30 Years of Friendship and Jealousy, Life’s Companionship… A Deep Dive into Netflix’s ‘Eunjoong and Sangyeon’ 🌟

Hello, everyone! Today, I want to take a deep dive into ‘Eunjoong and Sangyeon’, which I recently watched on Netflix with tears streaming down my face. This work depicts the 30-year journey of friendship and jealousy between two women, and it genuinely touched my heart. 😭

📌 Table of Contents

• Why ‘Eunjoong and Sangyeon’ is Special
• The Landscape of 30 Years of Friendship: Storyline Overview
• Kim Go-eun X Park Ji-hyun, The Behind the Scenes of Their Chemistry
• The Deep Message Embedded in the Work
• Summary of Viewers’ Opinions
• Eunjoong and Sangyeon FAQ

💎 Why ‘Eunjoong and Sangyeon’ is Special

Folks, ‘Eunjoong and Sangyeon’ is not just a simple story about friendship. It poses the question “Is it possible to love someone deeply while also harboring jealousy?” I believe it’s one of the most honest portrayals of human emotions I have ever seen in a drama. 😊

The relationship between the two women spans from their teenage years to their mid-40s, resembling a miniaturized version of life itself. It explores not only the good emotions but also the complex feelings of jealousy, betrayal, and guilt, questioning the true meaning of ‘companionship’.

📜 The Landscape of 30 Years of Friendship: Storyline Overview

The story of Eunjoong (Kim Go-eun) and Sangyeon (Park Ji-hyun) begins in their first year of high school. Sangyeon, the only one kind to new student Eunjoong, discovers that their friendship evolves into a much more complicated relationship than expected. 😮

1. Teenage Years: The Beginning of Friendship

The two first meet as high school classmates. Sangyeon approaches Eunjoong as the new student, but the relationship gradually becomes unbalanced due to Eunjoong’s strong dependency and Sangyeon’s internal struggles.

2. In Their 20s: Reunion in College

The two meet again by chance in a college club. During this period, Eunjoong’s jealousy becomes prominent, and as Sangyeon makes new friends, their relationship begins to unravel. (I felt this part was the most heartbreaking… 😢)

3. In Their 30s: Awkward Reunion

Having lived separate lives, the two women reconnect in their 30s. The introduction of a male character adds further complexity to their relationship, which sparked controversy among some viewers.

4. In Their 40s: The Final Journey

Sangyeon, diagnosed with terminal cancer, requests Eunjoong to accompany her to Switzerland for assisted dying. On this final journey, they confront all their past feelings. (I found Park Ji-hyun’s performance in this part truly outstanding!)

🎭 Kim Go-eun X Park Ji-hyun, The Behind the Scenes of Their Chemistry

The greatest charm of this drama lies in the extraordinary chemistry between the two actors, doesn’t it? Kim Go-eun brilliantly portrays Eunjoong’s intense yet fragile allure, while Park Ji-hyun captures Sangyeon’s calm yet strong interior perfectly. 👏

Director Jo Young-min mentioned in an interview that “the two actors leaned on each other a lot while filming”, especially during the final scenes shot in Switzerland, where they acted spontaneously without the script!

💭 The Deep Message Embedded in the Work

This drama transcends a simple melodrama, raising important questions faced by our society.

1. Reflection on Assisted Dying

Sangyeon’s final choice naturally unfolds the theme of ‘the right to die’, which is a controversial topic in our society. The drama provides ample food for thought without forcing a particular viewpoint.

2. The Complexity of Human Relationships

Can love and hate, jealousy and friendship coexist? The relationship between Eunjoong and Sangyeon honestly presents feelings we experience in daily life but often find hard to express.

3. The Meaning of True Companionship

Director Jo Young-min emphasized the keyword ‘companionship’, which seems to indicate a relationship that accepts even the darker sides of each other rather than merely being together.

👍👎 Summary of Viewers’ Opinions

To be honest, this drama hasn’t received unanimous praise from everyone. I’ve compiled various opinions!

Pros

• Realistic portrayal of the complex emotions in human relationships
• Outstanding acting and chemistry between the two leads
• A commendable attempt to address social controversies

Cons

• The introduction of the male character in the middle made the storyline feel scattered
• Some scenes were perceived as overly exaggerated in emotional expression
• Criticism for romanticizing assisted dying

Personally, while the opposing views have merit, I think overall it was an emotional and thought-provoking work! What do you think? 😊

❓ Eunjoong and Sangyeon FAQ

Q1. Is ‘Eunjoong and Sangyeon’ based on real people?

A. No, it’s fiction. However, the author revealed in interviews that they referenced various human relationships seen around them.

Q2. Were the assisted dying scenes filmed in Switzerland?

A. Yes! The production team visited an actual assisted dying facility in Switzerland for realism.

Q3. The timeline in the drama is confusing as it keeps changing. What is the order?

A. The major timeline flows from teenage years (1990s) → 20s (2000s) → 30s (2010s) → 40s (present), but the story interweaves past and present. It can be a bit confusing at first, but viewers usually adapt by the second or third episode!

Q4. Why did the male character appear suddenly?

A. (Personal opinion) The male character seems to serve as a device to complicate the relationship between the two female leads. While some viewers found it unnecessary, I believe it was meant to showcase the dynamics of their relationship.

Q5. What does the final scene mean?

A. This part can vary in interpretation for each viewer. I believe that Eunjoong’s sincere companionship until Sangyeon’s last moments symbolizes true friendship. (I’ll skip more detailed explanations to avoid spoilers!)

In Conclusion ✨

‘Eunjoong and Sangyeon’ is more than just an ‘entertaining’ drama; it prompts viewers to reflect on their own relationships. The message that beauty can be found even in our imperfect relationships really resonated with me.

Have you watched this drama? What scene stuck with you the most? Please share your thoughts in the comments! (I cried rivers during the final scenes in Switzerland… 😭)

Wishing you a day filled with enriching dramas! See you next time~ 👋