In Legend of the Blue Sea, Jun Ji-hyun (My Love from Another Star) stars as the beautiful and quirky mermaid, Shim Chung, who leaves the sea for the modern-day human world. There, she meets con artist, Heo Joon-jae, played by Lee Min-ho (The King: Eternal Monarch, Boys Over Flowers). It quickly becomes clear that this is not the first time Chung and Joon-jae’s lives have crossed. Back in the Joseon period, their previous selves met, fell in love and came to a tragic end. Throughout this series, they work to keep the same fate from happening.
- Series Title: Legend of the Blue Sea (Korean: 푸른 바다의 전설)
- Starring: Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Min-ho, Lee Hee-joon, Shin Hye-sun, Shin Won-ho, Lee Ji-hoon
- Written by: Park Ji-eun
- Directed by: Jin Hyuk, Park Seon-ho
- Network: SBS
- Where to watch in the US: Hulu
- Year Released: 2016
- # of episodes: 20
- KafeNook Rating: 4.3 sips
Legend of the Blue Sea — !!Spoilers Ahead!!
Viewing Legend of the Blue Sea completed my most recent round of Lee Min-ho dramas (which also included Heirs/Inheritors and Pachinko). Fortunately for me, I still have at least three older Lee Min-ho dramas to watch and– his latest drama (taking place in space no less!) due out in 2024. Plus, season 2 of Pachinko, should arrive sometime in 2024. Keep them coming, Lee Min-ho!
I have to admit that Legend of the Blue Sea started out slow for me. As a result, it took me longer to finish than other Kdramas I’ve watched so far. I liked Chung and Joon-jae, both individually and together while they are in Greece, but back in Seoul, it takes a while for the chemistry between them to reappear. The scenes in the Joseon period also feel dated, a strange statement since it is an historical time period. But they have the look of being filmed at a touristy resort in Hawaii. Throughout the drama, the Joseon era scenes were my least favorite. Still, I had read good things about Legend of the Blue Sea, and I was all in for the leads– so I pressed on. My patience was rewarded. By the tenth episodes, things really began to pick up.
Several plot threads weave throughout the story. This includes concern about Chung’s fate if she stays on land too long without fulfilling her true love. There are many wonderful and adorable interactions between Chung and random people she pulls into her life – a homeless woman, a young girl, a merman – as she navigates the human world. Chung also goes to great lengths to keep her secret from the numerous people surrounding her (including Joon-jae), often by erasing their memories.
Then there is the mystery and tension surrounding Joon-jae’s family. Joon-jae is estranged from his wealthy father, Chairman Heo. He divorced Joon-jae’s mother in favor of another woman when Joon-jae was young. Not long after Joon-jae left home, he met a charming con man, Jo Nam-doo (Lee Hee-joon) who taught him the ropes and paid for his schooling. Joon-jae has been searching for his mom ever since.
In the meantime, Joon-jae’s evil stepmother, Kang Seo-hee (Hwang Sin-hye) and her accomplish, fugitive Mae Do-young (Sung Dong-il), try to get rid of Joon-jae’s father. She wants the bulk of his wealth to go to her and her son, Heo Chi-hyun (Lee Ji-hoon from Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung). To make matters more interesting, most of these current day characters are also characters from the past who are repeating their fate in their current lives. This storyline really heats up and kept me on the edge of my seat until its climax at the end of episode 14.
Joon-jae’s Messed up Dad
What is the deal with Joon-jae’s dad? Chairman Heo is duped into dumping Joon-jae’s mother for another woman. He doesn’t seem to care when highschooler Joon-jae leaves home. Early on in the series, he acts like he loves stepson, Chi-hyun. However, he doesn’t treat Chi-hyun very well and doesn’t even want to leave him some of his wealth. Later, he says he wants to leave Joon-jae everything, but it only takes Chi-hyun calling Joon-jae a conman to keep good old dad from trusting Joon-jae. Basically, Joon-jae’s father is at the center of the entire family mess. As a result, I didn’t feel too sorry for him when he dies at the hands of his awful wife.
I definitely felt sorry for Joon-jae. I also really liked brother, Chi-hyun, who starts out as a nice guy and doesn’t seem to be like his evil mother. It truly seemed like he wanted a relationship with his brother and that he loved their father. Plus, he is really nice and caring to Chung. How sad that he becomes caught up in his mother’s terrible plots. With a few kind words and a promise of some inheritance from Chairman Heo, the brother would have been on a good path. Unfortunately, he is doomed to repeat the actions of his past self.
The Perfect Scene
My favorite scene in the series, Joon-jae reunites with his mother. Everything about it is perfect. On the way to her own birthday party, Cheong walks on one side of a large street with Yoo-ran (Na Young-hee). As they talk, Cheong realizes Yoo-ran is Joon-jae’s long lost mother. From the other side of the street, Joon-jae spots them. He smiles, knowing that he is about to meet up with Cheong. The two parties pause at the intersection, Joon-jae at one corner, Cheong and Yoo-ran at another. They face each other and Joon-jae can now see the woman Cheong is with. Cheong tells Joon-jae through her thoughts that the day has finally come for him to meet his mother again.
I have to pause a moment here to talk about Joon-jae’s outfit in this scene. He wears a light grey turtleneck, a grey sweater and pants, paired with white tennis shows. Over this, is a long, light pink coat. In his hand, he carries a present and a beautiful bouquet of flowers that perfectly match his ensemble. As he stands there, looking expectantly at the two women across from him, I couldn’t help admiring the master work of the stylist for this scene.
The entire effect is gorgeous and perfectly conveys the beauty of the scene. Crossing the street to meet in the middle – Joon-jae is in shock to see his mother standing before him. When Cheong takes a step back to let the two of them have their reunion, she looks at them as though to capture the moment as the rare gift it is. Yoo-ran cries against a shocked Joon-jae until he too, finally succumbs to tears. (Me—balling now. I must watch the entire scene again.)
Supporting Storylines
My favorite supporting story line involves Tae-Oh (Shin Won-ho) who pretends to have a crush on Shi-ah (Shin Hye-sun from Mr. Queen). Their subsequent meetings where she attempts to help him get over his feelings for her is hilarious. How fun it is that by the end of the series its Shi-ah who plans to propose to Tae-Oh?
Best Tear-jerker Moments
In addition to the scene where Joon-jae is reunited with his mother, another great tear-jerker moment occurs when Joon-jae breakdowns after learning of his father’s death. He is so close to reconciling with his father and now has lost that chance forever.
Legend of the Blue Sea Ending
It felt like the series could have wrapped up with episode 15, as the subsequent episodes kind of plug along. The ending has a nice little twist though. Chung thinks she has erased Joon-jae’s memories so that he won’t be sad when she leaves. He circumvents her due to the diary he kept which details everything about his life with her. Even though she erased the things that they did together from his memories, she couldn’t erase herself from his body and his heart. Joon-jae, now a civil servant in truth, has found a house by the sea for the newlyweds to live. What a cute way to reveal that a baby is on the way when he says there will be more mouths to feed on his civil servant salary. (Too bad that Joon-jae gave up all of his inheritance!)
Random Things I liked
Some of the most hilarious scenes come when Joon-jae realizes he can hear Chung’s thoughts, but she is not aware of this. His reactions to her thoughts are priceless, especially when he has a hard time controlling them.
Legend of the Blue Sea Soundtrack
The Legend of the Blue Sea Soundtrack is not anything to write home about. However, it does include a number of lovely songs such as You Are My World sung by Yoon Mi-rae and Jung Yup’s Lean On You.
