Ireland (2004): A Melancholic and Poignant Tale of Love and Loss

Korean Drama "Ireland"

"Ireland" is a captivating Korean drama that tells the story of Lee Joong-ah (Lee Na-young), a woman who was adopted to Ireland as a child, but returns to Korea after her adoptive family is murdered by the IRA. The show takes us on a journey of love, loss, and the search for identity. In this post, we will delve into the world of "Ireland," discussing its plot, main cast, attraction points, ratings and reviews, and interesting facts.

Note that this is a separate drama from "Ireland," which aired on TVING in 2022.


Plot Summary

Lee Joong-ah's life takes a tragic turn when her adoptive family in Ireland is murdered by the IRA. She returns to Korea, where she meets Kang-guk on the plane, who takes a liking to Joong-ah. Meanwhile, Han Si-yeon, an adult actress, is struggling to provide for her family. Lee Jae-bok sees her on the set of a filming, and saves her when the props collapse. Initially, Han Si-yeon is unimpressed with Lee Jae-bok, who is unemployed and too straightforward for her liking. However, as he continues to help her, she starts to develop feelings for him. As Lee Jae-bok gets closer to Kang-guk, he becomes his bodyguard and learns some of the skills of the trade. However, things take a complicated turn when he falls in love with Kang-guk's wife, who he knew only as "double-ah." Lee Jae-bok discovers the truth and is left feeling confused and conflicted. Will they be able to find their place in the world and find love?

Main Cast

Ireland-poster-2004

  • Lee Joong-ah (played by Lee Na-young)
  • Lee Jae-bok (played by Kim Min-joon)
  • Han Si-yeon (played by Kim Min-jung)
  • Kang-guk (played by Hyun Bin)

Attraction Points

One of the main attractions of "Ireland" is its focus on the theme of personal growth. The characters in this drama are marginalized people: adopted children, orphans, and children of remarried families, and each character has their own painful pasts and traumas. Throughout the drama, we see the characters confront their past traumas and learn to overcome them, becoming stronger and wiser in the process. This makes the drama relatable and inspiring to viewers, who can find solace and motivation in the characters' journeys. Another attraction point of the drama is the OST (Original Soundtrack) of "Ireland", featuring songs that beautifully capture the emotional tone of the drama. One of the standout tracks is "West sky" by Second Moon, which has become a classic among K-drama fans. The OST also includes other popular tracks like "Stay down to me" by Jang Pil-soon, which have helped to cement the drama's place in the hearts of viewers.

Ratings and Reviews

"Ireland" was not badly received by audiences and critics alike, with a rating of 6.7/10 on MyDramaList. In fact, when it aired in South Korea, the ratings were low, but it became a cult favorite among young people. Viewers praised the drama for its heartfelt story, excellent acting, and stunning visuals. Many also commented on the chemistry between the main leads, Lee Na-young and Kim Min-joon, which added to the drama's appeal.

Interesting Facts

  • The drama has the same writer and female lead as the popular Korean drama ‘Ruler of your own world’(2002), so it was highly anticipated before it aired.
  • This drama is Hyun Bin's earliest work, and his handsome looks and steady acting in this drama led him to become a leading man in his next film, My Lovely Sam-soon (2005).
  • The drama was "authorial" from the beginning, so while the overall viewership was low, it was the number one show in the 20s.

In conclusion, "Ireland" is a Korean drama that combines a heartwarming story, excellent acting, stunning visuals, and a touching soundtrack. Through its exploration of the themes of personal growth and family, the drama teaches us valuable life lessons and reminds us of the importance of forgiveness. It's an old drama, but it captures the sentiment of the Korean people very well, so I recommend it.