Way Back Love (2025)

What love is all about

“You told me that… time finally seems to be flowing. That’s enough. Don’t forget that. Keep thinking that way. No. That’s because you’re here. No. You can do it without me, too. We created this week together.”

If I had to talk about “Way Back Love” I would compare it to that comma followed by the adverb “too”. “You can do it without me, too.” That comma here takes on a symbolic meaning, becoming, in the very short break it creates in the sentence, an acknowledgement of the pain and the distress Jung Hee Wan who is also Kim Ram Woo is feeling. It also highlights the half-eaten regret voiced by Kim Ram Woo who is also Jung Hee Wan who wished he didn’t have to end his sentences with “too”. The adverb “too” contains their memories, their persevering love, the hole in their hearts that will never close. That “too” embodies how Jung Hee Wan will always miss Kim Ram Woo, will long for him as she tries to keep on living, to remember that that “too” is her strength but also a promise: the time they had won’t disappear, but the time she has now cannot be wasted.

The sentences I quoted in the beginning of this review says so much about the drama itself, but also its characters. Jung Hee Wan, Kim Ram Woo, Yoon Tae Gyeong, Lee Hong Seok, Hee Wan’s and Ram Woo’s family, they all have one thing in common: they love each other in the most genuine way. The love they give is one that pulses with every heartbeat, it’s one as malleable as clay, it transforms as the people they love grow and change. But it remains, always, everlasting. It’s a love that understands and doesn’t judge. It’s a love that brings out the best in people without trying to.

Ram Woo is a character that simply radiates kindness and Gong Yung’s embodied this trait so well with his gazes and his shy smiles. Watching him fall in love with Hee Wan warmed my heart. With only six episodes, Ram Woo and Hee Wan’s romance didn’t feel rushed at all and what a relieve it is to finally watch a drama with relationships that make sense. Their love is not told but shown in the way they look at each other, the way they talk and behave. That’s what I want more of! A simple “I love you” won’t cut it. Make me believe in the love characters share and I will stop complaining (I’ll tone it down at least). When they caught each other’s eyes during classes… Yes, I acted all silly because it was cute. It was innocent and beautiful. Them realising their feelings for each other was beautiful. And what should have become their fondest memories – the moment they voiced out their love to each other – it turned out to be the most tragic day of their lives.

Losing someone close to you is a pain so deep that words fail me. What words can come close to describing the hollow it leaves in your body and soul? When you grow up, go through the different stages of life, and they’re not by your side to live them with you. When time makes no sense to you anymore because the days feel all the same, because you see people whose life has resumed and yours has simply stopped and you don’t get it. There is nothing to understand, however finding a reason to explain what cannot be explained provides the illusion of comfort. Grief is a mystery. It’s both the purest form of love and the greatest sorrow. Kim Min Ha somehow succeeded to make us experience it and she was phenomenal. Her acting has such a rawness to it that whenever she cried, my throat tightened.
Her micro-expressions made the contrast between high-school Hee Wan and college Hee Wan all the more striking. “What happened to you, Kim Ram Woo?” Grief. One word, a thousand realities.

Since this review is a failed attempt to articulate my thoughts around this drama, I’ll simply end with what I adored: the relationship between the different characters.
The friendship between Hee Wan and Tae Gyeong and between Ram Woo and Hong Seok were such a delight to watch. Love that the drama took some time to develop their friendship despite the few episodes. One of my favourite moments in the drama is definitely the talk between Hee Wan and Hong Seok in present time, when Hong Seok gently but firmly states that he, too, did not overcome the void the passing of his best friend caused and that Hee Wan has no right to judge him on the way he lives his life. This scene was a stunning reminder of the complexity of grief and the many faces it can take.
I also loved the moments between Hee Wan and Ram Woo’s mother, Kim Jeong Seok. So often in life, you form bonds with the relatives of your friends and partners and yet when a breakup occurs, you both lose a friend or a partner and the bonds you formed with their family. This loss is rarely talked about. “She’s important to me, too.” Hee Wan’s reunion with Jeong Seok was healing to the both of them and it was beautiful to watch.

My review is repetitive but what this drama showed the viewers was nothing but beautiful. The heartfelt script allowed for complex topics to be addressed without judgement. The characters were all there to support each other. Ram Woo’s loss was a tragedy and, paradoxically, him coming back, allowing Hee Wan to starts her grieving, made her see that people might look like they have moved on but the hurt lingers. And that’s okay. Nothing will fill the void Ram Woo left in the lives of the people who loved him and this is proof of how loved he was and will always be. However, this love that started in high school, the kindness shared, the memories formed, the resolved misunderstandings, the pain experienced, Hee Wan is now able to live with it. She was always able to but Ram Woo brought the reassurance she needed. “You’re Jung Hee Wan and also Kim Ram Woo.” That kindness is something Hee Wan holds within too and it’s a flower Ram Woo wishes to see grow, even without him. “Because to us, loving myself means loving you.” Hee Wan, with her way with words, her paintings, her joy and sorrows, is someone to be treasured, by herself most importantly. This is exactly how I envision love: a feeling that, when received, helps you grow and when gone, remains a warmth in the pit of your stomach that reminds you that you are worth it and that you can do it on your own, too.

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to us, loving myself means loving you.

A deep and touching story in which different topics are discussed. This short drama contains 6 episodes in which we get to know the story of Jung Hui Wann (FL) and Kim Ram U (ML). Due to and unfortunate accident the ML dies, leaving the FL with guilt, depression and grief. The ML gets back into her life, being a grim reaper, with one message: she has one week before she dies.

And during the 6 episodes you see flashbacks of what happened between them in highschool and how not only their friendship but also their love towards each other blossomed only to be ended abruptly.

This drama had so many layers to it, although it was a short one. Very well done

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Way Back Love: The Art of Moving Forward Without Letting Go

There’s a kind of magic in stories that don’t waste a single second of your time, and Way Back Love is that rare little comet — burning brightly, flying fast, and leaving a lingering glow in the soul long after it's gone from sight. At just six episodes, this drama pulls off a narrative feat many 16-episode series can only dream of: it makes you laugh, ache, breathe deeply with its characters, and gently nudges you toward healing. It feels less like a television show and more like a precious letter you find tucked away in a drawer, written during a time when you needed it most.

At the heart of Way Back Love are two stunning performances by Gong Myung and Kim Min-ha, who somehow manage to make every moment between them feel lived-in, like a favorite song you didn’t realize you remembered all the lyrics to. Kim Min-ha's Jung Hee-wan carries her depression with a weariness that doesn’t scream for attention but wraps around her like an old, heavy coat she forgot how to take off. Gong Myung’s Kim Ram-woo, her childhood friend turned gentle grim reaper, is the embodiment of what it feels like to miss someone so deeply that even in death, your soul keeps reaching out to them. Together, they balance the narrative tightrope between bittersweet joy and inevitable sorrow with such grace, it’s as if they were born to be in this story — whether sharing a bucket list moment under the soft morning sun or confronting the unbearable reality of goodbye.

But Way Back Love doesn’t just rest its laurels on its stellar leads. Its supporting cast is nothing short of magnificent. Ko Chang-seok, as Hee-wan’s father, brings a quiet, grieving dignity that threatens to break your heart with every small, careful gesture. Seo Young-hee, playing Ram-woo’s mother, delivers an emotional gut punch that leaves you gasping, and Jung Gun-joo, as Ram-woo’s best friend, gives a performance so tender it feels almost invasive to watch. Despite the tight six-episode format, every character is given enough breath and weight that they don't feel like supporting actors — they feel like essential constellations in this aching sky of a story.

The narrative structure of Way Back Love is refreshingly confident. It respects the audience’s time and intelligence, moving forward without filler, without needless side plots, and without coddling. The drama has a rhythm to it — a deliberate heartbeat — that lulls you into smiles in the first 40 minutes, then punches through your chest with sorrow in the final stretch. It’s a perfect dance of comedy and tragedy, never letting you get too comfortable, always reminding you that love and loss are two sides of the same coin.

One of the most beautiful and clever aspects of the story is how it turns something as simple as a name — a prank between friends — into the anchor of the entire narrative. In a world where a name can tether a soul, where calling someone by their true name can either set them free or bind them tighter to this earth, Way Back Love uses this device not just as a plot twist, but as a meditation on identity, memory, and the invisible threads that tie us to the people we love.

Visually and sonically, Way Back Love is a masterclass in storytelling. The drama knows exactly when to dazzle with bright colors and warm lighting to make you feel safe, and exactly when to strip the world down into grey, muted tones to expose the raw wound of grief. It’s a silent shift you don’t notice at first — until you realize the world has dimmed right alongside the characters’ hearts. The OST is a character of its own here, weaving through scenes with perfect precision. Loco and Jae Yeon’s Best Luck feels like the sound of a heart still daring to hope, while Salad Days by Eazy and If You by Kim Tae Rae crash into your chest like a tide when words aren't enough anymore. There are moments when the music and dialogue hit the same emotional note — literally — syncing together so perfectly that it feels like fate’s invisible hand guiding the story forward. I cannot overstate how rare and powerful that is. Whoever managed the audio for this drama deserves a standing ovation.

Of course, no drama is perfect. Some viewers might find the sudden jumps between past and present a bit disorienting — Way Back Love demands your full attention, like a friend telling you a deeply personal story they can only bear to say once. And those coming in expecting a standard fluffy romance may find themselves a little unmoored; while love is a key ingredient, this is a story much more about grief, survival guilt, and the desperate, clumsy attempts we make to hold onto life after it has already changed us forever. There’s a tenderness to its sadness that could be triggering for anyone freshly carrying their own heavy losses — tread carefully if you must.

Verdict:
Still, in the end, Way Back Love offers something rare and vital. It’s not here to make death seem noble or to pretend grief has clean edges. It reminds us that the people we love don't leave us — not really. They fold themselves quietly into the marrow of our bones, into the pulse of our blood, into the names we carry forward. And just because time moves on doesn’t mean we ever have to let them go. The real triumph of Way Back Love is that it teaches grief without bitterness, hope without cheap promises. It teaches that even in loss, we can choose to live. To really, stubbornly, beautifully live.

Way Back Love isn't just a drama. It's a memory you'll carry. A small, gentle hand on your back on the days when you can't quite stand. A story that softly reminds you that survival is an act of love — for yourself and for everyone who ever loved you.

Score: 8.5/10

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This is one of the best dramas in 2025 – and I know we’re not halfway through the year yet

An audacious claim, one might think, but I am typing this with a bad case of headache–from too much crying.

I am also currently wrapped up in a bittersweet anguish that comes from being reminded that a beautiful story is not always happy. And I think that what the series made me feel would stay with me for a long time.

The series does not have an outstanding nor a unique plot. A grim reaper traipsing in the human realm, and unexpectedly, bumping into romance? There are plenty of dramas who have already done that.

To be honest, I’m quite on the fence on the chemistry of the leads as well.

But, none of these matter. At all.

First, while I’m hesitant about the leads’ chemistry, their individual performance is stellar.

I just know that Gong Myung and Kim Min Ha were made for their role as they have portrayed their character really, really well.

Second, the story is not linear, and the expositions come in trickle.

As the plot is not unique, viewers might feel like they have already caught up and figured everything out after some time, until a little plot twists here and there would come right out of the gate—a great surprise, not overbearing, and something that may or may not make sense (ending is not conclusive).

Still, everything felt easy, smooth, and natural, despite the coalescence of fantasy, romance, youth, comedy, and melodrama genre–this is how you’ll know a writing is great.

I am also in awe by the brilliant use of plot devices in setting the tone and resolving an issue. This comes in (unremarkable, small) objects, color grading, and events. They do not initially stick out, assuming they’re intended to not stand out, but the lightning bolts and realizations would definitely come in the end.

The pacing is good and steady that watching it almost felt like a walk in the park—literally and figuratively. Viewers wouldn’t have to labor to catch up or slow down. The stride is just perfect.

There is consistency in the series, too.

Aside from romance, the series explores some really heavy themes: death, grief, and life.

Technicalities aside, what I love about the series is that it didn’t come off preachy about the grandeur of overcoming pain and choosing to live on.

Some may find comfort in the series, but personally, it felt like the story of my pain is being told.

The only bad thing about the series that I could think of is that the ending is not conclusive, which could be a dealbreaker for a lot of the viewers.

Still, I think there is beauty in not knowing everything. This way, like in real life, the story would feel authentic—harsh, real and meaningful.

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Goblin vibe

I don’t know why I feel I watched Goblin. Maybe FL’s vibe maybe Grim Reaper. Kim Min Ha is very talented artist like Kim Go Eun. I think that I cried a lot. She shows character’s pain and sadness.
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It’s exactly a coming-of-age story. You lose a lot of things, including parts of your childhood, your live, your friend, your joy; but you keep going—you have to keep going.
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I wish happy ending. Very very happy ending. But we can say it is also happy ending right? Because a happy ending means something different to everyone.
Ram U’s mother is happy now. It is really relief.

And the music Spring is gone—it’s very nostalgic. When I listened to it, I felt like I went back ten years, maybe even more. I can’t remember exactly whenI listened this song. And other song, If You, 🥺 It is a reason my cried.

I really hope to see Gong Myung in more dramas—he’s such a great actor. Nowadays TVING’s original dramas seem to be more successful compared to dramas from other platforms. It is good for everyone.

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Don't underestimate this drama (even though its 6 eps)

As the headline says don't underestimate this diamond of a drama!! Its short, its beautiful, its bingeworthy and it'll make you tear up for sure. You experience the emotions with the female lead (who is amazing by the way, her emotional scenes just make you feel the pain with her 😩) and the love the male lead has for her. For six episodes you get a lot to unpack and feel!

My favourite lines: (when you watch it for yourself these lines mean so much more with the context and scenes they're from)
"saving yourself is saving me"
"because to us, loving myself means loving you."

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did if you watch it!:)

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not a typical review but more like how i felt watching episodes

17/04/25. just finished ep 3 and my heart hurt n bawled just like Hee wan at the end of the episode. sometimes you just need something like this so you can cry your heart out.
18/04/25. just finished ep 4 and tears wont stop. and the fact when Kim ram Woo's mother realized it was her son in OR that scene hits like a truck.
18/04/25. just finished ep 5. it was so heart warming. writers n directors are playing with our emotion?
18/04/25. finished the series. kind of predicted the ending. bawled like toddler. overall it was self healing. just what you need if you're feeling depressed. as Jung Hee won who lives as Kim Ram Woo says. LIFES GOES ON

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Such a beautiful story!

God where do I start with this show... I feel so empty but complete at the same time. I love the storyline and how beautifully written it is and the actors did an amazing job at bringing the story to life (The chemistry between the actors definitely helped in this category.) I've seen some people complain about the length of the shows but I personally loved the length; It was not too long but also not short enough where I'm left questioning things or wanting more. Not only did the length of the show aid in this but also the creators of the show did an amazing job at leaving things solid and gave viewers so much closure. Although some may disagree, I think the ending was perfect, beautiful, and also made me feel the love the characters had for each other.

Overall this kdrama was so so so good and I recommend everyone to watch! This is definitely one of my favorites dramas of the year and will be rewatching when I want to feel something :3

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Perfect emotional drama...be prepared as you will cry a lot!!!

I love it so much! It's a beautiful story with a great cast and plot that makes you binge-watch the drama in one go. The first half made me laugh, and the second half made me cry (I have never cried so much). I love their teenage love story, which was beautifully written, and you slowly get to know what happened. The length of the drama is just perfect. Until the end, I didn't know what the ending would be. I was hoping for a miracle ending, but the actual ending was even sadder, knowing that... I will not spoil the end.

Finally, a proper emotional drama that I have seen in a while. It's a shame that it is not more popular, and the rating should be much higher.

This drama will stay in my memory for a very long time.

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