The 12-episode Korean series had a lot of hype at the beginning of the airing, but seems to have fizzled off especially in the last few episodes. The plot of the show is actually interesting and definitely not your ordinary story. The first couple of episodes provide the backdrop of the life story of the elderly debt-collector Lee Hae Suk (portrayed by veteran actress Kim Hye Ja) and her bed-ridden husband Go Nak Jun. Having a hard life, but never down and trodden, Hae Suk plods along her difficult life with apprentice Yeong Ae to collect debts. Although generally not well-liked, she works hard to support her husband and ownself. When her husband passes on, she lives on and shortly also passes on herself, not surprising as both of them are already way in their 70s.
Personally, I find the story getting more interesting after she passes on. She is “collected” by the soul-collector in a world very much like an automated modern world that we live in. At the centre, she is to be assessed whether she will go to heaven or hell, and upon that to decide how she will want to live in heaven. This is where things do go wrong even in heaven. She chooses to keep her current appearance at death (in her 70s). Voila, upon reuniting with her dead husband Nak Jun who chooses to be in his 30s, she has great regrets but could not revisit the decision. At the same time, doubts come pounding whether she is really deserving of a place in heaven.
As she continues to live in heaven with husband Nak Jun, she encounters people from her past life and new friends.
- First on the list to reunite is her husband Go Nak Jun. Although extremely happy to reunite, Hae Suk struggles with her identity as an older person while husband Nak Jun is in his 30s. The acting from both actor and actress are great and did not result in awkwardness in the relationship. There were doubts but the strong bond transcends the actual physical match of Hae Suk and Nak Jun.
- Her cat Sonya, who is aloof but always keeping an eye on her. Such a sweet-looking Sonya cat.
- Her mother in law with whom she does not get along with. Their difficult relationship seems to continue even in heaven, providing some clarity for the two of them to iron out their differences.
- A young pastor assigned to Hae Suk to redeem herself. Their relationship turns from a forced-to-be situation to adoring pastor and “believer”. The interaction of the elderly Hae Suk (and slightly naughty) and the naive but tiresome somewhat dejected young pastor is sweet. Almost like a need for the two of them to complement each other. And more shocking revelation in the later part of the series.
- A new friend in Som I, a soul that Nak Jun saved in the train from going to Hell, with the indication of secrets that she brings with her.
- Surprised visit from Yeong Ae, who is believed to pass on soon after Hae Suk.
The series uses the backdrop of the enduring love story of Hae Suk and Nak Jun, but explores the unfinished business and the knots in the heart of the various people in their life. Her doubts increases more on her worthiness of a place in heaven, as she is punished for losing her temper to unruly behaviour towards others. The layers of the plots are peeled one by one, slowly with the introduction to how heaven and hell works. Then the backdrop and reason for their situations. As more are revealed, the suspense becomes more high-strung as confusions and secrets are slowly opened up to their memories.
Spoilers alert:
As the series reveal plot by plot, Hae Suk’s life is indeed a pitiful one. Having lost her own young child, she erases her own memory of her child while Nak Jun allows her to grief at her own pace. However, Nak Jun continues to search for his child only to meet with an accident that left him paralysed. Hae Suk becomes a debt-collector to support themselves, while Nak Jun never brings up their child to allow Hae Suk a “calmer” life.
As the entanglement deepens, Young Ae is the reincarnated soul of Hae Suk’s own birth mother (who is a mistress that came between Hae Suk’s parents). Her kindness to Young Ae when she was abused by her father seals their binding fate together. Always together, in good and bad times.
The big surprise revelation is in the form of the childish young pastor at Heaven’s church. Often melancholic, irritable but naive and childish, he feels annoyed at Hae Suk’s lackadaisical and laid-back attitude. He is confused with his own feelings as the need to experience things with Hae Suk fills him with happiness. When it is finally revealed that he is the long-lost young son of Hae Suk and Nak Jun, all the pieces of the puzzle seem to fit in together. Especially his happiness of spending time & experiencing the food cooked by Hae Suk.
Feel-Good Factors & Naysayers
Nak Jun’s portrayal of the sunshine husband is almost too good to be true, but such a lovely character. Always positive and supportive of Hae Suk. His interaction with Som I almost provides an alternative that he did cheat on Hae Suk, but what I find incredulous is he could not recognise Som I as the younger version of Hae Suk. In his own state of confusion, he allows himself not to recognise the signs.
My favourite character has to be King Yeomra (and of course the other side of him in the form of Heaven’s Director). They are one of the same, playing different role. During the introduction to Hell, the concept is very much aligned with the concept of 18 levels of hell firmly entrenched in the East Asian culture. Even the punishments are similarly linked with their actions during their lifetime. What impresses me the most is the new “punishments” introduced in Hell to punish new kind of evils done in the living world. These includes cyber-bullying evil deeds by keyboard warriors whereby they are embedded as the keys in the keyboard, only to be repeatedly clicked on. That is what I called punishments for keyboard warriors. 😀
The series did provide some time on the thoughts that all pets go to heaven. The series squeezes the notion and fully immerses deceased pets into the story to get sympathy. However, the 3 stray dogs and their life experiences in heaven as subplots seem to be a little off.
Deeper Thoughts
Frankly, the last few episodes were kind of confusing and raises a lot more questions than answering them. Instead of the “heaven”, the place where all these kind souls are resting seem to turn into a processing centre before they choose to be reincarnated. The concept is quite apt and does reflect many East Asian beliefs in karmic relationship. As the characters choose to be reincarnated, the thought-process seems to flow through such concept. Willingly reincarnate to relieve their karmic debts to others in the past & current lives.
What I did find a little confusing is the intended relationship between Hae Suk and Nak Jun. They are revealed to be husband and wife for many of their past lives, and in as many of these lives encountered continuous sufferings. I did not really understand the real reasons that bonded them in such karmic cycle and the continuous sufferings that they encountered in the cycle.
It was also a little sad and confusing to see their child’s decision (ie the young pastor) to reincarnate. It was never really revealed much on his thoughts after the big reveal is made. It still puzzles me how he could accept the situation.
I also find significant similarity with US series “The Good Place” especially in their build-up of the heaven and hell. Interesting concept to introduce to viewers.
Conclusion : 7/10
The concept is fresh to introduce such an unconventional story. Acting-wise I really like the main actress and actor’s portrayal. With such a big gap, they are still able to portray their love for each other in an un-cringey way. There are flaws in the pacing, script and even story-telling, which confuses many viewers including myself. But I will give this a thumbs up for its effort for a fresh story-telling. Watch this only if you have a lot of patience for confusing storyline and interest in the after-life concepts. Otherwise, you may be better off skipping this for now.
Cheng's Musings 