Secrets and sorrow in Kim Nam-joo’s Wonderful World

by solstices

MBC’s upcoming mystery-thriller Wonderful World has released its second teaser, dropping some hints to its central secrets while remaining enigmatic about its characters. Starring Kim Nam-joo (Misty) and Cha Eun-woo (A Good Day to be a Dog), the drama will trace the path to healing after facing immeasurable grief.

On a desolate night, Eun Soo-hyun (Kim Nam-joo) stands shell-shocked in the middle of a road. “I’ve thought about you,” she says, though it’s not clear who she’s addressing. Contemplating a photograph, her face hardens into an inscrutable expression. Having lost her son in a tragic incident, Soo-hyun is bent on vengeance.

Elsewhere, a sleeping Kwon Seon-yul (Cha Eun-woo) sheds a tear, before his eyes abruptly flick open. As a med school dropout who spiraled into misery since his parents’ deaths, he seems to have an agenda of his own. Perhaps it has something to do with Kwon Min-hyuk — played by Im Ji-sub (The Eighth Sense) — who lives a similarly turbulent life, or perhaps their last names are just a mere coincidence?

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The brief glimpses of a collapsed body, a chalk outline, and an ominously upturned sea cast a sinister undertone upon the drama, suggesting there’s more than meets the eye. We don’t get to see Im Se-mi (The Worst of Evil) as Soo-hyun’s closest friend just yet, nor do we find out what’s behind the door that Soo-hyun’s husband Kim Kang-woo (Artificial City) opens. Still, with a remarkable supporting cast — Park Hyuk-kwon (A Time Called You), Yang Hye-ji (Sweet Home 2), and Cha Soo-yeon (Love Scene Number) — surely there’ll be plenty of surprises in store.

“There’s someone I’m searching for,” Soo-hyun explains, as she walks down a hallway illuminated by fluorescent lights. Holding someone’s hand close, Seon-yul narrates, “Just wait a little longer. It’ll end soon.” On a rainy day, Seon-yul shelters Soo-hyun with an umbrella, reaching for her hand — and in the blink of an eye, Seon-yul has vanished, and Soo-hyun is holding the umbrella alone. “You,” Soo-hyun murmurs. “Who are you?”

Directed by Lee Seung-young (Tracer) with scripts by Kim Ji-eun (Lies of Lies), Wonderful World will premiere next month on March 1.