58

Wonderful World: Episodes 1-2

When a loving mother is stricken by unfathomable grief, she finds herself pushed to the brink with her world crumbling around her. Poignant and atmospheric, Wonderful World portrays an emotionally-charged tale with sympathetic characters, leaving subtle threads of mystery that will be woven together in due time.

 
EPISODES 1-2

Our story opens in medias res on a snowy day, with KWON SEON-YUL (Cha Eun-woo) behind the wheel, and a stricken EUN SOO-HYUN (Kim Nam-joo) standing in the car’s path. Vignettes of their memories together flash by, yet in spite of those wistful days, Seon-yul steps on the accelerator, his expression hard. We hear a crash, though we don’t witness it, and Soo-hyun narrates, “Everything started with the incident that summer.”

We rewind back in time to Soo-hyun’s blissful days, when she’s enjoying a career high with her best friend and manager HAN YOO-RI (Im Se-mi) by her side. At home, Soo-hyun is showered with love by her devoted husband KANG SOO-HO (Kim Kang-woo) and their precious son Geon-woo, who’d come to them like a blessing after four miscarriages.

Wonderful World: Episodes 1-2

Unfortunately, Soo-hyun’s happiness doesn’t last. When Geon-woo comes down with a fever, Soo-hyun cancels her schedules and rushes home in a panic, since Soo-ho isn’t picking up her calls. To her relief, she finds Geon-woo all recovered, but she accidentally catches Soo-ho taking his anxiety meds. It turns out he’s been relying on them ever since quitting his job, when his journalistic ethics had pushed him towards whistleblowing and away from his unsupportive colleagues.

In the meantime, Geon-woo slips out of the house, and by the time Soo-hyun finally finds him that night, he’s become the victim of a hit-and-run. Geon-woo remains in critical condition even after his surgery, and eventually, he flatlines as Soo-hyun is holding his hand. To avoid being caught, the driver had fled with the injured Geon-woo and abandoned him elsewhere, and that delay is what ended up killing him.

Wonderful World: Episodes 1-2

Mired in guilt and grief, Soo-hyun is dealt a second blow when the driver is declared not guilty. He’s handed a suspended sentence, which essentially lets him off scot-free, but while Soo-ho rails against the verdict, Soo-hyun’s expression remains stony.

Outside, Soo-hyun approaches the driver with Geon-woo’s funeral photo and asks him to apologize to her son. Instead, the awful man sneers at her, blaming Geon-woo for running into his car and ruining his business deals. His utter lack of remorse angers Soo-hyun, and her sorrowful tears dry up into a steely glare. Getting behind the wheel, Soo-hyun steps down hard on the accelerator, punishing the assailant in the exact same way he killed her son.

Gone is the affable and assured Soo-hyun of before; in her place is a dazed and detached mother who cannot see beyond the loss of her son. To her loved ones’ dismay, Soo-hyun refuses leniency, resulting in a sentence of seven years. In prison, she withdraws even further into herself, refusing all of Soo-ho’s visitations. Soo-hyun is so dissociated that she barely reacts when she works a sewing machine’s needle right into her own hand, almost as if she’s deliberately punishing herself. As she’s rushed to hospital, her gurney coincidentally passes by Seon-yul, who just so happens to be volunteering at the prison choir that day.

All this while, Soo-ho has been investigating Geon-woo’s case with a relentless, single-minded focus. He’s traced the driver’s light sentencing to his powerful backer KIM JOON (Park Hyuk-kwon), who just so happens to be the corrupt politician Soo-ho had once tried to expose. Furthermore, he’s also discovered that the driver is deeply involved in Joon’s construction corruption and money laundering, and he takes that information to a direct confrontation in Joon’s office.

Joon may have risen even further up the ranks over the years, but Soo-ho isn’t the least bit cowed by Joon’s threats — at this point, Joon stands to lose everything, while he has nothing left to lose. That is, until Joon shows him footage of their front gate, purportedly from the day of the accident. “You ought to know best how to protect your wife,” Joon warns, leaving Soo-ho with a troubled expression.

Wonderful World: Episodes 1-2

Meanwhile, Soo-hyun has been keeping her walls up high, but her perceptive cellmate JANG HYUNG-JA (Kang Ae-shim) notices her silent agony. Seeing herself in Soo-hyun, Hyung-ja helps her with her chores and defends her from the prison gossip. She’s the one whose shoulder Soo-hyun cries on after finally accepting Soo-ho’s visitation, only to tell him not to visit her anymore. Soo-hyun has heard of his offer to be an overseas correspondent, and she can’t bear to keep him tied down to her tarnished reputation. Still, Soo-hyun can’t pretend that pushing him away doesn’t hurt.

Years pass with Soo-hyun in prison and Soo-ho presumably overseas, until we reach the year 2020. Hyung-ja has just received a doctor’s prognosis that she doesn’t have much time left, spurring her to open up to Soo-hyun about her story. She’d committed arson against her cheating husband and his mistress, except the fire had spread to the neighboring house and killed a young boy’s parents. Since then, she’d been writing to the sole survivor in penance, and she requests for Soo-hyun to convey her last letters to him.

Wonderful World: Episodes 1-2

Three years later, we’re all caught up to the present. We reunite with Seon-yul, who’s currently eking out a meager living at a junkyard. By night, he’s a gopher for Joon’s party, sneaking into buildings and scrounging up evidence against Joon’s political enemies. The show seems to be hinting that he’s the boy in Hyung-ja’s tale, but he does share the same surname as the unrepentant driver, which would tie in with the show’s opening scene.

Elsewhere, Soo-hyun is released from prison, and to her astonishment, Soo-ho walks up to greet her — but then the perspective shifts, and suddenly it’s another man, headed towards someone that isn’t Soo-hyun. Alone, she visits Geon-woo’s grave, and her grief keeps her by the burial mound until she dozes off.

Hours later, she’s awoken by a sudden rainshower, yet she remains dry. There’s an umbrella over her head, and it’s held by Seon-yul, who had also visited a grave. Shrouded in her usual reticence, Soo-hyun walks away, but Seon-yul follows her after noting the gravestone. “If Geon-woo saw you like this, I think his heart would hurt,” Seon-yul says, extending his umbrella to her once again.

Ooh, color me intrigued. The first episode flowed through some pretty predictable beats, bolstered mostly by our leads’ acting skills, but the second episode introduced some interesting narrative choices that I didn’t see coming. Seon-yul wielding a wrench at work is something we already knew from the teasers, but him being a morally dubious errand boy for Joon throws that wrench into the works. Did he simply grasp a lucrative opportunity, or is he playing the long con?

I’m glad we have Joon as our big bad, not just because Park Hyuk-kwon is a delight (I’ll never forget Gil Tae-mi and Gil Sun-mi), but also because he actually feels like a threat rather than a typical mustache-twirling villain. Everything we’ve seen of Joon so far points to him being highly calculative with all his bases covered, which makes me wonder whether Geon-woo’s tragedy was truly an accident, or a deliberate move to retaliate against the reporter who almost smeared his name. If it’s the latter, I can’t see what Joon would stand to gain from such a risky move, but perhaps he has more chess pieces lurking in the shadows.

Wonderful World: Episodes 1-2

On that note, I am so invested in Soo-ho’s character; Kim Kang-woo carries himself with a gravitas that makes Soo-ho’s steadfast devotion to Soo-hyun all the more heart-rending. From the way he gazes at her with unwavering love in his eyes, to the way he unhesitatingly risked his job to defend her on a live news broadcast — Soo-ho comes across as so deeply sincere and faithful that I’m almost afraid to find out what secrets he may be hiding. (Please don’t let him become yet another cheating husband, we’ve had more than enough of those lately.)

As for Soo-hyun, my heart hurts for her plight and the poignant pathos Kim Nam-joo imbues into her role. It was painful to watch Soo-hyun turn her guilt inwards and blame herself for not closing the front gate properly, as well as her eventual realization that she had, in fact, done so. That lady loitering outside Soo-hyun’s house on the day of the accident was mighty suspicious, and I’m rooting for Soo-hyun to uncover the truth and absolve herself.

 
RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , ,

58

Required fields are marked *

My heart hurts for Soohyun in this drama, and Kim Namjoo absolutely killed it. I agree that some beats were predictable, but the actors totally pulled those emotional strings, and I thought the cinematography and directing were top-notch. The slow-burning mystery also has me doubting everyone, including Suho and Yoori, but I also have to admit that it would be passe if he were just another cheating husband. Finally, Seonyul is such a surprising and veiled character. I'm loving seeing Eunwoo through a different lens at the moment, and the final moment between them was charged with chemistry - not that I expect them to get romantic!

12
9
reply

Required fields are marked *

2
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

Exactly :D

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Great! Didn't think it needed clarification but then better to say so than let people overthink. 😊

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I can imagined the criticism: The lady is twice his age and isn't even bla bla... You get the point
@seeker

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

A romance is (often) unnecessary in some dramas but notwithstanding that, had this drama included it, the age difference would have blown the little minds of the dimwitted and predictable individuals who insist on being the most boring of choruses: “Noona romance argle bargle, blah, blah, blah”. At least, we are saved from that this time.

4

So if Kim Nam-joo has been introducing Cha Eun-woo as her "new leading man" does that mean she'll have more scenes with him than Kim Kang-woo. And what does it say about the husband's character. Please don't let him go down the well trodden "infidelity with successful wife's best friend" path. 😳 What to you say @claire2009

2
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

* What do you say ...

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

"Please don't let him go down the well trodden "infidelity with successful wife's best friend" path" oh it's turning out to be even worse than that~

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

🤣

2

Just from this recap alone without having watched anything, I’m intrigued! It seems like the writing—partnered with the acting— gives enough depth, but also some restraint, to the story to keep viewers on the edge of the seat and wanting more… Wanting more of the characters and their backstories and wanting to see more of what’s to unfold in the story

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

what did husband see in that cctv footage that made him back away in his investigations? before that, he was all for finding dirt from those old men to help his wife. he’s suspicious.

how is im semi’s character crucial here? she can’t just be the bff support system here. i’ve just finished marry my husband to just trust a kdrama best friend😅

and eunwoo’s soenyul is also still unclear. he’s everywhere around soohyun with all sorts of jobs lol. he looks like he’s going to help her but he also doesn't look trustworthy

5
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think the husband and the friend/manager were having an affair and she went out the gate unnoticed and forgot to close the gate. It must have been on the video, the politician blackmails FL's husband with this.

5
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

This makes sense. SIGH, I hope it is something else, but it is probably this.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I’m in that direction too. It’s somehow his fault (or connected to him) but instead of coming clean and facing his wife’s grief or wrath, he let her stew in prison.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This sounds promising enough that I want to save it to binge watch, at least until it gets further in.

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am glad the casting team decides to go with Kim Nam Joo and Kim Kang Woo for this drama. They definitely make this drama worth picking up for me, despite the fact, that it is just two episodes. Their experience and talent as senior/veteran actors are definitely outstanding.

Kim Nam Joo's role as a grieving mother here is really moving, she gives 10000% effort into this role. She makes me forget that she is just an actress playing Soohyun. As for Kim Kang Woo, he makes a wonderful and doting husband and father in this drama. Though I have to admit, it is not easy for me to trust Su Ho due to the slow burn mystery and the fact that, he almost always played the role of a villain in his previous dramas/films.

6
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

The senior / experienced actors really elevate the drama to a new level.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Soo hyun's hair that is perfect after 7 years in jail

3
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

All these years she had the same hairstyle, dyed in the same color.

5
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thought exactly the same! At least the arsonist lady had a different hairstyle in the flashback.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

i thought she got granted early parole since she looked the same lol. they should have changed her hairstyle while in prison or something

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Wonderful World is a must watch! From the first episode, with its opening scene showing Cha Eunwoo having a stare down with Kim Namjoo and drives his car seemingly towards her, the whole scene was just so impactful, with both their eye-acting and facial expressions carrying the scene to perfection; that it already gripped me and sparked my attachment to this drama. It got a hold on me from the get-go, resulting in wanting to stay and uncover the story and unravel its mystery. The excellence in acting and the fast pace of the story kept me engaged, with much curiosity on how the gripping drama will progress. Veteran actress Kim Namjoo is Queen as expected, with her excellent, amazing drama chops, making the audience feel for her tragedy with shared tears and broken hearts. The 2nd episode came around, and Cha Eunwoo's appearance was again so impactful, with him showing a different side of him as an actor, with his masculine, rough, tough, strong and powerful presence, and even without much lines to deliver, his eye-acting, face/body acting, his aura, can't help but capture his audience's attention. I for one was captivated by Cha Eunwoo, and will surely see this drama through; in fact I can't wait for the next episodes where for sure, the main leads, KNJ and CEW will further grip my interest and my kdrama heart. In a nutshell, Wonderful World is surely wonderful!

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I really hope they won't go with the trope of the cheating husband of a successful wife with the friend...

For now, I'm not sure about the story yet. These 2 episodes were more like an introduction.

What was this version of What a Wonderful World? It was clearly not Louis Armstrong.

8
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Me too, to your first point. I really really hope it is something else and not cheating husband. They both lost a child, who was loved by the way by both of them, don't make him a cheating husband.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hope there'd no cheating husband too. But when Soohyun was at the airport and tried to call her husband, he didn't answer. It looks like he was with someone else and didn't pay attention to the phone. So I'm afraid our hope is in vain.

5
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

🙈

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I fast-forwarded a lot; not because I didn't like it but because it felt so real and I wanted to cry every time Kim Nam-joo cried. I'm not a fan of Cha Eun-woo, stilI think he's good in this role. Like other beanies I hope there is no cheating plot.

6
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Wonderful World has a scenario that's always on point. From the point of view of ordinary people, the law is often more favorable to criminals than to victims. In addition, the drama begins with a child being hit by a driver who did not help him, which is unfortunately a "so popular" hit and run. And then it's even worse for the drama's characters. The drama has the perfect theme to engage the viewers' emotions. In my country, a few days ago, a driver intentionally hit pedestrians, as a result of which 20 people were injured, and the media hides information about the perpetrator and does not reveal his initials, which is what they usually do. The news immediately spread that he was an immigrant or a refugee, because at the very beginning of this case there was no censorship of the media and then information appeared about what language he spoke just after the accident. This reminds me a lot of the situation in this drama and the role of the media in all of this. In the case of this drama, the perpetrator is related to politics and that is why certain things happen to the characters. And the role of the media is very important, why certain things are hidden. It engages viewers even more because it concerns corruption and the role of the media in hiding it, which is everywhere in the world.

4
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Of course, I don’t know anything about the example you mentioned from where you live and how the media orgs operate but in some common law countries, the suspects’ names are not revealed by the police due to legal restrictions because it can interfere with the fairness of a criminal trial if the DPP decides that there are sufficient legal reasons to put them on trial. The media are also under an obligation not to identify the suspects and will be in contempt of Court if they do. From time to time, such revelations occur and it is a mess.
Of course wealthy and powerful individuals always try to manipulate legal systems wherever and whenever possible but the media is not always the culprit even if many rightwing individuals and corporations have manipulation of the public opinion as a modus operandi.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

In my country, if someone's name is, for example, John Smith (I give an example from English), he is 28 years old, he comes from New York, the newspaper can, for example, write about the suspect: John S, from New York, 28 years old. If he is a citizen of another country, the media may report similarly, e.g.: Helmut S, 29, lives in Hamburg and is of German origin. In this way, the person's identity is not actually revealed. And that's how it's usually portrayed in the media. This time, only his age and the fact that he was undergoing psychiatric treatment were given. The latter fact is usually raised by the media to "reassure" people that it was not a terrorist attack and that such a thing was done by someone mentally unstable. However, the fact that his initials were hidden immediately raised suspicions that his name would reveal that he was not a citizen of the country or that he was not an indigenous citizen. And this is where people see media manipulation.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

"And this is where people see media manipulation."
I agree, because they do reveal it with others. It should be same for all people. But because the media supports the government's agenda, they hide anything that would place a bad light on it but shine it bright when is in favor of the agenda. Unfortunatelly, people just read the headlines and then forget about it if the story is not sustained and amplified by the media and that is how they create bias in peple's mind because only stories that move their agenda have major exposure. In your example, the pro imigration agenda.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

For me, the best part of the first couple of episodes was the way they showed how rich and full Soo Hyun's life was before the accident. While there may have been more going on than she knew (like how her husband was taking anti-anxiety meds for awhile), her life genuinely felt real and happy. Often the spouse of the main character can be flat as to be mere plot device--long-suffering devoted spouse, spot-a-mile away cheater or neer-do-well, or just a parent--it was great to see the husband be a 3-D full character who seemed to genuinely love his wife, even if there are other things going on. That's what makes what Soo Hyun lost seem greater and why she set her husband free seem motivated by love. The depth of their relationship is what makes the mystery intriguing and the drama not predictable. Sure, the show may be about the relationship between Soo Hyun and Seon Yul, but I think the relationship between Soo Hyun and Su ho laid the foundation for the mystery because I now care for both (KNJ and KKW were amazing and gave such depth to their characters) and want to know more about why things happened.

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ugh! What is wrong with the legal system?! How can someone commit a hit and run, move the victim's body which hindered the victim's chances of survival, get a not guilty verdict?! I'm angry and disgusted and I didn't even watch this. This is exactly why vigilante justice is appealing.

This just seems so devastating and I could totally see how her life would be completely upended and her marriage destroyed.

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Aside from the predictability I really enjoyed the first two episodes. I will say I cackled at the clear fan service scene of CEW at the junkyard. Aside from the carefully placed dirt, he looked nothing like the other junkyard guys. Give him a slight tan and ruddiness, that makes sense, instead, just a light dusting of dirt placed here and there, lol.

As expected our veterans killed it. They were both convincing as this loving couple and they both clearly loved their kid. It is annoying if they make him a cheating husband, sigh. As for Soo Hyun, I am not going to lie, I probably would have hit that man with my car too. At least pretend remorse for some weeks, smh.

8
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

From what I understand from the plot, the work in the junkyard is only a cover. He actually works for a corrupt politician. His handsome appearance will probably be necessary for the plot. For example, he will work in a nightclub to get dirt on someone, etc. That's how I imagine it, but maybe it won't happen.

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I understand that, but he still works there, he knows what he is doing. So a cover or not, he still would be slightly tanner. It is just a drama, so the realism is being ignored so he doesn't have to change too much, but it is still funny.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Only the first two episodes and I'm already wondering:
- about Soo-hyun's husband
- about manager Yoo-ri (who I seriously thought was Soo-hyun's
sister)
- about Seon-yul
- about that woman with the cell phone, in front of Soo-hyun's house

7
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thought she was the sister too because she always was with the mum.

5
reply

Required fields are marked *

As regards the woman with the cell phone, she was probably a neighbour, because they greeted, and I suppose the footage from her phone can prove that Soo-hyun closed the gate. As regards the video that the politician showed the husband, was it the same which was filmed by the neighbour? or was it from a dash cam or something? And how did the politician get it?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Streaming anywhere in USA?

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is a recurring theme for any Disney+ or Hulu Kdrama in the USA. Will it stream or won't it stream? I wish they would be more transparent about this. At least they should have a "coming soon" section that easy to find.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree about the transparency.
I still have my Disney+ (USA) account but am not currently subscribed. I can't even search for content on their site.
Is anyone here watching this on Disney+ in the USA?
Thanks.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

The manager is Soo-hyun younger sister. I thought she called Soo-hyun Unnie because she was older, but then they both called the same woman Umma.

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

But they don't have the same family name. I think the manager has been working with Soohyun for years and is very close to Soohyun and her mom.

4
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oops, I didn't get that! I just noticed that the young girl was with the lady making food and calling her Umma, and later they both went to the hospital and Soo-hyun called the lady Umma too, hence deduction ^^

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

That was a powerful opening for episode 1. From the promotions, they kept mentioning the world "healing" in the story so why is Seonyul ready to hit Soohyun with a car. >_< Made me ask myself the same words Soohyun said during the teaser "Who are you?" Plus the ending scene in ep2, was it planned or coincidence? Seonyul is indeed a mystery.

Kim Namjoo and Kim Kangwoo did so well. I believe that they truly love each other so watching ep2 made me really heartbroken. I hope Suho is not cheating and it is something else. And why does Soohyun addresses her husband with ~씨?? Is this normal for korean couples?

Also as a mom, Soohyun really breaks my heart..

4
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

His presence in her life is all planned. There's no other way. I don't think he even has a loved one's grave in the cemetery, so close to her son's grave. He must have been at the cemetery that day because he knew she would be there. He had previously paid attention to her in prison when he was a volunteer there, so he had been watching her for years and waiting for her to get out of prison.

5
reply

Required fields are marked *

why does Soohyun addresses her husband with ~씨?? Is this normal for korean couples?

I noticed this in some other shows too. I asked my Korean friend once and she said husband and wife, or unmarried couples don't address each other with "씨", so I was confused too. @dncingemma Do you have any idea about this? I think you may know something.

3
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Your Korean friend is most likely correct but I was also told by one of my Korean teachers that some married and unmarried couples do use it but it does add a level of formality which is confusing in that context. On the other hand, given the hierarchical nature of the korean language and certain societal interactions, it also would fit.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you <3

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I just had an idea: since the description of the k-drama mentions her helping others, maybe Soo-hyun and Seon-yul allied and the accident was a set-up in order to make someone confess something or in order to shake up a situation?

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I do have a hunch that it could be a fake out and it is something else.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I wonder whether the fake-out trope is being deployed here where editing and obfuscation deliberately gives that impression but it will be revealed much later not to be the case.
And, as I understand, it is common among some married couples to use 씨. Older couples also might use 당신 which is the rarely used second person pronoun in polite speech but also can mean ‘honey’ when used in the marital context.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

The other drama that the writer wrote had fake out so I'm thinking it could be that.

I thought it was rare to use 씨 by couples. I do hear it when they are trying to make a joke etc but not as regularly like Soohyun.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for the recap. While the world depicted in the drama is anything but wonderful, the set up seems promising thanks to the veteran actors who are engaging.

The article shared by @peiyeelai now has me worried about Kim Kang-woo's role and it's length. Cha Eun-woo as ML doesn't seem plausible but let's see how the story progresses.

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I want to watch this but am feeling a bit fragile right now so am wondering how to approach it and last the distance?

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I sort of regretted starting this, because the first 2 episodes were too painful to watch for me. But the acting is top-notch, so I'll keep watching, bearing in mind that this is fiction, and I'm here to enjoy the actors' performance.

5
reply

Required fields are marked *