Friends

Friends is a short series collaborated between South Korea and Japan productions. This romance drama had been broadcasted back in 2002.

Cast:

Won Bin as Kim Ji Hoon

Fukada Kyoko as Asai Tomoko

Lee Dong Gun as Park Kyung Joo

Han Hye Jin as Park Hye Jin

Source: DramaWiki

Synopsis:

Left alone on a trip to Hong Kong by her friend, Asai Tomoko (Fukada) has become the victim of a purse robbery and mistaken that Kim Ji Hoon (Won Bin) is the one who took her bag while he is trying to film his independent movie project. Since Tomoko lost her money, Ji Hoon ends up has to take Tomoko for a dinner at his aunt’s Korean restaurant and in return she agree to model for his film. Despite language barrier (Tomoko basically only speak Japanese), they have spent a good couple of days together in Hong Kong. Before returning to their home country, the two exchange each other e-mail. With quite romantic atmosphere, Tomoko gives Ji Hoon a little kiss in the cheek and he does the same to her.

After return back to their normal life, they begin e-mailing each other. Tomoko sends e-mails to Ji Hoon in Japanese and his roommate, Park Kyung Joo (Lee Dong Gun), who had been study in Japan for a year does the translation for him. Through e-mails they have exchanged the kindness and developed deeper relationship. Liking Ji Hoon encourages Tomoko to have an interest in learning Korean language.

She finally finds a chance to visit South Korea. A little obstacle happened, Ji Hoon doesn’t get her e-mail about being in Soul because of his roommate’s jealousy sister, Park Hye Jin (Han Hye Jin), who in love with him saw the e-mail and deleted it. Well, she tells him at the last night of Tomoko in town, and that’s how they get to see each other in Soul. They confess their feeling and Ji Hoon promises that the next time they meet he will be the one who go find her in Tokyo.

Ji Hoon goes along with his colleagues to Japan as a volunteer for the independent film even. Right before he meets with Tomoko, he meets with her co-worker who also likes her. Ji Hoon decides to leave Japan without meeting Tomoko and decides to give up on her. After come back from Japan, he decides to serve in the army. Tomoko finally find out of what was going on, she rushes to Korea and goes to see him at the army camp. He tells her that they are too different and says good bye to her.

Two years go by, Tomoko has never given up on learning Korean language, and because of her Ji Hoon has not given up on his dream of becoming a movie director either. They meet again in Soul while Tomoko is working as a Japanese tour guild. They start dating each other again. Until on Ji Hoon’s birthday, his parents find out that he is still pursuing career in movie business and on the top of that he’s dating Japanese girl. Tomoko finds out that in order to be with her Ji Hoon is about to give up his dream of becoming a director, she tells him that she wouldn’t be happy if he has to give up his dream for her. She goes back to Japan.

At the end Ji Hoon doesn’t give up his dream and a year later he goes to Japan to take her back. Happy Ending!

This is such a perfect short series. A second time I see Won Bin (Autumn Tale) and Lee Dong Gun (Sweet18). They’re sure eyes’ candies. I totally fall for Won Bin in this series! Fukada is really pretty, but I can see if some one wouldn’t like her acting in here. It’s a little skeptical, but I like it. Anyway, I’m so glad I watched this series. I just couldn’t stop smiling when it is over; it’s just too cute!

It Started with a Kiss - OST
Absolute Boyfriend (Zettai Kareshi)