Park Bo-young, Park Jin-young, and Ryu Kyung-soo have turned the first page of their second chapter in life.
In the final episode of tvN's weekend drama 'Unknown Seoul' aired yesterday (28th), those who had their own pains beautifully parted ways with their scarred past and welcomed a bright future, leaving a deep aftertaste.
The final episode recorded an average viewership rating of 9% in the metropolitan area, peaking at 10.3%, and an average of 8.4% nationwide, peaking at 9.4%, breaking its own record and ranking first in the same time slot among cable and general programming channels. In the target demographic of tvN, the viewership rating for men and women aged 20-49 was an average of 3.9% in the metropolitan area, peaking at 4.4%, and an average of 4.2% nationwide, peaking at 4.7%. Both metropolitan and nationwide ratings broke their own records, achieving the top spot across all channels, including terrestrial broadcasting. (Based on paid platforms including cable, IPTV, and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea)
Yumi-ji (played by Park Bo-young), who was wandering without finding a purpose, successfully entered university and enjoyed campus life while dreaming of a new career as a counseling psychologist. Lee Ho-soo (played by Park Jin-young) accepted the world of silence and learned how to overcome it, gaining the courage to live once again. While racing down the track of their dreams, Yumi-ji and Lee Ho-soo stayed close to each other, sharing support, comfort, and love, creating a warm atmosphere.
Yumi-rae (played by Park Bo-young), who left her job to pursue a different path, proved her potential by achieving great success in strawberry farming amidst everyone's concerns. Han Se-jin (played by Ryu Kyung-soo), who returned to the U.S., came back to Korea after completing his tasks and instantly recognized Yumi-rae among the crowd, creating excitement.
Kim Ok-hee (played by Jang Young-nam) and Yeom Bun-hong (played by Kim Sun-young), who had been bickering throughout, showcased a strong friendship by relying on each other and sharing their worries after their children became independent. Hyun Sang-wol (played by Won Mi-kyung), who overcame dyslexia, moved viewers to tears as she was finally able to read the affectionate letter left by Kim Ro-sa (played by Park Hwan-hee). The villains who tormented Yumi-rae received their just punishments, and Kim Soo-yeon (played by Park Ye-young), who finally stepped out of her room, returned to a normal life.
While everyone was sprinting towards the future from the starting line, a heartbreaking moment of farewell also arrived. Grandmother Kang Wol-soon (played by Cha Mi-kyung), who was the emotional support for sisters Yumi-ji and Yumi-rae, bid a final farewell to her family. The peaceful smile of Kang Wol-soon, who faced the end of her long life, stirred tears.
In this way, 'Unknown Seoul' conveyed warm comfort through the stories of people writing their own narratives in the notebook of life. It taught how to love 'myself,' who is often close yet rarely kind, evoking empathy in every episode.
Above all, Park Bo-young's passionate performance, taking on four roles as the twin sisters Yumi-ji and Yumi-rae, maximized the immersion. She expressed the differences between the twins, who look identical but have opposite personalities, captivating viewers with her ever-changing expressions. Park Jin-young as Lee Ho-soo and Ryu Kyung-soo as Han Se-jin made hearts race with their distinct charms.
Additionally, writer Lee Kang's unique warm and gentle storytelling garnered intense interest. Through the intertwined relationships of the characters, it showcased all forms of love that exist in the world, while the delicate dialogue that articulated emotions everyone has experienced resonated deeply.
Moreover, the meticulous direction of directors Park Shin-woo and Nam Geon shone brightly. To differentiate the spatial settings of the main backdrop, Du-son-ri and Seoul, they contrasted colors and tones, while the filming techniques that traversed between past and present, along with the detailed use of props, enhanced the quality of the drama. On set, careful acting guidance drew out the actors' emotions, and the post-production work, including CG and music, was meticulously completed to enhance the overall quality.
Thanks to the fantastic synergy of the actors, writer, and director, 'Unknown Seoul' maintained a high ranking in both TV-OTT drama buzz and drama cast popularity throughout its airing, establishing itself as a trending drama. With each episode's viewership ratings steadily rising, the cumulative video views surpassed 200 million, reflecting its immense popularity.
The tvN weekend drama 'Unknown Seoul,' filled with a love letter for everyone facing a new page in life after a long unrequited love, concluded its chapter while delivering heartwarming healing.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
