It showed a chapter of life in the future and the unknown. Behind the stories of the protagonists standing at a new starting line, it left behind 'my Seoul' instead of 'Unknown Seoul'. The message of courage to fill our unknown future (未来) without leaving anyone behind resonated with not only the Mijis of the same name, like the reporter, but also with everyone who watched the work.
The tvN weekend drama ‘Unknown Seoul’ aired its final episode on the 29th, concluding its six-week engagement with viewers. The last story recorded an impressive 8.4% (Nielsen Korea nationwide) for its highest viewership rating, achieving the highest rating among tvN weekend dramas aired this year.
In the final episode, Yumi Ji (played by Park Bo-young) successfully enters college after her efforts to attend a cram school, enjoying campus life, while Yu Mi-rae (also played by Park Bo-young) announces a new beginning by quitting her job to start strawberry farming.
In particular, ‘Unknown Seoul’ depicted a realistic story where Yumi Ji, who had been buried in studies since childhood, does not miraculously pass college in one go, but instead goes through failures after studying “hard” as Yu Mi-rae said, before finally entering college.
Yu Mi-rae also shows a scene hinting at her years of failure in strawberry farming before harvesting new strawberries, telling the story of a reality that is by no means easy.
As a result, it received praise for not perfectly closing the ending with the images of Yu Mi-rae and Yumi Ji at a new starting line, while maintaining the work's keyword of 'empathy' until the end, achieving an ending of 'beginning and ending'.
In particular, the scene in the ending credits of the final episode where ‘Unknown Seoul’ (OUR UNWRITTEN SEOUL) changes to ‘My Seoul’ (OUR WRITTEN SEOUL) conveyed the message to viewers that ‘this is everyone’s story’ once again, encouraging them.
Even if you fail, get frustrated, curl up, or run away, you must gather the courage to go out once more, stand at a new starting line, and create an unknown future.
Viewers also responded to this. After the final episode aired, many expressed their determination to prepare for new challenges such as college entrance exams, studying abroad, and job changes, saying, “I gained courage from seeing the unknown and the future.” It provided empathy and courage to those who were already facing difficult challenges, boasting a ripple effect that rivals that of a 'self-help book'.
The story of grandmother Wol-soon (played by Cha Mi-kyung), who went on a 'journey', also drew attention. Wol-soon, who closed her eyes peacefully only after seeing the determination to rise from the unknown, delivered a warm message of comfort and support to those who had lost family or loved ones without being able to spread their wings.
Actress Park Bo-young, who played Yumi Ji, also shared in an interview that she was so immersed in the episode that she couldn't contain her sadness and had to suppress her emotions. She also expressed her deep empathy for the story, saying, “I had someone I couldn't say goodbye to, and I thought it would be nice if that person appeared in my dreams to send me off like this.”
Following the previous work ‘Someday, a Wise Resident’s Life’, ‘Unknown Seoul’ has restored the pride of tvN weekend dramas for the second consecutive time and is a cherished work within CJ ENM.
Park Sang-hyuk, executive director of CJ ENM's media business division, expressed his gratitude to viewers for recognizing and loving the good work, saying, “Even though it was not a popular subject, it has given us the driving force to continue to make bold and new programming in the future.”
It left courage that is not envious of a 'self-help book' for viewers, actors, and the broadcasting channel alike. ‘Unknown Seoul’, which has become ‘My Seoul’, is expected to continue to be mentioned as someone’s ‘masterpiece’ in the future.
[Kim Miji, Star Today Reporter]
