Channel A's weekend drama 'My Lovely Journey' wrapped up its first substitute trip with an emotional finale. Blending the serene landscapes of Buyeo with a heartfelt family narrative, the show delivered both healing and touching moments to viewers. However, its ratings unfortunately stayed in the 0% range. Despite word-of-mouth praise, the drama recorded three consecutive episodes in the 0% range, highlighting the ironic situation the drama faces.
In Episode 3, aired on August 9, Kang Yeo Reum (played by Gong Seung Yeon) met Hanbok master Ji Sook (played by Kim Hye Hwa), who looked exactly like her client Kate, and solved the final piece of the mystery. Initially wary, Ji Sook gradually opened her heart, and the truth about her family began to surface.
Ji Sook's daughter Jin Joo revealed, "Ever since Grandma passed away, Mon hasn't been able to sew. She said she hated her for life," hinting at long-standing misunderstandings and wounds. Clues about a "dopplegänger" and "Occam's razor" from Lee Yeon Seok (Kim Jae Young) became the key, and Yeoreum finally pieced everything together through a video of a newborn's traditional jacket and a prayer bead bracelet sent by Kate.
The backstory was heartbreaking. Kate turned out to be Ji Sook’s twin sister, abandoned under a golden rain tree at birth to save Ji Sook, who was gravely ill. Ji Sook, who had lived believing her mother hated her, realized it was all an act of deep love to save her life and broke down in tears. This scene left such a deep impression that viewers flooded social media with comments like, “I cried along with her.”
The drama went beyond just solving a mystery. Once Ji Sook opened her heart, she began sewing again and prepared a hanbok for Kate, symbolizing recovery and healing stitch by stitch. The scene of the Ogu Entertainment family preparing at the airport for the sisters’ reunion after 50 years provided the perfect ending to the first substitute trip.
Buyeo’s goldenrain tree forest, Baekma River leisure park, and traditional hanok houses blended seamlessly with the story. They were more than just backgrounds - they became emotional stages for the characters and an integral part of the narrative, reinforcing the drama’s title as a “healing detox drama.”
After completing her first trip, Yeoreum accepted a new request from “Summer,” the substitute travel agency, signaling the start of a new chapter in her life. The appearance of the second client, a retriever named “Genie,” heightened anticipation for Episode 4.
According to Nielsen Korea, the nationwide rating for the episode was 0.2%, down from the first episode’s 0.6% and the second’s 0.3%, marking its third consecutive episode in the 0% range and a new low. However, viewer reactions were overwhelmingly positive. They commented, “I’m so glad to finally have a drama that isn’t sensational. I’ll keep watching,” “Buyeo is such a quiet and beautiful place to travel, and I’m happy to see it featured in a drama,” “It’s like a comma in life… it leaves a calm aftertaste that I like.”
“Since Yeoreum is played by Seung Yeon, I’m even more attached to this drama. I hope the ratings go up, but there are so many dramas these days… I hope more people watch healing dramas,” “Director, I love your healing scenes. Every scene makes me want to travel,” “If the story unfolds a bit faster, it would be even more fun,” “It’s such a pretty drama. I look forward to it,” and “Warm and well-made drama.”
Still, a few viewers advised that “a slightly faster plot progression” would make it better.
With its warm, lyrical atmosphere and substitute travel concept, the drama stands out in today’s market dominated by provocative storylines. However, it’s unfortunate that its charm hasn’t yet translated into higher ratings.
SEE ALSO: 'Beyond the Bar' peaks at 10.2% viewership rating, sweeping the number 1 spot in just four episodes
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