MBC's 'Your Glorious Season' Premieres with Intriguing Mystery and Emotional Depth

MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Your Glorious Season' (directed by Jeong Sang-hee, Kim Young-jae, written by Jo Sung-hee) kicked off with a compelling narrative and layered mystery, marking the beginning of what fans are calling 'Glorious Fever.'

The first episode, which aired on the night of the 20th, intricately depicted the story of Song Ha-ran (played by Lee Sung-kyung) and Sun Woo-chan (played by Chae Jong-hyeop), whose lives were torn apart by a past explosion in Boston. The episode delivered a cinematic experience as the two characters crossed paths again after seven years.

The premiere achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 4.4% according to Nielsen Korea, securing the top spot among Friday-Saturday dramas. The ending scene, where Song Ha-ran accuses Sun Woo-chan of being a stalker and discovers that her boyfriend from seven years ago was Kang Hyuk-chan (played by Kwon Do-hyung), reached a peak rating of 5.4%, signaling a strong start.

The episode began with a flashback to the past, showcasing the bright and lovable Song Ha-ran and Sun Woo-chan, who was studying in Boston. Their online chats shared mundane daily life, yet carried a unique tension. Ha-ran's unexpected trip to Boston coincided with a massive explosion that changed their lives forever.

Seven years later in Seoul, Kim Na-na (played by Lee Mi-sook) made a striking entrance at a fashion shoot, reinforcing the prestige of Na-na Atelier. Meanwhile, Song Ha-ran, now a chief designer, appeared emotionally distant and focused solely on her work, contrasting sharply with her vibrant past self. Lee Sung-kyung effectively portrayed this transformation.

Simultaneously, Sun Woo-chan, now a supervisor at a can animation studio, returned to Korea for a collaboration project. His brighter demeanor contrasted with the scars from the past accident, adding depth to the narrative.

Their fateful reunion occurred at an art gallery. Upon seeing Ha-ran, Woo-chan froze in shock. Overwhelmed by disbelief, he pursued her, instinctively calling out her name during a dangerous moment at a construction site.

The two officially met again at a collaboration meeting. Ha-ran's calm introduction, "Nice to meet you. I'm chief designer Song Ha-ran," starkly highlighted the seven-year gap between them. Chae Jong-hyeop's nuanced performance conveyed Woo-chan's inner turmoil and suppressed emotions.

Additionally, Ha-ran faced another challenge with a stalking incident. After receiving secretly taken photos, she learned from a news report that the person who called her name at the construction site was Sun Woo-chan, leading her to suspect him as a stalker.

Meanwhile, Woo-chan realized he hadn't fully escaped the nightmare of the accident seven years ago. The memories of fire, explosions, and his intertwined past with Ha-ran deepened his confusion. Ultimately, he decided to leave after completing the collaboration project.

The episode also revealed a past tragedy that affected the Na-na family. Kim Na-na (played by Lee Mi-sook) lost a child 13 years ago, and Song Ha-ran experienced the pain of losing her parents and boyfriend. The presence of Song Ha-young (played by Han Ji-hyun) and Song Ha-dam (played by Oh Ye-ju), who cared for Ha-ran and her grandmother, showcased the family's deep bond.

Unable to watch her granddaughter's isolation any longer, Kim Na-na arranged a blind date with Yoon Photo (played by Yoon Park) to encourage Ha-ran's change. Reluctantly attending the hotel date, Ha-ran unexpectedly encountered Woo-chan, leading to an unforeseen turn of events. Unable to delay her questions any longer, Ha-ran confronted Woo-chan, demanding, "Since when did you know me? Tell me, what are you hiding?" However, Woo-chan, overwhelmed by complex emotions, couldn't provide an answer.

The episode reached its climax with a shocking revelation: the person Ha-ran shared her daily life with through chat seven years ago was not her boyfriend Kang Hyuk-chan, but his roommate Sun Woo-chan. This mystery ending hinted at hidden stories behind the accident and the secrets between the two, heightening anticipation for future episodes.

'Your Glorious Season' captivated audiences with its intense narrative and intricate relationships from the very first episode. The powerful performances by Lee Sung-kyung and Chae Jong-hyeop, the commanding presence of Lee Mi-sook and Kang Seok-woo, the symbolic portrayal of characters' inner worlds through seasonal imagery, and the seamless editing between past and present all contributed to the dynamic start of this 'Glorious Romance.' Viewers are eager to see how the relationship between Song Ha-ran and Sun Woo-chan will unfold.

The second episode of MBC's 'Your Glorious Season' airs on the 21st at 9:50 PM.

Reporter: Im Chae-ryeong, Ten Asia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr