Full of sentiments, Snowdrop deviated to familiar contours of heartbreaking romance.
Remorseless of its unswerving harrowing route, the love story that was overpowered by the political backdrop, strangely sealed the prominent allure of the series.
- Main Cast: Jung Hae In | Kim Jisoo | Yoo In Na | Jang Seung Jo | Kim Hye Yoon | Yoon Se Ah | Heo Joon Ho | Park Sung Woong | Kim Min Kyu
- Thrill/Romance/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- Similar Dramas: Youth of May
abbyinhallyuland watches Snowdrop on Disney+
Episode Recaps: 1 to 5 | 06 | 07| 08| 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 & 13 | Finale Week Recap + Review |
Snowdrop Finale Week Recap
Dr. Kang successfully secures the money they need to use as a bargaining point for their lives. However, Bun-ok tips the South camp of Dr. Kang’s real identity. She also learns she’s being tracked by Han-na. The latter rescues her when ANSP agents were sent after her cover was unveiled.
At the dorm, Young-ro’s identity was also revealed and she expectedly earns hatred from her friends. Her father who pretended to be in critical condition assumes his post taking advantage of knowing Han Tae-il’s connection with Dr. Kang.
Initially agreeing to release the hostage, Director Eun got a chiding from the president, thus making him choose his ambition over his family. It was also revealed that North Korea’s Director Choi is Su-ho’s mother who also opted to be a woman of power leaving her family behind.
When Director Choi ordered Gyeok-chan to kill Su-ho, Dr. Kang, fortunately, arrives to interrupt and save Su-ho They plan to escape ahead of their promised negotiation with Director Eun. Huddling to convene at the set port, they split up since Dr. Kang’s and Su-ho’s faces are already known because of the released APB.
Unknown to them, another spy lives at the dorm and it’s not Ms. Oh but Grandpa Man-dong. He was given a mission to kill all the agents. Sadly, Gyeok-chan and Eung-cheol were killed. Dr. Kang and Su-ho almost suffered the same fate.
A Heartbreaking Sacrifice That Saved Innocent Lives
Meanwhile, Jang Han-na and Reporter Gal were able to share the election ploy a little causing public upheaval. This caused the president to tap Han Tae-il to take over the situation. Learning, Tae-il is back to harm the students, Su-ho decides to return to the dorm.
Realizing she’s marked to be chased again, she steals a bus and alerts Gang-mu that she will be going to the shrine. Summoned to enter the dorm, the SWAT team missed the students taken by Jang Han-na.
Going back to save Ms. Oh who stepped on a booby trap, Su-ho goes to find them. But time is not on their side as the SWAT team outnumbers them. Su-ho urges Gang-mu to lead the women safely through a car he left near the shrine.
Hearing the gunshots, Young-ro goes back to Su-ho who wiped out the group chasing after them. They head to the rooftop room where she hid and nursed him before.
Unfortunately, they were discovered and Su-ho shielded Young-ro from the shower of gunshots fired at them.
Months after, Director Eun, Han Tae-il, and Chief An walk together bound to be imprisoned. Jang Han-na and Lee Gang-mu are on a bus going somewhere. Ms. Pi and Bun-ok are back at the dorm.
Young-ro visits the cafe where she first met Su-ho and listens to his heartfelt voice love letter.
Snowdrop Peak Points
Consistent Exciting Mood
At the core of Snowdrop is the message that there’s no happiness nor fulfillment to people who are overly consumed with power, money and ambition. Utilizing government people and spies from North and South Korea, the audience was brought to an interesting story magnified by a hostage-taking scenario.
Mostly ending each episode with exclamation marks, the drama has kept its thrilling momentum owing to its fixation on just one problem. What makes it fascinating is the involvement and movement of the characters to its base premise.
Sprinkled betrayals and surprises abound in the narrative where outsmarting games are constant. Admirably, the direction of the story displayed a cohering structure that perfectly correlates to the mind-blowing cliffhangers.
Laudable Characterizations
Employing a big cast, the viewers being able to tell apart the characters highlight the balanced distribution of small and big parts to the characters. An amusing example would be the upper-class ladies who aside from giving comic relief to their inner circle wars also propelled key contributions to how the problem was resolved in the series.
Notably, Snowdrop provided redeeming moments for characters that deserve it and rightful closures to the antagonists. Much appreciation is also given to how polished the cast is in nailing rage-driven or emotional confrontation scenes.
The Love Pairing
Spinning the endearing and bittersweet love story in Snowdrop are Lim Su-ho and Eun Young-ro. Portrayed by Jung Hae In and Kim Jisoo, they raised our protective instinct as we hope for a miracle in the imaginary world they’re in.
Sans a happy ending, the two successfully notched the urgency of their situation in the story. In particular, the agonizing scene not only showed Jung’s spectacular performance, it also tested the mettle of Jisoo as a rookie actress.
The Spies
Faintly rendered, the romance between Jang Han-na and Lee Gang-mu at least achieved a happy ending. As always, Yoo In Na suits up to her latest role phenomenally. She captured the bravado of her elite spy status and the vulnerability of a woman in love.
From enemies to allies the North and South Korean secret service agents work together spectacularly in raising the intensity of the plot. Fueling an outwitting game, the gripping momentum knows no moderation in leaving the audience excited and craving for more of the story.
Likewise, the higher-ups portrayed by seasoned actors did not back down with their portrayals. We lost count of how many times the betrayal and shift of leadership got the best of them.
The Villains
Different variants of baddies decorate Snowdrop. From obvious to stubborn to secret villains; they greatly contributed to a lot of oh-no moments in the series.
Giving a standout performance, Kim Hye Yoon made a convincing pitch to her character. Similarly, Park Sung Woong also did a great job in bringing out the annoying and fun side of Nam Tae-il.
For his steady traitorous motivation, Kim Min Kyu had remarkable scene-stealing moments just as Heo Joon Ho’s indecisiveness reached the point that we pity Young-ro.
Splendid Set Design, Wardrobe & Music
Taking the viewers to the late 1980s, the attention to detail is evident as seen in the setting of Snowdrop. It also paraded stunning outfits – from commoners to high society people.
Music in the series also ensured a nostalgic feel that really strengthened those poignant moments when played in the background.
Snowdrop Series Musings
Three-part politics and a quarter romance, Snowdrop has a distinct charm that can push a viewer to see its conclusion.
Subconsciously, we hoped for more endearing and heart-fluttering moments between Su-ho and Young-ro. But from its onset and as the story goes, the reminders of not expecting a happy ending were apparent.
Thankfully we were conditioned that Snowdrop is not gonna be a happy ending. Because it was unapologetic when it concluded on a despondent note.
Inferring the students that were saved probably spiraled the truth about the election scheme, we saw the villains claiming the punishments they deserve.
Life went on for the main characters as we fully empathized with Young-ro’s loss – the pure love that she received in the most heartbreaking way.
Takeaways
We’re lucky to live in a time when corruption can be easily exposed and disseminated because of the technology we have. At least politicians and people of power know fear if they will commit atrocious acts.
In real life, politics divide people. It is chaos-inducing and the most potent venue for corruption to happen. Snowdrop, having used the two Korea’s disputes, ensured an objective approach in presenting equal and unbiased perspectives.
What the story raised is true before, at present, and in the future. There will be people in positions who can be greedy for power and disrespectful of their juniors. They can disregard their family to protect their ambition.
Giving new meanings to the word disappointment, some parents featured in the series willingly abandoned their children to follow their personal convictions. In contrast, the sons and daughters were presented to have the utmost respect, trust, and love for their parents who keep disappointing them.
Lastly, the series leaves familiar lessons on how true love requires us to sacrifice and do all we can to protect our loved ones.
Delve into the affecting world of Su-ho and Young-ro in Snowdrop. International fans can watch it on Disney+.
Photos: JTBC Drama | Videos: Warner Music Korea
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