Veteran actress Kim Hye-ja makes a grand return with Heavenly Ever After, a drama that reimagines the afterlife in a deeply emotional and thought-provoking way. The series, airing on JTBC, reunites Kim with the director and screenwriters of The Light in Your Eyes (2019), promising another poignant storytelling experience.
In Heavenly Ever After, Kim portrays Lee Hae-sook, an 80-year-old woman who arrives in heaven, where people can choose the age they wish to live at. While most opt for their youthful selves, Lee remains 80—honoring her late husband’s words that she is most beautiful at that age. However, when she reunites with her husband Go Nak-joon (played by Son Suk-ku), she finds him as a youthful 30-something, setting the stage for a unique and touching romance.
Other actors were willing to join even with the script still in development, which meant we could design their roles based on a clear understanding of the individuals. This approach, giving them tailored performances rather than generic ones, is why the characters feel so authentic and alive,” the director explained.
This drama centers on the charmingly contentious marriage of a young-looking husband and his elderly wife in the celestial realm. However, despite its heavenly backdrop, the story ultimately shines a light on the enduring power of earthly bonds and human connections
Actor Kim said this work depicts the depth of human interactions, adding that the beautiful, unbreakable connection with Nak-joon — a beauty so exquisite it feels almost unreal — was the very reason she wanted to be a part of this project.
“Reading the synopsis, I immediately felt the story would be incredibly engaging. The idea of a beautiful connection that endures, even from this life into the next, truly resonated with me. I simply had to be a part of it,” she said.
“For me, my only desire and interest lies in acting. It’s all I truly know. If asked to do anything else, I’d be a complete failure. Acting brings me joy and happiness.”
It was she who recommended Son as her counterpart.
“After seeing ‘My Liberation Notes,’ I knew he was a wonderful actor. So when they were talking about casting my husband’s role, I said I hoped it would be Son Suk-ku. He was exactly what I had envisioned. Even though he’s younger, he leads so well. I’m incredibly grateful for his support by my side, like a true husband.”
The 83-year-old actor expressed her gratitude for what she has gone through this work.
“Considering my age and everything, this might indeed be my final work. That makes me even more grateful. I spent a truly happy year filming, and the satisfying conclusion fills me with nothing but thankfulness,” Kim said.
Director Kim noted that the fundamental idea of the drama is that death is not the end of existence.
“We wanted to delve into the connections people forge through many lives. The core message we wish to impart is the significance of human relationships. We wanted to narrate the origin of these connections, the journey of their development and the inherent value they hold,” he said.
The first episode was broadcast on Saturday on JTBC at 10:40 p.m.
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