Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Snowdrop, which has been captivating audiences worldwide on Disney Plus with its intense blend of forbidden love, political intrigue, and heart-wrenching performances from BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and Jung Hae-in.
Snowdrop premiered on December 18, 2021, and concluded on January 30, 2022, delivering 16 episodes of emotional intensity, with each episode running approximately 70 minutes on both JTBC and Disney Plus. The series was made available internationally on Disney Plus starting February 9, 2022.
Set against the backdrop of 1987 Seoul during the pivotal Democracy Movement, this series masterfully captures the tension between personal desires and political reality. The show brilliantly balances forbidden romance with themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the devastating cost of political upheaval, creating a viewing experience that resonates with audiences who appreciate both historical drama and passionate love stories.
Created by the acclaimed team behind Sky Castle, Snowdrop delivers stunning cinematography, exceptional performances, and a story that explores one of South Korea’s most significant historical periods through the lens of an impossible love.
Love in the Time of Political Upheaval
The story follows Eun Yeong-ro, a cheerful university freshman who encounters a blood-soaked mysterious man who bursts into her dormitory at Hosu Women’s University. Despite the danger, she decides to help him, not knowing that he’s Lim Soo-ho, a North Korean agent on a dangerous mission in South Korea.
What begins as a chance encounter transforms into a complex hostage situation that becomes the catalyst for an impossible love story. The series explores how love can bloom even in the most dangerous circumstances, as Yeong-ro and Soo-ho navigate the treacherous world of espionage, political conspiracy, and the brutal realities of the 1987 Democracy Movement. Each episode builds tension as their relationship deepens while external forces threaten to tear them apart.
Yeong-ro’s Courageous Heart
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo delivers a remarkable acting debut as Eun Yeong-ro, showcasing her range from innocent university student to a woman who risks everything for love. Her performance captures the vulnerability and strength of someone who chooses love over safety, making difficult moral choices that define her character’s journey.
Jisoo’s portrayal of Yeong-ro’s evolution is particularly compelling, as she transforms from a sheltered student into someone who understands the harsh realities of political conflict. Her chemistry with Jung Hae-in creates believable emotional stakes, making viewers genuinely invested in their relationship despite the impossible circumstances. The actress brings authenticity to every scene, whether she’s experiencing joy or heartbreak.
Soo-ho’s Impossible Mission
Jung Hae-in stars as Lim Soo-ho, a North Korean agent whose mission becomes complicated when he falls in love with the woman who saves his life. His performance masterfully balances the character’s professional training with his growing emotional vulnerability, creating a complex protagonist torn between duty and love.
Soo-ho’s internal conflict drives much of the series’ emotional weight, as Jung Hae-in portrays a man who must choose between his mission and his heart. The actor brings depth to every scene, showing how love can humanize even the most trained operative. His chemistry with Jisoo creates moments of genuine tenderness that contrast beautifully with the series’ intense political backdrop.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
The series builds to a devastating climax where Yeong-ro and Soo-ho must face the reality that their love cannot survive the political forces aligned against them. The final episodes deliver emotional devastation as both characters are forced to make impossible choices between personal happiness and their responsibilities to others.
The climax doesn’t shy away from the tragic consequences of their situation, showing how political conflict destroys innocent lives and pure love. The series finale achieved some of the highest ratings in the drama’s run, proving that audiences were emotionally invested in the couple’s fate despite knowing the likely outcome.
Success on Disney Plus
Snowdrop became a global phenomenon on Disney Plus, ranking number one in four out of five countries where it was available, including South Korea. The series generated significant social media buzz and introduced international audiences to the historical significance of the 1987 Democracy Movement. Despite some initial controversy regarding historical accuracy, the show’s powerful performances and emotional storytelling won over audiences worldwide. The series showcased the potential for Korean historical dramas to find global success, with Jisoo’s acting debut being particularly praised for bringing authenticity and emotional depth to her role. Snowdrop demonstrated Disney Plus’s commitment to premium Korean content and established itself as a must-watch series for fans of historical romance.
If you love historical romances with political intrigue and tragic love stories, Snowdrop is the perfect series to binge on Disney Plus.
A beautifully tragic love story that captures the devastating cost of political conflict while showcasing outstanding performances from Jisoo and Jung Hae-in in an unforgettable historical drama.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 16 episodes
Platform: Disney Plus (International), JTBC (South Korea)
Rating: 8.1/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Historical Romance, Political Thriller, Drama
Protagonists: Eun Yeong-ro (Jisoo), Lim Soo-ho (Jung Hae-in)
Antagonist: The political system and circumstances of 1987 Seoul