What remains when love ends? ‘What Comes After Love’ is a quietly stunning 2024 romance melodrama that dares to explore not only the soaring heights of love, but also the tender—often painful—stillness that follows. Based on the beloved novel by Gong Ji-young and Hitonari Tsuji, the series paints a moving portrait of a cross-border love story that feels achingly real.
Starring the phenomenal Lee Se-young and Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi in his highly anticipated K-drama debut, the show is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, subtle performances, and visual poetry.
Starring: Lee Se-young, Kentaro Sakaguchi
Director: Moon Hyun-sung
Writer: Jung Hae-sim
Based on: ‘Things that Come After Love’ by Gong Ji-young & Hitonari Tsuji
Episodes: 6
Where to Watch: VIKI, Coupang Play, VIU
The Plot
Love Beyond Borders, Grief Beyond Words
The story follows Choi Hong (Lee Se‑young), a South Korean art conservator who once studied and lived in Japan, where her quiet, orderly life is upended by the arrival of Jungo Aoki (Kentaro Sakaguchi), a Japanese photographer‑turned‑novelist drawn to Korea’s beauty and haunted by memories of their past.
As their connection deepens, language barriers and cultural differences become bridges rather than walls. But this is more than a simple romance, it is a story about the echoes of past relationships, the weight of unsaid goodbyes, and the gentle, complicated process of opening your heart after it has been broken.
The Characters
Choi Hong (Played by Lee Se-young)
Lee Se-young delivers a breathtakingly subtle performance as Choi Hong, a woman who has built walls around her heart. Her journey from reserved solitude to vulnerable courage is portrayed with delicate precision, making her one of the most relatable and quietly strong heroines of the year.
Jungo Aoki (Played by Kentaro Sakaguchi)
Kentaro Sakaguchi brings a serene, introspective depth to Jungo Aoki. His character speaks more through photography and silence than through words, and his chemistry with Lee Se-young is built on glances, gestures, and a shared sense of longing that transcends language.
Why This Drama Is Your Next Binge-Watch
- A Melodrama for the Soul, Not Just the Heart: This isn’t a flashy, dramatic romance. It’s a slow, sincere, and deeply human look at how love changes us, how grief shapes us, and how healing is rarely a straight line. Every frame feels intentional, and every silence speaks volumes.
- A Beautifully Portrayed Cross-Cultural Romance: The series handles the Korean–Japanese dynamic with respect and nuance, focusing on shared humanity rather than cultural clash. The use of both languages feels organic and adds to the authenticity of their connection.
- Visually and Emotionally Poetic: Framed against serene urban and natural landscapes across Korea and Japan, the drama unfolds like a moving painting. Director Moon Hyun-sung employs a gentle, immersive touch, allowing emotions to breathe and silences to linger meaningfully in every scene.
The Final Verdict
A Tender, Unforgettable Emotional Journey
‘What Comes After Love’ is for viewers who appreciate drama as an art form. It’s a show you feel more than you watch—a delicate exploration of second chances, quiet courage, and the things that remain long after a love story seems to end.
If you’re ready for a drama that will hold your heart gently and linger in your thoughts long after the credits roll, this is the one.
Written by Trisha Deka
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