Crash Landing On You Review: A Love Story That Crossed Borders

Title: Crash Landing On You 

Episodes: 16

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama 

Main Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, Seo Ji-hye

Streaming Platform: Netflix 

Image Credit: Netflix

What happens when a South Korean heiress literally crashes into the life of a North Korean soldier? Crash Landing on You is a beautifully written K-drama filled with heart, humor, and heartfelt romance. With its stunning visuals and unforgettable chemistry, this drama proves that love knows no boundaries, not even those of politics.

“Crash Landing On You” is a South Korean television series aired on tvN from December 14, 2019, to February 16, 2020. This romantic comedy series, written by Park Ji-eun and directed by Lee Jung-hy, is available to watch on Netflix. The show gained massive popularity worldwide and bagged multiple awards in South Korea. 

Plot Summary 

Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean heiress of Queens Group and CEO of fashion company Seri's Choice, is a smart and independent businesswoman. One day, while paragliding in Seoul, she gets hit by a tornado and lands in the North Korean DMZ area. Ri Jeong-hyeok, a Captain in the North Korean Army, finds her and, after being convinced by her, decides to help her return to South Korea.

Jeong-hyeok hides Se-ri in his house, where she gets to experience North Korean life and gets closer to Jeong-hyeok's four subordinates and some old ladies in the village. In South Korea, Se-ri's family announces her death, and her step-brothers try to acquire her company and the position of Queens Group successor.

Se-hyung, one of Se-ri's stepbrothers, gets deceived by Gu Seung-jun, who embezzled a huge sum of money from Queens Group due to Se-hyung's incompetence and ignorance. Previously, Se-hyung tried to marry off Se-ri to Seung-jun, but she rejected him; still, Seung-jun manages to cheat Se-hyung through his intelligence and fulfills his revenge against Se-hyung's father, who caused Seung-jun's family to go bankrupt.

To escape from Se-hyung's gangsters, Seung-jun flees to North Korea and crosses paths with Seo Dan, a North Korean Department Store heiress and Jeong-hyeok's fiancée. Dan returns to North Korea after studying the Cello in Russia and coincidentally meets Seung-jun several times.

Cho Cheol-gang, a corrupt North Korean Officer, tries to destroy Jeong-hyeok's plans to help Se-ri return to South Korea, but eventually, Jeong-hyeok succeeds. After being parted, Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri realise their love for each other. Cheol-gang receives punishment for the murder of Jeong-hyeok's elder brother and corruption, but soon he escapes from jail and goes to South Korea to hurt Se-ri as revenge.

Jeong-hyeok flees to South Korea to protect Se-ri, followed by his subordinates, and they all reunite again in South Korea. Meanwhile, in North Korea, Dan helps Seung-jun to hide from Se-hyung's gangster, and ultimately, both of them fall in love with each other.

My Thoughts 

The writer presented a unique love story between a South Korean businesswoman and a North Korean Army captain. The cinematography of the show is impressive, effectively highlighting the stark differences between the two countries while also capturing life in North Korea.

The overall tone of the series feels cold as if you have genuinely crossed the border into North Korea. However, the warm and emotionally rich romance balances this atmosphere, enriching the overall theme of the show.

The whole cast did a commendable job in portraying such great characters, and the chemistry between Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin was perfectly adorable. Similarly, side couple of Kim Jung-hyun and Seo Ji-hye portrayed equally good chemistry as the main leads.

The bond shared by Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok's subordinates was worth watching, and each interaction will bring a smile to your face. These characters added a witty humor to the series, making it truly entertaining. Also, Kim Jung-hyun deserves special appreciation for his excellent performance as Gu Seung-jun.

The coincidental meetings of Dan and Seung-jun were interesting and adorable, while Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok shared an emotionally deep romance. My favorite scene is the reunion of Se-ri, Jeong-hyeok, and his subordinates in Seoul; it was SO heart-touching!

The plot of the show is new with a fresh concept, and it skillfully incorporates a variety of genres like romance, comedy, and emotional drama. Some aspects of the show seemed unrealistic, such as how easily the characters were able to travel back and forth between South Korea and North Korea without facing severe consequences.

However, it effectively highlighted the degradation of humanity, illustrating how far individuals will go for money and revenge. It is a courageous love story led by fate that crossed the borders and overcame all hardships that came their way. The ending of the show was bittersweet yet realistic; it is different from typical happy endings but worth watching.

Crash Landing on You isn’t just a love story; it’s a reminder that destiny has its own way of bringing two souls together. From emotional goodbyes to touching reunions, this Kdrama leaves a lasting impression. If you’re looking for romance with depth and heart, this one deserves a spot at the top of your watchlist.

Have you watched Crash Landing On You? What’s your thought on ending? Let’s discuss in the comments below. 

If you love watching romantic comedy series, check out my review of My Dearest Nemesis. 

My Rating: 8.5/10