
That Winter, the Wind Blows
That Winter, the Wind Blows is a deeply emotional Korean melodrama that tells the story of two wounded souls entangled in a world of lies, longing, and unexpected love. Zo In Sung stars as Oh Soo, a high-stakes gambler with a troubled past who pretends to be the long-lost brother of a blind heiress to escape his debts. His life takes a sharp turn when his deception begins to unravel in ways he never anticipated. The blind heiress, Oh Young, played by the captivating Song Hye Kyo, is a cold, emotionally distant woman who has been isolated since her parents’ divorce and her own tragic loss of sight. Despite her cold exterior, she yearns for love and connection. When Oh Soo enters her life under false pretenses, a delicate bond begins to form—one that neither of them expected. As their relationship deepens, secrets rise to the surface and emotions spiral out of control. The drama explores themes of forgiveness, identity, and emotional healing with breathtaking cinematography and an unforgettable original soundtrack. Supporting cast members such as Kim Bum (Park Jin Sung) and Jung Eun Ji (Moon Hee Sun) add further depth and intensity to this beautifully layered story. That Winter, the Wind Blows became one of the most talked-about Korean dramas of its time, thanks to its compelling performances, heartbreaking romance, and stunning visuals. Whether you're a fan of Song Hye Kyo’s emotional acting or Zo In Sung’s powerful screen presence, this K-drama is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys bittersweet love stories with soul-stirring impact.
Details
🙂 Native Title: 그 겨울, 바람이 분다
🌎 Also Known As: Wind Blows in Winter, Geu Gyeowool, Barami Bunda
🎭 Genres: Romance, Drama, Melodrama
🏷 Tags: Blind Female Lead, Pretending To Be Siblings, Tragic Past, Healing, Emotional Romance
✍ Screenwriters: Noh Hee Kyung
🎬 Directors: Kim Kyu Tae
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 16
🗓️ Aired: February 13, 2013 – April 3, 2013
📅 Airing Days: Wednesday & Thursday
📺 Original Network: SBS
⏰ Duration: 60 minutes per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older
Best Scenes
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Oh Soo’s first meeting with Oh Young—a moment of intense silence and deception that sets the emotional tone of the drama.
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The scarf scene in the snow, where Oh Soo gently wraps a scarf around Oh Young—an iconic symbol of warmth and growing intimacy.
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Oh Young’s emotional breakdown in her greenhouse, where vulnerability and loneliness finally surface.
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The rooftop confession, filled with tension and longing, becomes one of the most unforgettable romantic scenes in K-drama history.
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The bittersweet ending, where love, pain, and redemption are beautifully wrapped up with ambiguity and hope.
Filming Locations
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Songdo, Incheon was used as a key location, especially for scenes showcasing sleek urban visuals and Oh Soo’s apartment.
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The greenhouse and mansion scenes were filmed in real luxurious private residences in Seoul’s outskirts.
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Many outdoor winter scenes were shot in Gangwon-do Province, known for its snowy landscapes.
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The drama’s hospital and café settings were filmed in actual commercial locations to give a realistic feel.
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The bridge and street shots were filmed in central Seoul, creating an authentic city vibe for key character confrontations.
Visual Design and Costumes
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Song Hye Kyo’s styling as Oh Young featured soft neutral tones and elegant textures, symbolizing her fragility and grace.
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Zo In Sung’s tailored coats and sleek fashion gave his character a polished yet mysterious aura.
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Cinematography emphasized cold, muted color palettes—snow whites, icy blues, and soft grays—for emotional depth.
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The use of light and shadow during close-ups created a poetic visual language that highlighted inner conflict.
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Fashion choices often mirrored the characters’ emotional state, with wardrobe transitions reflecting personal transformation.
Themes and Messages
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The drama explores deception and trust, with Oh Soo pretending to be someone he’s not to survive, only to fall genuinely in love.
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Loneliness and emotional isolation are central, especially through Oh Young’s blindness and family estrangement.
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The show emphasizes healing through love, even when love emerges from unlikely and painful beginnings.
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It questions what it means to be truly seen and understood, both literally and emotionally.
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It reflects on redemption and forgiveness, showing how broken people can still find light and connection.
Interesting Facts
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That Winter, the Wind Blows is a remake of the 2002 Japanese drama I Don’t Need Love, Summer.
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The drama marked Song Hye Kyo’s comeback to television after five years.
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Jo In Sung returned to K-dramas after eight years, making this pairing highly anticipated.
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The show achieved high ratings and critical acclaim for its acting, visuals, and OST.
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The soundtrack, especially “Snow Flower” by Gummy, became a chart-topper and enhanced the show’s emotional resonance.
Awards
🏆 Awards Won
🎬 APAN Star Awards (2013)
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Grand Prize (Daesang): Song Hye-kyo
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Best Original Soundtrack (OST): “Winter Love” by The One
📺 SBS Drama Awards (2013)
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Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries: Song Hye-kyo
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Special Award: Jo In-sung
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Top 10 Stars: Jo In-sung, Song Hye-kyo
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New Star Award: Jung Eun-ji
🌟 Seoul Music Awards (2014)
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Best OST: “Winter Love” by The One
🏆 Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards (2013)
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Best Drama
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Best Drama Director: Kim Kyu-tae
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Best Drama Screenwriter: Noh Hee-kyung
🏅 Shanghai Television Festival (2013)
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Silver Award for Foreign TV Series
🏆 PaekSang Arts Awards (2013)
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Best TV Director: Kim Kyu-tae
🏅 Nominations
🎭 Baeksang Arts Awards (2013)
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Best Actress (TV): Song Hye-kyo
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Most Popular Actor (TV): Jo In-sung
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Most Popular Actress (TV): Song Hye-kyo
📺 SBS Drama Awards (2013)
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Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries: Jo In-sung
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Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries: Kim Bum
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Special Acting Award, Actor in a Miniseries: Kim Tae-woo
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Special Acting Award, Actress in a Miniseries: Bae Jong-ok
🌟 APAN Star Awards (2013)
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Top Excellence Award, Actor: Jo In-sung
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Top Excellence Award, Actress: Song Hye-kyo
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Best Supporting Actor: Kim Kyu-chul, Kim Tae-woo
Real-Life Loves on Set
There was no confirmed real-life romance between the lead actors of That Winter, the Wind Blows. While Song Hye Kyo and Jo In Sung displayed exceptional on-screen chemistry as Oh Young and Oh Soo, fueling speculation among fans, both actors have stated in interviews that they maintained a professional relationship throughout filming.
Rumors of a possible relationship circulated during and after the drama aired in 2013 due to their emotional performances and natural connection on screen. However, no official dating news or credible reports ever confirmed a romantic relationship between the two.
In conclusion, although the drama portrayed a powerful and emotional love story, it did not lead to a real-life romance between its stars. Their connection remains a testament to their acting talent and chemistry.










