Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama That Winter, the Wind Blows, which became one of the most emotionally intense and visually stunning melodramas that dared to explore the fine line between deception and genuine love.
That Winter, the Wind Blows aired from February 13 to April 3, 2013, with 16 episodes running approximately 60 minutes each, broadcasting on SBS every Wednesday and Thursday. Available on Netflix, this romantic melodrama was directed by Kim Kyu-tae and written by No Hee-kyung. The series follows Oh Soo, a notorious gambler and con artist who pretends to be the long-lost brother of Oh Young, a blind heiress, in order to swindle her fortune, but finds himself falling genuinely in love with her instead.
What makes this drama extraordinary is its willingness to tackle morally complex themes while creating one of the most visually poetic love stories in K-drama history. Rather than providing easy answers about right and wrong, it explores how two damaged souls can find healing in each other. The series proves that the most powerful love stories often emerge from the darkest circumstances.
Oh Soo: The Con Artist Who Finds His Soul
Oh Soo (Jo In-sung) is a heartless gambler and con artist who has lost the ability to feel genuine emotion after the death of his first love. His character arc transforms from someone who preys on vulnerable women to a man willing to sacrifice everything for love. Soo’s journey throughout That Winter, the Wind Blows explores themes of redemption, guilt, and whether someone who has done terrible things can truly change.
Jo In-sung delivers a career-defining performance that makes Soo both despicable and sympathetic. His portrayal shows how love can awaken dormant humanity in even the most corrupted heart, creating one of K-drama’s most complex male protagonists.
Oh Young: The Blind Heiress Who Sees Truth
Oh Young (Song Hye-kyo) is a blind heiress who lives in isolation, surrounded by people who want her money but not her heart. Her character represents those who have been abandoned and betrayed so often that they’ve stopped believing in genuine love. Young’s evolution throughout the series shows how trust and vulnerability can coexist with strength and independence.
Song Hye-kyo’s performance is masterful, convincingly portraying blindness while conveying deep emotional complexity. Her chemistry with Jo In-sung creates some of the most tender and heartbreaking romantic moments in melodrama history.
The Supporting Players in a Game of Hearts
That Winter, the Wind Blows excels with its supporting cast, particularly Kim Bum as Oh Soo’s loyal friend Jin-sung and Jung Eun-ji as the devoted secretary Hee-sun. These characters aren’t just plot devices but represent different responses to love and loyalty. The way they react to Soo’s deception and transformation adds layers of moral complexity to the narrative.
The series also features compelling antagonists who challenge both the main characters’ relationship and their individual growth, creating realistic obstacles that feel emotionally authentic.
When Deception Becomes Love’s Foundation
The series reaches its most devastating moments when Young discovers Soo’s true identity and original intentions, threatening to destroy the genuine love that has grown between them. These climactic episodes showcase That Winter, the Wind Blows at its most emotionally brutal, exploring whether love built on lies can survive the revelation of truth. The way the series handles this betrayal and the characters’ attempts at forgiveness creates some of the most powerful dramatic moments in K-drama history.
The final episodes demonstrate that sometimes the most profound love requires the courage to forgive the unforgivable and trust despite every reason not to.
Success on Netflix
That Winter, the Wind Blows achieved strong ratings during its original broadcast and became a critical success, praised for its sophisticated writing and outstanding performances. The series won multiple awards, including recognition for Jo In-sung and Song Hye-kyo’s performances. On Netflix, the drama gained international acclaim for its mature handling of complex themes and stunning cinematography. That Winter, the Wind Blows sparked conversations about redemption, the nature of love, and whether people can truly change, resonating with viewers who appreciated its unflinching examination of moral ambiguity.
A Melodrama That Redefines Romance
If you love stories about redemption, complex moral choices, and love that transcends deception, That Winter, the Wind Blows is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. It’s a drama that proves the most powerful love stories aren’t about perfect people but about flawed individuals who choose to become better for each other.
Why This Series Remains Emotionally Unforgettable
Throughout its 16 episodes, viewers witness how genuine love can emerge from the most unlikely circumstances and transform even the most damaged hearts. That Winter, the Wind Blows proves that the most meaningful love stories are those that explore the full spectrum of human nature, showing that redemption is possible when someone loves you enough to see your potential for change.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 16 (Completed)
Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2013
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Romantic Melodrama, Drama
Status: Completed series
Main Characters: Jo In-sung (Oh Soo), Song Hye-kyo (Oh Young), Kim Bum (Jin-sung)
Antagonist: Past trauma, moral corruption, and the consequences of deception