In “Sweet Home”, another hot topic of discussion was the relationship between Lee EunHyuk and Lee EunYoo, played by actress Go MinSi. Fans just could not get enough of their dynamic, even though it was a sibling relationship that had nothing to do with romance whatsoever. Perhaps recognising the huge potential of chemistry between the two actors as well as the fans’ response to the same, Lee DoHyun and Go MinSi have come together as the lead actors of the latest romance drama, “Youth Of May”. Set in the 1980s, during the revolutionary time of the Gwangju Uprising in South Korea, this drama will tell of the turbulent push and pull of fated love and destiny between Hwang HeeTae (played by Lee DoHyun) and Kim MyungHee (played by Go MinSi). Spoiler Alert! HeeTae comes from a rich and influential family and is a medical student at Seoul National University. However, he doesn’t seem to be too wanted or beloved of his family. MyungHee comes from a humble background but is a skilled and hardworking nurse. She applies for higher education and gets accepted at a German University. Her Church Father recommends her for a scholarship but on the sole condition that she has to leave within a month. Her family situation isn’t the best either for it seems that her relationship with her father is quite rocky. Her mother and younger brother adore her and her grandmother seems to be troubled. The other most important characters in the drama are those of Lee SooChan (played by Lee SangYi) and Lee SooRyeon (played by Keum SaeRok). SooRyeon also belongs to an affluent family but tries to denounce her privilege every chance she gets. She’s a revolutionary and is protesting for democratization alongside other student protestors and is nicknamed the “Joan of Ark”. However, she’s dear to her father, who gets her out of any and all sticky situations involving the police. SooChan is SooRyeon’s brother who seems to have a soft spot for MyungHee. From as far as the story has gone, HeeTae is seen taking care of a woman named SeokChul but we’re yet to discover her identity or what she means to Hee Tae. It is clear however that taking care of her is HeeTae’s responsibility because of some unfortunate incident, for which HeeTae has taken accountability. SeokChul wants to go home from Seoul and her home happens to be in Gwangju, where HeeTae tries his best to get her transferred to, even if that means kneeling in front of his father. In exchange for SeokChul’s transfer, HeeTae has to go on a date with Lee ChangKeun’s (played by Eom HyoSeop) daughter, Lee SooRyeon. SooRyeon has to go on this date in return for the favour her father does, by having her friends released from prison. However, SooRyeon isn’t the least bit inclined towards romantic affairs at this point. She has bigger concerns to address. At the same time, MyungHee cannot possibly save up enough for a ticket to Germany. Interests line up for both SooRyeon and MyungHee, who decide to help each other out. SooRyeon will buy MyungHee a flight to Germany and MyungHee will pose as SooRyeon on her date with HeeTae. Right before their first date, an accident on the road leaves HeeTae paralysed in fear as flashbacks of a traumatic incident flood his consciousness. MyungHee rises to the occasion and saves the victim readily with her quick presence of mind. Clearly she’s brilliant and it shows. Later, when MyungHee shows up on the date in front of HeeTae, he is smitten to say the least. Thus, with a deliberate comedy of errors, love in the time of revolution starts to bloom. A lot happens in the first episode but it still feels slow-paced. Varied characters and their personal agendas are introduced, a lot of prospects are set up but there doesn’t seem to be a definite hook as of yet. There’s still no way to properly gauge anyone’s complete personality either. SooRyeon, in particular, isn’t coming off as grave as the narrative establishes her and there are clear contrasts in her motives and values, where on the one hand, she’s defiant of capitalist tendencies but doesn’t hesitate to put her privilege to use. Hopefully and in all probability, this will change in the next few episodes. HeeTae’s driving principles are still blurry but MyungHee is probably the most fleshed-out character so far. She’s hard-working, sincere, uptight and ambitious. The premiere of “Youth of May” isn’t path-breaking or the most exciting ever but it has a quiet charm that keeps the audience want to come back for more if only to see how the characters are doing. As is always the case with mistaken identities, “Youth Of May” is sure to be a roller-coaster ride of emotions, especially owing to the background against which it is set. Either way, it is definitely worth a watch! Netizens Are Already Loving Lee DoHyun & Go MinSi’s Chemistry In Upcoming “Youth Of May” KDRAMA STORIES|Apr 28, 2021
