"365: Repeat the Year(2020)" : A Fresh Take on Time-Loop Stories

Korean Drama "365: Repeat the Year"

Are you a fan of time-loop stories? If so, you'll want to check out "365: Repeat the Year(2020)," a Korean drama that takes a fresh approach to this popular genre.  This drama is a Korean adaptation of the original Japanese novel "Repeat". There are 24 episodes in 365 repeat the year. In this post, we'll be exploring the attractive points of this drama and recommending it to those who are interested in Korean genre drama.


Plot Summary(Synopsis)





365: Repeat the Year (2020)" is a story about people who are given the opportunity to go back in time and start their lives anew. In this drama, the characters are given the chance to reset their lives by exactly one year with the chance to change their destiny. Ten people who want to change their past band together as a group called "Reseter" and travel back in time one year.

The protagonist, Ji Hyung Joo (Lee Joon Hyuk), is a veteran detective with seven years of experience. He travels one year into the past in order to reverse the mysterious death of a colleague. He discovers that the Reseters, who have traveled back in time like him, are involved in a mysterious case. He strives to uncover the truth behind it.

Shin Ga-hyun (Nam Ji-hyun) is a webtoon writer who has been writing a popular webtoon series, "Hidden Killer," for the past three years, until she has a sudden accident that results in her losing the use of her legs. At this time, she receives an offer to travel back in time one year. Shin resets her life but encounters unexpected events.


Main Cast

korean-drama-365-poster


  • Lee Joon-hyuk as Ji Hyung-joo
  • Nam Ji-hyun as Shin Ga-hyun
  • Kim Ji-soo as Lee Shin
  • Ryeoun as Nam Soon-ho
  • Yang Dong-geun as Bae Dong-chan 
  • Lee Shi-ah as Seo Yeon-soo

Lee Joon-hyuk is a Korean actor who portrays the main character, Ji Hyung-joo, in the Korean drama '365'. He is an actor known for his handsome looks, but has also portrayed a wide range of characters in various films and dramas. Over the course of his 10+ years in the entertainment industry, he has established a solid reputation for his acting skills, and has become a household name in South Korea. Some of his most notable works include "Stranger," "60 Days, Designated Survivor," and "Three Brothers."

Nam Ji-hyun is a talented Korean actress known for her versatile performances in various TV dramas and films. She began her acting career as a child actress and has since grown into a skilled adult actress with a dedicated fan base. She gained recognition and popularity among Korean fans for her role in the drama 'The Great Queen Seondeok'. Her notable works include "100 Days My Prince," "Shopaholic Loui" and "Little Women." 


Attractive points

Unique Time-Loop

365: Repeat the Year (2020)" distinguishes itself from other time loop dramas with its unique time loop rule. Unlike other similar dramas, this series has a set of restrictions on time travel, such as being limited to going back only one year or being suggested by others. These limitations not only add a layer of tension to the plot but also create a complex and interconnected narrative that keeps the viewers engaged throughout the show.


Plot

The drama's second attractive point is its fast-paced and well-crafted plot. With new hints and clues constantly appearing, viewers are engaged in trying to guess what will happen next. Despite the speed of the plot, the story is solidly crafted and flows smoothly, with the camera work adding a stylish touch to scene transitions. Even when there is a lot of information to process, the drama manages to retrieve allusions and double lines quickly, making it easy for viewers to understand and stay engaged. 


Strong Performance

The strong performances of the actors and actresses are also a major factor in the success of "365: Repeat the Year". In particular, Nam Ji-hyun's acting was outstanding. Having previously focused on romantic comedies such as "Shopaholic Loui" and "100 Days My Prince", she broadened her acting spectrum by perfectly embodying her first genre film. As the titular character who leads the drama from the center of the case, her detailed acting and control over the situation is impressive. Lee Joon-hyuk also stands out with his portrayal of Ji Hyung-joo.


Ratings and reviews

Rating

"365: Repeat the Year" struggled to perform well in the ratings, consistently scoring less than 5% from the first episode to the final episode. This can be attributed to the nature of the drama genre, which can make it challenging to attract new viewers. However, despite this, the show managed to maintain a steady viewership and build a dedicated audience. 

Reviews

The drama currently holds a high rating of 3.9 on Korean ratings site WATCHA. Fans of the show appreciate the unpredictability of the plot, which keeps them engaged and invested in the story. Furthermore, the drama has received positive feedback for its conclusion, with fans praising the show for its satisfying and clean ending rather than leaving viewers with a cliffhanger. Meanwhile, the show's OST is still going strong. 




Behind the scenes 

Here are some interesting facts about this drama
  • The book “Pieces of Fate”, which is used in the show to find clues, was created for the show.
  • The drama utilized a pivotal scene from that episode for the age rating screen that appears at the beginning of the show
  • PD herself has joined the drama's writing staff. 
  • In the original Japanese novel, the time period goes back 10 months, but in the drama, the time period is changed to one year. 
  • "Jianwon," the central location of the drama, is filmed in three different locations. The iron gate entrance is at Lakewood CC in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do, the exterior view of the building is at Monamur Art Museum in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, and the interior is at MBC Culture Park in Yangju.

"365: Repeat the Year(2020)" is a highly recommended drama for fans of time loop stories and Korean dramas. Its unique storyline, stunning visuals, and talented cast make it a standout in the genre. We hope this post has convinced you to give this drama a try and experience its magic for yourself.