Crash Landing on You

Crash Landing on You^[3] (Korean: 사랑의 불시착; RR: Sarangui Bulsichak; lit. Love's Emergency Landing) is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-hyun and Seo Ji-hye. It premiered on tvN (and on Netflix internationally) on December 14, 2019. ^[4] ^[5]

Summary[]

The series tells the secret romance between a South Korean heiress of a conglomerate and a high-ranking North Korean officer. Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) is an heiress to a conglomerate in South Korea. One day, while paragliding, an accident caused by a tornado leads Yoon Se-ri to make an emergency landing in North Korea. There, she meets Ri Jung-hyuk (Hyun Bin), who is a North Korean army officer. He tries to protect her and hide her. Soon, Ri Jung-hyuk falls in love with Yoon Se-ri.^[6]

Plot[]

Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) is a South Korean (SK) chaebol heiress to the Queen’s Group. Born into a complicated family of wealth and greed, she is her father's illegitimate child. Although loved by her father, she is resented by her half-brothers and disliked by her mother. Because of this, she exiled herself out of the family fortune and successfully founded her own fashion and beauty company: Se-ri's Choice. A woman of great business sense, she is a tough boss and known for her publicity stunts (ex: staging a fake romantic liaison with a celebrity) to gain media attention and sell her products. However, her greatest achievement would be inheriting the Queen’s Group.

Jeung-pyeong Yoon (Kyung-eup Nam) is the CEO of Queen’s Group and Se-ri’s dad. He recently served time in jail after he was found guilty of financial malfeasance. With his reputation affected, he looked to one of his children to inherit his title as chairman of Queens Group. Aside from Se-ri, Jeung-pyeong has two sons: Yoon Se-hyung (Hyung-soo Park) and Yoon Se-joon (Dae-hoon Choi). Unfortunately, Se-hyung (Se-ri’s elder half-brother) recently made a bad business exchange. He cost the company millions after being conned by Seung-jun (Kim Jung-hyun), a man who embezzled millions from Queens Group. Se-joon failed to reach an agreement with the labor union leader and got into a fistfight with the leader. Both brothers covet the position but have proven to be too incompetent to successfully run Queens Group; Jeung-pyeong chose Se-ri. Jeung-pyeong reasoned that she is a self-made CEO and has what it takes to lead the future of Queens Group; it was an unpopular decision with her brothers and they separately conspired against her.

Before taking the reins of Queens Group, Se-ri already made plans to promote her company’s extreme sports line through a paragliding project. Unknown to her, the weather suddenly turned bad and a freak cyclone carried her away; she survived but crash-landed past the DMZ in North Korea. It was there she met Captain Jeong-hyeok Ri (Hyun Bin), a soldier of the Korean People's Army (stationed along the North Korean DMZ). Upon first meeting, Jeong-hyeok found her trapped in a tree. After freeing herself, Se-ri realized she crossed over to North Korea (NK) and panicked, desperate to go home. Jeong-hyeok considered arresting her and getting her processed. However, he stepped on a landmine and couldn’t move to capture her. Se-ri took the chance to escape, but was pursued by the captain’s men.

Se-ri managed to escape capture because Jeong-hyeok’s men were distracted to find her. Pyo Chi-Su (Yang Kyung-Won) was drunk, Kim Ju-Meok (Yoo Su-Bin) was too busy watching a South Korean drama, Park Kwang-Beom (Lee Sin-Young) was busy disarming the landmine for Captain Ri, and Geum Eun-Dong (Tang Joon-Sang) was too homesick in the fields to notice Se-ri escaping under their noses. While they eventually regrouped to search for her, they lost her. Ultimately, Se-ri stumbled upon a North Korean village and didn’t realize she stumbled upon Jeong-hyeok’s residence. Jeong-hyeok found her and had her stay in his home as he figured what to do with her. Things got complicated when Se-ri overheard Chi-Su blabbed out about their unprofessional behavior and that gave her leverage to blackmail Captain Ri’s entire team to allow her to stay at Jeong-hyeok’s home until they can bring her back to Seoul. They plan to smuggle Se-ri over a fisherman’s boat, where she’ll safely cross back to SK. In between, forces conspire against both Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok.

Captain Ri and his team captured three illegal treasure hunters prior to their encounter with Se-ri. North Korean (NK) State Security Officer, Cho Cheol-gang (Oh Man-seok), secretly conspired with these men to search for valuables. When Captain Ri captured them, Cheol-gang retrieved them to get their booty. The gang thought Cheol-gang was their benefactor, but he only wanted to get what they found and secretly had them murdered. He had a modified armored Russian truck run their transport over and killed a hitchhiker to clear all loose ends. When Captain Ri learned of the incident, he wanted to investigate this matter as it seems to have ties to his elder brother’s death as well. Meanwhile in Seoul, the Yoon brothers are happy to have learned Se-ri has been missing and presumed dead from the paragliding accident. With her out of the way, they attempt to convince their father to choose one of them as it would look bad to the board if there’s no successor.

Captain Ri traveled to Pyongyang to continue his investigation into the deaths of the treasure hunters. He wanted to look into things at the Security Department but Cheol-gang had the Investigation Division’s Trial Bureau arrest him and Bureau Director Choi (Jeon Jin-Woo) personally interrogated Captain Ri for the deaths of those raiders. Jeong-hyeok find this investigation very suspicious and asked for proof of his crimes. Director Choi was enraged when Jeong-hyeok challenged him and said he can charge him with whatever crimes he wants. It was then General Ko stepped in and freed the captain. General Ko was very upset at Choi and kickd both of Choi’s knees. Shocked at the treatment, Choi wanted to know who is Captain Ri and General Ko identified Jeong-hyeok as the son of Ri Chung-Ryeol (Jeon Kuk-Hwan), Director of the General Political Bureau. The revelation frightened Choi as Director Ri is one of the highest authorities in the NK government. Enraged at Cheol-gang, Choi called Cheol-gang to inform him how bad of a blunder this will cost them for not knowing Captain’s Ri’s associations.

At the village, Chi-Su called Captain Ri when he found out the village would go through a random inspection. Because Se-ri was told to never pick up a phone call, she couldn’t be warned of the potential danger and Jeong-hyeok asked General Ko to borrow his car to rush back home. Because of the 79-extension on his car plate, it signifies he’s an elite and that gave him special treatment. Whoever saw Captain Ri’s car immediately cleared a path for him to allow him to make it back home at great speed. During this time, Cheol-gang got involved in searching Captain Ri’s house and found Se-ri hiding in the cellar. Unable to explain herself, Captain Ri made it back just in time to explain Se-ri is his anti-social fiancé. Cheol-gang wanted her ID and pass (which she doesn’t have any) to prove herself and Captain Ri explained she’s an agent under the 11th Division (a special spy division that operates in SK). Because Division 11 agents have classified identities, this prevented Cheol-gang from further investigation and explains any odd behavior was due to her time in the south. Cheol-gang left the matter alone, but the entire village suddenly learned of Se-ri as Captain Ri’s fiancé.

Back inside Jeong-hyeok’s house, Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri had a moment to breathe. Jeong-hyeok explained the cover he gave for Se-ri. While worried about her spy cover, Jeong-hyeok didn’t think it’s a major concern since he’ll be taking her to the smuggler the following day. Unfortunately, the smuggling attempt was a failure. When Jeong-hyeok attempted to send Se-ri off, NK Coastal Patrol caught the boat before the transfer. Fearing their smuggling situation will be exposed, Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri pretended to be lovers making out on the boat. While this fooled the commander, it also ruined her chance of returning home.

Frustrated over her situation, she attempted to leave for Seoul on her own. She left a note to thank Jeong-hyeok and traveled to the top of a nearby mountain. She was planning to fly off with her paragliding gear, but Jeong-hyeok made it in time to stop her. He warned her that if she gets caught crossing the DMZ, she’ll be shot and killed on both sides. On top of that, she turned on her radio and it caught the attention of NK sensors. NK soldiers were sent to investigate the source of the signal and Jeong-hyeok opted to paraglide out of the situation. The two jumped over the mountain just as Cheol-gang’s men arrived and escaped without being identified.

On their second attempt, Jeong-hyeok asked his father for help. Using his connections, he was able to arrange a fake passport and have Se-ri pretend to be a backup player for a NK athletic team heading to Europe. The plan was for her to fly to Europe and she’ll fly back to SK on her own, but that was also thwarted. Cheol-gang continued to spy on Jeong-hyeok and looked into Se-ri’s credentials. He had Officer Jung Man-Bok spy on Captain Ri’s home and learned Se-ri intended to leave. Cheol-gang had his men stop Se-ri but Captain Ri intervened and saved her, but he was mortally wounded while shielding Se-ri from gun fire.

Se-ri had the chance to leave but decided to stay to save Captain Ri. She was able to save him through a blood transfusion, but she missed her exit. When Jeong-hyeok awakened, he was angry at Se-ri for not taking the chance to escape, wasting all their effort. However, when he learned it was Se-ri that saved his life and he made her cry, the two reconciled with a kiss. The two have been holding back their romantic feelings for each other for a while, but this life and death situation encouraged Jeong-hyeok to embrace his feelings for Se-ri and the two quietly became a couple.

During this time, Se-hyung has been searching for Seung-Jung after stealing millions from Queen’s Group. Seung-Jung had secretly hidden himself in HK with the help of Cheol-gang’s cabal. Unfortunately, his whereabouts were discovered and the very same men that he paid to protect him changed allegiances when Se-hyung offered to pay more. Se-hyung planned to get rid of Seung-Jung until he proved Se-ri was alive in NK. In a change of plans, Se-hyung wanted Seung-Jun to stop Se-ri from leaving. Se-ri is acquainted with Seung-Jung and he convinced her that staying with Captain Ri would only bring him more trouble and she agreed to leave.

Jeong-hyeok thought Se-ri was kidnapped and left to find her, but she pushed him away when he found her in Seung-Jun’s residence. Realizing she pushed away an injured man in the middle of a snow storm, she went after him. They both survived the cold and made it back to his village and she tended to his recovery. Unfortunately, she was kidnapped by Captain Ri’s own father. Jeong-hyeok’s true fiancé, Seo Dan, returned to NK and discovered Jeong-hyeok was protecting Se-ri. Fearing for his future and their marriage, Dan told Director Ri of Jeong-hyeok’s actions and he intervened. Jeong-hyeok was forced to confront his father and was relieved to find Se-ri alive. The two shared a tender emotional moment and Director Ri was annoyed at the fact the two are in love.

To resolve this matter, Director Ri sent Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok to the border of the DMZ. There was news of a deserter and border patrol was dispatched to search. Taking advantage of the situation, Captain Ri was sent to the front lines, under the guise to find the deserter. In reality, he secretly took Se-ri to an unsecured path where she can safely cross the DMZ and make it home. The two embraced each other for the last time and Se-ri finally made it home.

After crossing back to South Korea, Se-ri quietly returned to Seoul and made her grand return. At her own company building, a public funeral and wake was arranged where people can sign their names and show their respect. It was there that she made her shocking return. While examining her funeral signature booklet, she revealed herself to her employees and announced a massive 50% sale to celebrate her return. After creating a national buzz of her return, she went to see her most loyal employees and confront her family.

Hong Chang-Sik (Ko Kyu-Pil) and Park Su-Chan (Lim Chul-Soo) are Se-ri’s most faithful employees. They’ve been working hard to prove that Se-ri was alive. Both have looked into her whereabouts after she went missing and believed she survived the storm and crash-landed towards the DMZ, but they were never taken seriously. When Se-ri left a faint radio msg (when she tried to paraglide back to Seoul), they discovered the msg and tried to inform Se-ri’s dad and police she’s still alive. However, Se-Hyeong (Se-ri’s elder brother) made every attempt to discredit them and remove them from Se-ri’s company. To their tearful joy, Se-ri made her return just as her sister-in-law, Ko Sang-A (Yoon Ji-Min), was about to take over her company.

With Se-ri missing and declared dead, her company suffered a massive stock drop and Se-Hyeong’s wife, Sang-A, was able to take ownership of Se-ri’s company and plan to merge it into Queen’s Group. By incorporating Se-ri’s company, it would bolster Queen’s Group’s corporate power and solidify Se-Hyeong’s seat as CEO. To everyone’s surprise, Se-ri returned just as her own board of directors was about to begin the process of transferring executive powers over to Sang-A. The board was shocked and afraid as Se-ri witnessed her board act against her interests. However, Se-ri offered clemency to her board and made it clear to Sang-A that she’ll never gobble up her company.

Because of the political and public ramifications of Se-ri being in North Korea, she never told anyone about what happened to her. She vaguely explained that she survived the storm and found herself hospitalized with a case of amnesia for the past month. However, she reminded the Yoon Family that she at least remembered how her father intended to give the Queen's Group to Se-ri. Although Se-ri has enjoyed having her high-class comforts, she finds herself thinking about her time in the village and especially Captain Ri. Whilst strolling down the street and thinking about Jeong-hyeok, she was pleasantly surprised to find him waiting for her.

After Se-ri left, Man-bok came to Captain Ri and told his past association with his brother and his death. Cheol-gang blackmailed Man-bok (with his mother) to feed him intelligence about Ri Mu-Hyeok and murdered him. Mu-Hyeok was investigating Cheol-gang's racket and he alone had the evidence against Cheol-gang and was killed for it. However, he secretly hid a copy of the report in a watch that Man-bok recently recovered. To atone for his sins, Man-bok submitted this to Captain Ri and Jeong-hyeok used it to arrest Cheol-gang; he was found guilty for his crimes and sent to prison. However, men of his cabal continued to look after him.

The same armored Russian truck used to murder people in his crimes have been used to help free Cheol-gang; he escaped and used the attack to fake his death. Jeong-hyeok was told that Cheol-gang was ironically killed by his own tool of crime but later learned Cheol-gang survived. When Captain Ri realized that Cheol-gang survived and escaped toward Seoul, he realized Se-ri is in danger. To arrest Mu-Hyeok’s killer and protect Se-ri, he followed Cheol-gang’s escape path (through an abandoned mine) and made it through SK.

When Jeong-hyeok left for Seoul, everyone thought he had military-related duties to fulfill; only his men and father knew the truth. When Director Ri found Jeong-hyeok’s msg about going after Cheol-gang, he was worried Jeong-hyeok wouldn’t return so easily; he sent a team to support Jeong-hyeok. Diretor Ri secretly recruited his son’s team along with Jung Man-Bok to help return Captain Ri. Director Ri had Jeong-hyeok’s company disguised as athletes visiting the south during a sports competition; they have two weeks to retrieve Jeong-hyeok and return with the tour group or everyone’s lives are at risk.

Jeong-hyeok’s team experienced culture shock as they never saw Seoul and experienced its bounties. Although their job was to find Jeong-hyeok, they didn't know where to start and spent their first few days getting acclimated in the city and finding money. Although the company found Se-ri’s company building, they couldn’t reveal their identities and were poor at convincing staff members to summon her to personally meet. Because they were acting very odd, the team thought they were made and left the building. However, Jeong-hyeok noticed his team scurrying away and caught up to them and informed Se-ri. With everyone back together, it was a tearful reunion and everyone stayed at Se-ri’s penthouse for safety.

Se-Hyeong and Sang-A wanted to find a way to get rid of Se-ri and their liaison arranged a meeting with Cheol-gang. Cheol-gang made it clear he plans to capture Se-ri back to North Korea and her fate is likely a deathly one. While Se-Hyeong was against harming Se-ri, Sang-A had no problems with it. She gave Cheol-gang money and information about her residence to hasten the process. Cheol-gang found Man-bok and attempted to blackmail him into helping him get Se-ri, threatening to harm U-Pil (his son) if he didn't comply. Man-bok reluctantly complied, but things didn’t play out as Cheol-gang expected.

Cheol-gang made arrangements to capture Se-ri when she was most vulnerable. He plans to capture her during the night by blocking her car off and his henchmen will kidnap her. However, Captain Ri’s team came to defend her. Being trained as special forces, the NK soldiers handled themselves well against non-trained henchmen at triple their numbers. Mon-bok didn’t go through with Cheol-gang’s plans as he couldn’t betray a friend again.

With Se-Hyeong and Sang-A’s misdeeds exposed, Se-Hyeong felt there’s nothing left that could be done to save himself from the Queen's Group and his father’s view of him. However, Sang-A had one final card up her sleeve. Sang-A had a chat with Cheol-gang (before he died) and learned Jeong-hyeok and his company are North Koreans. She reported this to the police and they were all arrested, starting an investigation in hopes to ruin Se-ri and return themselves back in favor with their father. However, nothing panned out.

Despite exposing the fact that Se-ri was involved with North Korean soldiers, Se-ri’s parents continued to support her. The final blow to Se-Hyeong and Sang-A was when police found their liaison and he confessed to all their criminal activities. With solid evidence of their crimes, Jeung-Pyeong watched the police arrest them with disappointment and without mercy.

In between events playing out with Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok in Seoul, things happened in the north as well. Seung-Jung remained in NK and occasionally helped Jeong-hyeok with communicating information. He also told Seo Dan that Jeong-hyeok left NK for Se-ri and that devastated her, but he became a friend to her and told her what she has is an obsession and not love for Jeong-hyeok. When Cheol-gang got arrested, his conspirators were eventually exposed and the corrupted system that protected Seung-Jung was no longer there and he was on the run. Dan helped Seung-Jung lay low by staying at her apartment. Eventually, Dan and Seung-Jung got closer and became attracted to each other.

Seung-Jung would eventually run out of luck as gangsters (part of Cheol-gang’s cabal) found out where he lived and captured him. He escaped capture and hid himself inside Captain Ri’s house. At Jeong-hyeok’s home, Dan secretly met up with Seung-Jung to explain what had happened. He told her he’s being pursued and plans to leave back to England the next day; he needs Dan to take him to the airport. With things coming at a close, Seung-Jung admitted to Dan than he’s hit bottom and he shouldn’t do this to her, but he gave Dan the ring he originally intended for Se-ri as a pseudo proposal. He hopes that when things get better and if she’s still single, she will give him a chance in a true relationship. The two tearfully embrace each other before day break.

The following day, Dan dropped off Seung-Jung at the airport but he didn’t leave. The very thugs after Seung-Jung captured Dan and held her hostage. He tried to warn them she’s from an affluent family but they didn’t care and expected him to reveal himself within the hour. Unwilling to let her die, Seung-hung gave up his plane ticket and went to save Dan. In a showdown at an abandoned warehouse, Seung-hung used a shotgun and single handedly killed all the thugs, but not without serious injury. He was shot in the shoulder and abdomen with Dan tearfully by his side. In his final moments, Seung-hung felt happy to know Dan was with him as he faded away in the ambulance. Seung-Jung died on his way to a hospital while Se-ri coincidentally flatlined from sepsis in Seoul.

At Seoul’s NIS HQ, Chief Kim had his men investigate the activities of Jeong-hyeok and his men. It was their belief that a NK conspiracy was at play, but to their disappointment, they found no evidence to support their actions against the government. Using Se-ri’s credit card and CCTV, they discovered Jeong-hyeok’s men used it to play video games, buy lots of snacks, and dramas of Choi Ji-Woo. With the exception of the shoot-out with Cheol-gang, Jeong-hyeok was only seen as being a gentleman to strangers and loving Se-ri. The most relevant information they got was from Cheol-gang’s laptop. Chief Kim revealed this information to Jeong-hyeok, hoping he would be more honest with events. However, all Jeong-hyeok could think about was Se-ri and Kim revealed she’s in intensive care and critical. Chief Kim knew the two were in love and allowed Jeong-hyeok to see her.

At the hospital, Jeong-hyeok rushed to Se-ri’s private ICU room and watched her the entire time. She had flatlined once, but was revived by medics. He had stayed and watched her the entire time, not eating nor drinking. Once Se-ri awakened, Jeong-hyeok left with NIS to be judged. Due to the fact they have committed no major crimes, Jeong-hyeok and his men were all offered amnesty and a chance to stay in Seoul. However, none of them agreed to defect and opted to return home. With political negotiators making arrangements, there was a mutual agreement to a prisoner exchange between both sides. Director Ri made such arrangements to get his son back, but the deal didn’t sit well with the military director.

After Seung-Jung's death, Seo Dan wasted herself away morning for him. Unwilling to allow Seung-Jung to die in vain, she used her connections with her uncle (General Ko) to find the men responsible and informed Se-ri about her brother’s connection as well. This would eventually make it to Chief Kim’s attention and both Se-hyung and Sang-A were arrested and jailed. All opposition against Se-ri are now gone. After hearing Jeong-hyeok is heading back to NK, she refused to see him after his cover story hurt her feelings. However, after learning how he stood at her side at the ICU the whole time, she quickly drove to the borderline to see him one last time. Se-ri broke through security and rushed to see Jeong-hyeok, but it also drew the attention of authorities on both sides to draw their guns. After realizing this was a tearful farewell between two lovers, the tension was broken as Captain Ri head back to NK.

Before Jeong-hyeok left, he programmed a series of text msgs for Se-ri to read. He taught her to lead a better lifestyle and to enjoy life with the people around her. Se-ri’s tough boss image dropped and she became a nicer and generous CEO to the people under her. One day while paragliding through Switzerland, she found Jeong-hyeok in front of her. He has since been discharged from the military and has come to Switzerland to represent NK as a pianist. This would become a path where both can be together.

Three years later, Se-hyung remains in jail and filed for divorce with Sang-A. Se-ri continues managing both Queen’s Group and Se-ri’s Choice. In NK, Man-bok has left the intelligence life and became a sound engineer. Captain Ri’s men continue to miss Se-ri and found an appreciation for SK products. Seo Dan cancelled her engagement with Jeong-hyeok and intends to continue her musical career. Se-ri has since founded a musical scholarship program that supports underprivileged children in Switzerland. Every year, she takes a two week vacation to Switzerland to observe the progress of her scholarship but also spend that time with Jeong-hyeok. The story ends with two finding love and happiness in Switzerland.

Cast and Characters[]

Main[]

Hyun Bin as Ri Jung-hyuk^[7]
Son Ye-jin as Yoon Se-ri^[8]
Kim Jung-hyun as Goo Seung-joon
Seo Ji-hye as Seo Dan

Special appearance(s)[]

Jung Kyung-ho as Cha Sang-woo (Ep. 1 & 5)
Park Sung-woong as North Korean taxi driver (Ep. 4)

Supporting[]

Nam Kyung-eup as Yoon Jeung-pyeong
Bang Eun-jin as Han Jeong-yeon
Choi Dae-hoon as Yoon Se-joon
Hwang Woo-seul-hye as Do Hye-ji
Park Hyung-soo as Yoon Se-hyung
Yoon Ji-min as Go Sang-ah
Go Kyu-pil as Hong Chang-sik
Lim Chul-soo as Park Soo-chan
Jun Gook-hwan as Ri Choong-ryeol,
Jung Ae-ri as Kim Yoon-hee
Ha Seok-jin as Ri Moo-hyuk
Oh Man-seok as Jo Cheol-kang ^[9]
Yang Kyung-won as Pyo Chi-soo
Yoo Su-bin as Kim Joo-muk
Tang Jun-sang as Geum Eun-dong
Lee Shin-young as Park Kwang-beom ^[10]^[11]
Jang Hye-jin as Go Myeong-eun
Park Myung-hoon as Go Myeong-sok
Hong Woo-jin as Director Cheon
Kim Sun-young as Na Wol-sook
Kim Jung-nan as Ma Yeong-ae
Jang So-yeon as Hyeon Myeong-soon
Cha Chung-hwa Yang Ok-geum

Episodes[]

Season One

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
Episode 16

Spoilers/Notes[]

This series is also known as: Emergency Love Landing, Love's Crash Landing & Crash Landing of Love.
The K-Drama was directed by: Lee Jeong-hyo.
The first script reading took place on July 31, 2019 in Sangam-dong, Seoul.^[12]
Filming overseas in Switzerland started at the end of August 2019.^[13]
After the Chuseok holiday, the cast and crew headed to Mongolia to continue filming outside of South Korea.^[14]
On December 30, 2019 it was revealed that the series would be taking a break from its regular schedule this weekend, in order to ensure better filming and working conditions for its crew.
- Instead of new episodes, special recap episodes will be airing in its time slot was said in an official statement by TvN. ^[15]