Though aired way back in 2006, Which Star Are You From? (also know as What Planet Are You From?) is still my most favorite Kim Rae-Won drama. Come to think of it, it’s also my favorite Jung Ryeo-Won drama. Their acting, characters, and chemistry are what put this Kdrama on my top 20 list. I’m not sure I would have liked it nearly as much if they weren’t in it.
Choi Seung-Hee is a famous movie director who falls for the younger sister of his deceased fiancé. No one has any idea that’s who she is, including herself. Seung-Hee just thinks the two girls happen to look a lot alike. Although they may look similar their personalities are complete opposites. Seung-Hee’s fiancé, Lee Hye-Su, was sophisticated, elegant, intelligent, musically talented, raised by wealthy parents, and hung out in elite circles. Kim Bok-Shil is a simple, down-to-earth, country girl who struggles financially to take care of her ill mother. Bok-Shil takes a job in Seoul so she can earn enough money to pay for her mother’s medical treatments. It just so happens she’s working at the film production company where Seung-Hee is. Seung-Hee holds himself responsible for Hye-Su’s death so, because of guilt, he’s cut himself off from any kind of romantic feelings. Will Bok-Shil be the one to melt his heart and allow him to love again? And what might happen if anyone finds out Bok-Shil is really Hae-Su’s little sister? Will that help others heal from the pain of Hye-Su’s death or will it just make matters worse?
Kim Rae-Won is wonderful in the role of Choi Seung-Hee – charming as any one man can be. His character goes through some major growth without changing who he really is on the inside, showing depth, understanding, selflessness, and sincerity. Kim Rae-Won made Choi Seung-Hee into a very appealing character, showing personality traits I, personally, find desirable in a romantic leading man. I was sincerely interested in his happiness.
Jung Ryeo-Won plays the part of both Lee Hye-Su and Lee Hae-Rim who we first know as Kim Bok-Shil. There’s numerous situations where Bok-Shil is sad and Ryeo-Won is the most talented actress I know when it comes to crying. You’re really able to understand what she’s feeling through those tears. Bok-Shil is my favorite character out of all the roles I’ve seen Ryeo-Won play. Bok-Shil is naive, spunky, and hot tempered. She’s not at all what you’d call sexy or beautiful but she’s down-to-earth and cute. At first I thought her “seagull” hair looked silly but, as Seung-Hee said, “it grew on me.”
Yun Mi-Hyun, played by Kang Jeong-Hwa, is Hye-Su’s cousin who has always liked Seung-Hee and would like to get closer to him. She’s not a bad character, she’s just not the one we want Seung-Hee to be with.
Park Si-Hoo’s character is Han Jung-Hoon. He and Seung-Hee are friends and know each other through their professions. Seung-Hee is one of the directors who works for Jung-Hoon’s film company. It was Jung-Hoon who introduced Hye-Su to Seung-Hee at a work related party. He liked Hye-Su but gave up when she began to like Seung-Hee.
Sweet Love, Princess Story, and Miracle are just three of the really good songs we hear during the drama. Sweet Love is just right for the private, romantic, nighttime, outside dancing that happens. It just has a magical fairy godmother kind of sound to it. That might not make sense now but you’ll understand once you see that scene.
Since Kim Bok-Shil lived in the country we get to see quite a bit of the quaint little village and the surrounding area she’s from. It’s quiet, clean and open with the people being kind and friendly. Her house is pretty much just a shelter from a storm but she’s thankful for what she has and doesn’t consider herself unfortunate at all. Her little village is a stark contrast to where she goes to live in the big city of Seoul. We also get to see beautiful, lush Jeju Island a little later in the show.
Because it was aired so long ago, Which Star Are You From? may not be a Kdrama you’ve even heard of before but it is one of the more romantic ones, mainly because of Kim Rae-Won and the character he portrays. I highly suggest you make time for this older drama. Let’s face it… good is good no matter how old it may be!
Score: 8.5
The Good:
Interesting twist on a love triangle
The chemistry between Kim Rae-Won and Jung Ryeo-Won
Great acting
Likable characters
Good soundtrack
The Bad:
Bok-Shil’s biological mother’s personality
Heart and Seoul 