What Comes After Love (2025)

Presentation

Korean Title: 사랑 후에 오는 것들

Aired in: 2024 (6 episodes)

Channel: Coupang Play

Grade: 10/10

Actors: Lee Se Young & Kentaro Sakaguchi

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Preview

Analysis

• Characters
  Hong, the Korean girl
  Jungo, the Japanese boy
• The romance
  The encounter – spring
  The couple life – summer
  The growing distance – autumn
  The break-up – winter
  The reunion – spring again
• The symbols of the couple
  Running
  The figurines
  The book on poetry
• The obstacles
  Hong’s husband-to-be
  Jungo’s ex-girlfriend
• Cinematography
• Acting performance
• What comes after love?

Characters: What Comes After Love not only explores the inner workings of a relationship, it also embeds it in a bi-cultural environment that weighs on the romance even more.

Hong, the Korean girl: Choi Hong (Lee Se Young) is a young and bubbly South Korean girl. She dreams of traveling and wishes to experiment life by going on adventures. She’s free-spirited and naive, but determined to live the life she intends to – not the one her mother wants her to. So, she packs up and flies to Japan where she’d resided for some years as a kid. Though she goes there for studies, she gets a part-time job and a chance to fully immerse in the Japanese culture. Like any foreigner in a new country, Hong struggles a bit to fit in. She knows Japanese – luckily – but that’s clearly not enough to survive, especially when we know that her mother refuses to support her. Despite all that, Hong is full of hope and manages to go through with her initial plan. Upon her arrival in Japan, she is full of energy and life, but she slowly starts to shut herself from the world.

Jungo, the Japanese boy: Aoki Jungo (Kentaro Sagakuchi) has always lived in Japan. He comes from a modest background and has thus been constantly working to afford his studies. He doesn’t have a lot of spare time, and even when it’s the case, he uses it to work and earn money. Jungo has a father who runs a bar and has the spirit of an artist. However, his son is nothing like him on that matter. He’s serious and determined to succeed. Hence his sacrifice to achieve his dream of becoming a writer. He’s also quite taciturn and lonely, rarely expressing his feelings to others.

The romance: The drama is a beautifully depicted romance. Each of part of the leads’ love story can – and should – be associated with a specific season. Indeed, their emotions mirror the warmth or cold happening outside. This parallel heightens characters’ feelings even more and embeds their story into the passing of time that works against and for them.

The encounter – spring: Our two leads meet for the first time in Japan. During those days, Choi Hong has decided to leave South Korea – against her mother’s will – to go study abroad and experiment life. She’s all bubbly and hopeful to start her new adventures. While on her way to meet her friend already established in Japan, a young man comes to her rescue after seeing her struggling with her luggage at the metro station. There’s an immediate attraction between Jungo and Hong. The way their eyes lock says it all. I think we can definitely call it love at first sight between these lovebirds. Rapidly, they realize that they actually live in the same neighborhood and even bump into each other a few times (while looking for a part-time job for instance). Even without knowing it, they cross paths. Little by little, Hong and Jungo get to know each other. She works at a noodle restaurant and he’s making sales with a food truck nearby. They immediately feel comfortable with one another, despite the cultural differences and barriers (language for instance). Still, just like the spring weather outside, these two individuals warm up to another and fall in love for good. We can draw a parallel in my opinion between the season at the time of their encounter – spring – and their blossoming romance. Indeed, spring is a symbol of birth or transition. Both Jungo and Hong are learning how to be together, while navigating through these new feelings that overwhelm them. Spring is also associated with the sun and happiness, which is exactly the kind of energy that transpires from our main couple. Warmth, comfort, and blossoming love perfectly represent the pair at its beginning.

The couple life – summer: Shortly after, Jungo and Hong are in their honeymoon phase. Like the blue summer sky devoid of clouds, their relationship flows smoothly. They move together, adopt the same hobbies, go on dates, juggle between studies and work, and of course their relationship. Everything seems perfect on the outside, but passionate love can also burn like a furnace and destroy everything.

The growing distance – autumn: As autumn comes, Hong feels more and more isolated and lonely in Japan. Some cracks start appearing in her relationship with Jungo. The latter works all the time and is barely there. Hong has the feeling that they are growing apart and that she’s become distant with her partner. To fight against her overwhelming loneliness, Hong runs. She finds ways to occupy her free time and reassures herself, saying that this is just a phase. However, this doesn’t prevent resentment from settling in and arguments from beginning. Love was at its peak in summer, but the precious petals of their relationship are falling one after another, carried by 2 major incidents that divide the couple for good. The first one is when Hong is invited to her boss’ wedding in Japan. She wants Jungo to accompany her, and he naturally accepts. Unfortunately, he’s given a work as a substitute editor on that same date and is asked to work on an urgent manuscript revision. Though he made a promise to Hong to be there, he breaks it. This is proof for Hong that she’s alone again. Jungo is too busy to work and earn money. The worse part in all that is that she can’t even blame him for that, as he’s chasing after his dream of becoming a writer, while making ends meet. On the contrary, she admires and respects him. Not being able to get mad at him and feeling even more isolated in a foreign country with no friends thus make it unbearable for Hong. The second incident – which is also the point of no return – is when Hong finds out that her father is bankrupt and the shock caused him to be hospitalized. She’s always had a very close relationship with her parent, but is currently stuck abroad. She can’t visit, is anxiously waiting for news, and doesn’t even have her boyfriend to comfort her. Indeed, she receives a phone call from her sister to inform her of the situation in the middle of the night. Jungo is working at a restaurant and not picking up. He voluntarily ignores her calls. When he comes back home at 3AM, Hong is still up and worried sick. She’s cried all night. She’s scared and alone, and Jungo doesn’t even seem to understand it. The next day, she makes her luggage and leaves. A 5-year-long winter thus enfolds.

The break-up – winter: The winter seasons is the longest one in the drama. For 5 years, Jungo and Hong are apart following their painful break-up. Neither one them seems to have really gotten over it, though they have tried to move on with their lives. Hong has gone back to Korea to her family and now works as an editor at her father’s company. She’s talented and successful. Upon her return, she also grew closer to her friend Song Min Joon (Hong Jong Hyun) to the point that they are now getting married. As for Jungo, he succeeded in becoming a renowned author; his first book subtly tackling his relationship with Hong and conveying his lingering feelings for her. He also got entangled with his ex-girlfriend Kanna Kobayasha (Anne Nakamura) who has turned into his agent. From Jungo’s perspective they are friends, yet Kanna would like to go back to being lovers. That being said, it looks like both leads have forgotten their relationship and turned a new leaf. However, what transpires from the screen is that 5 years later, none of them has really overcome the end of their relationship. They are still stuck in the past, unable to come to terms with their love. Jungo revealed it very openly through his book. This book is a message aimed at Hong, a bottle thrown into the sea to make her come back. Choi Hong has been more discreet, but the changes are visible in her personality. She used to be bubbly and illuminate the room with her energy. Now, she’s just cold, dark and gloomy; barely smiling to her own fiancé. This behavior only is proof that Hong still remembers her life and love in Japan. Though her body is in Korea, her soul is still there at Jungo’s side. These feelings of nostalgia and melancholy intensely felt by characters have to be linked with the outside world. When Jungo arrives in Korea for the publishing of his book, we’re in the heart of winter. It’s cold and unfriendly, like his heart. His emotions and life are like objects stuck in the ice that only his love can melt. Same for Hong. She’s been through a 5-year-long winter suppressing her emotions leading them to a stand-still. When they get acquainted again, the flame between Hong and Jungo rekindle again. That’s when all feelings start resurfacing like an avalanche of past memories and happiness that haunts their daily lives. Jungo knows he’s failed Hong, hence his trying to make the first steps towards her. It takes some time before his sincerity and genuine feelings reach Hong who refuses to be vulnerable again. Out of fear of being lonely and heartbroken, she pursues her idea to get married to a man her mother appreciates and who can bring her stability and comfort. Indeed, it’s clear that Min Joon is head over heels for Hong and would provide her with anything she asks for. Though this type of love is acceptable for Hong, it’s too comfortable and comes nowhere close to the fulfillment and passion she’s felt with her soulmate Jungo. By the end of the drama, Choi Hong realizes that she can’t lose real love twice, and makes the last step towards Jungo putting an end to a harsh winter between these two.

The reunion – spring again: After winter comes spring again. After a break-up comes a new love – or an old love renewed. That’s exactly what happens in the drama. Jungo and Hong are more mature and aware of the reasons that split them apart 5 years ago. Now that they are having a second chance, they are determined not to make the same mistakes again. Starting with spending time together. This time, Jungo decides to move to Korea and to never make Hong feel lonely again. This promise is showcased by the two of them running together under the cherry blossoms, symbol of love, rebirth and new beginning. Light has finally pierced through the darkness, as we can see that both are smiling under a warming sun on an illuminated day. I think this last scene was the perfect ending for both characters. They’ve learned from the past and can now enjoy their life together, the same way they did when they met whilst innocent and immature.

The symbols of the couple: The drama is quite interesting when it comes to the different symbols associated with the couple. Let’s have a look at some of them.

Running: First of all, running. In general, “running” can mean a lot of things: you can run towards someone or a goal; but you can also run away from someone or something. You run to feel free and liberated, to fill a gap, to occupy your thoughts or on the contrary to gather them and make a decision. All of these definitions can be associated with Choi Hong in the drama, though the actual meaning differs depending on the stages of her relationship. At first, Hong runs for her freedom, she runs away from her house and finds in this activity an excellent way to discover the new city she’s in while enjoying fully the moment. But the more time she spends in Japan, the lonelier she becomes. Running turns into a refuge that allows her to run away from her solitude and occupy her time when Jungo’s not there. Hence, her increase dependence on the sports afterwards. When she breaks up with Jungo, Hong uses running as a way to forget about him. It’s the perfect activity to think about something else, anything that actually doesn’t remind her of him. By the end of the drama, Choi Hong and Jungo run together. Running becomes a couple activity that they can do together, while heading towards the same goal (happiness) at the same pace. It’s a symbol of their reunion, as Jungo confessed his feelings on the track Hong was running. This was a sign that he was entering his life and heart again, asking for permission to be back in her life and on the same track as her.

The figurines: The figures of the foxes (sorry, if they were not – but I don’t know how else to describe them 🙂 ) are emblematic for the couple. They were first acquired when both leads were dating and getting to know each other. They then became a symbol of their bond that could survive distance and time. And that’s indeed what happened. Hong has kept her figurine at her desk, glancing at it every day as a reminder of the good days. Jungo has born his with him everywhere he went. So, when he stumbles upon Hong’s figurine at her office, that’s a sign for him that she’s not moved on from him. He places his figurine next to hers to remind that these two should never be separated, just like him and Hong. This simple action is a mind-opener for Hong. She realizes that she can’t be away from Jungo either, just like their figurines can’t live apart. That’s the last argument that she was needed to convince her to get back with Jungo.

The book on poetry: The whole drama and love story is poetic and surely draws its inspiration from the books scattered here and there in the plot. Both Hong and Jungo evolve in a literary environment – one is a writer, the other an editor – and are also deeply connected through books. The bond between these two is also built through words and intellectual compatibility. Hong is a great fan of a collection of poems that she makes Jungo discover. Through this, Jungo is able to learn a bit of Korean and get closer to Choi Hong. The second book that represents the couple is of course that written by Jungo. Inspired by the collection of poems Hong liked so much, Jungo reaches out to Hong by telling the world how much he loves and misses her in his book. That’s also the ingredient that cements their re-encounter. Had Jungo not become an author, he probably never would’ve come to Korea and reconnected with Hong.

The obstacles: I won’t go too much into details regarding the obstacles because I think they are little compared to the work characters have to do on themselves in order to renew their relationship. Indeed, the drama focuses more on the feelings Jungo and Hong have rather than the external forces that may or may not break them apart. All in all, both leads have other relationships that make them sway a little, but that are not strong enough to create a wedge between them.

Hong’s husband-to-be: Starting with Song Min Joon on Hong’s side. First of all, I have to admit that the character is in no way despicable. On the contrary, it’s clear that he’s truly in love with Choi Hong and would do anything to please her. He’s been in love with before her departure to Japan and he decided to confess his feelings to her when she returned heartbroken. Though he doesn’t really know what happened between her and Jungo, he still feels like this relationship scarred Choi Hong and changed her. Nevertheless, he wants to make her happy and build a life together. That being said, I totally understood his position. He’s currently in a relationship with a woman he’s about to marry, and suddenly sees her getting swayed by another man. No matter what you think, no one would remain calm in his position. However, he doesn’t turn into a bad character even after knowing that. Instead, he shows Choi Hong how much he loves her and what he can bring her – stability, comfort, security. He then lets her make her choice and accepts it at the end when she tells him that she can’t get married and follow him to the US. This scene was a heartbreaker, but a necessary one. Had they gotten married, they would’ve been unhappy together. Choi Hong stuck in her past and Min Joon trying to conquer what he will never have: Hong’s heart.

Jungo’s ex-girlfriend: Kanna is quite similar to Min Joon in that sense. She’s come to realization that her relationship with Jungo was the best thing that had happened to her. As she doesn’t want to regret anything, she decides to pursue him in a final attempt to win his heart. However, Jungo is too hung up on Choi Hong and won’t let anyone in. Instead, he considers her as a friend, a good agent, and a confident with whom he can openly discuss. For me, Kanna was also an understandable character, although her status of ex-girlfriend made her actions harder to accept when she was trying to get between the leads. However, she was classy and empathetic enough to see that Jungo would never go back to her and only had eyes for Hong, no matter what she does. That being said, she chose to remove herself from the equation and to stay as a supportive friend for Jungo.

Cinematography: Like I mentioned before, the drama explores the four seasons in line with the main relationship, so it’s only naturally that the cinematography would focus on this point as well. I have to stay that the work on lights (darkness and light) was stunning and really supported the narrative. Every detail was thought about from the colors of the clothes to the lighting in the sky.

Acting performance: I’m not going to lie, I was amazed. Lee Se Young and Kentaro Sakaguchi have fire on-screen chemistry! They make a perfect couple: beautiful and well matched.

What comes after love? Answer: An understanding of love according to Jungo. You finally understand how much you love someone when you regret his/her absence. After love comes also another one – with the same person or not. For Hong and Jungo the important part is that they had arrived at a time in their lives where they just grew apart due to circumstances, not because they didn’t like each other anymore. Hong regrets and feels apologetic for pressuring Jungo, so he would be more present when clearly he was trying to make ends meet, while Jungo regrets not seeing how lonely Hong was and not supporting her in a foreign country. Both failed at understanding the other and were only able to see and solve the issues after, when their love story ended. Yet, their love never really ended. That’s why they rekindle the flame at the end.

P.S.: The drama is ultimate proof that even the best relationships fall apart if the people involved are unable to communicate! So, that should be your take-away beautiful people!