Suffusing the narrative with peerless character portrayals and thrill-infused plot twists, Snowdrop keeps escalating its euphoric momentum that it’s hard not to be intoxicated by it.
Mounting a love tale in the backdrop of political strife between the divided Koreas, the series has so far made every episode ending a convincing bait to crave more of the story.
Note that KDRAMADIARY has due respect to the historical background which inspired the narrative of Snowdrop. Having said that, the author focused on its fictional imaginative worldbuilding which is so far impressive.
abbyinhallyuland watches Snowdrop on Disney+
Opening Episodes Rating:
Note that this ‘first look’ feature recap covers the first five episodes
Snowdrop Episodes 1 to 5 Quick Recap
The Blind Date
Eun Young-ro (Kim Jisoo) lives like a normal freshman college student at Hosu university. She lives in the dorm with fellow university students. One day, she joins a group blind date and meets Lim Suho (Jung Hae In), a Berlin graduate school student. Sparks fly between them and she even helps him when he seeks an excuse to avoid police questioning.
However, when they were supposed to meet for Young-ro to return Suho’s small favor of gifting her a cassette tape, he stood her up. Six months later, they meet again when Suho climbs to Young-ro’s dorm evading the police chasing after him.
The wounded man found in Room 207
Climbing his way to one of the rooms in Hosu University dormitory, Su-ho fatedly enters the room where Young-ro stays. At that same moment, the anti-communist investigation team enters the dormitory. Head Mistress Pi Seung-hee orders the girls to lock their doors and only follows her command. However, ANSP (equivalent to today’s NIS) agent Jang Ha-na (Jung Eugene) points her gun to Ms. Pi to retract her order.
Insisting of an arrest warrant, agent Lee Gang-mu (Jang Seung Jo) commands Ha-na to secure one. He also warns Ms. Pi of how she can be implicated once proven that she hides a spy inside the dormitory. Room 207 girls, meanwhile, hide Su-ho at the bathhouse. Later, Young-ro who wants to help Su-ho as he reminds her of her brother pleads with her roommates to help Su-ho settle in an abandoned room.
Hosu University Open House
While recuperating, Su-ho and Young-ro both slowly feel the attraction growing between them. But the pressing concern of sneaking him out of the dorm needs to be done urgently. It’s not easy since ANSP agents are all over the vicinity of the university.
Taking advantage of an upcoming “open house” where guests of the female students can invite partners in the dormitory, Young-ro and the girls proceed with the escape plan. Giving his necklace which his sister gave for protection to Young-ro, they part ways and Su-ho reunites with his team.
Mission Escort Professor Han
Proceeding with their mission, Su-ho leads the North Korean spy team to make Professor Han Yi-seop defect to Korea. He was lured with the knowledge that his son and daughter-in-law are already settled in North Korea. The professor was escorted to where his son is by a shipping vessel.
While the mission proceeds, Lee Gang-mu who desperately chases after a North Korean elusive spy Taedong River 1 (aka Su-ho), gets a tip about him. Trying to get supplies, Su-ho was chased by ANSP force so he’s left with no choice but to seek refuge inside the dormitory.
Chaos erupts with ANSP’s vehement pursuit of the notoriously evasive undercover agent. Meeting Young-ro again, instead of catching up, he uses her as a hostage.
Risky Negotiations
Just then, more force from ANSP enters the dorm hall. Outnumbered, Su-ho’s aid arrives and together with his comrades they force Team ANSP to go out of the dorm and keep the wounded Lee Gang-mu inside.
Unknown to Young-ro and Su-ho, their fathers who both hold high positions in their respective governments, have been coordinating for mutual benefits. When Director Eun learned of the hostage-taking in the dorm where his daughter lives, he is torn between keeping the side of what he bargained with Su-ho’s father.
Just as the deal for the three North Korean spies to leave unscathed is settled, Director Eun receives a call about the boat bound to North Korea holding Professor Han was apprehended by South Korea’s marines. When Su-ho and his comrades set forth to leave, they sense a trap. Using a smokescreen, they retreat back to the dorm.
Snowdrop Episodes 1 to 5 Musings
Neatly elaborated, the wardrobe, set design and character immersion in Snowdrop gave a front-seat vibe of the ’80s. It’s a pity the drama has been battling controversies because honestly, the story flow and direction are superbly riveting.
Sprinkling a striking amount of humor from the lively daily routines of the students, it neutralizes the presentation of the turbulent government happenings layered in the story.
Moreover, the interesting clique of politicians’ wives and their subtle discord add an engrossing facet to how the tides of the story would get more interesting.
Anyone who can appreciate decent storytelling would be immersed in Su-ho and Young-ro’s world – which is shaping up to be a gravitating you-and-me-against-our-divided-countries love story.
A Love Tale Worth Rooting For
On a bright side note, Jung Hae In literally glows like our first love in Snowdrop. If he is using a special backlight, we sure want to buy and give it to our very own oppas.
As expected of how he always brings his A-game to his roles, Su-ho charms his way to viewers’ hearts effortlessly. There might be a united moment for his supporters like me that we got jealous of Jisoo’s viewing position on his topless upper body. How lucky those roll of bandage wraps to have touched his sinful abs.
For her debut acting stage, we can see the effort of Kim Jisoo to own Young-ro. It really felt like the role was written with her in mind. I honestly initially worried about how she would fair, given how the featured actresses in the series are known for their exceptional portrayals. But she sure is making a firm ground complete with happy flickering neon lights.
It’s also a relief to see her bring to life a female lead who knows her convictions and would stick to them. Whether she can turn the tables by using the thread of love Su-ho keeps ignoring is another drawing point to see in the series.
Yes! Deck Snowdrop on your watch list!
For a production with a relatively big cast, it might be daunting to watch. Thankfully, the series is tidily written and executed. Unnecessary fillers are trimmed while highlights to significant scenes and characters are well set for future key moments in the series.
We hope the hostage-taking will end soon, and I dearly wish the power of undeclared love between Su-ho and Young-ro can fuel it. Accordingly, viewers have been forewarned of the situation of the star-crossed lovers.
With that in mind, if Snowdrop can sustain its strong romantic story elements, the compelling cadence of the story would flow. However, too much embodiment of the political situation might be overwhelming. Hopefully, the current vibe and spirit perpetuate in the next 11 episodes.
International fans can watch Snowdrop on Disney+.
Photos/Videos: JTBC Drama
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