Strangers to enemies, enemies to friends, strangers again - such goes the story of Geum BanJi and Hong BaekYeong. "Time And Reason" is a romance webtoon by Colabear that tells the story of two high school friends who drift apart after a fateful incident and meet again after ten years as coworkers. However, time has flowed cruelly between them, leaving their relationship weathered and carving out an emptiness that begs to be filled. With all the makings of a romance K-Drama, this webtoon had us thinking about a dream cast in no time! So, check out more about the webtoon "Time And Reason" and the actors/K-Pop idols we would cast in a K-Drama adaptation of the same!

Minor Spoilers Ahead!

 

"Time And Reason" Webtoon Introduction

A Healing Romance Mystery About Overcoming Trauma & Embracing Love

"Time And Reason" is a popular romance webtoon that will make you forget about both time and reason as you scroll through the chapters until completion. With the perfect mix of the best tropes, such as found family, friends to lovers, love triangle, and more, this webtoon is both highly rated and incredibly beloved among fans all over the world. You can read the webtoon in Korean and English. At the time of writing, the webtoon is complete with 90 episodes, and the English translation has caught up to episode 78 (+5 Fast Pass). New episodes are released every Friday.

The plot of "Time And Reason" revolves around Geum BanJi and Hong BaekYeong. BanJi is a cold and indifferent young girl, perceived as rude and snobby by her peers. Hong BaekYeong is a loner who exists quietly, sleeping during class and whiling away his time in school. When the two get partnered up for a lesson, they inevitably butt heads until they cross each other's lines. What starts off as a verbal argument turns into a physical altercation, all stemming from the fear of having their secrets revealed.

In reality, BaekYeong lost his parents and lives alone with his three younger siblings, raising them singlehandedly. A mysterious figure called "Mister" claims to care for them, showering them with luxurious gifts, but BaekYeong is particularly averse to him. On the other hand, BanJi is crumbling under pressure from her mother, so her behavior is rash and erratic. When BanJi meets BaekYeong's family, she finds an escape in the innocence of his siblings, growing closer to them as if they were her own family.

BaekYeong sees a side of BanJi that she has suppressed for long - spirited, happy, and free. However, when she cuts ties with him out of the blue, leaving him dazed and confused, he longs for their connection, hoping to see her again. Ten years later, they meet as co-workers, with BanJi as his supervisor, but this time around, she is colder than he remembers, filled with disdain, pushing him away at every chance. BaekYeong realizes that the time they spent together remains a treasured memory in his mind but a tragedy in hers.

Even though BaekYeong is determined to reconnect with BanJi, she seems to have changed in a way that reminds him of the BanJi he first met - indifferent and uncaring, like she has something to hide again. However, glimpses of her gentle kindness peek through, making us wonder about her true self. She is a competent Chief of Staff, loved by all, and he is a clumsy new recruit, making mistakes and being pushed around. Just when he thinks he should leave BanJi alone, she creeps back into his heart with the little gestures of affection - taking him home after a company dinner, holding him when he almost falls over like how a K-Drama male lead typically would, waiting for him at lunch, and so on.

What BanJi didn't expect was running into the kids again, ten years after she abandoned them, vowing never to return. There, she meets Hong ChanYeong, the second oldest in the family, and is disarmed at once. Unexpectedly moved by the family's warmth, just like she remembered, she finds herself less wary of BaekYeong, opening up her heart despite the trauma at the back of her mind.

In the mean time, ChanYeong's feelings for his BanJi noona, who is eight years older than him, put him at a crossroads. He is deeply in love with her, regardless of their age gap, and the way he expresses his affection is not only respectful but also one of the most wholesome aspects of the webtoon. You will inevitably find yourself empathizing with ChanYeong, especially with how mature he is at handling his emotions, making for a second lead that may not win the girl but definitely wins our hearts.

The webtoon "Time And Reason" is very well-received for its sensitive treatment of the subject matter, fleshed-out characters, and realistic plot development. Many fans have noted that it is one of the few webtoons that are both plot and character-driven, making for storytelling that keeps you hooked and characters that get you attached.

While the romance is heart-fluttering with several tropes and roles reversed, adding a refreshing twist to your everyday rom-com, the mystery aspect unfolds artfully, keeping readers on their toes with each panel. There's just the right amount of angst that tugs at your heartstrings but doesn't drag the plot, and also the most satisfying denouements that make you want to laud the author for poetic justice. Speaking of being poetic, "Time And Reason" notably employs symbolism and imagery as strong storytelling tools (such as the butterfly and the cage), conveying the most delicate emotions and developments with nuance.

The passionate discourse under each episode is proof enough of how invested readers are in the story as they pour out their feelings in the comments section. It is evident that the characters have endeared themselves to fans, to the point that we cannot help but think of them as our own acquaintances. It is fulfilling to see BanJi smile, rewarding to watch Princess grow, harrowing to know how BaekYeong is breaking inside, and so on and so forth. That right there is the strength of "Time And Reason". Each episode leaves you wanting more as you root for the characters, and as the end draws near, catharsis sets in, delivering a fitting conclusion to a well-written story of endurance, healing, and love.

 

"Time And Reason" Webtoon Characters & K-Drama Dream Cast

At the time of writing, "Time And Reason" is not slated for a K-Drama adaptation. However, with the riveting plot combining elements of nostalgia, heartbreak, loss, and redemption with suspense and mystery, we can see a potential blockbuster K-Drama waiting to be made. Korean readers are even sharing that the webtoon is as good as a KBS weekend drama!

In addition, "Time And Reason" has gained huge interest overseas, raking in 3.4M subscribers on the Webtoon app. With the prolific growth of the webtoon-based K-Drama industry, it wouldn't be a surprise if this fantastic story were to be picked up for a K-Drama.

As a matter of fact, we already have a few idols and actors in mind who would be perfect for the roles of the leading characters. So, read the character descriptions below and vote for the K-Drama actor you think would be perfect in the roles in the polls that follow!

 

1. Geum BanJi

Just like her name (which means gold ring), Geum BanJi is a woman with a heart of gold. She is 27 years old. In high school, she used to have black hair, but she has pink hair in the present. She is a capable and ambitious employee, a perfectionist, and also a social butterfly.

Geum BanJi is a strong, independent woman. She is reliable and kind, even if she hides that behind the veil of being a tsundere. Even though he pushes BaekYoung away, she is afraid of going too far with it. She secretly looks out for BaekYeong at work because no one knows him like she does. At the same time, BaekYoung knows BanJi's true self better than anyone else.

BanJi's parents are divorced and her relationship with her mother is rather toxic, and it takes time for her to learn to prioritize herself first. This is one of the major character development arcs for BanJi. In addition, she has a mysterious tie with BaekYoung's family, unbeknownst to the latter.

BanJi has a special connection with ChanYeong, but her relationship with BaekYeong is one of the healthiest relationships we've ever seen. Geum BanJi goes through a lot in the story, but she comes out stronger and happier.

Before we unveil our dream cast, we had some fun with AI to envision what Geum BanJi might look like in real life. Please note that this is purely for entertainment and does not represent Kpopmap's official interpretation of these characters, nor does it affect our dream cast. Check it out below!

We think Red Velvet's Joy, Kim HyeYoon, WJSN's BoNa, and Shin DoHyun would be great candidates for the role of Geum BanJi. Vote for your pick in the poll below!

 

 

 

2. Hong BaekYeong

Hong BaekYeong is the first male lead of "Time And Reason". He is also 27 years old. He was forced to grow up too quickly when his parents died, leaving him to take care of his three little siblings - ChanYeong, JiYeong, and UYeong. BaekYeong is a responsible older brother who manages the household but is not often appreciated. In fact, his intentions are often misconstrued by his little sister JiYeong, which breaks his heart.

At work, BaekYoung is a diligent employee, taking on all the work without a single complaint. However, he likes to keep his private life private and draws clear boundaries with others. If his lines are crossed, BaekYoung can be quite blunt and frankly, intimidating.

BaekYeong has a rough relationship with the aforementioned "Mister", whom he resents for pretending to be a "father figure". He doesn't appreciate his interactions with the family and tries to avoid him at all costs, but with Mister being his only link to his Uncle, BaekYeong is in a bind.

In terms of appearance, BaekYeong has dark brown hair and dreamy green eyes. He is tall, handsome, muscular, and has a kind smile. He tries warming up to BanJi while respecting her boundaries, which is probably why she feels comfortable opening up to him again.

Check out how AI envisioned a live-action version of Hong BaekYeong below!

We think Lee JunYoung, SF9's DaWon, UP10TION's Kim WooSeok, and EXO's SuHo would make for an amazing Hong BaekYoung. Vote for your pick in the poll below!

 

 

3. Hong ChanYeong

Hong ChanYeong is the second male lead of "Time And Reason". He is 19 and going on 20 at the beginning of the webtoon. He is a model student in school. ChanYeong is tall, has curly blonde hair and green eyes. His fluffy head of hair gives him a golden retriever look.

In terms of personality, ChanYeong is perceptive, gentle, and warm. He is more mature than the younger siblings and even more than BaekYeong sometimes, but he has trouble with communication, so there tends to be misunderstandings in his relationships.

ChanYeong is selfless and wants the best for his family, even if that comes at his own cost because he thinks of himself as a burden. ChanYeong is rather quiet, sensible, calm, and composed, but at the same time, his personality is the type to make readers' hearts flutter.

ChanYeong is also confident and certain about his feelings, even though he may not be able to express them. He only ever opens up when he is around BanJi and seems to be truly happy with her. He enjoys her company and makes excuses to spend more time with her, much to BaekYeong's jealousy. Seeing BanJi happy gives him joy, and just thinking about her brings a smile to his face. What's more, is that BanJi makes ChanYeong want to be a better person. Needless to say, ChanYeong is the ideal candidate for a solid case of second lead syndrome, especially if you enjoy noona romances.

Check out how AI envisioned a live-action version of Hong ChanYeong below!

We think OMEGA X's YeChan, ENHYPEN's HeeSeung, ASTRO's Yoon SanHa, and BAE173's Lee HanGyul would be incredible in the role of Hong ChanYeong. Vote for your pick in the poll below!

 

 

Note: The aim of the vote is for Kpopmap readers to share their opinion about their preference for the cast. It is not affecting the cast of the production team.

If you are interested in other drama adaptations of webtoon and their dream cast, you can check out our previous articles: "The Remaried Empress", "Gorae Byul - The Gyeongseong Mermaid", "There Must Be Happy Endings", "Now I'm Taking A Break From Dating", "Weak Hero Season 2", "Delusion", "Back To You", "The 26th Murder", "Time Share House", "A Compendium Of Ghosts", "Is It A Coincidence?", "Dear Actresses", "I Thought My Time Was Up!" and more.

What did you think of our dream cast for an imaginary K-Drama adaptation of the webtoon "Time And Reason"? Tell us in the comments section down below!