Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, Tomorrow (내일) is a fantasy Kdrama starring Kim Hee Seon, SF9's Rowoon, Yoon Jion and Lee Soo Hyuk.
Choi Junwoong (Rowoon) has had little success in securing a job at numerous interviews and falls into a severe slump. One evening he tries to stop a suicidal homeless man from jumping off a bridge and encounters two mysterious people who are also on a mission to save him. However an accident occurs and Junwoong falls into the river with the man.
Junwoong wakes up to find himself in hospital...although separate from his body. The two people he saw earlier turn out to be Grim Reapers by the name of Koo Ryeon (Kim Hee Seon) and Lim Ryung Gu (Yoon Jion). Junwoong eventually accepts a temporary job at Jumadeung through an agreement with the Director played by Kim Hae Sook who explains to Junwoong that he can work as an employee for six months then wake up from his coma with benefits. After agreeing to this offer and becoming half spirit/half human, he joins the Risk Management Team with Ryeon and Ryung Gu. Of course with any new job, he struggles and makes his colleagues roll their eyes over his recklessness but eventually learns to adapt. His colleagues also find he does have skill and potential in moments where it is he who leads the case and succeeds in missions.
The Risk Management team save suicidal souls from killing themselves so they can live on their to their appointed life span, which irks other Reapers from different departments who feel this temporary team is not worth it. One of the Reapers who disagree with the idea of the Risk Management Team is Escort Team leader Park Junggil (Lee Soo Hyuk) who escorts souls eventually leaving the Land of the Living.
Tomorrow discusses sensitive topics. Suicide being the more obvious subject but there is discussion on sexual assault, fears of loneliness as you get older, the impact of hate comments in the media and in person, bullying but also past atrocities.
I will admit watching this drama has made me question and reflect on my own life, my existence, its purpose, the pros and cons...there are a lot of what ifs. It's made me emotional and thinking deeply.
Aside from the reflections, I was really touched with this drama and credit the writers and actors for doing a great job. It's a tad nostalgic seeing Kim Hee Seon a veteran actress I watched many years ago in various dramas including Tomato on screen alongside younger idols I've recently become a fan of such as Lee Soo Hyuk and Rowoon.
Some tidbits from the series - SPOILERS
- A key storyline we learn through the episodes is how Koo Ryeon and Park Junggil have a history which the latter does not recall, having being reincarnated twice. Much of their story is revealed in the latter part of the drama. Even Ryung Gu has a history and how he met Ryeon.
- Heartbroken by the conclusion on Ryeon and Junggil's past feelings but it was appropriate. Just seeing the humiliation they had to experience back then was just outrageous especially with Ryeon who did a good deed to help the other ladies captured
- The timing of my thoughts when I remembered Junggil and Ryeon had signed the Reaper's Guarantee of Responsibility when the latter needed help and then in a later episode Junggil used it...but I didn't think he would use it for a different purpose
- Junwoong had to go back but it was a little sad to see him go nonetheless and then have his memories wiped but going from the last episode it looks like the Grim Reapers would be happy to have him on board again when they reunite in the future
- I knew Junggil wasn't a completely heartless man but then again I may have spoiled myself a little after watching an FMV on Tomorrow a long time ago. Uptight and very focused on the job but there were signs where he smiled (when he interacted with a soul he escorted many years ago and realised she finally joined the Escort Team for a special case - it was heartwarming)
Trailer for Tomorrow can be seen below:-