What Comes After Love (2024) is a South Korean romance melodrama that tells the heart-tugging story of love, separation, and rediscovery. The series follows Choi Hong (Lee Se-young), a Korean woman, and Aoki Jungo (Kentaro Sakaguchi), a Japanese man, who fall deeply in love while Hong is studying in Japan. However, circumstances lead to their painful separation. Five years later, they reunite in Korea, but time has not healed the wounds of their past. Hong struggles to move forward, even as Song Min-jun (Hong Jong-hyun), a Korean man who loves her unconditionally, vies for her affection. Meanwhile, Jungo is haunted by regrets and can't forget Hong, despite his ex-girlfriend Kobayashi Kanna (Anne Nakamura) re-entering his life. Through their emotional reunion, the characters must navigate their complex feelings and decide if love is worth rekindling or if it's best left in the past. The series explores the themes of lost love, cultural differences, and the powerful connection that transcends time and distance.
What Comes After Love (Korean: 사랑 후에 오는 것들) is a South Korean romance melodrama series that premiered on September 27, 2024, on Coupang Play. Directed by Moon Hyun-sung and based on the novel Things that Come After Love by Gong Ji-yeong and Hitonari Tsuji, this drama takes audiences on a heart-wrenching journey that transcends national boundaries, diving into the intricacies of love, loss, and rediscovery.
Starring popular actors Lee Se-young and Kentaro Sakaguchi, the series paints a tender love story between a Korean woman and a Japanese man. The show has gained attention for its emotional depth, portraying the complex nature of cross-cultural relationships and the lingering impact of lost love.
At the heart of What Comes After Love is the poignant romance between Choi Hong (played by Lee Se-young), a Korean woman, and Aoki Jungo (played by Kentaro Sakaguchi), a Japanese man. The two meet while Hong is studying in Japan, and they quickly fall in love. However, life takes them in different directions, forcing them to separate.
Five years later, fate brings them back together in Korea. As the two grapple with their unresolved feelings and the passage of time, they must decide whether to rekindle their relationship or continue living with the choices they’ve made. Their reunion sparks emotional turbulence as both try to move on from their past but are held back by what they once shared.
The drama is further complicated by the presence of Song Min-jun (played by Hong Jong-hyun), a Korean man who is deeply in love with Hong, and Kobayashi Kanna (played by Anne Nakamura), Jungo’s former girlfriend who still harbors feelings for him.
The series marks the small-screen directorial debut of Moon Hyun-sung, known for his work on films like The King's Case Note (2017) and Seoul Vibe (2022). Filming took place between South Korea and Japan, emphasizing the cross-cultural narrative that drives the story. The series is produced by Silver Lining Studio and Contents Seven, with Coupang Play serving as the primary platform for release.
What Comes After Love delves deeply into themes of regret, the complexities of love across cultural borders, and the question of whether time can truly heal emotional wounds. The drama has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of relationships, bolstered by strong performances from its lead cast. The emotional pull of the narrative has resonated with viewers who appreciate character-driven stories that explore the lingering effects of past relationships.
In addition to its airing on Coupang Play, What Comes After Love is available for streaming in selected regions via Viu and Viki, making it accessible to an international audience keen on exploring the drama.
For fans of romance and melodrama, What Comes After Love offers a heartfelt and emotionally charged story that stays with you long after the credits roll.
What Comes After Love is a romantic melodrama about a Korean woman and a Japanese man who experience love, separation, and reunite after five years. It's a story of cross-cultural love and the emotional challenges that come with it.
The main cast includes Lee Se-young as Choi Hong, Kentaro Sakaguchi as Aoki Jungo, and Hong Jong-hyun as Song Min-jun.
What Comes After Love premiered on September 27, 2024, and airs every Friday at 20:00 KST on Coupang Play.
Yes, the series is based on the novel Things That Come After Love by Gong Ji-yeong and Hitonari Tsuji.
You can stream What Comes After Love on Coupang Play, Viu, and Viki in selected regions.
The series consists of 4 episodes.
The K-drama was directed by Moon Hyun-sung, known for films like The King’s Case Note and Seoul Vibe.
It is a romance melodrama, focusing on the emotional intricacies of love and separation between characters from different cultural backgrounds.
Yes, the series features both Korean and Japanese dialogue, reflecting the cultural backgrounds of the lead characters.
Yes, Anne Nakamura plays Kobayashi Kanna, Jungo’s ex-girlfriend, and Lee So-hee portrays Choi Rok, Hong’s younger sister.