Where Stars Land

Where Stars Land is a heartwarming K-drama that follows the lives of employees at Incheon International Airport, blending romance, drama, and mystery. Lee Je Hoon stars as the reserved Lee Soo Yeon, a man hiding a mysterious past, who strives to work without attracting attention. Chae Soo Bin shines as Han Yeo Reum, a clumsy but determined newcomer at the airport, who always finds herself in unexpected situations.

As their paths cross, a tender and heartfelt connection forms between Lee Soo Yeon and Han Yeo Reum. Both carry emotional scars from their past, yet together, they begin to heal. Their romance is filled with subtle moments of affection, creating an authentic and relatable love story that keeps viewers hooked.

The drama doesn't just focus on romance but also explores the lives of other airport staff. Kim Jee Soo plays the supportive Yang Seo Goon, while Lee Dong Gun portrays Seo In Woo, a cold and calculating figure in the airport's management. The interactions between these characters create an engaging backdrop, filled with workplace struggles, personal dilemmas, and moments of triumph.

Directed by Shin Woo Cheol, Where Stars Land skillfully captures the hustle and bustle of airport life, while weaving in moments of suspense, heartfelt encounters, and a unique exploration of human emotions. This drama has captivated fans worldwide, thanks to its strong performances, touching storyline, and the undeniable chemistry between Lee Je Hoon and Chae Soo Bin.

Details

🙂 Native Title: 여우각시별 (Yeougaksibyeol)
🌎 Also Known As: Fox Bride Star, People of Incheon Airport
🎭 Genres: Romance, Drama, Melodrama
🏷 Tags: Airport Setting, Hidden Past, Strong Female Lead, Workplace Romance, Healing, Mystery
✍ Screenwriters: Kang Eun Kyung
🎬 Directors: Shin Woo Cheol
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 32 (30-minute episodes, often aired as pairs)
🗓️ Aired: October 1, 2018 – November 26, 2018
📅 Airing Days: Monday, Tuesday
📺 Original Network: SBS
⏰ Duration: 35 minutes per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ (Teenagers 15 or older)

Best Scenes

Lee Soo Yeon saving Han Yeo Reum: Lee Soo Yeon uses his hidden power to rescue Han Yeo Reum from a falling structure, creating a suspenseful and emotional moment.
Romantic rooftop scene: Lee Soo Yeon and Han Yeo Reum share a quiet, heartfelt conversation under the stars, symbolizing their growing connection.
Lee Soo Yeon’s emotional breakdown: A powerful moment when Lee Soo Yeon finally opens up about his painful past, showcasing Lee Je Hoon’s incredible acting.
Han Yeo Reum’s first day at work: Filled with clumsy yet adorable moments, Han Yeo Reum’s struggles to fit in at the airport offer a mix of comedy and relatability.
Final confession scene: The heartwarming moment where Lee Soo Yeon confesses his true feelings to Han Yeo Reum, marking a turning point in their relationship.

Filming Locations

Incheon International Airport: Many key scenes were filmed in the busy terminals, adding authenticity to the story of airport employees.
Airport Duty-Free Shops: Several emotional exchanges take place in the quiet corners of these shops, creating an intimate setting amidst the chaos of airport life.
Seoul streets: Outdoor scenes featuring the cast were filmed on the streets of Seoul, showcasing the city’s modern architecture and vibrant energy.
Airport Cafés: The cozy airport cafés served as backdrops for quieter, character-driven moments, especially for secondary characters like Go Eun Seob and Na Yeong Joo.
Han River at night: The drama’s romantic riverside scenes provide a picturesque view of the Han River, enhancing the beauty of key relationship moments.

Visual Design and Costumes

Uniforms: The cast wears sharp, professional airport uniforms that reflect their roles and personalities, adding to the realism of the setting.
Lee Soo Yeon’s sleek look: His minimalist and polished outfits symbolize his reserved and mysterious nature, blending seamlessly into the airport environment.
Han Yeo Reum’s playful style: Her wardrobe evolves throughout the series, starting with bright, casual looks that contrast with the more formal attire she adopts as she becomes more confident.
Color symbolism: Subtle use of color in costumes helps represent the emotional tone of the scenes, with warmer tones used during romantic or uplifting moments.
Visual effects: The special effects used to showcase Lee Soo Yeon’s hidden abilities are subtly woven into the narrative, enhancing the mystery without overpowering the drama.

Themes and Messages

Healing from past traumas: Both Lee Soo Yeon and Han Yeo Reum struggle with their pasts, and the drama explores how love and human connections help them heal.
Workplace struggles: The series portrays the challenges of balancing personal and professional lives, especially in a high-pressure environment like an airport.
Hidden strength: Lee Soo Yeon’s hidden abilities serve as a metaphor for the inner strength we all possess but may not show to the world.
The importance of teamwork: The series emphasizes how cooperation and trust among airport staff are crucial to handling crises and ensuring smooth operations.
Second chances: Characters are given opportunities to start anew, whether in love or career, showing that growth and redemption are always possible.

Interesting Facts

Real airport setting: Most of the drama was filmed at Incheon International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, adding a layer of realism to the show.
Lee Je Hoon’s action scenes: Lee Je Hoon performed many of his own stunts, especially in the scenes where his character uses his mysterious power.
Ro Woon’s breakout role: SF9’s Ro Woon, who plays Go Eun Seob, gained significant attention from this drama, helping him land future leading roles.
Behind-the-scenes friendships: The cast developed close friendships during filming, often sharing behind-the-scenes photos and videos on social media.
Award-winning performances: The drama received several accolades, including Best Actress for Chae Soo Bin at the SBS Drama Awards, highlighting the strong performances of the cast.

Awards

2018 SBS Drama Awards:

- Best Drama: Where Stars Land – Won
- Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Drama: Lee Je-hoon – Won
- Excellence Award, Actress in a Monday-Tuesday Drama: Chae Soo-bin – Won
- Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Drama: Lee Dong-gun – Nominated
- Excellence Award, Actress in a Monday-Tuesday Drama: Kim Ji-soo – Nominated
- Best Supporting Actor: Kim Kyung-nam – Nominated
- Best New Actor: Kim Ro-woon – Nominated
- Best New Actress: Lee Soo-kyung – Nominated
- Best Couple Award: Lee Je-hoon and Chae Soo-bin – Nominated

These awards showcase the drama’s strong performance, especially in acting categories, and its wide recognition during the 2018 awards season

Real-Life Loves on Set

As of now, there are no confirmed reports of a real-life romantic relationship between the actors of Where Stars Land. Despite the strong on-screen chemistry between the lead actors, Lee Je Hoon and Chae Soo Bin, there has been no public statement or credible report about any real-life romance developing from their work on the drama. Their professional relationship remained focused on delivering a compelling and heartfelt performance, which led to their nomination for the “Best Couple Award” at the SBS Drama Awards.

While fans may have speculated about a possible relationship due to their great acting and chemistry, no real-life romance has been confirmed.