How to Stream What Comes After Love (2024) K-Drama: Complete Guide

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.

Plot Overview

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.

Cast and Characters

• Lee Se-young as Choi Hong: A Korean woman torn between her unresolved feelings for her past love and the life she has built in his absence.
• Kentaro Sakaguchi as Aoki Jungo: A Japanese man filled with regret over his lost love, who cannot move on from his memories of Hong.
• Hong Jong-hyun as Song Min-jun: A Korean man hopelessly in love with Hong, willing to stand by her even as she wrestles with her past.
• Anne Nakamura as Kobayashi Kanna: Jungo’s ex-girlfriend, adding tension to the story as she tries to reclaim her place in his life.
• Lee So-hee as Choi Rok: Hong’s younger sister, offering a more grounded perspective on her older sister’s emotional struggles.

Production and Filming

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.

Themes and Reception

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.

Streaming Platforms

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.