Shim Eun Kyung will appear in a special role in the fantasy romance drama Way Back Love, adding depth to the story’s emotional core. The series, based on the novel A Week Before I Die, follows a reclusive young woman who reconnects with her deceased first love—now a grim reaper—days before her own death .
Shim Eun Kyung’s Character and Role
Shim plays Young Hyun, a senior college student who remembers Hee Wan (Kim Min Ha) when others treat her as an outsider. Described as a “legendary upperclassman” who has delayed graduation for years, Young Hyun befriends Hee Wan during a chance encounter at their school. The production team called Shim the show’s “hidden card,” emphasizing her character’s pivotal role in Hee Wan’s journey .
Plot Developments in Upcoming Episodes
Episodes 3 and 4, releasing on April 10, will explore the past romance between Hee Wan and Ram Woo (Gong Myoung). Flashbacks depict their first love, while the present-day storyline shows them completing a bucket list, including meeting Ram Woo’s friend Hong Seok (Jung Gun Joo). The contrast between their youthful bond and current tragedy heightens the drama’s emotional stakes .
Shim Eun Kyung’s Career and Recent Projects
A celebrated actress in both Korea and Japan, Shim gained fame for films like Sunny (2011) and Miss Granny (2014). She made history in 2020 as the first Korean to win Best Actress at Japan’s Academy Awards for The Journalist. Her recent work includes Japanese dramas like Anonymous and Gunjo Ryoiki, marking Way Back Love as a return to Korean television after 2020’s Money Game .
Production Notes
The drama’s team praised Shim’s acting reliability, noting her ability to balance the series’ whimsical and melancholic tones. Adapted from Seo Eun Chae’s novel, Way Back Love blends fantasy with themes of love and mortality .
Also Read: Gong Myung Shines as a Kind Grim Reaper in New Fantasy Romance Drama Way Back Love with a Warm Twist
Source: (Soompi)
