Airing every Thursday, 'Simu-myeon Yeonliri' follows the story of a city family led by Seong Tae-hoon (played by Park Sung-woong) as they unexpectedly move to the rural area of Yeonliri. The series recorded its lowest rating of 1.5% on its fifth episode aired on the 23rd of last month, with the sixth episode following with a 1.6% rating.
Seong Tae-hoon, a manager at the food conglomerate Mastory, is suddenly transferred to the Yeonliri branch, prompting an abrupt start to his rural life. Despite his unplanned venture into cabbage farming, he faces fierce opposition from village chief Lim Joo-hyung (played by Lee Seo-hwan), hinting at a rocky future. The narration over a scene of Tae-hoon getting drenched in the middle of a wasteland humorously captures the start of his challenging rural journey: "Getting drenched in a place I was dropped like a bolt from the blue, yes, life can be like that. But why does it have to be me?"
Despite Lim Joo-hyung's interference, Tae-hoon manages to sprout cabbage using cow manure instead of fertilizer. However, his joy is short-lived as he learns of his second son Seong Ji-sang (played by Seo Yoon-hyuk) and youngest son Seong Ji-goo (played by Yang Woo-hyuk) running away from home. Meanwhile, his wife Jo Mi-ryeo (played by Lee Soo-kyung) experiences a panic attack in front of the women's association, adding to the tension. Tae-hoon's line, "At that moment, I thought I had brought life to this land. But instead of sprouting cabbages, I had triggered a time bomb that would blow up my remaining life," symbolically portrays the mix of hope and anxiety.
The ongoing conflict between Tae-hoon and Joo-hyung escalates into a physical altercation. In contrast, Tae-hoon's eldest son Seong Ji-cheon (played by Lee Jin-woo) and Joo-hyung's daughter Lim Bo-mi (played by Choi Gyu-ri) confirm their feelings for each other with a surprise kiss, creating a romantic subplot. The juxtaposition of the fathers' brawl and the children's kiss in one frame completes the episode's dramatic ending. Tae-hoon's narration, "As cabbages grow, so do cabbage worms, nibbling away at the leaves as they prepare to become butterflies," metaphorically addresses the generational conflicts and changes, adding humor and depth.
Tae-hoon faces turmoil both at work and home due to the cabbage field sabotage and Ji-cheon's decision to drop out of medical school. Additionally, he discovers his wife Mi-ryeo's struggle with panic disorder, confronting the family's hidden pains. Although he seems to find a new beginning with the help of Yeonliri residents, the company's cabbage seedling test results come back negative, raising questions. His confession, "I knew nothing. Not my wife's pain, not my children's hearts, nor the true face of the company I dedicated my life to," hints at his regret and awakening, heightening anticipation for future episodes.
The seventh episode of 'Simu-myeon Yeonliri' will air on the 7th at 9:50 PM.
Reporter: Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr