Nobody knows when life will end, The One and Only has served a hearty reminder on living it to the fullest.
When death knocks at the door of three women, they look back on the life they have lived so far. In that new perspective, they grab the opportunity for new experiences, for life is still going on.
- Main Cast: Ahn Eun Jin | Kim Kyung Nam | Kang Ye Won | Joy
- Supporting Cast: Go Doo Shim | Jang Hyun Sung | Yoon Bora | Han Gyu Won | Seo Yeon Woo
- Streaming Site: Netflix
- Thrill/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- Kdramas of Similar Vibe: Just Between Lovers | Thirty-Nine | Scent of a Woman | Kill It
Marcie Line watched The One and Only on Netflix
The One and Only Quick Plot Recap
Faced with the reality of having a terminal illness, Pyo In-suk (Ahn Eun Jin), decides to stay at a hospice in her remaining days. She keeps this secret from her grandmother who raised her.
There, she meets her two roommates Kang Se-yeon (Kang Ye Won) and Sung Mi-do (Joy), who all agree in taking one person down with them.
On a rainy night, they attempt to save San-a from her abusive father, and meet Min Woo-cheon (Kim Kyung Nam), a contract killer.
Mesmerized with In-suk, Woo-cheon realizes that he has met In-suk before as she saved her from dying when they were still young.
As the issue about the murder of San-a’s father gets a lot of attention, the police chase down the suspects.
Along with that, the women in the hospice go through the remaining time of their lives, creating memorable moments of love and forgiveness.
The One and Only Series Peak Points
Sisterhood in the Hospice
As In-suk entered the hospice, she met remarkable people in her life. Even though she may have not been on good terms with her roommates right away, she was able to warm up as they spent their last moments together.
Run by nuns, the formed bond and sisterhood inside create a warm atmosphere for the three women of the green-ray room. From being suspects of murder to celebrating their highs, the women in the hospice have sincerely supported each other.
Every character has a story to tell, and when they were at their end saying their goodbyes, they have surely imparted inspiring words about facing death.
Reflection of Justice
Substantial topics about abuse and neglect are presented in the series. Having the story begin with the murder of San-a’s abusive father, a question about committing this act to a habitual perpetrator can spark questions on how the law works.
Moreover, the series has served as a reminder to parents and adults who look after the young. Through the characters’ life experiences, it has emphasized how big of an impact a parent can bring to the life their child will lead.
Meaningful Contemplations about Life
Dealing with the topic of death, a lot of notable lines can be drawn from the series. Essentially, it asks and checks up on people on whether they’re living or just existing.
Life has so much to offer, and sometimes like In-suk, when burdened with a lot of worries and troubles in life, we forget to live. Cumulative events and experiences can numb people at some point in their lives, and living with no emotions has been an outlet for these.
Shown through its characters whether from surviving or dying, the series has vouched to having hope until the day of our end arrives.
The One and Only Series Musings
New found friendships are formed in the hospice, and you can’t just help but adore the vibe of the sisterhood In-suk, Mi-do, and Se-yeon has. All the actresses have served their best acting skills in this series, especially Joy. Of all her dramas, her performance in this series could become one of your favorites.
As the series revolves around the murder of the father of San-a, there were times it felt dragging in the middle. They kept going back and forth on the conflict about who should turn in themselves to the police.
However, the process could also be appreciated as reflections about life and death emerged through the side characters’ lives being showcased. Their sincere thoughts could inspire viewers to also look back at life as a whole.
The series has accentuated letting go of earthly belongings and emotions we cannot bring with us in the other life. In addition to that, viewers could also enjoy the healthy discourse on societal issues such as diversity and abuse.
For viewers looking for an emotional drama that can provoke thoughts and reflections about life, The One and Only could be included on your watchlist. The series inspires deep reflections on what it means to live a meaningful life.
Watch The One and Only on Netflix.
Photos: JTBC
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