January 5 (2005-01-05) – March 17, 2005 (2005-03-17)
Sad Love Story (Korean: 슬픈연가; RR: Seulpeun Yeon-ga; lit. Sad Sonata) is a 2005 South Korean television drama series starring Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Hee-sun and Yeon Jung-hoon.[1][2] It aired on MBC from January 5 to March 17, 2005 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes.
Plot
From the moment they meet, Jon-young (Kwon Sang-woo) and the blind Hye-in (Kim Hee-sun) share an instant connection. Young and naïve, they believe that nothing can change their love. Life, however, pulls them in opposite directions. Jon-young is sent to Seoul, while Hye-in immigrates to America. Misleadingly informed that Jon-young is dead, Hye-in struggles to begin a new life alone. Years later, Hye-in returns to Seoul. With her eyesight restored, she is now a singer happily engaged to her producer Gun-woo (Yeon Jung-hoon). Everything changes though when Gun-woo's composer friend turns out to be none other than Jon-young. He instantly recognizes her, but Hye-in has never seen Jun-young before. When love is no longer simple and blind, can Hye-in and Jun-young still find their way back to each other? This series is a series of love, death and suspense.
The series originally cast actor Song Seung-heon to play the character Gun-woo. Song had already filmed several scenes overseas and recorded songs for the soundtrack, when a draft-dodging scandal involving him broke out, causing him to enlist in the military service. On short notice, Yeon Jung-hoon was selected as his replacement.[2]
Partly shot overseas with a budget of ₩7 billion, it was one of the most expensive Korean dramas of the mid-2000s. It received average 16.3% ratings in South Korea. It attracted much attention when it was broadcast in Japan and Middle East.[3][4]
International broadcast
The series aired in Japan on Fuji TV in August 2005 every Saturday at 4:00 p.m. where it received ratings around 10%.[5][6] According to a poll conducted by TV Asahi variety show SMAP Station in May 2007, Sad Love Story ranked as the sixth most popular Korean drama in Japan.[7]
The series aired in Indonesia on Indosiar in September 2006 every saturday at 7:30 p.m. where it received ratines around 10%. Korean Dramas now go on air in According to a poll conducted by antv varitey show SMAP Edition in June 2007, Sad Love Story ranked as the sixth most popular Korean drama in Indonesia.
