South Korean television programs are so popular that they can even infiltrate the totalitarian state of North Korea. For decades, South Korean music (K-pop), shows (K-dramas), food, fashion, and more have reached far and wide, credited as “Hallyu” waves that have brought Korean culture to the world stage and helped the country’s economy flourish after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Nevertheless, K-dramas are more popular than ever before, and countless new fans tune in each year to watch swoonworthy romances, spine-chilling thrillers, and high-octane action dramas. Of course, some series have risen to prominence more quickly than others.
Case in point: if you’ve heard of K-dramas, chances are you’ve heard of <em>Crash Landing on You</em>. The 2019 romance is widely regarded as one of the best Korean shows of the century, if not all time. Yet, the 16-episode rom-com is also considered a wildly controversial K-drama due to its unflinching focus on the political strife between North and South Korea. Plenty of series have attempted to tackle the nuanced history, ranging from the critically panned Snowdrop to the acclaimed Descendants of the Sun, but arguably none come close to Crash Landing on You— which even reached North Korea.
One of the Best Lines from Crash Landing On You Became a Viral Trend in North Korea
The Show’s Dialogue Caused an International Stir
The basic premise of Crash Landing on You follows a South Korean heiress named Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) who accidentally crosses into the demilitarized zone (DMZ) of North Korea, leaving her at the whim of army captain Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin). To safely return Se-ri to the South, a band of North Korean soldiers must aid in her escape efforts. When she attempts to thank them, however, a simple dialogue exchange turns into the K-drama’s most infamous moment, as a line— which loosely translates into “Who died and made you the general?”— spread like wildfire in North Korea.
At face value, it may seem like a basic, if not cheeky, remark about Se-ri’s overzealous nature, but its virality in North Korea was seen as a small act of rebellion. According to high-ranking officials, the line’s reference to a “general” served to undercut the authority of dictator Kim Jong Un, while the broader dissemination of South Korean television allegedly functioned as indoctrination that could potentially encourage North Korean citizens to defect to the South. Beyond the iconic line, Crash Landing on You became a cultural institution worldwide, with numerous copies being illegally snuck into North Korea.
Why Crash Landing On You Is So Popular Despite Its Sensitive Premise
The Conflict Between North Korea & South Korea Isn’t Your Average Rom-Com Setting
Any series with political overtones automatically lends itself to controversy, but the response to Crash Landing on You was overwhelmingly positive. The rom-com earned both critical and commercial acclaim right out of the gate, and nearly seven years after its initial release, Crash Landing on You has only gotten better with age. Its divisive plot may have partially contributed to its ubiquity, but the series became one of the highest-rated K-dramas in history because of the undeniable quality of its storytelling.
Co-stars Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin began dating a year after Crash Landing on You released, and the pair are now married with a child.
A love plot between a chaebol heiress and a North Korean soldier could have gone very wrong, but Crash Landing on You threads the narrative needle and keeps both characters sympathetic, even when they feel fundamentally at war— both figuratively and literally. In every sense of the word, Crash Landing on You is a forbidden romance, which comes with its own advantages and risks. Regardless, its central love story ends up feeling thoughtful rather than gratuitously taboo or needlessly shocking. That refreshing conscientiousness extends to every aspect of the series, cementing it in a league of its own.
Crash Landing On You Is an All-Time Great K-Drama
Without Question, It’s One of the Best of the Century Thus Far
Without question, Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok are one of the greatest K-drama couples of all time, but Crash Landing on You‘s true beauty goes far beyond romantic comedy. Everything from perfectly-tailored costumes to eye-catching cinematography enriches the already captivating story, making immersion one of Crash Landing on You’s major selling points. Whether you’re a South Korean native or a United States citizen watching a K-drama for the first time, Crash Landing on You takes viewers on a bittersweet— but immensely rewarding— emotional rollercoaster.
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The narrative punch packed by Crash Landing on You, regardless of your prior knowledge of Korean history is remarkable in itself. Additionally, it is incredibly accessible for beginners and veteran K-drama fans alike. The entire story is contained within just 16 episodes, making it an easy binge for any hesitant viewer unfamiliar with the genre. Nevertheless, this investment would undoubtedly pay off in dividends and reaffirm Crash Landing on You‘s status as a modern K-drama masterpiece.
