In 2006 AZN Television Distribution bought the rights to air a 24 hour Marathon with other Korean Soaps.See also
- List of top rated Korean Dramas
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of Korean television shows
- Contemporary culture of South KoreaContemporary culture of South KoreaThe contemporary culture of South Korea developed from the traditional culture of Korea, and on its own path away from North Korean culture since the division of Korea in 1948. The industrialization and urbanization of South Korea, especially Seoul, have brought many changes to the way Korean...
External links
- Winter Sonata Official Homepage
- Winter Sonata Filming Locations - The Official Korea Tourism Guide Site
- Winter Sonata Official Overview (English)
- Winter Sonata Reviews
- Winter Sonata the Anime Official website