Netflix has done it again and produced another worldwide hit in sci-fi K-Drama, "Goodbye Earth". Based on Kotaro Isaka's "The Fool At The End Of The World", the drama features stars like Ahn EunJin, Jeon SeongWoo, Kim YoonHye, and Yoo AhIn.

The story takes place in the fictional city of Woongcheon. The entire world is thrust into disarray due to an oncoming comet set to hit South Korea and destroy Earth as we know it. Despite the confusion and impending doom, citizens like Jin SeKyung (Ahn EunJin) attempt to do everything possible to make the most out of the 200 days they have left.

Science fiction fans will be elated to find another series added to the K-Drama catalogue. But as much as it's a story about a far-off, dystopian future, it also contains messages of hope and resilience to continue moving forward.

"Goodbye Earth" is a collection of different genres and themes that tug on the hearts of millions.

Note: there may be spoilers ahead.

 

Remarkable Performances From The Cast

오늘도, 내일도, 끝까지 함께.

종말을 앞두고 남은 시간을 함께 살아가는 사람들의 이야기. <종말의 바보>, 4월 26일 오직 넷플릭스에서. pic.twitter.com/7S0jn2xZ71

— Netflix Korea｜넷플릭스 코리아 (@NetflixKR) April 12, 2024

When offering nods of respect, one of the first should be given to the wonderful cast that brought these characters to life. The main characters of the story bring us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and nail-biting situations that have you perched at the edge of your seat. While everything is purely fictional, they manage to thread the line between fantasy and reality, able to incite various feelings that make the situation feel all too real.

You genuinely feel worried for the cast as they navigate their final days on planet Earth. The fear and despair gradually grows as the end draws nearer, forcing intense change among the main characters and the communities around them. The cast really forces you to keep your eyes and attention focused on the screen, speaking to their ability to immerse audiences into the drama at hand. With its slow burn nature, it can become a "blink and you'll miss it" type of moment, however, the likes of Ahn EunJin and Kim YoonHye make it possible to not miss a thing.

 

A Different Take On An Apocalyptic End

When thinking about a series centered around the end of the world, one usually imagines a flurry of fiery destruction or the ravaged aftermath of it all. However, "Goodbye Earth" sets itself apart by depicting the time right before impending doom. The series portrays the eventual spiral into lawlessness, but also the humanness of every individual trying to survive. Knowing that the world is going to end brings out a different set of emotions to every character, now determined to spend their last days on Earth wisely. These emotions sometimes turns hysterical, a natural effect that comes with the end of the world.

However, interwoven in between the chaos are daily moments that portray a semblance to daily life. The strength of "Goodbye Earth" is its ability to go back and forth between these two modes, all while situations slowly escalate in Woongcheon City. This makes you focus less on the comet that's set to tear the entire world apart, but on the characters reacting to it and what they do as they await their fate. It might be difficult for those expecting a flurry of action to accompany the impending doom, however, the approach from "Goodbye Earth" makes it possible for you to change your mind and remain watching until the very end.

 

Bright Beacons Of Hope

Hopelessness and despair is abound for the characters in "Goodbye Earth". We witness soldiers give up entirely on protecting civilians, people who have turned their back on society, and a lawlessness that puts everyone, children included, in danger. Despite these looming gray clouds that accompany the end, our main characters don't give up hope and try to be the beacons of light in a failing world.

While many others have pushed aside their morals and have succumbed to temptation, Jin SeKyung, Kang InAh (Kim YoonHye), and Woo SungJae (Jeon SeongWoo) try their best to keep justice alive. They try their absolute hardest to grab hold of an inkling of their past life and also to ensure that in the case they do survive the comet's impact, the future is well protected and humanity has the potential to thrive once again. All of this is a balancing act that's not easy to do, especially with everything that's going on in the Netflix series. However, the main characters try their best and are able to show there's some type of light at the end of this perpetually dark tunnel.

 

"Goodbye Earth" - By The Numbers

It took a while for "Goodbye Earth" to reach its premiere date, but the wait was well worth it. The Netflix series premiered at the no. 9 spot on the Netflix Global Top 10 TV Shows (Non-English), ranking in the Top 10 across 22 countries on Netflix. The sci-fi genre isn't for everyone, however, being able to reach the Top 10 on the streaming giant is an impressive feat in itself, speaking to the power of K-Entertainment and the hype surrounding "Goodbye Earth".

There's a lot to unpack from Netflix's newest series, "Goodbye Earth". However, in spite of the chaos, there lies the hope that everything will be okay.

Have you finished watching "Goodbye Earth"? What do you think about the drama?

tvN is a cable channel of Korea and its dramas are popular in and out of Korea. The channel has quite a lot of hit dramas on its record. The channel keeps on having high ratings with interesting plots and Hallyu actors in its cast.

Here is a list of the tvN dramas with the highest ratings up until now (all years) (updated article).

 

1. "Queen of Tears" - 24.8%

The awaited K-Drama "Queen of Tears" (2024) with top Hallyu stars Kim SooHyun and Kim JiWon started with 5.9% and reached impressive ratings of 24.8% with its final episode.  Viewers were hooked and the drama went viral for its story and amazing acting.

 

2. "Crash Landing On You" - 21.7%

The drama "Crash Landing On You" (2019-2020) with Hyun Bin and Son YeJin makes tvN history by breaking the record of its highest ratings. With the final episode of the drama, the drama ratings reached 21.7%. The love story of the North Korean soldier and South Korean chaebol hooked the country.

 

3. "Goblin" - 20.5%

The drama "Goblin" also titled "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" aired in 2016-2017 starring Gong Yoo, Kim GoEun, Lee DongWook and more. In and out of Korea, the drama was extremely popular. There was definitely a "Goblin craze". The final episode of the drama reached its highest personal ratings at 20.5%. "Goblin" held the record of tvN best ratings until "Crash Landing on You" broke it.

 

4. "Reply 1988" - 18.8%

The "Replies" series were popular and "Reply 1988" (2015-2016) was the most popular. The last episode reached 18.8%. Girl's Day's HyeRi, Park BoGum, Go KyungPyo, Ryu JunYeol and Lee DongHwi acted in the drama.

 

5. "Mr. Sunshine" - 18.1%

The historical drama "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) with Lee ByungHun and Kim TaeRi had a huge budget and it received a lot of love in and outside of Korea. The drama scored 18.1% of ratings on its last episode.

 

6. "Mr. Queen" - 17.4%

The comedy historical drama "Mr. Queen" (2020-2021) starring Shin HyeSun and Kim JungHyun was also popular. The drama started at 8.0% and kept on increasing its ratings up to 17.4% for the final episode.

 

7. "Crash Course In Romance" - 17%

The romance drama "Crash Course in Romance" (2023) starred Jeon DoYeon and Jung KyungHo. The drama started with 4.0% but gained a lot of popularity week after week with its love story, elite education, and scandals. The drama reached 17% with its last episode.

 

8. "Under The Queen's Umbrella" - 16.852%

The historical drama "Under The Queen's Umbrella" (2022) starred Kim HyeSoo, Kim HaeSook, Choi WonYoung, Moon SangMin, SF9's Chani, Yoo SeonHo, Kim MinGi, and more. It was a hit drama. Starting at 7.6%, the drama kept on gaining viewers and reached 16.852% with its last episode. The story of the queen, her sons, and all the political schemes passionated.

9. "Vincenzo" - 14.6%

The black comedy drama "Vincenzo" (2021) starring Song JoongKi, Jeon YeoBeen, 2PM's Ok TaecYeon, Kim YeoJin, and Kwak DongYeon was popular. The drama was also available on Netflix at the same time. The drama started at 7.7% and ended at 14.6%. Viewers have been stunned by the amazing acting and the catchy storyline of a mafia consigliere getting rid of the bad guys.

 

10. "Our Blues" - 14.6%

The life drama "Our Blues" (2022) starring Lee ByungHun, Shin MinA, Han JiMin, Kim WooBin, Cha SeoungWon, and Lee JungEun gathered a lot of interest with its touching story and its talented cast. The drama started at 7.3% and ended at 14.6%.

 

11. "100 Days My Prince" - 14.4%

The comedy historical drama "100 Days My Prince" (2018) starring EXO’s D.O. and Nam JiHyun was also one of the most popular dramas of tvN. The last episode of the drama reached 14.4%.

 

12. "Hospital Playlist" - 14.1%

The drama "Hospital Playlist" (2020) with Jo JungSuk, Yoo YeonSeok, Jung KyungHo, and Kim DaeMyung was popular. The drama kept increasing in ratings and reached 14.1% with its last episode. The story of these close friends working at the hospital had interested many.

 

13. "Signal" - 12.5%

The drama "Signal" (2016) with Lee JeHoon, Kim HyeSoo, and Choi JinWoong was also a hit. The drama reached 12.5% of ratings with its last episode. This drama is often mentioned as one of the best K-Dramas in the international K-Drama community.

 

14. “Hotel del Luna"- 12%

IU and Yeo JinGoo addicted viewers to the ghosty fantasy drama “Hotel del Luna”. The drama was so popular that many are hoping for a second season. The drama reached 12.0% on its last episode.

 

15. "Marry My Husband" - 12.0%

The 2024 drama "Marry My Husband" based on a web novel and webtoon was a hit. With Park MinYoung, Na InWoo, Lee YiKyung, Song HaYoon, and Highlight's Lee GiKwang, the revenge drama caught attention from the start with 5.2%. It continuously grabbed viewers' attention until reaching 12.0% with its last episode.

 

Did you know that there is a word in Korean to describe men who are so good-looking that they're compared to flowers? This Korean word is "kkotminam".

'Kkotminam' (꽃미남) literally translates to "flower-like handsome man". It is a combination of 꽃 (kkot), meaning flower, and 미남 (minam), meaning handsome man. It is definitely a compliment and praise of a man's beauty.

Some popular Korean actors who are called 'kkotminam' include Lee JoonGi (the OG), Park BoGum, Song Kang, Ji ChangWook, Lee MinHo, and Song JoongKi, among others. Some idols who are called 'kkotminam' include ASTRO's Cha EunWoo, Ong SeongWu, NCT's HaeChan, TREASURE's JunKyu, RIIZE's WonBin, and ZEROBASEONE's Zhang Hao, among others.

You can use 'kkotminam' in a sentence (informally) as follows:

그 아이돌은 꽃미남이야

Geu aidol-eun kkotminam-iya

That idol is a kkotminam!

Who do you think is a kkotminam idol or actor? Tell us on X!

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