@masterraalkivictorieux Master Ra’al Ki Victorieux
“Still 17” beautifully explores love and healing as Woo Seo-ri awakens after 13 years in a coma. 🥰🌈✨ A tale of second chances and resilience. #Still17 #KDrama #Love #Healing
“Still 17” is a poignant exploration of love, trauma, and the profound emotional impact of life’s unforeseen events. The K-drama deftly interweaves romance with elements of human struggle, creating a narrative that resonates on multiple levels. At the heart of this tale are two protagonists whose lives are irrevocably altered by tragedy—a traumatic car accident leaves the female lead, Woo Seo-ri, in a coma for over a decade, while Gong Woo-jin, the male lead, grapples with guilt and remorse as a witness to the accident.
Emotional Impact and Healing
The emotional landscape of “Still 17” is rich with complexity, allowing viewers to grapple with profound themes of guilt and redemption. Woo Seo-ri awakens in a world transformed, not only in her body but also in the relationships that surround her. This metamorphosis offers a deep exploration of the consequences of time lost, portraying the compelling contrast between a 30-year-old woman trapped in the mindset of a 17-year-old and a man burdened by the weight of his past actions.
The series artfully captures the transformative nature of human relationships and the healing power of love. Through a series of scenes marked by tenderness and sincerity, we witness the protagonists not only uncover the truth behind the accident but also learn to forgive themselves and each other. The narrative eventually unfolds towards a hopeful conclusion, where love conquers trauma, presenting a heartfelt reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
Themes of Second Chances and Personal Growth
“Still 17” invites audiences to consider the theme of second chances and the possibility of finding light amid darkness. The story asks profound questions about mental fortitude and the human experience: How does one reconcile with the time lost? How does one forge ahead after surviving significant hardships? The series emphasizes that although the characters have been dealt challenging hands, they embody the notion of resilience—navigating through mental obstacles while prioritizing love, whether it be romantic, platonic, or even the love shared with pets.
Moreover, the narrative delicately explores the various stages of life, prompting viewers to reflect on their own journeys. The metaphor of awakening from a long slumber into a different life stage speaks volumes about the inevitability of change and personal evolution. Seo-ri’s struggle to adapt to her new reality serves as an allegory for anyone trying to make peace with the past, demonstrating that while time may be lost, the future remains unwritten and filled with new opportunities.
Synopsis
Gong Woo-jin (Yang Se-jong) is a 30-year-old single man who works as a set designer. Due to trauma he experienced 13 years ago, he spends some time as a hermit and does not want to have relationships with others. When Woo Seo-ri (Shin Hye-sun) was 17, she fell into a coma. Thirteen years later, she wakes up from her coma, but she is now 30 years old.
Gong Woo-jin believes that Seo-ri was in a bus accident because he told her to wait until the next stop. He had a crush on her, but he thinks her name is No Soo-mi. After the crash, he find out that Soo-mi died in the accident. He feels very guilty, goes away to study in Germany and carries this guilt with him into adulthood. As a result, he becomes a very lonely and strange adult. His habits include getting out a tape to make measurements for his set design miniatures at any given moment. He often gets into trouble for this habit, and he’s also cold and rude to others. He even leaves Korea for long periods of time to go on trips without a word to anyone.
Woo Seo-ri wakes up in hospital confused to find that she has aged 13 years overnight. She last remembers being 17 years old. She was in a coma and woke up after 13 years to find herself much older and very weak. Sadly, she has no visitors, and the staff can’t even find out where her relatives are. She used to live with her aunt and uncle; because her parents died when she was young.
She decides to take matters into her own hands and search for her Aunt and Uncle. She goes to the last place she remembers: their home. But the city is hugely changed from how she remembers. By a twist of fate, her aunt and uncle no longer live there: they sold the house to Woo-jin’s father, who is now letting his adult son stay there while he’s back in Korea. Woo-jin is also looking after his nephew, Yoo Chan (Ahn Hyo-seop), an energetic and friendly guy who instantly wants to take care of Seo-ri, despite Woo-jin’s misgivings. Neither of them recognizes one another at first, but Woo-jin agrees to let her stay for just one night so that she can begin the search for her relatives.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, a doctor is dismayed to hear that Seo-ri has gone missing and begins to search for her. The next day, he asks about her at her old home – but a misunderstanding doesn’t let them meet.
The plot follows Seo-ri’s search for her relatives; the budding romances between Seo-ri and Woo-jin, but also Yoo Chan and the doctor, who both develop ill-fated feelings for her; Woo-jin’s transformation from a surly and closed-off set designer to someone who dares to love again; Yoo Chan’s rowing championships; and their strange housekeeper Jennifer (Ye Ji-won), who ends up being tied up in the accident thanks to her past as well.
The Charm of K-Drama Storytelling
“Still 17” epitomizes the charm of K-dramas that have captivated a global audience. Beyond the romantic storyline lies a deeper commentary on resilience and the beauty found in everyday moments. The series celebrates the small details that often go unnoticed—the warmth of a comforting smile, the solace found in companionship, and the moments of reflection that allow characters to grow. By emphasizing tenderness and the human capacity to love, K-dramas like this resonate deeply and encourage people facing difficulties to believe in their ability to overcome.
Production
Still 17 (Korean: 서른이지만 열일곱입니다) is a 2018 South Korean television series starring Shin Hye-sun, Yang Se-jong and Ahn Hyo-seop. It aired on SBS TV from July 23 to September 18, 2018, for 32 episodes.
The first script reading took place on May 16, 2018, at SBS Studio in Tanhyun, Ilsan, South Korea.
Main Cast
- Shin Hye-sun as Woo Seo-ri
- Park Si-eun as young Woo Seo-ri
- An aspiring violinist whose dreams were destroyed due to an accident. She got into a bus accident when she was 17 years old and woke up from a coma after 13 years. She still feels she is 17 even though she is now 30 years old. She has been looking for her uncle and aunt who did not come to visit her and even sold their house where Seo-ri lived with them. She later develops feelings for Woo-jin unaware of their past.
- Yang Se-jong as Gong Woo-jin
- Yoon Chan-young as young Gong Woo-jin
- A stage designer who maintains a detached and aloof behavior. He goes to great lengths to keep himself from getting involved with those around him such as by wearing earphones, blocking the clients from contacting him and by putting on an obtuse personality and generally just ignoring social cues. Because of his occupation, he has developed a habit of measuring random items in public with a measuring tape. When he was younger, he had a crush on a girl who he learned was named No Soo-mi because of the uniform jacket name tag, not knowing that it was borrowed. On the day of their first interaction, she was involved in an accident which resulted in several deaths. Woo-jin blames himself for what happened to her and so he decided not to become involved with others in any way in the future. He later develops feelings for Seo-ri unaware of who in the past she actually was for him.
- Ahn Hyo-seop as Yoo Chan
- Woo-jin’s nephew and protector. Captain of the rowing club of Taesan High School. He falls for Seo-ri after knowing of her history but lets go of those feelings with time. He’s a staunch supporter of Woo-jin and Seo-ri’s relationship and is very thankful to Seo-ri for returning his uncle the way he used to be.
- Ye Ji-won as Jennifer
- A well-versed lady, skilled in martial arts and always focused on the work she does, she has modern charming looks although she wears the same attire and is in her 40’s. She has a strange personality. She is also the housekeeper of the house where Gong Woo-jin and his nephew reside. She harbors a secret that indirectly ties her with the accident 13 years ago.
Supporting Cast
People around Gong Woo-jin
- Jung Yoo-jin as Kang Hee-soo
- A talented stage designer. Woo-jin’s colleague.
- Ahn Seung-gyun as Jin Hyun
- Lee Ah-hyun as Gong Hyun-jung
- Woo-jin’s sister and Yoo Chan’s mother. A surgeon.
People around Woo Seo-ri
- Wang Ji-won as Kim Tae-rin
- A talented violinist and music director. Seo-ri’s biggest competitor.
- Yoon Sun-woo as Kim Hyung-tae
- Wang Seok-hyeon as young Hyung-tae
- A neurology resident. Seo-ri’s childhood friend who has had a crush on her and is the only one who knows her relatives’ whereabouts.
- Lee Seo-yeon as No Soo-mi
- Seo-ri’s best friend. She died in the accident. She lent her school uniform to Seo-ri causing Woo-jin to mistake Seo-ri’s name for her best friend’s name.
Woo Seo-ri’s family
- Jeon Ye-seo as Kim Hyun-jin
- Seo-ri’s mother.
- Jeon Bae-soo as Woo Sung-hyun
- Seo-ri’s father.
- Lee Seung-joon as Kim Hyun-gyu
- Seo-ri’s uncle.
- Shim Yi-young as Kook Mi-hyun
- Seo-ri’s aunt.
Taesan High School
- Lee Do-hyun as Dong Hae-bum
- Yoo Chan’s best friend.
- Jo Hyun-sik as Han Deok-soo
- Yoo Chan’s best friend.
- Jo Yoo-jung as Lee Ri-an
- Yoo Chan’s friend who has a crush on him.
People around Jennifer
- Kim Young-jae as Kim Tae-jin
- Jennifer’s husband.
Others
- Jung Ho-bin as Byun Gyu-chul
- Kim Min-sang as Woo-jin’s physician
- Kim Ji-yee
- Son San
- Seo Yun-ah
- Ha Do-kwon as Rowing Club Coach
- Ji Dae-han
- Park Jong-hoon as violinist Shim Myung-hwan
- Min Eun-kyung
Special appearance
- Jeong Jin-woon as Jung Jin-woon
- Yoo Chan’s rival in rowing competition
Original soundtrack
Released on 2019, by various artist under Label Bon Factory Woldwide – Kakao M, produced by Moon Seok-hwan – Oh Kwang-hee.
Award and nominations
“Still 17” achieved remarkable recognition at the 2018 SBS Drama Awards, winning a total of five prestigious categories. The accolades highlight the exceptional talent and performances of the cast, contributing to the drama’s overall success.
- Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Monday-Tuesday Drama: Shin Hye-sun received this award for her outstanding portrayal of Woo Seo-ri, showcasing her acting finesse and emotional depth, which resonated with the audience.
- Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Drama: Yang Se-jong earned this accolade for his performance as Gong Woo-jin, capturing the essence of his character’s struggles and growth throughout the series.
- Best Supporting Actress: Ye Ji-won was honored for her role as Jennifer, bringing both charm and complexity to her character, which enriched the storyline.
- Best New Actor: Ahn Hyo-seop received this award for his role as Yoo Chan, marking a significant milestone in his acting career and highlighting his potential as a rising star.
- Best Young Actress: Park Si-eun was recognized for her portrayal of young Woo Seo-ri, demonstrating talent that impressed audiences despite her young age.
These awards reflect not only the individual achievements of the actors but also the collective effort of the entire production team behind “Still 17,” establishing it as a memorable series in Korean drama history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Still 17” is more than just a romantic drama; it is a testament to the transformative power of love, healing, and resilience. Its narrative inspires, urging viewers to reflect on their own experiences and the intricate dance of life, love, and the second chances that come with it. In a world that often feels overwhelming, stories like this remind us that happiness can be found if we are present and welcoming, and that through forgiveness and love, we can forge our paths towards brighter tomorrows.
Keep on reading
- Thich Nhat Hanh: True Love
- Dawn Love with Blessed Rose Perfume
- To Love is to share
- L’Amour Fou; The Crazy Love of the Soul
- Yesterday wo Utatte; What is Love?
- Women Who Love To Much
- Jesus: “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”
- V, Kim Taehyung, of BTS
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