Eight years after it first aired, the ending of the K-drama Hit the Top still resonates with fans. The show, also known as The Best Hit, presents a unique spin on time travel by focusing on personal choice rather than fixing major historical events. The final episode, which aired on KBS in 2017, successfully tied together its complex story of a lost idol, newfound family, and second chances, cementing its status as a beloved classic for many viewers.
The story follows Yoo Hyun-jae, a top K-pop star from 1993 who suddenly finds himself in the year 2017. He discovers he was declared missing in 1994 and has a grown son, Ji-hoon, who never knew him. While navigating the modern world, Hyun-jae tries to uncover the mystery of his own disappearance and builds a new life connecting with the people from his past.
The Core Time-Travel Mystery and Its Resolution
The central twist of Hit the Top involves two versions of the main character. The Hyun-jae who traveled from 1993 is not the same man who vanished in 1994. They are from alternate timelines. In the final episodes, the 1993 Hyun-jae travels back to 1994 to find his other self. He discovers the 1994 Hyun-jae is seriously ill and tries to convince him to come to the future where medicine can cure him.
The 1994 Hyun-jae makes a critical choice. After learning about the good life his son, Ji-hoon, is living in the future, he refuses to leave. He believes that changing the past might risk his son’s future happiness. This selfless decision provides the emotional core of the ending, showing that some parts of the past are better left untouched.
Hyun-jae later meets up with Gwang-jae and tells him about everything, who then asks him to work at World Agency and train new idols. He also suggests him to return to performing as he still looks like a young man due to travelling straight from 1993.
Character Endings: Debuts, Proposals, and New Beginnings
The finale gave satisfying conclusions to all major characters. The most prominent was the debut of the music duo Jay-B, consisting of Hyun-jae’s son, Ji-hoon, and his friend MC Drill. MC Drill, who struggled with severe stage fright throughout the series, finally overcame it to perform perfectly, leaving Ji-hoon amazed.
Other happy endings included the humorous and sweet proposal between Gwang-jae and Bo-hee, who also adopted a dog named Mal-sook. The episode also solved a lingering mystery: it revealed how the character Young-jae originally obtained Hyun-jae’s valuable music book in the past, which he later used to build a successful career for another artist.
Hyun-jae’s Final Choice and Life in 2017
Failing to save his other self, the 1993 Hyun-jae decides to stay in 2017 permanently. A key reason is Woo-seung, a woman who was visibly heartbroken when he initially tried to return to his own time. He finds a new purpose when his friend Gwang-jae offers him a job training new idols at his agency. However, Hyun-jae turns down the chance to be a performer again, no longer wanting that kind of fame. Instead, he chooses a quiet life as a songwriter.
His most important act is connecting with his son. He tells Ji-hoon that he met his father and that he was proud of the man he became. He also gives Ji-hoon a bracelet that the 1994 Hyun-jae wanted him to have, finally delivering the father’s love across time.
Also Read:
Why Hit the Top Remains a Fan-Favorite Time-Travel Drama
Hit the Top stands out in the crowded time-travel genre by avoiding a typical revenge or save-the-world plot. Its focus is intimate, dealing with family, regret, and finding contentment. The ending is notably warm and hopeful, providing clear happiness for its characters without relying on tragic sacrifice.
This distinguishes it from other popular time-slip K-dramas. For example, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is famous for its heartbreaking ending where the lovers are separated by centuries. Recent hits like Lovely Runner also focus on love and sacrifice through time, while shows like Reborn Rich use time travel for corporate revenge. Hit the Top carves its own niche by using time travel as a backdrop for a story about personal growth and accepting one’s place in the world.
The drama’s enduring appeal lies in its blend of lighthearted comedy, heartfelt family drama, and a sci-fi concept that serves the characters. It proves that a time-travel story can have a perfectly happy ending where the greatest change is not in the timeline, but in the hearts of the people living in it.
Also Read: The Rookie Season 8: Chenfordโs New Drama and Release Info
