“My every moment is you. Even in my last scene, I’ll remember you. Please stay by my side even on my last page”. -Eun Dan-oh (Extraordinary You).
‘Extraordinary You’ is a captivating 2019 South Korean television series that skillfully combines elements of school romance, fantasy, and mystery. Based on the popular webtoon ‘July Found by Chance’, the drama quickly gained a devoted following for its fresh storyline and compelling characters. The story centers on Eun Dan-oh, a high school student who discovers that her life is actually part of a comic book world controlled by an all-powerful Writer. Initially a minor character destined for a tragic fate, Dan-oh rebels against her predetermined story to change her future and find true love.
Series: Extraordinary You
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Kim Hye-yoon, Rowoon, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Na-eun, Jung Gun-joo, Kim Young-dae, Lee Tae-ri
Written by: In Ji-hye and Song Ha-young
Directed by: Kim Sang-hyeop
The Plot
The story follows Eun Dan-oh (played by Kim Hye-yoon), a high school student at a prestigious academy who suddenly realizes that her world is actually a comic book fantasy. Controlled by an all-knowing Writer, she and everyone else are just characters in the comic ‘Secret’. Dan-oh is a minor character with a grim fate; she suffers from a heart condition and is engaged to her longtime crush Baek Kyung (played by Lee Jae-wook), who dislikes her. Unhappy with this predetermined path, Dan-oh decides to change the story and find true love on her own terms. Along the way, she meets a mysterious Student Number 13 (played by Rowoon), who inspires her to fight against the Writer’s control. But as their story starts to mirror the Writer’s earlier work, ‘Neungsohwa’, changing her destiny may come with unforeseen consequences.
The Characters
Eun Dan-oh (played by Kim Hye-yoon)
Eun Dan-oh is the female lead of ‘Neungsohwa’ and a minor character in ‘Secret’. She is a student in Class 2-7 at Seuli High School. Despite multiple surgeries, Dan-oh continues to suffer from a heart condition. As the wealthy only daughter of her family, she discovers she and everyone around her exist in a fantasy world inside a teen comic called ‘Secret’, where she is just a supporting character. Engaged to her longtime crush Baek Kyung, she faces a grim fate due to her illness.
Number 13/Ha-ru (played by Rowoon)
Ha-ru is a male lead in ‘Neungsohwa’ and a minor character in ‘Secret’. He is also in Class 2-7 at Seuli High School. Ha-ru helps Dan-oh alter her destiny after saving her multiple times, and she begins to develop feelings for him. Unknown to others, Ha-ru is a nameless extra in ‘Secret’, initially called Number 13 because of his roster number. Interestingly, Ha-ru is his original name from ‘Neungsohwa’, and he is aware that he is a comic book character.
Baek Kyung (played by Lee Jae-wook)
Baek Kyung is a male lead in ‘Neungsohwa’ and plays a smaller role in ‘Secret’. Also a student in Class 2-7, Baek Kyung is proud and arrogant, coming from a troubled family with a violent father and greedy stepmother. Known as one of the top three popular boys in school (the A3), he resents Dan-oh due to their arranged engagement. Over time, he realizes he is a character in a comic book and slowly admits his true feelings for Dan-oh, fueled by jealousy over her closeness with Ha-ru.
Yeo Joo-da (played by Lee Na-eun)
Yeo Joo-da is the female lead of ‘Secret’ and a Class 2-7 student. Despite being bullied and coming from a low-income family, Joo-da remains kind and hopeful. She discovers she is the main character of the comic, but keeps this secret while sensing strange occurrences around her.
Lee Do-hwa (played by Jung Gun-joo)
Lee Do-hwa is the second male lead in ‘Secret’ and a student in Class 2-8. A member of the A3 group, Do-hwa is friendly, calm, and musically talented but hides his loneliness behind a cheerful demeanor. He is caught in a love triangle with Nam-joo and secretly has feelings for Joo-da. Like Dan-oh, he begins to notice odd events and learns from her that they are comic characters.
Oh Nam-joo (played by Kim Young-dae)
Oh Nam-joo is the male lead in ‘Secret’ and a Class 2-7 student. He is the leader of the A3 group and the heir of a wealthy family. Nam-joo has romantic feelings for Joo-da and is part of the love triangle with Do-hwa.
Jinmichae/Geum Jin-mi (played by Lee Tae-ri)
Jin Min-chae plays a supporting role as the school cafeteria cook. Known as the “Dried Squid Fairy,” Jinmichae is a charming and mysterious figure adored by female students and seems to have deep knowledge about the comic book world.
What made the show popular?
- Unique and creative plot: Unlike typical school romances, ‘Extraordinary You’ blends fantasy, romance, and metafiction. The concept of characters realizing they are inside a comic book and trying to alter their fate was fresh, unpredictable, and thought-provoking, attracting viewers who were looking for something different from standard tropes.
- Strong emotional core and romance: The heartwarming and emotional journey of Eun Dan-oh and Ha-ru captivated viewers. Their chemistry was compelling and full of tension, as they struggled against a predetermined fate to find real love. The idea of rewriting your destiny for love resonated deeply with fans.
- Humor and self-awareness: The show cleverly pokes fun at common clichés found in teen dramas and comic books. Its self-aware humor, such as exaggerated love triangles, forced romances, and dramatic monologues, offered a refreshing and comedic twist that made the drama both fun and intelligent.
- Talented and visually appealing cast: The cast, led by Kim Hye-yoon, Rowoon, and Lee Jae-wook, brought depth and charisma to their roles. Kim Hye-yoon’s energetic and emotional performance, along with Rowoon’s charming portrayal of the mysterious Ha-ru, helped elevate the story. The visuals, costumes, and cinematography were also highly praised.
- Strong themes: The series explores profound questions about identity, fate, and autonomy. Characters seeking to break free from their scripted roles echoed real-life struggles for self-determination, giving the show a meaningful edge beyond its romantic and fantastical elements.
- Global appeal and webtoon origin: Based on the popular Daum webtoon ‘July Found by Chance’, the show already had a solid fanbase. Its youthful themes, stylish visuals, and emotional arcs made it highly bingeable and easy to follow, which helped it gain traction globally through platforms like Viki and Viu.
‘Extraordinary You’ captivated audiences with more than just its romantic high school setting; it offered a refreshing twist by turning familiar K-drama tropes upside down. At its core, the series is about discovering one’s identity and daring to challenge the roles society—or in this case, a Writer—has assigned. Eun Dan-oh’s fight to become the main character of her own life resonated with many viewers, especially those who’ve ever felt overlooked or trapped by expectations. The drama’s clever mix of fantasy, comedy, and bittersweet emotion keeps it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
What truly makes ‘Extraordinary You’ memorable is its message: even in a scripted world, courage and love can break the rules. Whether it’s Dan-oh’s determination, Ha-ru’s quiet strength, or the bittersweet realizations of characters like Baek Kyung and Do-hwa, the series leaves behind not just a love story but a lesson in self-worth and agency. ‘Extraordinary You’ is more than a teen romance; it’s a tale of rewriting destiny, and it continues to leave a mark on fans long after the final episode.
Written by MANSHA CHAUHAN
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