Review by: Sabrina

Synopsis

Based on the webtoon by the same name, “See You in My 19th Life” (“19th Life”) is a story about Ban Ji Eum (Shin Hye Sun) and her 19th life.  Ji Eum has the ability to remember her past lives, but one life – her 18th life – was special.  For it was in her 18th life that 12-year-old Ji Eum, known as Ju Won, met 9-year-old Mun Seo Ha (Ahn Bo Hyun).  Until her 18th life, Ju Won had lived a mostly lamentable and unending existence, praying at each death that her next life would continue without being plagued by the memories of her previous lives.  Upon meeting Seo Ha, however, Ju Won felt the joy of living once again.  For Seo Ha, Ju Won became an emotional anchor for him as he navigated his mother’s death. The two children formed a close bond and become each other’s First Loves.  Unfortunately, everything came to a screeching halt when the two were involved in a tragic car accident that left Ju Won dead and Seo Ha alone to cope with the physical and psychological trauma.  Unlike previous times, Ju Won vehemently prayed that she would remember Seo Ha in her next life and return to his side.  When Ju Won is reborn into her 19th life as Ban Ji Eum, she seeks Seo Ha as soon as she regains her memories at 9-years-old.  After a brief encounter with the then-teenaged Seo Ha, Ju Won becomes all the more determined to return to Seo Ha’s side.  Seo Ha, son of MI Group, becomes an executive of MI Mobility, and Ji Eum sets herself on an engineering career path.  When Seo Ha changes career paths and transfers to the position of Director of MI Hotel - the hotel his mother ran and loved during her lifetime - Ji Eum shifts paths, as well, applying as a member of the hotel’s Strategic Planning Team.  Ji Eum is determined to bring Seo Ha around to the realization that she was the Ju Won that he knew and loved.  Seo Ha is initially baffled by Ji Eum, and even accuses her of being a pathological liar. Yet still, he cannot help but be drawn to her.  Eventually, Seo Ha comes to believe that Ji Eum is Ju Won reincarnated, and the two rekindle the bond they once shared.  Together, they uncover the truth behind the car accident all those years ago, as well as the reason why Ji Eum is cursed to remember her past lives. The K-drama ends with Ji Eum - with Seo Ha’s love and support - choosing to forget her past lives, and Seo Ha striving to help Ji Eum remember their time together with the same determination that she once did for him.

Childhood Connection

When she is reborn into a new life, Ji Eum begins to remember her past lives around the age of 9.  Because of this, young Ji Eum is multi-talented, speaks many languages, and wise beyond her years.  She also possesses a fearless confidence of one who has seen and overcome much in life.  When Ji Eum comes into Seo Ha’s life again, this time as an adult, she charges in with the same fearlessness, often interceding on his behalf without a second thought.  She is also brave and forward with her desire to get closer to him.  

Throughout the K-drama, we learn that the reason Ji Eum remembers her past lives is because she vowed to never forget her rage at her sister’s murder in her 1st life.  Ji Eum has forgotten her vow, but lives her lives void of joy.  Everything changes, however, when she meets Seo Ha.  When she is with Seo Ha – in both her 18th and 19th lives – Ji Won/Ji Eum forgets about everything except the here and now.  Her 18th life is cut short by the car accident, but Ji Won vows to return to Seo Ha’s side.       

Seo Ha also lives a life mostly void of joy, until Ji Won appears.  His mother, who loves him dearly, is ill, and it is Ji Won’s love and support that helps him survive her death.  Upon Ji Won’s unexpected death, Seo Ha is left on his own to overcome the trauma – a trauma from which he suffers debilitating PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).  When he is with Ji Eum, however, Seo Ha begins to smile again.  He is shocked to find that his worries melt away and he feels a sense of relief in her presence.    

When Ji Eum first regains her memories in her 19th life, she only wants to find Seo Ha to make sure he is still alive.  But once she sees him again, she believes that they are meant to be together.  During her interview for the Strategic Planning Team at MI Hotel, she surprises him by asking if he would like to date her – an alternative to the position for which he is clearly reluctant to hire her.  Seo Ha finds her weird, but despite himself, cannot help being intrigued.  This exchange sets the tone for their relationship as Ji Eum attempts to spark Seo Ha’s realization that she is Ju Won reincarnated.    

“A Peck is Not a Kiss”

As the Lead Couple of “19th Life,” Ji Eum and Seo Ha have several swoon-worthy moments.  Seo Ha has lived a sorrowful life in Ju Won’s absence, and for a man who has avoided physical contact ever since he was trapped under Ju Won’s dead body as it slowly grew cold, Seo Ha quickly grows comfortable with Ji Eum’s touch.  When Ji Eum offers him an impromptu dance lesson on the seawall by the ocean, Seo Ha’s does not shy away from her touch.  His subsequent smile reflects genuine joy.   

Seo Ha also accepts – and even begins to seek – emotional and physical solace from Ji Eum.  An example of this is when Seo Ha asks Ji Eum for a hug after his fight with his best friend and secretary, Ha Do Yun (Ahn Dong Goo).  When Ji Eum willingly obliges, Seo Ha uncharacteristically sinks into her welcoming embrace, gratefully laying his head on her shoulder.   

But amongst all their sweet and tender moments, the “A Peck is Not a Kiss” kiss that they share is the most swoon-worthy of them all!  Seo Ha suffers an emotional blow at the hand of his family, and jumps – fully-clothed – into the family swimming pool.  (Side note: Throughout the series, we see Seo Ha do this time and time again, though never fully clothed. The bottom of a pool serves as his retreat from the overwhelming world.)  Later that evening, Ji Eum discovers Seo Ha walking down the middle of the road, dripping with water.  She pulls her car over, wraps him in a warm blanket, and lovingly strokes his face.  She does not pry, nor does she judge.  Instead, she confidently tells him that “whatever happened,” he “did well.”  In that moment, Seo Ha surprises them both by suddenly kissing her.  Then, just as suddenly, shocked by his own actions, he pulls away.  With a smile on her face, Ji Eum asks if he just kissed her.  Embarrassed, Seo Ha insists that it was not a kiss, but a simple peck.  To which Ji Eum responds by grabbing the blanket draped around Seo Ha, pulling him forward, standing on her tiptoes, putting her hands behind his neck, and giving him a “proper kiss.”  But the most heartfelt moment comes after the kiss, when Seo Ha unabashedly admits that he feels like he is “in a different world” now that Ji Eum is here. 

Other Relationships

In “19th Life,” there are many important relationships in both Ji Eum and Seo Ha’s lives.  There are times when an enemy from a past life becomes your family in a new life and Ji Eum admits that her family in her 19th life – a mother who leaves her, a worthless older brother, and a deadbeat dad who drove the dump truck responsible for the accident which cut her 18th life short – is her worst family connection ever.  But what is family but those who share your highs and lows, rejoicing when you are happy, and helping you pick yourself up when you fall.   

Kim Ae Gyeong (Cha Chung-Hwa) is Ji Eum’s niece from her 17th life.  She is the first person who believes the truth about Ji Eum and her reincarnated lives.  She takes 9-year-old Ji Eum in when she runs away from her horrible family and shares in her adventure of reuniting with Seo Ha.

Do Yun is Seo Ha’s best friend since high school and serves as his secretary.  He is the son of the driver who is also killed in the accident that took Ju Won’s life, but he is unwaveringly loyal to Seo Ha and never blames for his father’s death.  He finds Ji Eum strange and suspicious, but it is only because of Do Yun that she makes it past the application process.  He also notices that Seo Ha’s relationship with Ji Eum seems to do him good, as he is no longer depressed.

But perhaps one of the most endearing relationships in “19th Life” is the relationship between Ji Eum/Ju Won and Yoon Cho Won (Ha Yoon Kyung), Ju Won’s younger sister (in her 18th life).  Like Seo Ha, Cho Won is inexplicably drawn to Ji Eum.  And though Ji Eum initially misunderstands Cho Won and Seo Ha’s relationship, she learns that the two have a sibling-like relationship, strained by Ju Won’s tragic death.  The two women become fast friends, and Ji Eum reaches out to Cho Won because her heart yearns to reconnect with her.  Ji Eum notes that Cho Won grows flowers for a living and is an expert at planting seeds and patiently waiting.  This is reflected in her slow-burning relationship with Do Yun.  Cho Won’s fashion is high-end, but always looks a bit doll-like, with a mostly pink and white color palette, and clothes with collars and ruffles.  This signifies that Cho Won is the younger of the two sisters, even though – in this life – she is biologically older than Ji Eum. 

Second Couple

The Second Couple in “19th Life” – Cho Won and Do Yun – turns the Korean trope of a poor female falling in love with a rich male on its head.  In this K-drama, it is Cho Won who comes from a wealthy family and Do Yun who comes from the working class.  And while Do Yun is aware of their social differences, Cho Won seems oblivious, never looking down on him and always defending him when a former classmate mistreats him.  But because Do Yun endures criticism as Seo Ha’s secretary, Do Yun does not wish to incite more criticism from others for being in a romantic relationship with someone from a super social class.  Therefore, despite his feelings for Cho Won, Do Yun continues to keep her at arm’s length. 

But where others see a cold individual in Do Yun, Cho Won sees warmth.  They first met as teenagers when Seo Ha asked Do Yun to take an umbrella to Cho Won who was caught in the rain.  Seo Ha wanted to take care of Ju Won’s little sister, but seeing her brought back too many painful memories.  Do Yun’s willingness to help set the tone for the relationship between the two men as Do Yun became someone Seo Ha could rely on.  This act of kindness also made an impact on Cho Won, who fell for Do Yun that day. 

Running

The act of running plays an important role in “19th Life” and appears several times throughout the K-drama.  Nine-year-old Ji Eum takes teenaged Seo Ha by the hand and runs with him to help him evade capture when he is destroying property out of frustration.  Adult Ji Eum also takes Seo Ha’s hand and runs when she witnesses him having a panic attack in the streets.  Ji Eum tells Seo Ha that she runs as a way to help her cope with anxiety.  Because when you run, you have to focus on your breathing, and all of the overwhelming thoughts in your head are pushed aside.  Seo Ha learns from Ji Eum and returns the favor, taking her hand and running when Cho Won’s mother (Ji Won’s mother in her 18th life) discovers them outside her door, and again when they are dancing on the seawall and it suddenly begins to rain.

Coping with Death

“19th Life” addresses coping with death and the importance of having proper support.  Ae Gyeong is left alone as a 10-year-old girl when her uncle (Ji Eum in her 17th life) dies.  Though she survives, life is a struggle and she is alone until she is reunited with her reincarnated uncle (Ji Eum in her 19th life).  When we first see Seo Ha as a child, his mother is ill.  Upon her death, he is able to cope while leaning on the support of Ji Won (Ji Eum in her 18th life).  But upon Ji Won’s death, Seo Ha, unable to cope on his own, struggles with PTSD and avoids physical contact.  For Ji Eum, her life ended, but for those who were left behind – Ae Gyeong, Cho Won, her parents, and Seo Ha – they had to find a way to continue to live. 

The Importance of 0423

In “19th Life,” the number 0423 – or April 23 – plays a significant role.  It is Seo Ha’s passcode to his front door, it is the date of Seo Ha’s birthday, and it is the date of Ju Won’s death.  It is a number that represented joy for Seo Ha as a child as he excitedly anticipated his birthday, which he and Ju Won were going to celebrate his birthday together at an amusement park.  But even more than representing his birthday, April 23 was the date on which Ju Won was going to reveal her feelings for him.  But the joy and anticipation associated with 0423 were replaced with sorrow when it became the most traumatic day in his life, the date when he, Ju Won, and Do Yun’s dad were involved in the fateful car accident.  Seo Ha remained frozen, living every day trapped in the events of that day.  He carried with him the guilt of their deaths, unable to be happy because people died in his place.

Kang Min Gi

Kang Min Gi (Lee Chae-Min) is a part-timer at Ae Gyeong’s restaurant, but like Ji Eum, he is able to remember his past lives.  Through flashbacks, we learn that Min Gi was a shaman in Ji Eum’s 1st life.  Min Gi warns Ji Eum that reconnecting with people from her past lives causes them to die, and submits as evidence Ae Gyeong’s health issues.  The answer lies in her 1st life – which she is able to eventually recall, with the help of Min Gi’s shaman bells – where Min Gi murdered Ji Eum’s sister and Ji Eum vowed to never forget her rage.  He tells her that in order for her to lead a “normal” life, unaware of her past lives, she must be willing to let go and move on.  Unfortunately, this means forgetting all of the people from her past lives, including Seo Ha, Cho Won, and Ae Gyeong.   

Plot Holes and Lack of Resolution

Unfortunately, for me, this is where the storyline for this otherwise stellar K-drama begins to have a few plot holes.  First of all, it is never established that Ae Gyeong’s health issues have anything to do with her association with Ji Eum.  People get sick.  Ji Eum died young in her 17th life as Ae Gyeong’s uncle.  And she was being raised by her uncle because her parents had already passed away. Could Ae Gyeong have a hereditary health issue? 

It is also never explained why Ji Eum must choose to forget her past lives NOW, in the middle of her 19th life.  Ji Eum wants to end the curse of remembering her past lives, but if the result is that she forgets the people in her current life, why now?  Ji Eum states that she does not believe that remembering her past lives is hurting anyone.  Could she be happy forgetting these people?  The flimsy reason given is that the people around her will suffer if she does not, but it is wholly unsubstantiated.  Are we to believe it simply because Min Gi says it is so?  A character, I might point out, who was ruthless in a previous life? 

And also, becoming normal means Ji Eum will forget the people from her past lives, but she also has legitimately met and formed relationships with them in her 19th life.  So even if she could not recall their past lives together, why would she forget the developed relationships in this, her current, life?  Why would she forget them completely?  This leads to an ending that feels empty.  Because though she is surrounded by people who are willing to make every effort to bring her back into their lives, the K-drama ends without that resolution.

In addition, the issue of Ji Eum killing Seo Ha in her 1st life is brought up, but quickly dropped.  In her attempt to stab Min Gi, Ji Eum stabs Seo Ha, and Seo Ha dies as a result of that wound. This point is glossed over with Seo Ha saying he is not “one bit” interested.  Wait, what?

Final verdict: WATCH  

“19th Life” is a K-drama with a storyline that keeps you on your toes.  It bounces around seamlessly between Ji Eum’s various lives.  It addresses the question of how do you share a happy goodbye with a loved one?  The solution that it proffers is that you share your happy moments, and this is portrayed in the various relationships.  The relationships are the highlight of the K-drama, especially the relationship between the sisters and the interactions between the four main characters.  Heartfelt relationships, a compelling storyline, and a great OST is a tried-and-true formula for an addictive K-drama.  But that being said, Ji Eum choosing to forget her past lives – and everyone in them – seemed illogical and unnecessary.  Though it was sweet to see Ji Eum’s loved ones purposely renter her life, it seemed like a disservice to the relationships we had come to love.  After watching Ji Eum spend the entire series convincing Seo Ha that they belonged together, it felt dissatisfying to have it end with her not believing that they did.  The series wrapped up quickly, without the closure the audience needed, and proved a disappointing ending for a K-drama with so much potential.  If “See You in My 19th Life” had stuck the landing, it would have been a MUST WATCH, but for me, it is a WATCH.

So there it is, our review of “See You in My 19th Life.”  What did you think?!  Thank you for joining us on this journey. 

Have a favorite K-drama you think we should review, comment down below!!  We look forward to seeing you back again soon!

Up next, “Iris”