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Time of India
6 days ago
- 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.
Mint
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
What to watch this week: ‘Gram Chikitsalay', ‘The Royals', and more
Prince Aviraaj falls for career-minded Sophia in this clash-of-cultures series. The eclectic cast has Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter in the lead, and support from Zeenat Aman and Sakshi Tanwar. Created by Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy. (Netflix) A man honours his late mother by opening an Italian restaurant run by actual nonnas (grandmothers) as the chefs. Starring Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco,Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Joe Manganiello and Susan Sarandon. Directed by Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower). (Netflix) A couple reunite in heaven. He was bedridden for a large part of his life and she took care of him. In heaven, the tables are turned: he's in his 30s and she's in her 80s. Starring Kim Hye-ja (The Light in Your Eyes) and Son Suk-ku (The Roundup; Nothing Serious). (Netflix) Actor and newly minted Padma Bhushan awardee Ajith Kumar stars in this action-comedy that entered the ₹ 100-crore club within five days of its theatrical release in April. Directed by Adhik Ravichandran, the film has Ajith playing a retired gangster who has to pick up the cudgels once again to help his son out. The cast also includes Trisha Krishnan and Arjun Das. (Netflix) TVF isn't known for fixing what isn't broken. Their latest series is squarely in Panchayat territory, a droll comedy-drama about an idealistic young doctor (Amol Parashar) who tries to revive a village clinic. Created by Deepak Kumar Mishra. (Amazon Prime) Jane Schoenbrun's 2024 film, I Saw the TV Glow, starring Justice Smith and Jack Haven, begins with dreamy unreality and ends with necessary struggle. It's a film that speaks to the trans experience, but in a complex, fractured manner. It's a shattering, haunting work, so unlike the explanation-driven American cinema of today that it seems to invent its own language. Schoenbrun instinctively arrives at a Lynchian kind of dread. Yet, I Saw the TV Glow is also achingly beautiful. Schoenbrun and cinematographer Eric K. Yue use saturated colours and shimmers of neon the way Gregg Araki, a pioneer of New Queer Cinema, did in the 1990s. (Netflix) Two members of a special forces group called Shadow Force break the rules by falling in love with each other. They have a child and are living a regular life. But then their old employer comes after them, and they're forced to go underground. Shadow Force has a standard action movie premise. But Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces, The Grey) has made a career out of tough actioners. And it will be intriguing seeing Kerry Washington (Scandal, Django Unchained) in fight mode. Her co-lead is Omar Sy, best known for playing the titular thief in the Netflix series Lupin. Also starring Mark Strong, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Cliff 'Method Man' Smith. (In theatres)
Korea Herald
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Imagine reuniting with your husband in heaven, but you are 80, he is 30
'Heavenly Ever After,' reuniting award-winning 'The Light In Your Eyes' creators and actors, explores human connections and love What if you reunite with your husband in the afterlife -- only to realize you're in your 80s, and he in his 30s? JTBC's upcoming 12-part drama "Heavenly Ever After" will explore this emotionally rich premise. The narrative centers on Hae-sook (Kim Hye-ja), who ascends to heaven retaining her age of 80. There, she encounters her late husband, Nak-joon (Son Suk-ku), who appears in the prime of his life -- his 30s. What unfolds is a thought-provoking romance that questions and transcends earthly obstacles of love. Director Kim Seok-yoon and the writers of the acclaimed drama "The Light in Your Eyes" -- which took home the Grand Prize at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards and was lauded for its poignant portrayal of love and memory -- reunited to create "Heavenly Ever After." "'Heavenly Ever After' is a work that was planned and created from the very beginning with Kim Hye-ja in the (main) role," director Kim said during an online press conference held Friday. "This is a type of a custom-made project. The other actors also agreed to join from the planning stage, even before there was a script. So, it was more like we designed the characters knowing who would play them. The series wasn't off-the-rack, it was more like a tailormade suit. I believe the characters came out very vivid and full of life." Kim Hye-ja, a living legend with credits spanning "Country Diaries," "Mother" and "Our Blues," shared her personal connection to the project. 'There's a lot in the story about fate and meaningful connections. I was drawn to it because the beautiful, unbroken bond between Nak-jun and the main character felt almost too beautiful to exist in real life,' she said. 'It portrayed ... the beauty between human beings. After seeing the finished work, I felt that this might possibly be the last project of my career. It feels like it has come to a satisfying conclusion,' she added. The casting of Son Suk-ku as Nak-joon was no accident. 'While watching the drama 'My Liberation Notes,' I kept thinking, 'He's such a great actor,'' Kim recalled. 'When director Kim brought up the husband character, I told him, 'I hope that person (Son) can play the husband.' And once we started working together, he turned out just as I'd expected. Though he's younger, he led the scenes really well. He stayed by my side like a real husband, and I'm deeply grateful for that.' For Son, stepping into the role of Nak-joon was stepping into the shoes of a devoted romantic. 'I think the word 'romantic' or 'devoted lover' fits Nak-joon perfectly. He's someone who only has eyes for Hae-sook.' In the afterlife, Nak-joon is assigned a meaningful task: serving as a messenger in heaven. 'The version of heaven depicted in the series isn't so different from the real world we live in, that's what made it even better. In the story, Nak-jun works at the Heaven Community Center and serves as a mail carrier and messenger who delivers the stories of people from the living world to those who have arrived in heaven.' 'Nak-joon only has eyes for Hae-sook and is truly kind,' he said. 'Since everything he says and does is for Hae-sook, it actually made portraying him feel very straightforward."
