Title: 천국의 계단 | Cheon-kuk-ui Gye-Dan | Stairs To Heaven | Steps in Paradise | Stairway To Heaven
Genre: Romance | Drama
Episodes: 20
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: December 3, 2003 to February 5, 2004
Synopsis:
It is a love story that spans since childhood between Cha Song-Ju, a son of an owner of a big multi-national Company, and Han Jung-Suh. Both of them practically grew up together and shared a very special bond including their families but, they have to separate as Cha Song-Ju needs to study and train abroad in preparation for him to take over their family business. Cha Song-Ju gave Han Jung-Suh a necklace as a symbol of their special relationship as he leaves for abroad. Unfortunately, an accident happened before they can reunite again and Han Jung-Suh got an amnesia while Cha Song-Ju thought she died. This is their journey of finding each other again and fate seems have given them unsurmountable challenges that will totally reflect their true love for each other.
Characters:
- Kwon Sang Woo as Cha Song-Ju
- Choi Ji Woo as Han Jung-Suh | Kim Ji-Seo
- Kim Tae Hee as Han Yu-Ri
- Shin Hyun Joon as Han Tae-Hwa
- Baek Sung Hyun as Young Cha Song-Joo
- Park Shin Hye as Young Han Jung-Seo
- Park Ji Mi as Young Han Yuri
- Lee Wan as Young Han Tae-Hwa | Han Chul-Su
- Lee Hwi Hyang as Tae Mira
- Ha Jae Young as Han Su-Ha
- Kim Ji Sook as Chairman Min Suh-Hyun
- Jung Han Yong as Han Pil-Su
- Park Young_Ji
- Lee Tae Seung as Cha Song-Joo’s Friend
My Review:
This is my very first k-drama that I watched 14 years ago. And, it is also the start of my love for Kwon Sang Woo and the beginning of my passion to learn more about Korean culture, country and its people. I believe this k-drama is etched in my head as I’ve watched it several times after I’ve seen it the first round. Stairway to Heaven is like my first love and like any first love, you’ve done a lot of things that are for the first time and because of it, it stays with you for all time no matter how much time has passed.
So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?
(1) I love Kwon Sang Woo here on all of his glory. He simply made me swoon in almost all of his scenes whether laughing, crying including the shower scene, lol! What can I say? I’m a girl in love and 14 years later still is. He turned out to be really not only a great actor but seems to be a good husband, father and man. In this k-drama, exudes charm and brought me to tears several times over. In fact, this is also the first k-drama I watched non-stop. He has simply captivated me.
(2) This is also the very first K-Drama that I watched more than 3x and every time, it made me cry. I thought I was cuckoo for crying my eyes out but it seems all the people I know who watched this experienced it too.
(3) In retrospect, even if the story is too melodramatic and a lot of it are considered now passé in most k-dramas on this genre but at that time, it was what people dig and I dig. The story is heartrending especially the love between Cha Song-Ju and Han Jung-Suh. This is one of the k-dramas where most k-dramas during those days and till now patterns dramatic premise because it just works. If my recollection serves me right, after this k-drama, amnesia and dying became a staple story for the succeeding k-dramas.
(4) All the actors are simply superb. Choi Ji Woo became who she is now as hallyu star because precisely of this kind of body of works. Park Shin Hye made the childhood years of Han Jung-Suh memorable and why she is also now one of the best and famous actresses in South Korea. Kim Tae Hee also became a hallyu star and, though, I may not like her here that much, but, she was noticed here in this k-drama as an effective actor playing her role.
(5) There are so many unforgettable scenes and tearjerker moments that I need a box of tissue right beside me. I think after watching it several times, it still makes me cry. It also started the trend of giving a piece of jewellery to commemorate your love or the interest of viewers watching rich and good looking leading men falling for a regular, simple and kind heart leading women.
(6) I love the OST. This is also the first k-drama that I actually bought a CD in Korean and its Filipino version
What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?
As this was 14 years ago and looking back on it when I first watched, there were no flaws I can find on my part. However, I probably and fairly can say if I watched it now, I can find more than one. Having said that, I still believe that as my first love k-drama, in my eyes, it is still perfect to me and will always remain a classic of one of the best melodramas on its genre.
Would I recommend this K-Drama? A DEFINITE 110% YES.
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars
OST:
01. Bogoshipda | I Miss You – Kim Bum-Soo
Play Me:
02. Na Man Eh Nuh | Only Me For You – Kim Hyun-Ah
Play Me:
03. Memories of Heaven – Jang Jung-woo
04. Lethe – Kang Woo-jin
05. That’s the Only One – Jang Jung-woo
06. To the Beautiful You – Moon Ji-hwan
07. Memories of Heaven – Park Mook-hwan
08. That’s the Only One – Park Mook-hwan
09. Bania U Cygana – Zero
10. Stairway to Heaven – Various Artist
11. Promise – Various Artist
12. Though I Am at the End of the World – Various Artist
13. This is Not the End – Various Artist
14. I Will Protect You – Various Artist
15. Sad Love – Various Artist
16. Remember – Various Artist
17. Forever – Various Artist
18. Ave Maria – Rebecca Luker
19. Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 Op.11 E Minor 2nd Mvt : Romanza – Various Artist
For Lyrics in English, Romanization and Hangul, CLICK HERE