Latest news with #HaeSook
Pink Villa
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Heavenly Ever After ending explained: Son Suk Ku and Kim Hye Ja's eternal love shows how soulmates always find their way back to each other
Heavenly Ever After has long held a special place in viewers' hearts, and its finale deepened that connection. Starring Kim Hye Ja as Lee Hae Sook and Son Suk Ku as Ko Nak Joon, the series offered more than just a love story—it gave closure and a quiet reflection on love that spans lifetimes. The final chapter doesn't just wrap up their journey—it gently asks what truly comes after 'happily ever after.' As the story bids farewell, let's revisit the emotional highs and heartbreaking goodbyes that define their relationship. Some bonds are too strong to end, even in death and after. Episode 12 of Heavenly Ever After starts with Nak Joon wiping out Som I like beings. His first target is a man who's lived a life full of cruelty, even in reincarnation. The second is different—a woman in a child's body, longing for one final glimpse of her pregnant daughter. Another scene shows Hae Sook is granted a rare chance to visit Young Ae in a dream—an event so special that heaven prepares her, dressing her as an angel. She finds Young Ae asleep on the couch, clearly worn down and not eating well. Hae Sook gives her a winning lottery number—a parting gift made possible by her good deeds. Young Ae, overwhelmed, wants to hold on, but time is short. Before leaving, Hae Sook shares a rhyme, a simple anchor to help her remember when she wakes. Young Ae does remember the number but gets sidetracked chasing down a man who owes her money. She finally catches him, only to realize too late that the numbers were real. But maybe fate had other plans. The man she catches isn't just someone from her past—he was kind and interested in her. Hae Sook had wished for Young Ae to find someone good, not another heartbreak. In the quiet aftermath, it feels like that wish may be coming true. Sometimes blessings arrive not in grand prizes but in second chances. Do Nak Joon and Hae Sook Meet Again? Yes—and in the most tender, bittersweet way. In heaven, Nak Joon and Hae Sook are honored as the 'best couple,' asked to share their story on camera. They laugh, tease each other, and recall memories—the kind of simple, shared moments that make love feel real. Hae Sook is finally free to reincarnate, her soul lighter, her past at peace. Later, as he carries her on his back, like he once did on Earth when she was pregnant with Eun Ho, there's both warmth and sorrow. Nak Joon believes this should be their final goodbye. He thinks he's caused her too much pain across lifetimes and wants her to find someone who won't hurt her the way he has. But it's clear—some bonds don't unravel, no matter how much you try. In her next life, as Hae Sook takes her final breath, Nak Joon appears—radiant, serene. He's there to guide her home. They've tried letting go, but it's impossible. Their souls recognize each other too deeply, too painfully, too beautifully. At the end of Heavenly Ever After, we see two strangers on opposite sides of the road. They stop. They lock eyes. And just like that, they run to each other—no names needed, no explanation. It's them. Always has been. Always will be.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Heavenly Ever After finale recap and ending explained: Kim Hye Ja and Son Suk Ku get their happy ending but fans are disappointed
Heavenly Ever After ending explained: JTBC's fantasy romance Heavenly Ever After wrapped up its 12-episode run with an emotional finale that brought closure, tears, and a bit of peace to longtime viewers. Directed by Kim Sok Yun (The Light in Your Eyes, Behind Your Touch) and written by Lee Nam Kyu and Kim Su Jin, the drama starred Kim Hye Ja, Son Suk Ku, and Han Ji Min in a story that explored love after death, reincarnation, and the grief that lingers through lifetimes. While the show opened strong with a unique concept and heartfelt moments, it struggled midway with pacing issues and underdeveloped side plots. Still, the final two episodes delivered the emotional weight many fans had been waiting for. Heavenly Ever After episode 12 recap In episode 12, Ko Nak Joon (Son Suk Ku) completes his final earthly duties and returns to the afterlife, where Hae Sook (Kim Hye Ja) prepares to visit Lee Young Ae (Lee Jung Eun) in a dream to give her lottery numbers. Wearing wings, as Nak Joon had suggested, she ensures Young Ae remembers them clearly. But just as Young Ae heads out to play them, she spots Jang Gi Hwan, who still owes her money, and decides to chase him down instead. Though she misses her lottery chance, her encounter with Gi Hwan hints at a new romantic beginning—he even buys her shoes to help her run more comfortably next time. Back in the afterlife, Nak Joon and Hae Sook meet with a reincarnation consultant to discuss living another life together. While Nak Joon initially pretends to go along with it, he eventually reveals he's unwilling to risk putting her through more pain. They've met 23 times in previous lives, and each time, he's hurt her. He wants her to live freely this time. He carries her to the edge of the reincarnation gate, and with one final goodbye, she steps into a new life—alone. Heavenly Ever After ending explained The final scenes flash forward about 70–80 years. In her new life, Hae Sook lies in a hospital bed surrounded by her family, quietly passing away. As her spirit prepares to cross over, she finds Nak Joon waiting for her. She asks him if she lived a good life, and he simply replies, 'You did.' They embrace, and in that moment, it's clear: he waited for her. He never reincarnated. Som-I, played by Han Ji Min, was not a literal person but a reflection of Hae Sook's grief over her son's death. She was never meant to reincarnate. Lee Young Ae didn't get rich off the lottery because she got distracted by chasing Gi Hwan instead. Ko Nak Joon's choice not to reincarnate was intentional—he wanted to allow Hae Sook a life free from suffering caused by their past. Fans react to Heavenly Ever After's ending: 'Happy this is over' Fans took to the r/Kdrama subreddit to share their thoughts on the finale, with many expressing disappointment over the overall execution. While Son Suk Ku and Kim Hye Ja were praised for their heartfelt performances, viewers felt the drama dragged at times and criticised the extended focus on Han Ji Min's character Somi, calling it unnecessary and drawn out. One user expressed their frustration writing, "Not as mad at this drama as I was a couple of episodes ago, but I do feel like it was a missed opportunity. The overall plot is interesting, but the execution left a lot to be desired (even with such a great cast, who gave us some really good performances), and I found the writing lacking at times. But anyways, happy this is over." "This drama is a wasted opportunity. I wish the writers had taken their time creating a concept that could possibly influence many people to live better and to know that their loved ones are waiting for them in the afterlife. As what Hell Master said, heaven looks boring. They dragged that Somi storyline longer than it should. There are so many plot holes, and the ending isn't satisfying. It started well but ended flat," another user mentioned. A third fan penned, "The center director goes down to earth and runs into Nak-Joon. The two share drinks, and he reveals he and his wife knew each other in many past lives, too. This deeply upsets Nak Joon because of what he sees. The couple meets with a program that follows people who reincarnate. Nak-Joon keeps lying, saying he's on board with the idea. Eventually, the two prepare for their reincarnation and exit heaven. On the way, Nak-Joon carries Hae-Sook right to the end and explains he won't be reincarnating this time with her too. He reveals that they've actually met 23 times already, and he's given her a hard time in all of them. Thus, he wants her to live happily and better without him down there," a third user wrote. A fourth user noted, "I just want to take a moment to appreciate Son Sukku and Kim Hyeja's incredible acting. Even with a significant age difference, they portrayed a married couple so naturally and with such genuine chemistry that it never felt awkward for a second. Their connection felt real and effortless. Honestly, I wish we had seen more of them together—I kept wanting more scenes of their relationship. The fact that no one, not even knetizens, seemed uncomfortable with the age gap says so much about the strength of their performances. It's a true testament to their talent." Check out more comments in the Reddit thread below: Will Heavenly Ever After return for season 2? As of now, JTBC has not announced any plans for a second season. Given how the story wrapped up—with Hae Sook and Nak Joon reuniting after decades and finding closure—the drama feels complete. The ending didn't leave major cliffhangers or unresolved plotlines, which suggests the series was intended as a one-season story. All 12 episodes of Heavenly Ever After are now streaming on Netflix! For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
International Business Times
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
Heavenly Ever After Episode 5: How to Watch, Air Date, Preview, Spoilers, and More
Heavenly Ever After episode 5 will air on JTBC on Saturday (May 3) at 10:30 PM KST. According to the production team, the upcoming chapter will depict the journey of three characters -- Lee Young Ae, Lee Hae Sook, and Go Nak Joon. The producers teased horrors beyond imagination for the trio. People in Korea can watch the fifth episode on TV or stream it online. K-drama fans from other parts of the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Mexico, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, China, Japan, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, Turkey, and South Africa, can watch the mini-series with subtitles on online streaming platforms, like Netflix. Heavenly Ever After is an ongoing romantic fantasy drama starring Kim Hye Ja, Son Suk Ku, Han Ji Min, Lee Jung Eun, Chun Ho Jin, and Ryu Deok Hwan. It revolves around the unconventional reunion of a woman and her husband in heaven. Screenwriter Lee Nam Kyu wrote the script for this mini-series with Kim Su Jin. The K-drama premiered on JTBC on Saturday (April 19) at 10:30 PM KST. Here is everything about Heavenly Ever After episode 5, like the air date, preview, spoilers, and streaming details. How to Watch? The romantic fantasy drama will return with a new episode on JTBC on Saturday (May 3) at 10:30 PM KST. People in Korea can watch episode 5 on TV or stream it online. K-drama fans from other parts of the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, can watch the mini-series with subtitles on various online streaming platforms, including Netflix. Here are the International Air Timings of Heavenly Ever After Episode 5: US - 9:30 AM Canada - 9:30 AM Australia - 11:30 PM New Zealand - 1:30 PM Japan - 10:30 PM Mexico - 7:30 AM Brazil - 10:30 AM Saudi Arabia - 4:30 PM India - 7:00 PM Indonesia - 8:30 PM Singapore - 9:30 PM China - 9:30 PM Europe - 3:30 PM France - 3:30 PM Spain - 3:30 PM UK - 2:30 PM South Africa - 3:30 PM Philippines - 9:30 PM Preview and Spoilers The newly released stills show Hae Sook at the entrance of hell. She meets the person responsible for the entrance procedure. The interaction between the in charge of the hell entrance and Hae Sook differs from what she faced in heaven. Nak Joon also arrived at hell and looked forward to Hae Sook everywhere. The production team asked the viewers to look forward to the story that unfolds in hell. "The unknown world of hell, which was shrouded in mystery, will finally be unveiled, revealing horrors beyond imagination. Please look forward to the story that unfolds in hell, where countless people's sins and punishments are judged without mercy," the producers shared.
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Heavenly Ever After first impression: Skip Son Suk Ku's K-drama if you are not ready for the most unconventional romance yet
Can we already call Son Suk Ku the king of unconventional roles? Because with each passing spring, this 42-year-old adds something new to the table—something that leaves fans either wiping away tears, lost in thought, or counting down the days until he returns with another banger. And Netflix, which is usually quite picky with its K-content (minus some slips like Lovely Runner, which the platform clearly underestimated), couldn't let this one go, especially after it raked in millions with Son Suk Ku and Kim Ji Won's slice-of-life comfort drama My Liberation Notes and the success of The Killer Paradox. This time, he's paired with the beloved Kim Hye Ja, known for playing (The legendary Ajumma) grandmother roles in many K-dramas. Heavenly Ever After falls into the romance genre, but how? Are we about to witness the biggest age gap in K-drama history? Correct. While it might sound strange, somewhere in urban South Korea, two lovebirds die and reunite in the afterlife, only to be faced with a not-so-heavenly treatment. Han Ji Min's character arc, still under wraps, could be a little annoying for those who have already fallen for this oddly beautiful pairing. Son Suk Ku reunites with My Liberation Notes director, with Lee Nam Gyu penning the concept, he's already known for writing out-of-the-box scripts like Behind Your Touch and Daily Dose of Sunshine. Son Suk Ku, Kim Hye Ja, Han Ji Min's Heavenly Ever After skip or stream The concept of heaven has always fascinated humankind, but the fear of not being able to reunite with your loved ones there could be the most terrifying aspect. In the show, however, 80-year-old Kim Hye Ja (Lee Hae Sook) is fortunate enough to be granted a chance to go to heaven, even though she initially thought the opposite. After spending her entire life as a loan shark following her husband's accident that left him bedridden and unable to walk, Hae Sook is relieved to find that her husband chose her to join him in heaven. However, she feels betrayed when she discovers that he has chosen to spend eternity in his 30s while she walks into heaven in her 80s, recalling his last words, 'You were pretty at 20. And you were pretty at 40. But you… you're the prettiest now.' The story hooks you from the first episode, and by the second, you're drawn into the humour, the confusion, and the intriguing way the plot develops, after Hae Sook, encounters a much younger-looking Nak Jun (Son Suk Ku), who is not thrilled to see his wife appear five decades older. But Nak Jun is still happy to meet his Jagiya (darling). He is happy to run again, give her a piggyback ride, and love her just as he always did. Yet, for Hae Sook, the judgmental stares from others irritate her. She constantly looks at her wrinkles in the mirror, blaming her husband for having entered heaven in his youthful form. The story also features Lee Jung Eun as Lee Young Ae, who is left behind after Hae Sook dies. Young Ae, raised by a woman the society labeled as cruel, always believed her boss would eventually make it to heaven, no matter what. She becomes a daughter-like figure in their small family, fulfilling a promise Hae Sook made to one of her debtors. Without a second thought, the show is shaping up to be another slice-of-life comfort, just days after Park Bo Gum and IU's When Life Gives You Tangerines ended—only this time, with a heavenly touch. JTBC K-dramas somehow always know how to serve up stories full of life lessons, and this one steps right into that space like Rain or Shine, Nevertheless and so on. The story immediately grabs attention with Hae Sook's sharp wit and morally grey actions in the show's initial dark-toned environment, while also grounding her in emotional depth through her devotion to her paralysed husband. One of the standout lines that captures Hye Ja's life dilemma goes: 'Don't you feel sorry for me? My husband's accident left him paraplegic. I started giving out loans using his insurance money before I was even 30. I get humiliated at the market every day. They say I'm heartless and cruel. Don't you feel sorry for me?' If you're open to K-dramas that go beyond any trope, then you might want to give Heavenly Ever After a watch. Our Take Just the presence of award-winning stars Son Suk Ku and Kim Hye Ja was enough to lure me into this new Netflix show, even though I was a little hesitant about the plot at first. But that hesitation flew out the window the moment Kim Hye Ja lifted her umbrella in style, flashing that sassy smile, mastering the art of protecting herself from getting drenched and pelted with water, fish, and more, all for simply asking for her money back. I'm not here for romance or another sob-fest, I'm here for the fresh and original concept. A show that dares to explore a side of life (and afterlife) no one really talks about: the beauty of fulfilling what you couldn't do while alive. The heaven we all daydream about, with its own terms and conditions. Like, fine print no one bothered to read. A version where your pets become your owners. Two episodes in, I'm thrilled by how the show flips the afterlife on its head, serving a fresh, never-seen-before version that no book or bedtime story ever dared to tell. I'm rooting for Hye Ja and Suk Ku's chemistry, while counting down to Han Ji Min's (Love Scout) grand entry, ready to stir things up with a love triangle. Heavenly Ever After has standout elements that won't be for everyone, especially if unconventional pairings make you uncomfortable, because this one definitely goes off the beaten path. What caught me off guard were the social media reactions. This was praise flying in from fans who usually gatekeep the classic K-drama formula. It felt like someone cracked open a window. A fresh breeze, finally. Proof that the K-drama audience is growing up, mixing things up, and actually open to shows that dare to be different.
