South Korea · Drama · 2019
Extraordinary You
어쩌다 발견한 하루
Also known as Ha-Ru Found by Chance, Suddenly One Day
Synopsis
Eun Dan-oh is a high school senior who slowly realizes that her own life follows a script written by someone she has never met, first through unexplained gaps in her memory and then through a masked classmate who tells her flatly that neither of them is real in the way they assumed. She has been written as a side character: a wealthy, sickly girl engaged to the cold Baek Kyung, meant to suffer and eventually die so two other people in the story can fall in love.
The masked boy turns out to be an extra with no name of his own, one of the background students the story uses and discards without consequence, until he starts to remember what happens to him each time the scenes repeat. Dan-oh and this nameless "Student Number 13," later given the name Ha-ru, begin deliberately pushing back against the roles they were handed, testing how far a minor character can rewrite a life that was never meant to be a lead.
Every change comes at a cost. Bending the story pulls in the people around them: Kyung, torn between the version of his life the script gives him and his own doubts about it; Yeo Joo-da and the members of the drama club A3, who start to notice the same cracks in their world; and an earlier, separate comic by the same Writer that hints some fates in this world have ended badly before.
Extraordinary You pairs that fantasy premise with an ordinary high school romance, following Dan-oh and Ha-ru through festivals, injuries and a fading scar that marks how much of himself Ha-ru has left to give, on the way to a finale that asks whether a character built to disappear can still choose to stay.
Extraordinary You cast
Main cast
Best scenes
- The iconic "shadow kiss" scene between Eun Dan Oh and Ha Ru, where their love defies the boundaries of their scripted world.
- The heartfelt rooftop confession, where characters pour out their innermost feelings amidst a breathtaking backdrop.
- The gripping confrontation between Eun Dan Oh and Baek Kyung, filled with raw emotion and pivotal revelations.
- The whimsical "comic book" moments, where characters become aware of their existence within a larger narrative.
- The bittersweet finale, offering closure and resolution while leaving viewers longing for more.
Filming locations
- Yonsei University in Seoul's Sinchon area, used for several of the drama's school scenes, with fans tracking it down as one of the show's confirmed filming sites.
- The charming streets of Ilsan, providing a quaint backdrop for pivotal character interactions and romantic moments.
- Nami Island, known for its scenic beauty and tranquil atmosphere, featured prominently in several outdoor scenes.
- The bustling streets of Seoul, capturing the vibrancy of urban life and adding depth to the drama's narrative.
- Various indoor studios and sets meticulously designed to recreate the webtoon's world, offering a blend of fantasy and reality.
Visual design and costumes
- Intricate webtoon-inspired visuals, with vibrant colors and dynamic compositions that mirror the comic book aesthetic.
- Elegant and stylish school uniforms, reflecting the characters' personalities and status within the narrative.
- Elaborate costumes for fantasy sequences, showcasing elaborate details and whimsical designs that transport viewers into a magical realm.
- Attention to historical accuracy in period-themed episodes, with costumes meticulously crafted to reflect specific eras and settings.
- Creative use of props and set design to enhance the overall visual appeal, creating a visually stunning and immersive viewing experience.
Themes and messages
- The exploration of fate versus free will, as characters grapple with the idea of being bound by destiny or carving their own paths.
- Self-discovery and personal agency, as protagonists navigate the complexities of identity and strive to define their own narratives.
- The power of love and human connection in transcending obstacles and overcoming adversity.
- The importance of friendship and camaraderie in finding strength and support during challenging times.
- The notion of reality versus fiction, as characters confront the blurred lines between their scripted lives and genuine emotions.
Interesting facts
- "Extraordinary You" is based on the popular webtoon "July Found by Chance" by Moo Ryoo, known for its unique premise and compelling storyline.
- The drama's title, "Extraordinary You," reflects the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and defying the norms of her scripted existence.
- Lead actress Kim Hye Yoon gained widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Eun Dan Oh, earning her a nomination for Best Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
- The drama's soundtrack, featuring tracks like "My Beauty" and "First Love," received praise for enhancing the emotional depth of key scenes.
- "Extraordinary You" garnered a dedicated fan following both domestically and internationally, with viewers praising its refreshing take on the romance genre and thought-provoking themes.
Real-life loves on set
There have been no confirmed reports of real-life romantic relationships developing among the main cast of Extraordinary You during or after filming.
Episodes
| Ep | Title | Air date | Status | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Oh notices gaps in her memory and a strange pull toward lines she never chose to say. | 2019-10-02 | Aired | |
| 2 | A masked classmate tells her they are both living inside someone else's story. | 2019-10-02 | Aired | |
| 3 | She learns her assigned role is a background character built only to push two other people together. | 2019-10-03 | Aired | |
| 4 | A family dinner with Baek Kyung nudges her toward feelings she never planned to have. | 2019-10-03 | Aired | |
| 5 | At the hospital, Do Hwa warns her that people are starting to act outside their given lines. | 2019-10-09 | Aired | |
| 6 | Mu Young lets her join a summer retreat instead of the trip written for her. | 2019-10-09 | Aired | |
| 7 | Lost on a mountain hike, she is found by a boy with no name and no page of his own. | 2019-10-09 | Aired | |
| 8 | The other extras who have woken up to themselves start paying for straying from the script. | 2019-10-09 | Aired | |
| 9 | Dan Oh chooses to break off her engagement to Kyung and rewrite her own scene. | 2019-10-16 | Aired | |
| 10 | A birthday party turns into an attempt by several characters to bend the storyboard. | 2019-10-16 | Aired | |
| 11 | Turning Kyung down costs the people around her more than she expected. | 2019-10-17 | Aired | |
| 12 | Ha Ru gets a name of his own while Kyung leaves Dan Oh waiting on their date. | 2019-10-17 | Aired | |
| 13 | Kyung finds a second comic book called "Secret," and Ha Ru vanishes without warning. | 2019-10-23 | Aired | |
| 14 | Sports day brings Ha Ru back into view, changed by what happened to him. | 2019-10-23 | Aired | |
| 15 | As Ha Ru's popularity grows, Dan Oh tries to make peace with the ending written for her. | 2019-10-24 | Aired | |
| 16 | Kyung uncovers a webtoon centered on Dan Oh; Do Hwa returns to the group. | 2019-10-24 | Aired | |
| 17 | Ha Ru slips back toward who he used to be, and Dan Oh fears losing him twice. | 2019-10-30 | Aired | |
| 18 | Deja vu unsettles Ha Ru, Kyung stirs up conflict, and Dan Oh's health worsens. | 2019-10-30 | Aired | |
| 19 | Kyung turns up a burned book while the students perform through a chaotic show. | 2019-10-31 | Aired | |
| 20 | Ha Ru tries to force a change in Dan Oh's fate as Nam Joo misses a meeting with Joo Da. | 2019-10-31 | Aired | |
| 21 | Old memories resurface for Kyung, leaving Dan Oh caught between two versions of herself. | 2019-11-06 | Aired | |
| 22 | Nam Joo disappears from school, and a warning comes about tampering with the story further. | 2019-11-06 | Aired | |
| 23 | Kyung ends the engagement after reading the comic, and Ha Ru lays out what he plans to do. | 2019-11-07 | Aired | |
| 24 | The group works to change the school play's script while Joo Da stands up for herself. | 2019-11-07 | Aired | |
| 25 | Ha Ru watches a scene from another webtoon that shows Dan Oh's death. | 2019-11-13 | Aired | |
| 26 | Do Hwa realizes Joo Da has become self-aware, and Jun Hyun cautions Ha Ru about Kyung. | 2019-11-13 | Aired | |
| 27 | Ha Ru swaps medical charts to keep Dan Oh from a surgery that was never meant for her. | 2019-11-14 | Aired | |
| 28 | The surgery is avoided but the illness underneath remains, and darker truths surface. | 2019-11-14 | Aired | |
| 29 | Dan Oh loses her memories of the world behind the world, along with her self-awareness. | 2019-11-20 | Aired | |
| 30 | Meeting Ha Ru again at the place tied to their anniversary brings her memories back. | 2019-11-20 | Aired | |
| 31 | Ha Ru commits to staying by Dan Oh's side, and Do Hwa is relieved to see her recover. | 2019-11-21 | Aired | |
| 32 | As Ha Ru's mark fades and erasure closes in, Dan Oh keeps looking for him after graduation. | 2019-11-21 | Aired |
Awards
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Drama of the Year | Extraordinary You | Won |
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama | Kim Hye Yoon | Won |
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Best Supporting Cast, Wednesday-Thursday Drama | Lee Tae Ri | Nominated |
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Rowoon | Won |
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Lee Jae Wook | Won |
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Jung Gun Joo | Nominated |
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Kim Young Dae | Nominated |
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Best New Actress | Kim Hye Yoon | Won |
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Best New Actress | Lee Na Eun | Nominated |
| 2019 | MBC Drama Awards | Best Couple Award | Kim Hye Yoon, Rowoon and Lee Jae Wook | Nominated |
| 2019 | Grimae Awards | Best New Actor | Rowoon | Won |
| 2020 | 56th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actor – Television | Lee Jae Wook | Nominated |
| 2020 | Seoul International Drama Awards | Outstanding Korean Drama | Extraordinary You | Won |
| 2021 | APAN Star Awards | Best New Actor | Lee Jae Wook | Nominated |
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