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| "Secret Garden" |
The drama "Secret Garden" was probably the most successful drama I've worked on as a production team, based on viewership ratings. Its first episode hit an unimaginable 17.2%, and it steadily rose to a staggering 35% by the final episode. Of course, viewership ratings don't necessarily reflect the quality of a work. This drama prioritized entertainment over artistic quality, and its intriguing subject matter, combined with a top-notch writer and two top-notch actors, already garnered attention even before its airing. Aside from the harsh winter weather during filming, it was a truly memorable production. With the performances of Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-won, and the script by Kim Eun-sook, a leading Korean romantic comedy writer, it was a drama destined for success from the start. It was an honour to be a part of such a significant project.
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| "Secret Garden" Script |
Seoul, the Background and Spatial Meaning of Secret Garden
"Secret Garden" is recognized as a work that elegantly captures the charm of the city of Seoul. In the drama, the main character Kim Joo-won's home is depicted as a space showcasing a modern and luxurious Seoul lifestyle. Conversely, Gil Ra-im's world is depicted as a mundane Seoul alley, a small gym, and traditional living spaces. This contrast effectively conveys the drama's themes visually, highlighting the social and economic differences between the two characters.
Furthermore, various real-life Seoul locations, such as Myeong-dong and Cheongdam-dong, were used not merely as backgrounds but as devices to reflect the characters' emotional journeys. The surreal events unfolding in the glamorous city made viewers perceive Seoul as a fantasy setting. These urban elements introduced international fans to Korean culture and lifestyle, and were one of the driving forces behind Secret Garden's rise to the center of the K-wave.
The Appeal of Romance and Fantasy Setting
"Secret Garden"'s most distinctive feature is its unique narrative structure, which combines romance with fantasy elements. The soul-swapping premise of the two main characters transcends the boundaries of a simple romantic drama, offering a new level of excitement and suspense. The differences in gender, social status, and values revealed as Kim Joo-won and Gil Ra-im swapped positions provided viewers with a refreshing shock and immersion. This expanded beyond a simple romance story into a profound message.
As the directing team member, it was crucial to guide the actors' subtle performances—their actions, habits, speech patterns, and facial expressions—so that viewers could easily follow along when the two characters switched bodies. Fortunately, the two actors worked harder than anyone else to capture and embody each other's habits and subtle differences. Thanks to this, viewers were able to follow along without confusion, even when the bodies were swapped.
"Secret Garden" effectively conveyed the message that "love is a process of understanding each other's world" through the medium of fantasy. Joo-won's privileged perspective and Ra-im's realistic struggles are experienced through the soul exchange, emphasizing that love is ultimately about accepting each other's lives as they are. This allowed viewers to reflect on the essence of love and the meaning of human relationships, beyond a simple, sweet romance.
Furthermore, this drama avoids repeating the clichés of the romance genre, twisting existing tropes to create a fresh and engaging experience. For example, the events that unfold after the soul swap evoke laughter while simultaneously maximizing emotional tension, eliciting a realistic, relatable connection rather than mere fantasy. This originality has earned Secret Garden a special place in the history of Korean romance dramas.
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| "Secret Garden" |
A Sensational Drama Completed with Detail and Direction
It's embarrassing to say this myself, but another strength of Secret Garden lies in its sensational direction. While writer Kim Eun-sook's dialogue and storyline laid the foundation, our directing team meticulously visualized this to enhance the drama's quality. A prime example is the "foam kiss." This scene transcends mere kissing and establishes itself as a visual device that subtly conveys the characters' emotions, creating a buzz following its broadcast.
The use of the original soundtrack is also noteworthy. Baek Ji-young's "That Woman" and Hyun Bin's "That Man" perfectly match the drama's atmosphere, further enhancing the immersion of the scenes. In particular, Hyun Bin's "That Man," sung by him, was able to further heighten the emotional impact of the drama, as it was first played at its climax. Our directing team used music as an emotional amplification device, creating a dramatic immersion for viewers, which quickly became the drama's defining characteristic.
The camera work, set design, and use of color also enhanced the drama's quality. Kim Joo-won's extravagant and luxurious space was portrayed with cool, sophisticated colors, while Ra-im's simple world was portrayed with warm, natural tones, visually distinguishing the two characters' worlds. These directorial details not only enhanced the story's persuasiveness but also maximized the viewer's emotional connection.
My personal regrets are the awkward acting of some of the supporting actors and the somewhat excessive behaviour of Hyun Bin's mother, now in 2025. I thought it was a bit excessive back then, but watching it now, it feels even more so. Furthermore, the male protagonist's somewhat rough behavior toward the female protagonist didn't bother me much at the time, but I find it somewhat regrettable now. Another issue is the somewhat tedious narrative of the supporting couple. I wondered if it was truly necessary for the drama, if it could have been a more relatable and interesting narrative, or if it could have been eliminated altogether and the episodes shortened. This is a regret that comes from my critical perspective as a member of the directing team, but it's not a major problem with the drama itself.
The drama "Secret Garden" is more than just a romantic fantasy; it's a high-quality work that combines the urban setting of Seoul, a unique romantic plot, and meticulous directing. This drama expanded the narrative possibilities of Korean dramas and established itself as a representative work of the Hallyu wave. Even now, Secret Garden remains a compelling drama, conveying a message about the essence of love and human understanding. If you haven't seen it yet, now is a great time to watch it.
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