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The 2018 tvN drama 'Encounter', starring top actors Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum, is drawing renewed attention for its romance set against the exotic backdrop of Cuba. The drama tells the love story of Cha Soo-hyun, a hotel CEO who has never lived a life of her own choosing, and Kim Jin-hyuk, an ordinary young man with a free spirit, as they overcome differences in social status and life perspectives.
The story begins when Cha Soo-hyun (Song Hye Kyo), a politician's daughter and former daughter-in-law of a chaebol family, and Kim Jin-hyuk (Park Bo Gum), an ordinary job seeker, meet by chance in Cuba. Their encounter, which would be unlikely in Korea, flourishes in the unfamiliar setting of Cuba, where they connect purely without the influence of their backgrounds. Upon returning to Korea, they reunite as hotel CEO and new employee, facing realistic obstacles but gradually finding the true meaning of happiness as they become deeply intertwined in each other's lives.
Bloggers note that 'Encounter' goes beyond a simple noona romance, posing the question, 'Whose life is it anyway?' Through the contrast between Cha Soo-hyun, who has wealth and status but no freedom, and Kim Jin-hyuk, who has little but is free, the drama delivers a message about living a truly happy life unburdened by others' perceptions and societal standards, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
