Our Unwritten Seoul

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Overview

Synopsis

Yoo Mi Ji and Yoo Mi Rae are identical twin sisters with very different personalities. Mi Ji lives a freewheeling life, while Mi Rae works at a government owned company. One day, they begin to switch lives. Meanwhile, Lee Ho Su is a lawyer who encounters them both. Together, they find their real selves.

My Opinion (No Spoiler)

What a beautiful gem that drama is! I think not enough people talked about Our Unwritten Seoul, so it’s my duty to correct that. The plot is realistic, credible, full of raw emotions. We all can identify with at least one struggle characters are going through whether it is work- or family-related. Yu Mi Ji and Yu Mi Rae may be identical twins, but they are going through life in very different ways with their own hurdles to overcome. From leads to secondary characters, the drama explores their healing journey, as they take away vital lessons and move onto new chapters of their lives. Family, love, friendship, moving on, grief, bullying, burn out, and so many more themes are tackled in this show. On top of that, the acting performance and flawless direction add beauty and intensity to the plot. Our Unwritten Seoul is an ode to life, full of advice on how to make it through it. I definitely recommend you watch it!

Analysis

Characters: Each character goes through different ordeals and have his own scars to heal. This makes the drama extremely engaging and compelling.

Lead trio: The lead trio – the twin sisters and Ho Su – are at the core of the intrigue. Though they’ve known each since high school, time and distance made them grew apart. They’ve kept their connection, but need some time to rekindle their bond.

Yu Mi Ji: Yoo Mi Ji (Park Bo Young) is the youngest twin. Her name, ‘Mi Ji’, means ‘unknown‘ and goes hand in hand with her twin sister’s which is ‘Mi Rae’ meaning ‘future‘. They are their parents’ unknown future and blessings. Though poetic, this name has also negatively dictated Mi Ji’s life until now. Despite her cheerful and bubbly personality, her ability to perfectly understand people, make them talk and comfort them, Mi Ji has never truly found her purpose. She’s had the chance to become a professional athlete as a teenager, but an injury ruined her dream. This led her to depression and isolation for 3 years during which she refused to get out of her room. When she finally started to go back to a normal life, Mi Ji felt as if she were not enough. Compared to her brilliant and successful sister, she had the impression to be a failure, an embarrassment, a good-for-nothing. Her low self-esteem and self-confidence are clearly visible at the beginning of the drama. Yoo Mi Ji has no dream, no future, no expectations. That’s why she only works part-time jobs, going from one place to another, without really having a destination in mind. As if she had inherited that uncertainty from her name. Yoo Mi Ji is lost and can’t seem to find her path. She also has feels extremely guilty which prevents her from moving on. Her goal in the drama is to erase those uncertainties from her future or, at least, to control them and make something out of her life.

Yu Mi Rae: Just like her sister, Yoo Mi Rae (Park Bo Young) lives up to her name. She was a brilliant student at school and now has a successful career. It’s as if she had everything for herself. Her future appears to be without worries. However, this is just a facade. Contrary to Mi Ji, Mi Rae was born with an uncertain future. She had a heart condition and thus spent most of her childhood in hospitals. This greatly impacted her personality. She became quiet, taciturn, matured too soon and learned to endured pain and her struggles on her own. She never complains nor expresses her feelings openly. That’s why she never talked about her problems or insecurities. Indeed, Mi Rae failed the civil exam several times, but never spoke about it. She was the good student and thus felt the pressure to succeed or not to disappoint. She then got a good job but was harassed and bullied. Still, she didn’t share a word, because she felt the weight and responsibility of her family on her shoulders. If she were to quit, then no one would be able to pay the bills. Yoo Mi Rae is a kind, well-intended, upright and resilient woman. But her lack of communication is suffocating her. Every time she’s opened up to someone, things turned sour. Hence her bad habit to keep her distance. Her main purpose in the show is to learn how to decompress and trust others. Mi Rae needs to unload her burden by expressing her feelings if she wants to be able to move on. Her stay at the strawberry farm gives her time to pause and reflect. It’s a healing period during which she’s also given the opportunity to reconnect with her mother, her grandmother and herself.

The switch between sisters: Switching places has been the twins’ secret since early childhood. Whenever Mi Ji needed a good grade at school or Mi Rae didn’t want to do something, they promised they would help each other. While growing up, they stopped doing it because their mother has discovered the masquerade. Now adults, Mi Ji understands the urgency to give her sister a breather. She’s obviously drowning and cornered. That’s why she proposes to switch again. This one event proves to be beneficial to all characters of the show. Not only are the sisters now able to understand each other’s life and reflect on theirs, but their friends and families are also confronted with new truths. The twins’ mother realizes the pressure she’s put on Mi Rae’s shoulders, while Lee Ho Su reconnects with his first love for example.

Lee Ho Su: Lee Ho Su’s (Park Jin Young) name holds a meaning too. ‘Ho Su’ means ‘lake’ in Korean. To me, this name perfectly fits his personality. Like calm water, he’s quiet, smooth and peaceful. But turmoil can also unfold below the surface. Ho Su may look serene, but he’s going through a myriad of emotions related to his disability, his family tragedy and his first love. Ho Su’s mother died when he was young. His father then married Yeom Bun Hong (Kim Sun Young), but the kid never really accepted her as his stepmother. One day, he and his father got into a car accident. His father died and the kid suffered many injuries. He was left with burn scars on his body, disabled legs (he can’t go on long hikes for example), and a hearing impairment. On top of that, he was stuck with his stepmother. He immediately felt like a burden to her, as she had no obligation to take care of him. After that, Lee Ho Su did his best not to be a charge for Bun Hong. He studied well, became a lawyer, joined a renowned firm, and started to grow distant from his mother. His purpose in the show is to let go of his guilt that thwart him from living. He needs to accept the fact that he’s not a burden, especially to his mother. She considers him a son. Same goes for his lover. Ho Su’s had a crush on Mi Ji since high school, but never got the chance to confess. Now reunited, he wants to break up again out of fear of being an inconvenience to her. Yoo Mi Ji adapts her life and their dates to his physical condition out of love for Ho Su, but he feels as if she’s sacrificing and/or compromising too much. He eventually comes around and lets go of these feelings thanks to a heartfelt conversation with his mother.

Secondary characters: Lead characters are important to the overarching narrative. But I would argue that secondary characters are crucial in leads’ development. They open up their eyes on new perspectives and force reflection.

Kim Ro Sa: Kim Ro Sa (Won Mi Kyung) is by far the most moving character. Her life has been a succession of tragedies she had to live with. Her real name is Hyeon Sang Wol. She lived in an orphanage and was bullied by other kids due to her dyslexia (it was difficult for her to read and write). One day, she met Kim Ro Sa and her life changed. Ro Sa was clever, gifted with words, passionate about poetry, protective and kind. They grew up together and became roommates. While working hard to make ends meet, Sang Wol started to feel like a burden to Ro Sa, preventing her from living a life worthy of her brilliance. Plus, Sang Wol was developing feelings for her, but Ro Sa was attracted to a man she’d met. So Sang Wol left and was hired at a restaurant where she learned the famous recipe she still uses in her own shop. As for the real Ro Sa, she got married to a violent and abusive husband and had a kid. Years later, Sang Wol met her again in great despair. She helped her friend run away, but the situation escalated and Ro Sa ended up killing her husband. To protect her and her son, Sang Wol turned herself in and went to jail. Upon her release, she couldn’t find a job, so Ro Sa suggested she endorses her identity. They switched names and life went by like this. Happiness lasted for a short time, as the real Ro Sa got an incurable cancer. She knew she was going to die, so she decided to gift her friend her name and everything she had in her possession in her will as pay back for all the sacrifices she’d done for her and her son. On her deathbed, Sang Wol vowed to protect Ro Sa’s son and never failed her promise. Years later, Sang Wol (now Ro Sa) faces the demolition of her restaurant in a ‘rehabilitated’ neighborhood. This place is full of memories and love, so she refuses to leave. Moreover, Ro Sa’s fake identity makes her even more wary of others. She doesn’t trust anyone and is rather aggressive. When Mi Ji meets her for the first time, she doesn’t know how to handle the old woman. Nevertheless, this encounter is a turning point for Kim Ro Sa who can finally reveal her secret and unload her heart. She also receives help from Ho Su to protect her restaurant, her memories and her legacy against Mi Rae’s company that wishes to evict her. As Ro Sa mentioned whilst alive, Sang Wol would meet good people one day. Although it happened late, she indeed met her saviors. Ro Sa’s purpose in the drama is to let her secret out and start trusting people. She has to stop living in the past, fearful and ashamed, and enjoy her present.

Han Se Jin: Han Se Jin (Ryu Kyung Soo) is an investment genius, respected by his peers and admired for his journey. He used to live in the US where He’d spent nights and days strategizing with his team in order to make successful deals. Though this job was his passion, it took his present away from him and made him forget important things in life like family. Han Se Jin was raised by his grandfather who had a farm in Duson-ri where he lived secluded. He would visit from time to time and try to convince his grandfather to enjoy a more luxurious life, but the old man was stubborn and always refused. One day, Han Se Jin received several calls from his grandfather, but was too absorbed in his work to pick up. Shortly after, the old man passed away. Han Se Jin’s world crumbled with the older’s death. He felt guilty for not picking up the phone. He couldn’t work nor go back to his daily life. Instead, he quit everything suddenly and went back to his hometown. He took over his grandfather’s farm and grieved there. Yoo Mi Rae ends up working there under her sister’s identity. Interestingly, Se Jin finds her personality to be quite similar to his grandfather’s; stubborn, quiet, taciturn, a difficult nut to crack. Yet, she’s very hardworking and willing. Han Se Jin also feels that Mi Rae is hiding some things. She didn’t end up in his strawberry farm by chance. Their encounter is pivotal in their respective healing journey. Mi Rae can confide in a stranger who knows nothing about her. He thus can’t judge or criticize her. Conversely, Mi Rae confronts Se Jin with his reality. He ran away and escaped after the death of his grandfather. But she gives him the strength to go back and end his mourning period. Han Se Jin’s purpose is clear: he needs to move on from his grief and go back to his life. This couple was so cute to be honest. It was a slow burn that went from strangers, to friends, to confidents to lovers.

The mothers: I couldn’t talk about characters without mentioning the mothers of the show who are responsible for both their kids’ suffering and healing.

Kim Ok Hui, the twins’ mother: Kim Ok Hui (Jang Young Nam) is the twins’ mother. Ever since they were babies, she struggled to differentiate them. Being a mother also didn’t seem to come naturally to her. It got worse when her husband suddenly passed away. She ended up with 2 young kids to take care of and a household to manage. Thankfully, she received the help from her own mother. However, her relationship with her was also complicated, full of unsaid and misunderstanding. But they brushed off their differences and raised Mi Ji and Mi Rae to the best of their ability. Ok Hui is honest, too frank sometimes and always on edge. She reacts impulsively, but rarely intends to hurt with her words. She’s friends with Bun Hong since high school and reconnected with her when Bun Hong moved in as a neighbor. Though they constantly bicker and brag about their children, they appreciate each other. Kim Ok Hui gave me the impression that she was tired with life. She’s never had it easy, but never talked about her feelings. Instead, she’s venting out on the people around her. This may not be the best method, but it comes in handy in certain situations.

Yeom Bun Hong, Ho Su’s mother: Bun Hong has always been the black sheep of her family. She was belittled by her sisters for marrying late, and then taking care of her husband’s son. This behavior and these awful comments made her cut ties with her family. That same family hurt her again years later when her dear mother died. No one informed her of her passing and she was not even allowed at the funeral. This moment left a big scar in Bun Hong’s heart. That’s why, she’s constantly encouraging Ok Hui to discuss with her mother whilst she’s still alive. She knows the regrets that come with not being able to do so. Bun Hong is patient and kind. These qualities enabled her to shelter Ho Su and endure his cold behavior. He would be mean and sometimes rude to her, but Bun Hong never hold it against him. She knew he was suffering and thus waited for him to open up to her. It never crossed her mind to abandon him even when Ho Su became an adult. For her, he is her son, period. The difficulty is that Bun Hong tends to endure with a smile on her face. Her patience is infinite, but she also knows how to get mad. This new side of her is what makes Ho Su come around at the end. He wants to push her away and locks himself up in his house, after discovering that he may lose his hearing. That’s unthinkable for his mother. So, she shakes him up a little bit and finally confesses everything she’s kept hidden. Bun Hong’s mission in the drama is to make Ho Su understand he’s her son.

Themes tackled: Our Unwritten Seoul deals with a good number of topics with which we can identify – or at least we can relate with one situation. This authenticity and realism make the drama even more credible and emotionally raw.

Favoritism: Favoritism between children is an underlying theme in the drama. From the very beginning, it is clear that Ok Hui makes differences between her twins. The interesting part however is favoritism applies to either twin depending on the circumstances. For instance, Mi Rae’s excellent grades and career are Ok Hui’s pride. So, she constantly belittles Mi Ji for not following her sister’s successful path. Because of that, Mi Ji feels worthless and useless. Reversely, Ok Hui considers that earning money for the family falls onto Mi Rae’s shoulders. She has a stable job and is well paid. Therefore, she should be paying the bills for the grandmother’s hospital. Even when Mi Ji wants to participate, as it’s her right and duty as a member of the family, Ok Hui declines and emphasizes that Mi Rae will take care of it. So, there’s a clear distinction – which is not sane – between sisters. Each position comes with its negative aspects. Mi Ji doesn’t have a decent job – it’s shameful; Mi Rae is the successful one, so she has to bear more financial responsibilities. Of course this favoritism is denounced by both sisters. The switch allows Ok Hui to understand that this behavior inflicted unintentional pain on both of them. At the end of the drama, the balance is restored.

Being a burden: Every child fears he’d become a burden to his parents at some point in life. For Ho Su, this feeling started pretty early on. After a car accident that took his father’s life, he overheard his step-mother having a conversation with her sisters. They were trying to convince Bun Hong to abandon Ho Su, as he was not her responsibility. This was a trigger for Ho Su who then spent his life trying to do everything on his own and free his step-mother. For example, he would take his things away from his childhood house, would scarcely visit and even then, it would only be for a short period of time. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to listen Bun Hong’s answer when she affirmed that Ho Su was her son and she would take care of him as her own. To her, he was more of a family member than her biological siblings. Just like Ho Su, Mi Ji also feels guilty towards her mother. She has the impression that she’s a good-for-nothing and a disappointment. Her grandmother ended up in the hospital because of her, she doesn’t have a real job, she’s not planning for the future and is still living at home trying to figure out her life. Both children have deep feelings of guilt towards their parents.

The meaning of family: Behind every family issue, there’s a resolution. That’s what it means to be a family, we solve our problems together. At the beginning of the show, Mi Ji’s and Ho Su’s family dynamics are dysfunctional. The dialogue is broken between OK Hui and her daughters and between Ok Hui and her own mother, leading to misunderstandings. Meanwhile, there’s no dialogue between Ho Su and Bun Hong. The root cause is the lack of communication between them. Ho Su has never expressed his fear of being a burden, while Bun Hong never confirmed to his face that he was her son. Ok Hui never cleared the air with her mother, as to why their relationship started to fade away at some point. Turns out it’s because Ok Hui’s mother wanted to protect her, not because she was resenting her. Ok Hui spent most of her life with that misconception and was only able to make peace with her by opening up. Mi Ji and Mi Rae never truly expressed how they felt either. Mi Rae would keep everything to herself and try to deal with things on her own. As for Mi Ji, she would bury her emotions and put a smile on her face to cover them. When both siblings start talking about their emotions, that’s when they realize that they were prejudiced and biased towards each other. Same happened when they discussed with their mother. I think this is what it means to be a family. You love each other – even if you’re not biologically related. You want to protect one another. You will misunderstand the other, but also stick together. And you will forgive and reconcile, once you’ve communicated.

The meaning of love: There’s no better explanation than the one given by Ho Su’s father and mother in episode 11: ‘Someday, you’re going to make someone miserable too. There will definitely be a moment when you force the person by your side to lose. Love isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about remaining on the same team until the very end even if you lose. Love is about staying together even if you lose a hundred or a thousand times.‘ Indeed, the real meaning of love is not about who has the upper hand, but standing by each other’s side through ups and downs. Trust, support, encouragement are what makes a couple withstand time and overcome hurdles. Lee Ho Su thought that he’d never learn what the true meaning of love is, as his father died before he could finish his sentence. But fate has decided otherwise. During an open conversation with his mother, she repeats that same sentence and delivers the final meaning to Ho Su. Upon hearing that, the young lawyer realizes that he can’t and should not push Mi Ji away because of his disability. He won’t be a burden, as she’s there for him and would remain by his side no matter what. Same goes for Mi Rae and Se Jin who lifted each other up through their worst moments. This teamwork makes the romances bloom in such a simple and beautiful way.

Homosexuality: Homosexuality is tackled in a very pure and subtle way. Kim Ro Sa – then Hyeon Sang Wol – grew up with the real Ro Sa. They had a special bond that developed over time, as they only had each other to rely on. Over the years, Sang Wol started to develop more than just friendly feelings towards Ro Sa. It seems as if these feelings were reciprocated, but were repressed due to the times and mentality. Decades ago, it would’ve been unthinkable for society to accept them as a couple. So, both women kept their love secret and went on with their lives. When they reconnected, Sang Wol sacrificed everything for Ro Sa and then buried her love with her. Years later, her feelings towards her are unwavering. Her personal preference and her (love?) story with Ro Sa have always been a secret and she’s still scared that people may still judge her today. That’s why she’s unsure about relating her story and telling the whole truth. That romance was unexpected, but also beautiful. It was heart-wrenching to follow the fate of these two women who clearly loved each other, but were separated by circumstances, fate and society.

Grief: A lot of characters experience grief in the drama. Bun Hong and Ok Hui are both widows, while Ho Su, Mi Ji and Mi Rae have lost one of their parents. Han Se Jin has returned to Duson-ri following the devastating passing of his grandfather. The twin sisters have yet to deal with the death of their grandmother at the end of the show. These situations allow us to have a large spectrum of emotions related to grief. The mothers kept on living for the sake of their children. They also had to assume the responsibility of their kids and household, while mourning their partner. Ho Su feels like his father died because of him. He was driving him somewhere when they got hit by another car. Mi Ji lost her only way to communicate with her mother by losing the person she loved the most in the world (her father). Mi Rae became even more taciturn. Han Se Jin’s life got turned upside down after he’d missed his grandfather’s last call. He blamed himself and questioned his entire existence. Though all characters are at different stages of their grief, the drama focuses on their recovery. For example, Mi Ji, Mi Rae and Ok Hui surpass their sorrow after they’ve been given a chance at saying goodbye to the grandmother. Ok Hui reconciled with her mother, Mi Ji had a parting dream with her, Mi Rae was able to remain by her side until the end.

Depression: In high school, Mi Ji found out that she was an excellent runner. As part of the track and field team, she had a promising future as an athlete. Unfortunately, she broke an ankle and her dream went up in smoke. On top of tat, she thought that her first love (Ho Su) was dating her sister which made matters worse. Mi Ji locked herself in her room and fell into depression. The more time passed by, the less likely she was to go out. She felt completely lost, worthless and alone. Ho Su and her family tried to make her come out, but consistently failed for 3 years. She was eventually forced out of isolation when her grandmother collapsed at home. This event left a scar in Mi Ji’s heart. She blamed herself for not getting help faster which resulted in long-lasting damage on her grandmother’s body. Though no one accused her, Mi Ji bore the responsibility of her grandmother’s physical state. Although Mi Ji’s case is extreme, the drama shows how one event can either destroy or repair you. Depression can happen to anyone – like it’s the case for Ho Su when he learns he may not hear again. Though in the early stages, his symptoms are similar to Mi Ji’s (isolation, lack of energy and motivation, dark thoughts). Both characters went through these emotions and it took a triggering event to change it all. In Mi Ji’s case it was her grandmother, in Ho Su’s her mother’s reprimand and loving words.

Burn out: In the first episodes, Yoo Mi Rae is on the verge of collapse. She bears the weight of her family on her shoulders, has no one to confide in, has been the victim of sexual harassment and is currently bullied at work. The pressure accumulated is so intense that Mi Rae is thinking about hurting herself to be able to take a sick leave and breathe. All of the signs of a burn-out are tangible here. She’s anxious and fearful anytime she goes to work, she’s tense all the time, she has no motivation to do anything and is resigned. She feels like there’s no escape. Thankfully for her, Mi Ji offers her to switch places, giving Mi Rae some time and space away from her daily worries. She can re-focus on herself, her life and let go of her constant concerns. To be honest, I really empathized with Mi Rae. Her despair was palpable on screen. It was clear that she was drowning, trying hard to keep her head above the water. It was moving to see her fight on her own against others and herself.

Disability: Another big topic in the drama is disability. Lee Ho Su’s accident left scars and aftereffects on his body. When he arrives in high school, he doesn’t talk about it right away because he refuses to be pitied by his classmates. But people end up knowing, as he can’t participate in sports, has to be very focused in class to follow the teacher’s lesson, and is rather quiet. Nevertheless, Mi Ji doesn’t care about his disability and believes he can overcome it like when students are asked to hike a mountain during a school MT. Ho Su is exempt, but he’s angry at himself for not being like other kids. So, he starts hiking. Each step is painful, but he refuses to give up. This hike is his last chance to prove that his disability doesn’t define him. Once at the top, he encounters Mi Ji who had been waiting for him all along because she knew he would succeed. Her unconditional faith in him made Ho Su fall for Mi Ji. Since then, Ho Su has learned to live with his physical constraints and accomplished a lot. His hearing impairment allowed him to learn how to read lips, which turned out to be helpful in his cases as a lawyer. He’s also met a mentor in the person of Lee Chung Gu (Im Chul Soo) who has a leg handicap, but doesn’t let it prevent him from doing his job. Ho Su greatly admires Chung Gu for using his disability as a strength. Following that example and encouraged by Mi Ji, Ho Su walks down the same path. It was so beautiful to see how these characters would use their disabilities and turn them into strengths. However, the drama also shows the downsides and the difficulties associated with handicap. Yoo Mi Rae has a heart condition since birth and has thus been obliged to spend a lot of time in the hospital. Her treatments were a succession of pain and challenges. Her childhood was disrupted by her sickness, as she could not do things like other normal kids her age. Even Ho Su goes through moments of doubts and fear when his disability worsens. The show is a good balance between the bad aspects of a handicap and the positive results that unfold if you don’t let it define you and your actions.

Workplace bullying: Yoo Mi Rae is the best example when it comes to workplace bullying. When she arrived in the company, she immediately became close to her senior Kim Su Yeon (Park Ye Young). She was kind, upright and a woman of integrity. She would always do the right thing and couldn’t bear injustice. So, she didn’t hesitate to blow the whistle to denounce the company’s corruption. This unfortunately had repercussions on her. Management and colleagues turned against her, making her an outcast. Even Mi Rae didn’t dare to get involved to avoid the same treatment. Tired and desperate, Su Yeon quit and shut herself from the rest of the world. Nevertheless, Mi Rae mustered her courage and defended her during an audit. She also denounced her senior who harassed her. The latter resembled her father so much that she felt a connection. He misread the signals and believed that Mi Rae wanted something else than just a friendly relationship. When she rejected him, he spread rumors that she’d tried to seduce a married man. Like her sunbae before, Mi Rae received blame, criticism, judgement and ill-treatment. She was belittled on a daily basis and pushed in a corner. Every day, she would have to sit on a tiny desk and stare at a wall. She was invisible to everyone and treated as trash. This had an obvious impact on her mental health. I think the drama did an amazing job at portraying the consequences bullying can have on someone. The workplace – like schools – are microcosms where hierarchy and reputation are important. If you go against the established order or become the target to rumors, chances are you will become a scapegoat. That’s exactly what happened to Mi Rae. Her actions are commendable, but she stood alone and defeated against others. The repercussions of harassment and bullying were harsh. The suffering she went through at work followed her even at home.

Moving on: Our Unwritten Seoul depicts the healing journey of all the characters. Mi Ji, Mi Rae, Ho Su, Se Jin, even Su Yeon and the mothers have wounds that need treatment. The events they went through in the past – from failure to bullying – had a great impact on their present. They carry their fears and insecurities, but also project them onto each other. For example, Ho Su feels like a burden to his mother and blames himself for that. So, he’s projecting that fear by convincing himself she wants to cut him off from her life. That’s not true, and that’s exactly what Ho Su needs to understand. The good part is that all these people eventually manage to overcome these fears. Through communication, trust and love, they move on from their past wounds and start anew. That’s actually how life is. You get hurt, bear the pain, learn how to deal with it, and move on. You don’t erase it, but you become able to manage it.

Starting over: There’s light at the end of the dark tunnel. It’s not because your current existence seems gloomy and hopeless that your future is as well. Everyone is entitled to a fresh start. Everyone can heal and walk down another (new) path. Both Mi Ji and Mi Rae succeed in that matter. Mi Ji was lost and confused about her future. At the end, she’s regained confidence in herself and even studies psychology at university. She wishes to become a therapist and take care of people because she knows how to ‘knock on people’s heart’. She’s starting over in a new city, with her lover and a new dream. Meanwhile, Mi Rae has gone back to the strawberry farm where she’s always felt safe and at peace. This is where she belongs. She’s taken over Se Jin’s business, while giving financial advice on her personal blog. Lee Ho Su begins anew too. He’s reconciled with his mother, freed himself from his shackles, accepted that his hearing impairment worsened. But he made the best out of it. As a lawyer, he can now use sign language to help deaf clients. Han Se Jin left his grandfather’s farm and went to the US for his career. His talent was wasted in Duson-ri. But he’s not forgotten Mi Rae and comes back for her at the end. Both reunite in the streets of Seoul, coincidentally or not. I’m definitely convinced that these two are now about to start their romance. As for Kim Ro Sa, she revamped her restaurant, is finally freed from her secret, gets treatment for her dyslexia and often reads her lover’s poems to the audience. That’s an enormous change compared to before. She used to be afraid, illiterate, alone and heartbroken. But she’s found people who support and care for her. This allowed her to conquer her fears and change her life for the better.

Letting go: Some events, like death, are out of your control. But you need to accept it. Mi Ji is not ready to say goodbye to her beloved grandmother. After her father, she’s her favorite person in the world. However, she needs to accept that she’s not eternal and that she’ll eventually have to let her go. When the grandmother’s condition worsens, the family decides to take her home. That’s her safe haven and where she’d feel the most comfortable in her last moments. When she draws her last breath, Mi Ji is sleeping next door. She’s having a dream and sees her grandmother healthy. They have a discussion in which Mi Ji confesses that she’s not ready. But her grandmother reassures her and tells her that she’ll never be too far away. She’ll come back as a bird to watch over her and the family. I think this dream alleviated Mi Ji’s pain and grief. As if it were a sign, Mi Ji is visited by a cute little bird a year after. It’s clear that the drama points out this may be her grandmother’s spirit, still accompanying her.

Title explained: The title of the drama is very meaningful. In Korean, it reads ‘The Mi Ji’s Seoul’ roughly translated and by using the name of the female lead. But it can also mean ‘Unknown Seoul’ as ‘Miji’ means ‘unknown’ in Korean. In both cases, the title relates Mi Ji’s new adventures in a city she’s never lived in. It emphasizes on the uncharted waters she’s navigating, the unknown she’s discovering. To me, it’s also quite linked to how life is in general: full of surprises and uncertainties. Now, if we take a look at the English title ‘Our Unwritten Seoul’, this one is also quite deep. At the end of the show, Mi Ji opens up an old photo album. After adolescence, she realizes that pages are blank. So, she starts filling in the blanks with pictures of her life in Seoul. She’s begun a new chapter of her life, thus needs to fill the blank pages with her adventures. The English title turns into ‘My Seoul‘ (Naui Seoul) in the last scene. Seoul and the future are not unknown anymore. The capital is a place of vivid memories, happy times and opportunities. Mi Ji has overcome her past and writes the new chapters of her life in Seoul with Ho Su.