Han Hyo Joo's 'Always' Re-evaluated as a Melodrama Masterpiece Over a Decade After Release

Han Hyo Joo's 2011 film 'Always' (오직 그대만), despite its modest box office performance of 1 million admissions upon release, is now consistently re-evaluated by melodrama fans as a 'life melodrama' masterpiece. The film maintains a high rating of over 9 stars on Naver Movies, with audiences deeply moved by its lingering ending and the actors' expressive gaze.

Directed by Song Il Gon and starring So Ji Sub and Han Hyo Joo, 'Always' is a melodrama rated for ages 15 and up. It gained early recognition for its artistic merit by being selected as the opening film for the 16th Busan International Film Festival. The narrative explores a story of salvation, where former boxer Cheol Min (So Ji Sub), burdened by past wounds, and visually impaired Jung Hwa (Han Hyo Joo) find hope in life through each other. So Ji Sub conveyed his character's pain with minimal dialogue, relying on his eyes and posture, while Han Hyo Joo delicately portrayed the woman who understood him.

Bloggers praise the film for transcending a simple sad love story, instead offering a profound depiction of two wounded individuals healing each other, leaving a lasting impression. Although it was overshadowed by larger productions at the time of its release, its true value has been rediscovered over time, cementing its place as a 'life melodrama' for many. Another film featuring Han Hyo Joo, 'Illang: The Wolf Brigade', was mentioned as a box office disappointment despite its cast including Kang Dong Won and Jung Woo Sung.