Like Flowers in Sand

A Healing drama disguised as a Sports/Crime drama.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

On the surface, “Like Flowers in Sand” seems like a sports drama. When you watch further along, there’s a crime investigation and you thought, this might also be a crime drama. But in actuality, the sports and the crimes are just a vehicle to disguise what this really is: a healing drama of closure and growth.

I’ve never watched Korean wrestling, aka, ssireum. It’s definitely interesting and different from Japanese sumo wrestling. Most of the time, I enjoy sports dramas even though I am a couch potato fan. There’s no surprise that I enjoy every single ssireum scene here, practice and competition. I actually want to see more but as I said, this is primarily not a sports drama. Props to all the actors, especially Jang Dong Yoon and Kim Tae Jung. Their matches are intense!

Due to a crime committed 20 years ago, the characters in “Like Flowers in Sand” are affected in different ways. Our female lead and her family were forced to move away. Our male lead lost his best friend and possibly himself a little and the motivation and love for ssireum. Another character lost a family member and the community suffered some ripple effect. With another recent death, the trauma of what happened 20 years ago was brought to light, and characters reunite to heal, rediscover themselves and obtain closure.

I actually really like the healing aspect of this drama. I enjoy scenes of the leads together and their unbreakable friendship and bond. I like the setting of the sports club and the different athletes. Although the romance is very minimal, I actually didn’t mind it too much. But if you are seeking romance, this is very slow burn and implied. Don’t expect romance like this is a romantic comedy. But, Kim Beak Du (ML) is such a sweetheart and the greenest of the green flag. He appears a little clumsy and dumb, but is very perceptive, honest and smart. I love how he indirectly cheers on and cares for his friends.

Unfortunately, the crime investigation is such a bore. I do not care who the murderer was, not what happened 20 years ago or now. This is one of the weakest points of the drama. It was unable to find a balance between the mixed genres. Despite loving our ML, it’s also hard to tolerate how loud he is. He is always shouting at FL:. They are fun, but very, very noisy. Most of the villagers are the typical gossipy and nosy supporting characters. They are not the worst, but can also be somewhat insufferable.

Despite my complaints, I did have a great time watching “Like Flowers in Sand”. I love the bond between the leads, the friendship and the nosy caring way all the characters have for each other, the subtle bond and different bond ML has with his father and mother. I enjoy slowly seeing the after effects of the incidents to our FL and 2FL, and how ML comes to the realization of what he really lost 20 years ago as well.



Completed: 12/23/2025 Review #654

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Transformation as its finest

A short drama with a big impact. I like this drama its mixed with friendship and romance. I like how Jang Dong Yoon's dedication in this drama because he really gained weight to portray his role of a wrestler and the cast are also dedicated on the language the intonation are perfect as if their are locals of the said town.
Its a story of group of childhood friends who grew up together. The only thing that separate them is when Du Sik decided to go far to avoi bad talks about her family. When she came back she is already an adult and disguise as a married woman she also changed her name, but Kim Beak Doo really noticed her as her childhood friend Du Sik. From then on he really not get off her eyes around her. And later on he realized that his instincts are really true and he found out that she's really not married. They found out that they are attracted to each other.
The reason why Du Sik came is to solve a case which is also involved his late father. She managed to solved the case with the help of her childhood friends.
The moral story of this drama is to never give up, you need to do that you loved to do not what others would want them you to do.

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More of a Murder Mystery than It is Sports

The drama starts off in the world of Ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling), which led me to believe this would be more of a sports drama that would introduce me to the sport. Instead, it ended up being more of a criminal investigation drama that takes place in a small town. The investigation part of the story was incredibly boring and forgettable. I've never been so uninterested in knowing who the killer was. The wrestling part of the story was also a disappointment, but it got better in the 2nd half for the limited scenes it had. The most impressive thing about this drama was Jang Dong Yoon's weight gain transformation for his role. My favorite character was the dog. It was an odd mix of murder mystery + sports + small town drama + friendship/youth. Whatever this combination was, it did not work for me.

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Balanced to Perfection

Where to begin? Jang Dong Yoon is absolutely perfect in this role. He made Baek-du the easiest to love character in a drama. I came to root for his happiness and success immediately. He is affable, kind, honest, and genuinely happy with all of life's curveballs. Probably one of my favorite male leads of all-time.

Du-sik's character was so nuanced, despite being presented in a completely opposite disposition from Baek-du. She's caring and loyal to her friends even if she is hiding her identity at first. She was dealt a rough card and she handles it with grace.

The juxtaposition between Baek-du being comically unaware of things and Du-sik being comically bad at being undercover is so well-written and provides a great dose of levity and a wonderful display of their friendship lasting even after years apart.

The friend group has to be the best part of this entire show. Seok-he being completely inept at knowing when to keep his mouth shut - also every scene of him chasing Snowball - and his eventual friendship with Hyun-wook is hilarious. Mir-ran and her entire storyline is so interesting and the way she trusts her friends to help her is touching.
Jin-su is my favorite character in this show. The way he protects Mi-ran is adorable but his friendship with Baek-du, which so easily could've been written as a rivalry, was so refreshing. He really does want him to succeed and I found myself searching for his reactions during the tournament.

This show balances the story of this young athlete trying to figure out how to use his strengths to benefit him instead of relying on past methods with the mystery surrounding Du-sik and the town's past. Baek-du's growth in realizing that he doesn't need anyone by his side to win because those people are still supporting him no matter what. Du-sik finally solving the mystery that alienated her family and realizing her friends never forgot her. The way she grows to share more of herself with Baek-du and allows him in on her big case is huge. The town learning the important lesson that words matter and can seriously hurt people - I am really impressed that this show took a very common trope of gossipy townsfolk and actually confronted them for it. So many times have I seen dramas pass off this behavior because of a character's background and it was nice to see that not one of them had an excuse for it.

This show doesn't waste time on any of the stories it tells. It's deft and transparent without being in your face. Having seen three dramas set seaside, I also feel as though this one captured that environment the best. It wasn't polished or clean, the scenery wasn't relied upon to remind you of their surroundings. The bugs can be heard chirping and the characters are often sweating due to the heat and it makes it that much more immersive.

My favorite scene is the conversation Baek-du has with his father before his big championship match. Tae-baek is a former champion with two champion sons and in one of the most authentically moving moments tells Baek-du that's it's okay he still hasn't won yet. He is supportive and ties the title of the show in perfectly with the theme: all flowers bloom at different times and it's okay to bloom late.

I think this might be my favorite Kdrama so far. It's healing and really beautiful.

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Honest, Sincere, and Real

Had zero expectations going into this show. No big names, no unique plot. Yet something about the posters drew me in, and I’m so glad it did. Watching this show felt like receiving a long-overdue hug. It’s comforting, heartfelt, and beautifully sincere.

The story revolves around Ssireum, a traditional Korean wrestling sport I didn’t even know existed before this. But by the end, I absolutely loved it. The drama builds the world of Ssireum with care, explaining the rules clearly without ever feeling confusing or heavy-handed.

Jang Dong Yoon is truly the heart and soul of this show. His character is innocent, pure, and deeply earnest. He starts off as a once-promising but now-faded athlete, a little lost and naive, yet becomes one of the most lovable characters as his layers unfold. He’s like a puppy you just want to wrap in a blanket and protect from the world. His struggle; wanting to win one last title before retiring, but doubting whether he still has it in him is portrayed with raw honesty. The scene where he breaks down and tells his father he announced he’d quit the sport hoping others would talk him out of it, but no one did, is heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s so well written and acted that you can’t help but root for him.

Lee Joo Myung shines as the once-tomboyish female lead. Her character is more than just a love interest, she has her own strength, story, and growth. The friendship and romance between her and the male lead feel natural and genuine. Their childhood connection, shy first love, and the way their relationship develops are all handled with such subtle care that it feels organic and real.

The friend group is another highlight, full of love, jealousy, support, and frustration in equal measure. They feel like real people, and by the end, you feel like you’re part of their circle. I also loved Dong Yoon’s supportive family, such a refreshing change from the stereotypical disapproving K-drama parents. The family dynamics were heartwarming, and the small-town cinematography was simply stunning. The visuals are soft, warm, and beautifully capture the show’s comforting tone.

If there’s one weak link, it’s the murder subplot. I understand its importance for the female lead’s arc, but the mystery itself felt underwhelming and unnecessary. You don’t really care about solving it; you just want to see the characters live, grow, and find happiness.

The ending was perfect. I loved that he won the championship, and even more, that his victory wasn’t tied solely to the female lead. She supported and believed in him, but it was still his achievement. The show makes sure you feel that, and when he finally wins, it feels like you’ve won something too.

It’s nothing grand, nothing flashy, nothing overly dramatic but it’s a drama that stays with you. You’ll miss it the moment it ends and wouldn’t mind if it had ten more seasons.

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simple and fun

I watched Like Flowers In Sand right when I needed something light, sincere, funny, and heartwarming. No devastating conflict, and the drama of the characters' past wasn't over the top. I really enjoyed the story and the choice of actors and actresses. For me Jang Dong-yoon was perfect as the not-particularly-bright Kim Baek-du, a former wrestler with a heart of gold and a surprisingly quick grasp on putting pieces together. It still amazes me that Jang Dong-yoon was discovered on the news and has become such an impressive actor. His portrayal made me laugh out loud multiple times. I also loved Lee Joo-myung as Oh Doo-sik, Baek-du's long lost best friend and first love. Too often, for my taste, female characters in Korean shows talk like children and dumb themselves down, but Doo-sik is strong (literally and figuratively), works for justice, is opinionated, smart, and loves deeply. The group of older villagers who are always in the background watching and gossiping were a lot of fun. Same goes for the wrestlers at Baek-du's gym. I knew nothing about ssireum before watching this show, and found it very interesting to see the matches and learn about it. The seriousness of a pair of possibly-connected murders, the loss of fathers and childhood friends, along with a rumor of match-fixing add poignancy without being overbearing. And I think a little white runaway dog named Snowball might just steal the show.

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Dumb witted boy meets his feisty childhood crush again and both help each other in facing the world.

This funny sometimes chaotic show set in a small town is one nice ride with many heartwarming moments. A countryside bumpkin ML who has given up on his dream and is living a life with no goals ahead meets his child hood friend after years.

ML is kinda dumb witted and sometimes irritatingly childish but someone with a pure heart. He has some self esteem issues and rarely stands up for himself even being a doormat to his Ssireum buddies. Then there is FL a strong willed undercover cop with a sad and broken past returns to her hometown to catch a killer.
Both the leads meet and many hidden feelings emerge again.

The show has many genres mixed in it making it kind of a mess sometimes. It isn't too strong on romance but more on sports, crime and healing tropes. The leads and their friends help heal each other and in the process many bonds that were broken before strengthen.

So if you are looking for some good lowkey sports -romance show, this is a good one time watch.

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So wholesome

When I started Like Flowers in Sand, I didn’t think I would enjoy it, but I was so wrong!! Lately, I have been struggling with finding a kdrama that I would truly enjoy, something cute and lighthearted that isn’t too long or cringey. I am glad I came across LFIS.

I want to start by talking about the characters. Baekdu was super cute and likeable, he really grew to my heart! Jang Dong Yoon did an amazing job from the dialect and ssireum to the acting itself. That’s not to say others did a bad job! The entire group of childhood friends was too cute to dislike. Each character felt like an actual individual rather than just an archetype.
The synopsis didn’t really intrigue me, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved that it wasn’t unnecessarily long, and that the focus on romance was subtle. I think it’s great that many people can learn about ssireum this way, as well as life outside of Seoul.

I am glad to have watched Like Flowers in Sand and I highly recommend it to everyone!

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Kim Baek Du Swag!!

Wow, what an underrated gem! This show truly captured my heart and deserves so much more recognition. The storyline was incredibly refreshing and heartwarming, and I couldn't help but fall in love with all the genuine characters, especially our main character, Kim Baek Du. He reminded me so much of Kim Bok Joo from Weightlifting Fairy, which just added to the charm! We definitely need more dramas like this one. While the story may have been slow-paced, that's what made it so special and captivating. I'm usually not a fan of adding murder mysteries to feel-good shows, but this one was surprisingly okay. They didn't dwell too much on it, which I appreciated. Instead, I found myself completely engrossed in the adorable interactions between our two main characters. They were just too cute together! And let's give a big shoutout to Jang Dong Yoon for his dedication to the role, gaining weight to truly embody the character. I had never heard of or seen this sport before, but he portrayed it so convincingly that it piqued my interest. Kudos to the entire cast and crew for delivering such an unforgettable experience!

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Small town, busy people

I want to give proper value to the production team because technically speaking this is a wonderfully made story, with lot of attention put into the detail. The first thing that caught my attention was the sound mixing, which easily created a slice of life vibe, set in the rural location. There's almost no soundtrack use during important scenes, choosing the surroundings over it. The sound of the ocean, the cicada, a dog barking. It all completes the story.

The characters wear barely any make up, their clothes are something any of us would wear during the summer, which goes perfectly with the lack of interest in superficial aesthetic.

The drama lives and dies with the performances. The actors are the heart of the story and they deliver on creating a close-knit society in the small town their characters all grew up.

At first, I thought I was in for a slice of life sport story about friendship, love and overcoming personal struggles but to my surprise there was a murder mystery thrown in the middle.

I understand why the writer of this drama used this troupe to point out some toxic behaviour from society, our prejudices and the damage gossip can do to a person's life. Sadly, I think the main story suffers from it and deviates of its strongest points which is the relationship between the six main characters with each other.

Overall, this is a very quiet and rustic story with some solid performances but easily forgotten among many others dramas that have done this before and better.

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Feel good

March 2024
Great cast, great location, great story, great fun! This has everything. Family, community, enduring friendship, loss of purpose and mystery. It's all wrapped up in a more sedate coastal life, where the most exciting thing to happen, outside of the local ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling) team's matches, is a local dog constantly slipping its leash and running off, hotly pursued by the 2 local police beat officers.

The warmth this drama exudes is so lovely. It's a small town, where everyone knows each other's business and when they don't, gossip takes over. In some cases small lives breed small minds, but as happens, many find it hard, or even impossible, to face up to their mistakes and mistreatment of others, when they should know better.

I loved that there was NO stupid, slapstick humour in this, even though it's a comedy-mystery-romance. There are plenty of laughs, generated by daily comings and goings; main character, Kim Baek Doo's, innocent, simple (NOT stupid though), contemplative personality (wonderfully interpreted by Jang Dong Yoon); and the often comicly mundane.

I really liked the coastal setting (filmed in a small area of Pohang, North Gyeongsang), which felt so normal, rather than picture-book pretty. It wasn't unpleasant, by any means, just normal, if that makes sense!

A serious incident leads to the lives of almost everyone in the heart of the town and connected to the ssireum team, being affected one way or another, as tensions build.

The past comes rushing back and some old scars are revealed, to be finally allowed to heal.

Whilst simplistic, it really is a great watch and although I guessed the culprit, it didn't spoil my enjoyment at all (typecasting has a lot to answer for).

The ssireum matches were fabulous and honestly had me twitching in my seat!

Not one character irritated me, even though there's a fair bit of physicality between a few. They get away with it though, because it's not mean or nasty, but out of affection and simply how they interact. Very exuberant.

Most characters are pretty noisy, too; but again, it's how most (not all), speak to each other. Their accent is fabulous. I really found myself engaging with so many of the characters and the cast did themselves proud.

Definitely one to try. I'd happily watch it again.

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