K-Drama Flashback: ‘When the Camellia Blooms’

When the Camellia Blooms aired in 2019—in the initial phase of my K-drama journey—it was certainly one of those Korean dramas that sealed my interest in them. A gem of a work, the story blends thrills of suspense with softer moments of romance and reflection, best conveying how true love gives you the strength and courage you need.

Central to the plot is Gong Hyo-jin’s Oh Dong-baek, a resilient single mother who relocates to a hamlet looking for a stable and nurturing environment for herself and her child, and while trying to find her footing there, establishes her bar, Camellia. One day she meets Kang Ha-neul’s Hwang Yong-sik—an earnest, jovial cop who—smitten by her at first sight—candidly admits to having fallen for her—even as she remains hesitant to trust another man.

Yong-sik is unwavering in his feelings and his efforts to court her. However, their blossoming love story faces a new and deeply unsettling threat in the form of a notorious killer who has set his sights on Dong-baek as his new target. So, Yong-sik resolves to stay by her side and apprehend the criminal in question.

The unprecedented critical and commercial reception of When the Camellia Blooms is evidenced by its multiple nods and accolades, including the Grand Prize for Television, Best Screenplay, and acting awards for the lead actors at the prestigious 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, as well as a Grand Prize at the 2019 KBS Drama Awards, underscoring the series’ achievements in drawing audiences with things admirable—its storytelling, its characters, and, unmistakably, the performances.

I’d also like to emphasize the significance of the drama title. Camellia flowers, “동백꽃” in Korean, usually symbolize love and endurance as well as life’s transient aspect. In When the Camellia Blooms, the camellia serves as a metaphor for [particularly] Dong-baek’s journey of self-discovery, love, and what ultimately comes of the human spirit against societal adversity.

The title very cleverly hints at an important phase in the life of the characters. The emphasis it places on the blooming of Camellia connects to the evolving relationship between Dong-baek and Yong-sik and how they grow as individuals through the unfolding of events in the drama.

Dong-baek is a sophisticated and dynamic woman who sort of instantly wins over you with how strong she is, her willpower, and her solid bent of mind to provide her son with a haven. Her growth and change—amid the social stigma and criticism that often accompany being a single mother—resonate, inspiring empathy and appreciation despite the difficulties she encounters as a woman.

Yong-sik adds a breath of fresh air into the story as much as into Dong-baek’s life, bringing an entertaining and endearing layer to the narrative as his persistent pursuit of her attention and affection balances his sincere efforts to protect her from the looming danger of the serial killer.

Succinctly, When the Camellia Blooms succeeds in its precise mix of genres, nuanced characters, and essential social criticism, the entirety of which is made memorable by the stunning portrayals of seasoned actors—a beloved K-drama that promises and continues to entertain.