This drama isn’t just a romance—it’s a deep exploration of women’s lives, spanning several generations and highlighting how society has limited or excluded them over time. I went in expecting a light love story, but the first four episodes (the beginning of four “seasons” in these characters’ lives) overflow with politics, history, culture, and struggle. Fans of the Answer Me series are likely to find plenty to appreciate in this layered narrative.
1960 and Jeju Island Beginnings
Episode 1 transports us to 1960 on Jeju Island, a place wrapped in myths and old legends. Here, we focus on the bond between our young female lead, OH AE-Sun (played as a child by Kim Tae-yeon), and her mother, GWANG-RYE (portrayed by Yeom Hye-ran). Gwang-rye, a hardworking haenyeo—a famed female deep-sea diver who earns a living by selling her catch—supports her three children almost single-handedly. The family is extremely poor: Gwang-rye lost her first husband (Ae-sun’s father) and now struggles to support her unemployed partner, BYEONG-CHEOL (Oh Jung-se). Early on, the story reveals the everyday discrimination against women when even basic meals are divided unequally between girls and boys.
A Mother’s Tough Love and a Daughter’s Poetic Heart
In their early interactions, Ae-sun desperately craves her mother’s warmth, yet Gwang-rye remains tough and detached. Despite being just ten, Ae-sun writes heartfelt poems about her loneliness and her wish to support her family, which move Gwang-rye to tears and spur her into action. Determined, Gwang-rye bursts into the home where Ae-sun lives with her uncle, demanding fair treatment for her daughter. This dramatic homecoming sets the stage for a renewed and evolving mother-daughter relationship.
Battling Fate and Social Expectations
Gwang-rye is determined to prevent Ae-sun from becoming a haenyeo, a dangerous job that has already affected her health. At the same time, subtle political themes emerge, reflecting post-war South Korea. For instance, even after Ae-sun wins her classmates’ votes for class president, her teacher awards the position to a boy—the general’s son—showing the harsh gender bias of the era. The show skillfully blends political messages with scenes that feature newspaper headlines and urgent radio announcements about spies and scandalous mini-skirts, interspersed with moments of beauty, such as serene shots of the moonlit sea accompanied by traditional music.
When Gwang-rye hears about the class president incident, she goes to extreme lengths by buying fancy clothes and even bribing the teacher, though Ae-sun is willing to settle for a vice president spot.
Tragic Loss and New Responsibilities
Gwang-rye continues diving despite the toll it takes on her health, insisting she would rather work herself to death than beg. In a heartbreaking moment, we learn that the average life expectancy in Korea at the time was only 52, and Gwang-rye dies at just 29—an even more shocking fact given the older age of the actresses portraying the haenyeo. After her mother’s death, Ae-sun initially plans to follow Gwang-rye’s advice and return to her uncle’s home, hoping to pursue college, a career in Korean literature, and her dream of becoming a poet. However, her partner Byeong-cheol convinces her to stay and help raise her two younger siblings. As she matures and learns to farm and cook, high school brings additional family pressures that keep her tied to home. Ae-sun ends up living with her stepfather while taking care of her step-siblings and earning a little money by farming and selling cabbage.
The Entrance of Yang Gwan-shik and a Blossoming Romance
Fast forward to 1967: Ae-sun, now played by IU, is seen in the marketplace selling cabbages—but not doing it herself. Instead, that kind-hearted boy named Yang Gwan-shik (portrayed by Park Bo-gum), who has loyally followed her since childhood by sharing his catch of fish with her, does the work for her. Gwan-shik’s simple, steadfast actions—feeding her, carrying her belongings, and helping with her produce—show his deep affection for her, even if Ae-sun sometimes wonders if it’s just pity. His straightforward approach, lacking grand romantic gestures, only adds to the bittersweet charm of his pursuit.
Parallel Timelines and Nostalgic Recollections
The drama then shifts into glimpses of the early 1990s, revealing that the events of the 1960s are memories told by an older Ae-sun, now a mother herself. This narrative device allows the story to mix nostalgia with the wry hindsight of survivors, transforming past hardships into almost fabled recollections. In these memories, our underdog heroes shine despite their poverty.
Back In 1967, a major twist occurs when Gwan-shik’s grandmother opposes his marriage to Ae-sun, claiming that she has nothing to offer. Although Gwan-shik stands firmly by Ae-sun and worries about how his family treats her, convincing her to consider marriage proves to be a challenging task. Ae-sun dreams of escaping to Seoul for college, which complicates matters. However, beneath her tough exterior, she secretly longs for Gwan-shik’s unwavering affection.
One day, while walking through a field, Gwan-shik takes a significant step. He gently reaches into his jacket pocket, holds her hand, and they share their first awkward yet tender kiss. Despite the sweetness of the moment, Ae-sun continues to resist the idea of marriage—until her options run out.
Desperation and a Runaway Escape
When Byeong-cheol introduces a new partner into his life, Ae-sun feels increasingly isolated as her uncle pressures her into factory work. Overwhelmed, she confronts Gwan-shik in tears, accusing him of being “just a guy from Jeju.” In an effort to reassure her, Gwan-shik attempts to recite poetry, though clumsily, to express his loyalty, and the two share a comforting hug.
By 1968, they had decided to run away together. Ae-sun steals jewelry and clothing from Byeong-cheol’s new partner, while Gwan-shik takes valuables from his own family. Posing as newlyweds, they board a boat heading to the mainland, even as their journey coincides with Korea’s shifting political landscape. Their escape, however, is far from smooth. Upon arriving in Busan, their attempt to sell the stolen goods fails because they are underage and the items are clearly stolen. Their plan unravels at a motel where they lose their loot, prompting them to sneak back in for a second chance. A chaotic chase ensues when a child’s cry exposes them, leading to the first fight between the couple, though thankfully, not with each other. Eventually, after a run-in with the police, Gwan-shik’s mother recovers her jewelry and brings it back to Jeju. The aftermath is harsh: Ae-sun becomes the subject of damaging rumors, is expelled from school, and faces increased disapproval from Gwan-shik’s family, while he only receives a minor warning at school.
Torn Between Love and Duty
As Ae-sun’s life spirals, she is pushed toward dating an older, divorced man—a rich benefactor who promises to fund her college dreams and protect her reputation despite her past. Meanwhile, a heartbroken Gwan-shik publicly pleads for their union. When he finally presents her with a ring after rescuing her from the arranged relationship, Ae-sun rejects him, arguing that accepting the wealthy man’s help might finally change the fate everyone pitied her for. In her words, she wants to transform her destiny, and in doing so, tells Gwan-shik he’s standing in her way. Both lovers step back, their mutual retreat rooted in the same painful reason.
Without Ae-sun in his life, Gwan-shik feels lost; his only purpose is the hope of being with her. However, societal expectations and rigid cultural norms continually close doors for her.
On a fateful day, as Gwan-shik’s family sends him off to the mainland to pursue athletics, Ae-sun is being fitted for her wedding clothes. Overwhelmed by her circumstances, she dashes from the store to the pier, where she watches Gwan-shik’s ship drift away. Drenched in rain and dressed in her new suit, she sits on the pier, crying out his name—her despair echoing as she calls for her mother, fully aware that she has lost everything.
In an almost cinematic climax, Gwan-shik hears her distant cries and leaps from his ship. He races through the water and scrambles up the rocky shore, finally reaching her. He embraces her tightly amidst a mix of tears and laughter. Even in that intense moment, he lightens the mood with a quip about needing to pay for his clothes, breaking the tension between them.
Fast Forward to the 1990s: Family, Sacrifice, and Defiance
In the later timeline, an older Ae-sun, now played by Moon Sori, lives with her daughter, Yang Geum-myeong, portrayed by IU, and Gwan-shik’s grown-up baby sister, Gyeong-ok (played by Seo Hye-won). We learn that the chaotic night at the motel in Busan resulted in Geum-myeong’s birth, just eight months after Ae-sun and Gwan-shik’s wedding. At the age of 18, Ae-sun set aside her own dreams to fully embrace her role as a devoted wife and mother. During this time, she endured abuse from her mother-in-law and Gwan-shik’s grandmother after moving in with his family. Although her bond with Gwan-shik remains strong, she suffers in silence during his absences.
Like her mother before her, Ae-sun is determined to fight for a better future for her daughter. “I don’t want her to set the table—I want her to flip it,” she insists, urging Gwan-shik to support Geum-myeong in standing up against traditional expectations. While the older women cling to outdated gender roles, Gwan-shik has always subtly pushed back against these norms. When Ae-sun was a child and declared that she wanted to be president, the women asked Gwan-shik about his future role. He jokingly replied, “First Lady.” Later on, he demonstrated his progressive views by sharing family meals equally and ensuring that his daughter received her fair share of food, even when customs dictated otherwise.
When his family insists that Geum-myeong should follow the dangerous haenyeo path, Ae-sun is reminded of her own mother’s tragic fate and fiercely rejects the idea—until a violent confrontation forces Gwan-shik to step in. He gathers his family and tells them they won’t be part of their lives anymore. Though the new household struggles financially, Gwan-shik takes a job on a fishing boat, ironically working for the very man Ae-sun was once meant to marry. As bruises mark his return home, a pregnant Ae-sun confronts his employer at the dock, declaring that her husband will no longer work there. This marks the end of “spring” in their lives, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating what comes next in the summer chapter.
A Tale of Love, Progress, and the Shifting Role of Women
In many ways, this drama feels like it was meant to be Ae-sun’s story all along. While it begins as a romance, it evolves into a powerful commentary on progress and the challenges women face. As the timeline unfolds in the 1990s—with Geum-myeong preparing for her future under the shadow of a disapproving mother-in-law—we see clear references to Korea’s political and economic past. At one moment, Geum-myeong is depicted working in a corporate role, symbolizing women’s entry into new spheres; in the next, she is pressured to quit and embrace traditional roles at home.
Perhaps the most striking dynamic is the generational shift: Ae-sun once worked tirelessly to support her family and save her mother, while now her daughter, partly buoyed by those sacrifices, pledges not to repeat the same hardships. It’s a rich, complex narrative that questions what true progress means in a society that constantly pits tradition against change.
In summary, this drama weaves together themes of romance, family legacy, and social commentary in a way that feels both timeless and refreshingly human. It tells a story of love, resilience, and the bittersweet cost of progress—one that invites viewers to reflect on the roles and expectations placed on women, both in the past and present.
