FRIENDS (2002)

프렌즈 / フレンズ
TBS (Japan) - MBC (South Korea), 2002, 4 episodes
Genres: drama
Directed by Doi Nobuhiro and Han Chul-soo
More information: Wikipedia

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Friends:
Love Without Borders

Friends (Barátok) is a milestone in the history of Korean television dramas, as it was the first co-production series created through the collaboration of the Japanese TBS and the Korean MBC in 2002. The mini-series, consisting of only four episodes, was presented in two parts, first in Japan and then a few days later in Korea.

       

Directors Han Chul-soo and Doi Nabuhiro

The protagonists of this romantic love story are Kim Jihoon, a Korean boy preparing to be a film director, and Asai Tomoko, a Japanese department store salesgirl. While visiting Hong Kong, chance brings them together, resulting in two days spent together, which they spend filming the boy's movie. Despite the fact that there is not a single language through which they could understand each other in words, this is no obstacle for them in finding a common wavelength.

After both return to their respective homelands, they continue the adventure through correspondence, during which they get to know each other more thoroughly. The attraction grows stronger, and they do everything they can to meet again. By the time this is realized, we have already become acquainted with the young people's family backgrounds. The boy is the only child of a traditionally-minded Korean family, whose father has already planned his future and expects the son to follow the path designated for him. He treats his son's film studies only as a passing fad, which he tolerates, but Jihoon also feels that for the sake of the family, it is his duty to give up his desires. Tomoko, in contrast, lives in the shadow of her mother, who has been raising her alone since her divorce. Although her mother would support her in everything, Tomoko cannot find her place in the world; she considers herself worthless compared to her mother, whom she sees as successful.

While the boy and the girl discover each other's worlds, they also face their own questions. Inevitably, they support each other in finding their own paths.

Their situation is not easy, as they must account for cultural differences affecting their relationship, about which they know little. Unsolicited schemers also appear, who feel entitled to intervene in their relationship. The first meeting attempt is very telling, during which Tomoko goes on a trip to Seoul during a multi-day holiday, having no idea of the obligations the boy has during that time (likely Chuseok), which make him unavailable.

The story presents numerous complicating factors that young people in similar situations must face. It is not easy for them to raise the money needed for travel either, and the boy's mandatory military service is also approaching.

However, from the fact of the co-production, we can sense that we are going to see a "Romeo and Juliet" story with a happy ending, even if the young people have to weather numerous trials. It can be called symbolic that the first Korean collaboration was realized specifically with Japan, and it is even more symbolic that the fulfillment of the young people's happiness is also a promise for a brighter future for the two countries.

The charming female protagonist of the drama is the actress and singer Fukada Kyoko. Her partner in the film is Won Bin, who was only 25 years old at the time; this remains his last drama role to this day, preceding his great cinematic successes. Lee Dong-gun also appears in the series as Jihoon's handsome and likeable friend, who is also dewily young, being only 23 years old here.