Interested in romantic fantasy dramas with a touch of comedy and an otherworldly twist, “My Love From the Star” is perfect for your next K-drama binge. This is the story of an extraterrestrial alien who arrives on Earth in 1609 during the Joseon dynasty. After living here for 400 years, he meets and falls in love with a top Korean actress. Let’s learn more about this K-drama and find out why it was so popular.
Breaking Down The Cultural Knowledge
When you watch a K-drama while living in Korea or planing to live in Korea, you may want to go deeper than just the show. In order to fully understand the context of entertainment and the world around you, plan on looking at not only experiencing the movie plot, but also at learning about the actors, music, and cultural conversation. Let’s dig into June’s K-drama, “My Love From the Star.”
About “My Love From the Star”
“My Love From the Star” aired on the South Korean television network SBS on December 18, 2013. This drama, also known as “You Who Came from the Stars,” is an original television series created by writer Park Ji-eun.
This story revolves around Do Min-joon, the alien who lands on Earth during the Joseon Dynasty. He possesses extraordinary powers and has remained detached from human relationships during his 400 years on Earth. However, when he meets Cheon Song-yi, the famous Hallyu (Korean Wave) actress, he finds himself falling in love. The relationship faces many obstacles including Do Min-joon’s knowledge that he will have to return to his home planet.
Ultimately, this drama provides a captivating storyline with romance, fantasy and comedy.
About the Drama’s Success
“My Love From the Star” was written by Park Ji-eun, a South Korean screenwriter and television producer. She is also known for works such as “The Producers,” “The Legend of the Blue Sea,” “You’re All Surrounded,” “Queen of Housewives,” and “Crash Landing on You.” In addition to having such a prominent writer, this k-drama features popular actors and actresses, such as Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun.
Garnering widespread popularity in South Korea and internationally, “My Love From the Star” became a cultural phenomenon. With impressive viewership ratings and positive reviews from critics and viewers, the drama also was nominated for numerous awards. In 2014, the drama won awards from the Baeksang Arts Awards, Shanghai Television Festival Magnolia Awards, Korea Broadcasting Awards, Seoul International Drama Awards, Korea Drama Awards, and many others.
About the Drama’s Themes
“My Love From the Star” explores many themes throughout its storyline. Some of the most prominent themes addressed are love surpassing boundaries, destiny and fate, redemption and forgiveness, sacrifice and selflessness and valuing and living in the present moment. The main theme of this drama surrounds the idea that the power of love transcends time and space. Throughout the series, love bridges gaps between individuals regardless of species, backgrounds, circumstances or time and space.
Another theme presented in the drama is that of celebrity life and the challenges it brings. Since Cheon Song-yi is a popular actress in the story, the drama touches upon the scrutiny, pressures and sacrifices that often come with fame. Also, it highlights the public image and personal struggles that celebrities often face.
The Music of “My Love From the Star”
Whenever a new, popular K-drama hits the screen you hear the music everywhere. Take the time to become familiar with the track list and maybe even memorize one for the norae-bang. This will make you an absolute superstar at social gatherings. Below is a YouTube video with the Original Soundtrack from “My Love From the Star.”
Additionally, being able to sing the chorus when you hear the songs in the streets or be able to casually say to a new friend, “Oh, isn’t this the theme song for My Love From the Star?” creates a wonderful feeling of connectedness to the world around you.
Behind-the-Scenes Footage of “My Love From the Star”
After watching the K-drama and becoming familiar with the songs, it’s time to learn more about the cast. Watching the cast in behind-the-scenes footage or interviews can help you recognize the actors and actresses in new dramas or advertisements nationwide. Therefore, knowing about the cast enables you to create a language for understanding the visual world around you. Also, it is fun to watch behind-the-scenes footage and interviews where you can see glimpses of the creation of the drama and the interactions of the actors/actresses on set.
The Food of “My Love From the Star”
Food plays a significant role in “My Love From the Star.” When watching K-dramas, seeing the foods represented in the show is fun. This K-drama features many Korean dishes throughout its episodes. Some of the more notable food items featured were Chimaek (fried chicken and beer), jjajangmyeon, kimbap and tteokbokki.
Check out our series A Year to Learn Korean Cooking if you want to recreate the dishes you see on the screen at home. You may find some great tips to help you learn more about Korean foods.
Catch Up on Show Related Gossip
Now that you have watched the show, listened to the music, and learned about the actors, it’s time to learn the tea. What kind of drama developed surrounding “My Love From the Star?” The most notable scandal at the time for this K-drama was an accusation about plagiarism. The artist, Kang Kung-ok, claimed that the concept of the drama was plagiarized from her comic book Seol-hee. However, it appears that a motif from the Gwanghae Journal in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty was inspiration for both works. The lawsuit was dropped in July of 2014 after an out-of-court settlement.
2023 K-Drama 101 Recommendations
You can find more popular K-Drama recommendations on the K-Drama 101 recommendations list for 2023. Each month in 2023, we will dig into each of our K-Drama recommendations to give you in-depth information about the series.
2023 K-Drama Reviews
Did you like this drama review? Catch up on the other South of Seoul Dramas reviewed and recommend in 2023.
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Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
