Title:별에서 온 그대 | Byeoleseo On Geudae | You Came From the Stars | You From Another Star | My Lover From Another Star | My Love From The Stars | My Love From Another Star
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, Melodrama, Science Fiction
Episodes: 21
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: 2013-Dec-18 to 2014-Feb-27
Synopsis:
The story evolves on the 400 years journey of an alien, Do Min Joon, on earth. And, all those 400 years he stayed on earth, it was defined in a matter of 3 months before he goes back to his planet. He met Chun Song Yi, a popular, successful and beautiful actress, who everyone judge to be an airhead and a bitch but actually has worked her entire life as an actress to support her family and pretends to be uncaring to shield herself from getting hurt. Do Min Joon’s indifference to humanity because of his own experiences on earth is tested to its limits when he ends up falling in love with Chun Song Yi. Together they have to find a way to be with each other.
Characters:
- Jun Ji Hyun as Chun Song Yi
- Kim Soo Hyun as Do Min Joon
- Park Hae Jin as Lee Hwi Kyung
- Yoo In Na as Yoo Se Mi
- Shin Sung Rok as Lee Jae Kyung
- Kim Hyun Soo as Young Chun Song Yi | Seo Yi Hwa
- Jo Seung Hyun as Young Lee Hwi Kyung
- Kim Hye Won (김혜원) as Young Yoo Se Mi
- Na Young Hee as Yang Mi Yun
- Uhm Hyo Sup as Chun Min Goo
- Ahn Jae Hyun as Chun Yoon Jae
- Jun Jin Seo as Child Yoon Jae
- Hong Jin Kyung as Hong Bok Ja | Hong Hye In
- Jo Se Ho (조세호) as Chul Soo
- Nam Chang Hee (남창희) as Hyuk
- Kim Chang Wan as Jang Young Mo
- Lee Jung Gil as Lee Bum Joong
- Sung Byung Sook as Hong Eun Ah
- Lee Yi Kyung as Lee Shin
- Kim Hae In as Yang Min Joo
- Lee Il Hwa as Han Sun Young
- Oh Sang Jin as Yoo Suk
- Kim Kang Hyun as Yoon Bum
- Kim Bo Mi as Min Ah
- Jo Hee Bong as CEO Ahn Dong Min
- Kim Hee Won as Park Byung Hee
- Yoo Young Jin (유영진) as Assistant Manager Yoo
- Jung Soo In as Han Yoo Sun
- Kim Byung Choon as S&C Group Worker
- Jo Woo Jin (조우진)
- Yoo In Young as Han Yoo Ra
- Yoo Joon Sang as Department Manager Yoo
- Se Ri (세리 of Dalshabet) as Song Yi’s Junior
- Soo Bin (수빈 of Dalshabet) as Song Yi’s Junior
- Jun In Taek as Yi Hwa’s Father
- Lee Geum Joo (이금주) as Yi Hwa’s Mother
- Park Jung Ah as Noh Seo Young
- Kim Saeng Min (김생민) as Reporter at Noh Seo Young’s Wedding
- Son Eun Seo as a Gisaeng Hwang Jin Yi
- Jang Hang Joon as Director Park Min Kyu
- Jun Joon Hyuk as Elementary School Boy from The Heirs Parody
- Park Seo Yun (박서연) as Elementary School Girl from The Heirs Parody
- Kim Soo Ro as Lee Hyung Wook
- Oh Hee Joon as One of Students Who Fight with Yoon Jae
- Jung Yoon Ki (정윤기) as Bag Shop Owner
- Jung Eun Pyo as Yoon Sung Dong (Joseon realtor) | Yoon Sung Dong’s Descendant
- Park Young Kyu as Heo Joon
- No Hyung Wook as the Youngest Film Crew Member on Set
- Jo Young Goo (조영구) as Reporter
- Suzy as Go Hye Mi | Do Min Joon’s Former Student
- Yun Woo Jin as Lee Han Kyung | Jae Kyung & Hwi Kyung’s Older Brother
- Joo Ho as the Person Who Asks Song Yi’s Father to Park the Car
- Ryu Seung Ryong as Heo Gyoon
- Kim Sung Joon (김성준) as Announcer
- Sandara Park as Top Star at Red Carpet of 2017 Film Festival
- Kim Won Joon as Yoo Se Mi’s Partner at Red Carpet of 2017 Film Festival
My Review:
There are times that K-Drama provide a K-Drama addict like me a simply divine and pleasurable high in watching a romcom from start to finish. Such this K-Drama is and my feeling of excitement remained the same the second time around I watched it for this review. From the way it was written, directed and played by all the actors, it truly delivered a perfect chic-flick that you won’t regret spending time on for more than 21 hours. It will make you laugh, cry and, definitely, feel romantic. But, don’t go on to far high def on expecting a flawless K-Drama because as I’ve said it is a perfect ROMCOM and that’s it…wonderfully entertaining.
So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?
(1) I’ve always been a fan of Jun Ji Hyun since I’ve seen her at My Sassy Girl. Not only she has the beauty to die for but she can also act. She also have a great taste in choosing her projects. I haven’t seen her yet in any drama or film that sucks. And, this K-Drama is no exception. She rarely do a K-Drama but she chose a winner on this one. I think the manner of saying “Sorry” not only became popular in Korea but around the world with fans watching Korean Dramas. She also won a lot of awards including the highest one, Baeksang Arts Awards because of this K-Drama and she richly deserves it.
(2) The first time I watched this K-Drama I don’t even know who Kim Soo Hyun is as an actor. But, he made his presence felt here that it will be a long time before his name can be forgotten. He fits his character to a T with all the dotted lines check in a spectacular way on how he was able to make his role believable. I think he is one of the few male actors whom I felt crying while he’s crying especially when he is trying to control it. There are some whom may not agree with me in regards to his acting due to his stoic facial expressions but, it is precisely this that I admire his talent as an actor. If you watch him closely (albeit probably hard while reading the subtitle), the blending of apathy while truly caring inside is so subtle that you’ll exactly know what he’s truly feeling. The battle of the mind versus the heart are brilliantly delivered by this fine actor. It is similar to singing easier in a belly-aching song rather than a song that sounds like you are speaking but actually singing. It requires greater control and discipline when one have to act what one is thinking rather than doing, and, that I believe what Kim Soo Hyun brilliantly delivered here.
(3) Jang Young Mo and Do Min Joon that became a father and son relationship as Jang Young Mo got older; and, Chun Song Yi and her father. There are scenes that affected me. I actually got more emotional when Jang Young Mo and Do Min Joon are saying goodbye rather than that of Do Min Joon and Chun Song Yi farewell scene. Probably because I’m always sensitive on this topic since my father died 13 years ago.
(4) I feel for Lee Hwi Kyung character. Of all the love featured in the story, I think his love is the most pure but the most tragic. His love is the best description for unrequited love. Every time I see Lee Hwi Kyung, I feel for him. He has lot of moments I like particularly the ferris wheel scene. It was the most honest expression of feelings between the one who loves and the one who wanted to but can’t. I also like on Episode 8 when Yoo Se-Mi finally showed what she felt and called Lee Hwi Kyung that he is the guy she’s in love with for 10 years. That was actually very sad at a certain level. Lee Hwi Kyung finally realized someone loves him but ends up losing again, this time his best friend.
(5) I like the video diary part of the story because the characters can express their real thoughts and emotions directly to the audience. Their facial expressions express volumes on the things words can’t say but can only felt specially on Episode 21 when Jang Young Mo and Do Min Joon were talking about what happened on Do Min Joon’s return. I think Jun Ji Hyun delivered that moment so well. Her face speaks of love yet realistic view of its difficulty. It actually crosses my mind the depth of sacrifice Jang Young Mo is doing for Do Min Joon. She doesn’t know when he will leave or if he can still comes back when he leaves. Plus, they may not even have children. Not having children with the uncertainty of your relationship with your partner are truly difficult issues in any ordinary marriages what’s more theirs.
(6) This can be considered both a bane and a boom for this K-Drama depending on how you look at it. It is indeed a problem of any story when there are a lot of subplots that are interesting. I think when there so many things to relate to the audience, one needs to focus to a single or two areas, so, it may not run into danger along the way of getting lost in translation. And, I believe that’s what the director here decided to do. This is actually the challenge of this K-Drama. There are so many interesting subplots to explore and 21 episodes may not be enough including probably their budget. So, for those who are frustrated as to why this K-Drama didn’t explore much about the alien part, the serial killer part, the back story of Jang Young Mo and her father and the rest, well, I believe because the director truly just focused on the love story part, it is after all a romcom from start to finish. So, the lack of delving deeper on certain plots and unanswered back stories are something you just need to ignore if you watch this K-Drama. However, believe me it is very easy to do and forgive its shortcomings as it is successful on the critical parts. In a way, I like it because from the start it didn’t claim to be anything else. I think the alien part is just to make the concept of the story different. It made it more interesting and addictive rather than the typical human scenarios that are available by the dozens out there for you to watch; and, this K-Drama certainly achieved that.
(7) I love the OST of this drama. It adds life to its story.
(8) “Having is when you begin losing.” It is a food for thought quote I read somewhere. And, Do Min Joon’s views about life here on earth is similar and certainly quite apt in real life. It makes you ponder and more frequently than not agree on what he’s saying.
What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?
This is far from a perfect drama if you will be nitty gritty about it. But, I’ve always said my reviews are based on its entertainment value but at the same time not making me feel so stupid just for entertainment sake. So, on that basis and for making an effort on the special effects, then, I believe there’s nothing really I didn’t like that I will make a big issue out of it.
Would I recommend this K-Drama? Definitely, YES, especially if you are in the mood of a perfect romcom with not too much heavy lifting about what’s real versus the reel.
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars
OST:
01. My Destiny – Lyn
Play Me:
02. Goodbye (안녕) – Hyo Rin
Play Me:
03. I Love You – JUST
Play Me:
04. Every Moment of Yours (너의 모든 순간) – Sung Si-Kyung
Play Me:
05. Promise (약속) – Kim Soo Hyun
06. Like a Star (별처럼) – K. Will
07. Tears Like Today (오늘 같은 눈물이) – Huh Gak
08. In Front of Your House (너의 집) – Kim Soo Hyun
09. Every Moment of Yours (Piano Ver.) [너의 모든 순간 (Piano Ver.)] – Sung Si-Kyung
10. Man From Star (Opening Title) – Various Artists
11. Back to the Present – Various Artists
12. Cliff Tension – Various Artists
13. Star Bach Comic – Various Artists
14. Dark Fantasy – Various Artists
15. Past Love – Various Artists
16. Star Comic Pizzicato – Various Artists
17. Dream Scenery I – Various Artists
18. Dream Scenery II – Various Artists
19. Mocha Comic Tension – Various Artists
20. Tears In Minuet – Various Artists
21. Missing You – Various Artists
22. Beethoven Revolution – Various Artists
23. Killing Tension I – Various Artists
24. Killing Tension II – Various Artists
25. Welcome to Earth – Various Artists
26. Stars Comic Tension – Various Artists
27. Waltz With Star – Various Artists
28. Stars Love Mambo – Various Artists
29. Space Love – Various Artists
30. Run Away (Ending Title) – Various Artists