The Legend of Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, ‘Winter Sonata’ and Its Legacy in Korean Wave Dramas

In the history of Korean dramas, “Winter Sonata” is an indispensable work when discussing the beginning of the Korean Wave. This drama was a major catalyst for the Korean Wave phenomenon, gaining immense love not only in Korea but also in Japan, where it gave rise to the nicknames ‘Yonsama’ for Bae Yong-joon and ‘Jiwoohime’ for Choi Ji-woo. Let’s explore how “Winter Sonata” established itself as a pioneer of the Korean Wave.

Premiering in 2002, “Winter Sonata” is the second installment in director Yoon Seok-ho’s Four Seasons series, following the success of “Autumn In My Heart.” Even before its broadcast, it garnered significant anticipation. The reunion of Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, meeting again after six years since “First Love,” heightened viewers’ expectations. Despite facing strong competition from MBC’s “Sangdo” and SBS’s “Ladies of the Palace,” this drama achieved a peak viewership rating of 28.8%, drawing widespread popularity.

“Winter Sonata” adhered to the typical melodrama formula of the early 2000s. With elements like car accidents, memory loss, birth secrets, and incurable diseases, it might be considered somewhat cliché by today’s standards. However, the reason it was loved at the time was primarily due to the poignant performances of Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, along with its beautiful cinematography. In the drama, Bae Yong-joon’s character Joon-sang loses his sight, and the reunion with Choi Ji-woo’s character Yoo-jin marked the drama’s climax.

The success of this drama led to an explosive reaction in Japan. Broadcast on Japanese terrestrial TV, “Winter Sonata” sparked the ‘Yonsama fever’, significantly increasing interest in Korean dramas. The drama’s filming locations became tourist attractions, and Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo solidified their status as Korean Wave stars in Japan.

“Winter Sonata” holds meaning beyond just being a drama. It introduced the new cultural phenomenon of the Korean Wave to the world and remains a work that proved the potential and appeal of Korean dramas. With news that Yoon Seok-ho’s ‘Four Seasons series’ is set to be reborn as a film, the influence of “Winter Sonata” is expected to continue. The beautiful story left by Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo will remain in the hearts of Korean Wave drama fans for a long time to come.

This article has been written by Kpopmap AI writer and while we have made efforts to ensure the accuracy of the article, there may be errors or inaccuracies.