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Can You Hear My Heart (2011) K-Drama posterCY

South Korea · Drama · 2011

Can You Hear My Heart

내 마음이 들리니? Also known as Do You Hear My Heart, Listen to My Heart, Nae Maeumi Deulrini

MBC · 30 episodes · 1 min · Saturday, Sunday · 15+ - Teens 15 or older Completed

Comedy Drama Melodrama Romance
2 Apr 2011
Premiere
10 Jul 2011
Finale
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Binge Brief

  • MBC aired all 30 episodes between April 2 and July 10, 2011.
  • The show ran twice weekly, Saturdays and Sundays at 9:45 p.m.
  • Episode 9 (April 30, 2011) drew the series' highest nationwide rating, 21.6%.
  • Kim Jaewon won both the Excellence Award and the Popularity Award for Actor at the 2011 MBC Drama Awards.
  • Hwang Jung-eum won the Excellence Award for Actress at the same ceremony.
  • The series was also nominated for Best Drama at the 2011 MBC Drama Awards.

Synopsis

Cha Dong-joo was a champion national archer until an accident left him deaf, a fact he keeps from almost everyone around him, including his own family, out of fear it will cost him his place at Cha Group. Bong Woo-ri survives a harder set of circumstances: she plays dim-witted in public so that people underestimate her instead of mocking her father, who lives with a mental disability. A theft accusation throws the two together, and each ends up guarding a secret the other doesn't know they're keeping.

The reveal that complicates everything belongs to Jang Joon-ha, raised in the Cha household as Dong-joo's brother. Sixteen years earlier he was the boy who disappeared from Woo-ri's family after a falling-out, and neither side has any idea the connection exists until well into the story. His resentment over that broken childhood turns what looks like an office rivalry with Dong-joo into something older and more personal.

Woo-ri spends her days at the company trying to read a boss she doesn't realize can't hear her, while acting dimmer than she is so no one asks too many questions about her home life. The mismatch between what each of them is hiding supplies most of the show's comedy, and slowly, its romance: Woo-ri eventually learns the truth about Dong-joo's deafness, and Dong-joo learns just how much Woo-ri had been carrying, and hiding, on her own.

MBC aired the series across 30 episodes from April 2 to July 10, 2011, in the Saturday-Sunday 9:45 p.m. slot, and the audience grew through the run, with episode 9 marking the broadcast's ratings high. At the 2011 MBC Drama Awards, Kim Jaewon won the Excellence Award and the Popularity Award for playing Dong-joo, Hwang Jung-eum won the Excellence Award for Bong Woo-ri, Jeong Bo-seok took the Golden Acting Award, and the series itself was nominated for Best Drama.

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Can You Hear My Heart cast

Main cast
Supporting cast
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Best scenes

  • Dong Joo’s Heartbreaking Discovery – The moment Cha Dong Joo (Kim Jae Won) realizes he has lost his hearing, filled with silent pain and raw emotions.
  • Woo Ri and Dong Joo’s Rain Scene – A heart-touching scene where Bong Woo Ri (Hwang Jung Eum) comforts Dong Joo in the rain, showing her unwavering support.
  • Joon Ha’s Inner Struggle – The moment Jang Joon Ha (Namkoong Min) faces his past as Bong Ma Roo and battles his deep-seated resentment.
  • Family Reunion – A tearful yet heartwarming scene where Woo Ri tries to bring her broken family together despite past betrayals.
  • Dong Joo’s Silent Confession – A beautifully crafted moment where Dong Joo expresses his love for Woo Ri without words, proving love goes beyond hearing.

Filming locations

  • Seoul – Urban Scenes – The city serves as the backdrop for the contrast between wealth and struggle, mirroring the characters’ journeys.
  • Jeju Island – Romantic Getaway – Some key romantic moments were filmed in Jeju, adding to the emotional weight of the love story.
  • Traditional Korean Homes – The drama uses Hanok-style homes to emphasize family heritage and cultural depth.
  • Seoul’s Han River – A recurring location for introspective and emotional conversations between characters.
  • Countryside Settings – Scenes featuring Woo Ri’s childhood memories were filmed in tranquil rural villages, reinforcing the theme of nostalgia.

Visual design and costumes

  • Muted and Natural Color Palette – Earthy and neutral tones were used to highlight the emotional intensity of the story.
  • Contrast in Character Wardrobe – Dong Joo’s sleek and polished suits symbolize his high social status, whereas Woo Ri’s simple and warm outfits reflect her humble, kind-hearted nature.
  • Traditional Hanbok Scenes – The drama beautifully integrates traditional clothing in family-oriented scenes.
  • Joon Ha’s Transformation in Style – His wardrobe gradually shifts from warm, casual tones to more rigid, corporate attire, mirroring his emotional detachment.
  • Rain and Light Symbolism – Rain is frequently used in key emotional scenes, while soft lighting enhances the warmth of family bonds.

Themes and messages

  • Love Beyond Words – The drama explores how true love and connection don’t require sound but understanding and sincerity.
  • Overcoming Disabilities – Dong Joo’s journey as a deaf protagonist highlights the strength of the human spirit in overcoming physical challenges.
  • Family Bonds and Sacrifices – The show deeply explores parental love, forgiveness, and the unbreakable ties of family.
  • Identity and Self-Discovery – Jang Joon Ha’s conflicted past and journey towards acceptance add layers to the plot.
  • Revenge vs. Forgiveness – The drama challenges the notion of holding onto anger versus finding peace through forgiveness.

Interesting facts

  • Realistic Representation of Deafness – Kim Jae Won went through intensive training to portray his role convincingly.
  • Hwang Jung Eum’s Emotional Depth – Her performance as Bong Woo Ri was widely praised for its sincerity and depth.
  • Namkoong Min’s Breakthrough Role – His portrayal of Jang Joon Ha/Bong Ma Roo gained him critical acclaim for his nuanced acting.
  • Heartwarming OST – The drama’s soundtrack played a crucial role in conveying emotions, making it one of its most memorable aspects.
  • Inspired by Real-Life Struggles – The drama was inspired by stories of real families overcoming challenges of disability and loss.

Real-life loves on set

There are no public records or reports indicating that any romantic relationships from the South Korean drama "Can You Hear My Heart" (2011) have extended into real life. The cast, including Kim Jae-won, Hwang Jung-eum, and Namkoong Min, have maintained professional relationships, and no off-screen romances have been reported.

Episodes

Ep Title Air date Status Rating
1 2011-04-02 Aired 12.6%
2 2011-04-03 Aired 11.6%
3 2011-04-09 Aired 12.1%
4 2011-04-10 Aired 12.6%
5 2011-04-16 Aired 15.1%
6 2011-04-17 Aired 15.0%
7 2011-04-23 Aired 15.5%
8 2011-04-24 Aired 15.7%
9 2011-04-30 Aired 21.6%
10 2011-05-01 Aired 16.1%
11 2011-05-07 Aired 15.8%
12 2011-05-08 Aired 16.3%
13 2011-05-14 Aired 16.6%
14 2011-05-15 Aired 16.3%
15 2011-05-21 Aired 18.0%
16 2011-05-22 Aired 16.3%
17 2011-05-28 Aired 16.8%
18 2011-05-29 Aired 16.7%
19 2011-06-04 Aired 17.0%
20 2011-06-05 Aired 15.0%
21 2011-06-11 Aired 15.2%
22 2011-06-12 Aired 15.4%
23 2011-06-18 Aired 15.8%
24 2011-06-19 Aired 15.1%
25 2011-06-25 Aired 15.0%
26 2011-06-26 Aired 14.0%
27 2011-07-02 Aired 14.0%
28 2011-07-03 Aired 13.3%
29 2011-07-09 Aired 15.5%
30 2011-07-10 Aired 15.6%

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