49 Days
Encyclopedia
49 Days is a South Korean television fantasy
drama series broadcast by SBS in 2011.
) life seems to be storybook perfect. Her parents adore her and her friends all seem to admire her. Ji-Hyun is also engaged and set to marry her fiance Min-Ho (Bae Su-bin
) in just a few days. Meanwhile, Yi-Kyung (Lee Yo-Won
) is a woman who is completely distraught over her life after her boyfriend died in an accident, and frequently contemplates suicide. She works the night shift at a convenient store, while sleeping in the afternoons.
On a fateful day, Yi-Kyung gets off a bus and wanders around. She then stands in front of a busy street and attempts to kill herself by walking into oncoming traffic, resulting in a massive car pile up. At that time, somebody saves her life by pulling her back. At this moment, Ji-Hyun, who is driving nearby, fails to hit her breaks and crashes into a semi-trailer truck that has stopped in the middle of the road.
Moments later, Ji-Hyun walks out of her car in a daze. She is shocked to see her body being carted into an ambulance. The only person who seems to notice her standing in the road is a man on a motorcycle. The man on the motorcycle is the Scheduler (Jung Il Woo
) - an angel of sorts who awaits to take souls to their final destinations.
Ji-Hyun follows her body into the ambulance and watches as the paramedics attempt to revive her body. At the hospital, Ji-Hyun meets the Scheduler again. The Scheduler tells Ji-Hyun that since it was not yet her scheduled time to die, she is given a chance to recover from her vegetable state and live. That is, if she succeeds in fulfilling her mission: she must gather three pure teardrops from three people who truly love her apart from her family within the next 49 days. Ji-Hyun instantly thinks of her fiance and two best friends and is certain she will live again. Ji-Hyun then takes over the body of the suicidal Yi-Kyung in her quest to find three such persons. Ji-Hyun gets a job at a restaurant owned by her high school friend Han Kang (Jo Hyeon Jae).
At this time, Ji-Hyun's memory starts to return to her. Before the accident, Ji-Hyun remembers going to see her best friend to show the bridesmaid dress she had chosen for her. When she arrived, Ji-Hyun saw her best friend and her fiance sitting intimately together in a car. She was then driving to confront them when the accident occurred. Finally coming to her senses about their betrayal, Ji-Hyun now realizes that it won't be so easy to find three people who genuinely love her...
explores interconnectedness of all things or fate
, exorcism
, and other spiritual topics. This TV series was inspired by the Korean shamanism
that a soul usually wanders the earth for 49 days and then moves on to the next life, thus referencing relevant Buddhist (once a majority religion of Korea
) ideas such as reincarnation
and karma
. However, forgiveness, true love, and the quantity of three --reminiscent of Trinity
-- (Christian
themes) are central to Ji Hyun's obtaining the genuine tears. The Scheduler also mentions that "knock and the door will be opened to you," echoing Matthew 7:7.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
drama series broadcast by SBS in 2011.
Synopsis
Ji-Hyun's (Nam Gyu-RiNam Gyu-Ri
Nam Gyu-ri is a South Korean singer and actress. She was a former member and leader of the Korean female trio, SeeYa...
) life seems to be storybook perfect. Her parents adore her and her friends all seem to admire her. Ji-Hyun is also engaged and set to marry her fiance Min-Ho (Bae Su-bin
Bae Su-bin
Bae Soo Bin , is a South Korean actor.-Dramas:* 2011: 49일 "49 Days" as Kang Min Ho* 2010: 어서 말을 해 "Go on, Say it" as Jung Ki Young* 2010: 동이 Dong Yi as Cha Chun Soo...
) in just a few days. Meanwhile, Yi-Kyung (Lee Yo-Won
Lee Yo-won
Lee Yo-won is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Queen Seondeok in the eponymous hit period drama, as well as for her work in Surgeon Bong Dal-hee and Fashion 70's...
) is a woman who is completely distraught over her life after her boyfriend died in an accident, and frequently contemplates suicide. She works the night shift at a convenient store, while sleeping in the afternoons.
On a fateful day, Yi-Kyung gets off a bus and wanders around. She then stands in front of a busy street and attempts to kill herself by walking into oncoming traffic, resulting in a massive car pile up. At that time, somebody saves her life by pulling her back. At this moment, Ji-Hyun, who is driving nearby, fails to hit her breaks and crashes into a semi-trailer truck that has stopped in the middle of the road.
Moments later, Ji-Hyun walks out of her car in a daze. She is shocked to see her body being carted into an ambulance. The only person who seems to notice her standing in the road is a man on a motorcycle. The man on the motorcycle is the Scheduler (Jung Il Woo
Jung Il Woo
Jung Il Woo is a South Korean actor and model. He attended Han Yang University majoring in Arts.- Biography :...
) - an angel of sorts who awaits to take souls to their final destinations.
Ji-Hyun follows her body into the ambulance and watches as the paramedics attempt to revive her body. At the hospital, Ji-Hyun meets the Scheduler again. The Scheduler tells Ji-Hyun that since it was not yet her scheduled time to die, she is given a chance to recover from her vegetable state and live. That is, if she succeeds in fulfilling her mission: she must gather three pure teardrops from three people who truly love her apart from her family within the next 49 days. Ji-Hyun instantly thinks of her fiance and two best friends and is certain she will live again. Ji-Hyun then takes over the body of the suicidal Yi-Kyung in her quest to find three such persons. Ji-Hyun gets a job at a restaurant owned by her high school friend Han Kang (Jo Hyeon Jae).
At this time, Ji-Hyun's memory starts to return to her. Before the accident, Ji-Hyun remembers going to see her best friend to show the bridesmaid dress she had chosen for her. When she arrived, Ji-Hyun saw her best friend and her fiance sitting intimately together in a car. She was then driving to confront them when the accident occurred. Finally coming to her senses about their betrayal, Ji-Hyun now realizes that it won't be so easy to find three people who genuinely love her...
Main Cast
- Lee Yo Won as Song Yi Kyung/Shin Ji Min
- Nam Gyu Ri as Shin Ji Hyun
- Jo Hyeon-jae as Han Kang
- Bae Su-binBae Su-binBae Soo Bin , is a South Korean actor.-Dramas:* 2011: 49일 "49 Days" as Kang Min Ho* 2010: 어서 말을 해 "Go on, Say it" as Jung Ki Young* 2010: 동이 Dong Yi as Cha Chun Soo...
as Kang Min Ho - Jung Il WooJung Il WooJung Il Woo is a South Korean actor and model. He attended Han Yang University majoring in Arts.- Biography :...
as Scheduler/Song Yi Soo - Seo Ji Hye as Shin In Jung
Supporting Cast
- Choi Jung Woo as Shin Il Shik (Ji Hyun's father)
- Yoo Ji In as Ji Hyun's mother
- Bae Geu Rin as Park Seo Woo
- Son Byung Ho as Oh Hae Won
- Moon Hee Kyung as Bang Hwa Joon
- Kang Sung Min as No Kyung Bin
- Yoon Bong Gil as Cha Jin Young
- Kim Ho Chang as Ki Joon Hee
- Nurzhan Zhedelbaev as Ma Soon Jung
- Lee Jong Min as Go Mi Jin
Episode Ratings
| Date | Episode | Nationwide | Seoul |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-03-16 | 01 | 8.1 (18th) | 9.5 (15th) |
| 2011-03-17 | 02 | 8.0 | 9.5 (12th) |
| 2011-03-23 | 03 | 8.8 (16th) | 10.7 (9th) |
| 2011-03-24 | 04 | 10.2 (14th) | 12.2 (9th) |
| 2011-03-30 | 05 | 10.2 (9th) | 13.2 (5th) |
| 2011-03-31 | 06 | 10.5 (12th) | 12.8 (7th) |
| 2011-04-06 | 07 | 10.0 (9th) | 12.5 (5th) |
| 2011-04-07 | 08 | 10.5 (13th) | 12.8 (7th) |
| 2011-04-13 | 09 | 10.0 (9th) | 12.1 (5th) |
| 2011-04-14 | 10 | 10.8 (8th) | 13.3 (6th) |
| 2011-04-20 | 11 | 11.0 (5th) | 13.7 (3rd) |
| 2011-04-21 | 12 | 12.3 (5th) | 15.1 (4th) |
| 2011-04-27 | 13 | 12.3 (4th) | 14.3 (3rd) |
| 2011-04-28 | 14 | 11.9 (4th) | 13.8 (4th) |
| 2011-05-04 | 15 | 14.0 (3rd) | 17.4 (3rd) |
| 2011-05-05 | 16 | 14.5 (3rd) | 16.2 (3rd) |
| 2011-05-11 | 17 | 15.2 (3rd) | 19.1 (3rd) |
| 2011-05-12 | 18 | 12.7 (3rd) | 15.4 (3rd) |
| 2011-05-18 | 19 | 15.8 (3rd) | 19.4 (1st) |
| 2011-05-19 | 20 | 17.1 (2nd) | 19.9 (1st) |
| Average | 11.7% | 14.1% | |
Theological Themes
49 Days49 Days
49 Days is a South Korean television fantasy drama series broadcast by SBS in 2011.-Synopsis:Ji-Hyun's life seems to be storybook perfect. Her parents adore her and her friends all seem to admire her. Ji-Hyun is also engaged and set to marry her fiance Min-Ho in just a few days...
explores interconnectedness of all things or fate
Destiny
Destiny or fate refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual...
, exorcism
Exorcism
Exorcism is the religious practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed...
, and other spiritual topics. This TV series was inspired by the Korean shamanism
Korean shamanism
Korean shamanism, today known as Muism or sometimes Sinism , encompasses a variety of indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the Korean people and the Korean area...
that a soul usually wanders the earth for 49 days and then moves on to the next life, thus referencing relevant Buddhist (once a majority religion of Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
) ideas such as reincarnation
Reincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
and karma
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
. However, forgiveness, true love, and the quantity of three --reminiscent of Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
-- (Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
themes) are central to Ji Hyun's obtaining the genuine tears. The Scheduler also mentions that "knock and the door will be opened to you," echoing Matthew 7:7.