K-Drama Flashback: ‘Secret Garden’

Secret Garden is the same as twenty distinct episodes of pure drama. Is mysticism an aspect of it? Yes, of course, but the magic herein draws its inspiration not only from the fantasy element but also from the way it is conveyed, the theme around which the plot flows, and how the power of love is depicted, making it a solid viewing experience. 

It’s a Beautiful Narrative of Two Realities

The snooty CEO of a luxury department store, Kim Joo-won, begins to pursue stuntwoman Gil Ra-im shortly after encountering her. Contrary to what he imagined, Gil constantly yanks him away, setting up a tense scene. A pivotal night in what happens occurs when the two characters swap bodies, triggering an upswing of conflicting feelings and a plot twist reminiscent of Freaky Friday.

Hyun Bin‘s portrayal of Joo-won skyrocketed his stardom. The success spawned a global phenomenon termed the “Hyun Bin Syndrome,” whereby his image popped everywhere. Meanwhile, Ha Ji-won’s portrayal of lonesome Ra-im was one of her best—a deft mix of her fixation with Hallyu star Osaka (Yoon Sang-hyun) and the ensuing anger and love she feels for Kim.

As the two worlds collide and Joo-won and Ra-im strive to reclaim their bodies, feelings suddenly emerge. However, Joo-won sustains an injury that renders him memoryless; Ra-im tries to jog his consciousness while Joo-won brushes her off before regaining his recall of events.

Features Heartfelt Conversations

Secret Garden, a postmodern, quirky Cinderella story, came out in 2010. Still, its appeal hasn’t waned for over a decade. I love parts of Joo-won and Ra-im’s insightful dialogues in the drama, underscoring how “love knows no boundaries. It is magical and life-changing.” Check out these quotes from them as they profess their fondness for each other.

Joo-won, as we see, evolves from an archetypal snob into a normal bloke who interacts passionately and appreciates when he is around Ra-im. “She drives like a car racer,” he says. “She’ll punch fists if she sees someone’s purse being snatched, even if she’s never met them before. She has no money and her body is scarred, but she refuses to spend even one second of one minute with people like us. That’s the type of woman she is. I’ve never met a woman as cool as her.”

Ra-im is cognizant of who she is, what she is dealing with, and where she belongs. As a result, she resists herself, despite her overwhelming emotions for Joo-won. “There are things that are thought of as fantasies simply because they’re far away,” she says, admitting her suppressed feelings. “Starry bodies are like that. Just as it is with people who are too beautiful, they readily disappear.” “In the books that I’d read to find out what he’s really like, this was a passage that had long settled in my heart. It’s now that I realize how beautiful a person he is. And therefore, how far away he is from me. He’ll disappear someday, too, like people do when they’re too beautiful.”

When Joo-won holds Ra-im in an intimate exchange, trying to figure out how she feels for him, it sparks an emotionally charged moment. “Do you need more miracles? There was already a miracle. A woman with no decent family background, no money, and no good looks has become very special to someone who has everything. Isn’t that a miracle? Be honest. When I was clinging on to you, I know you said ‘go away, disappear,’ but inside you didn’t. Right?”

Ra-im finally confesses to Joo-won, “We still don’t have a single wedding photo,” which clarifies how things eventually boil down to a happy ending. “We live a magical life, loving and being loved every day.” She goes on, “Perhaps being in love is a lot like swapping souls.” “May your soul have flowers that bloom; a cool breeze; a shining sun; and, once in a while, a magical rain that falls.”

Ends Well

Secret Garden is a beautiful romance capped off by a comforting epilogue. In my head, Ra-im remains an absolute rockstar!” getting past hardship while still keeping her positive stance. I feel the woman’s humanity and fearlessness, and Joo-won’s ardent love for her through circumstances, add more to the soul of Secret Garden. “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage” is made explicit in the finale, the one that ties up every loose end and reconciles the lovers in a happily ever after.

The enduring popularity and universal acclaim of Secret Garden spurred remakes in China and Thailand. In case you missed it, Big Bang later filmed Secret Big Bang, a parody of Secret Garden starring T.O.P. as Kim Joo-top and G-Dragon as G Ra-im. Check out the video below.