A One-of-a-Kind Heavenly K-Drama Set to Break Viewership Records

Even before its official premiere, JTBC’s upcoming weekend drama 'Heavenly Ever After' has already captured massive attention.

Just from the teaser release, it's being hailed as one of the most highly anticipated K-dramas of 2025, expected to shake up viewership rankings.

Scheduled for release next month, Heavenly Ever After (written by Lee Nam-kyu and Kim Su-jin, directed by Kim Seok-yoon) tells the transcendent love story of Lee Hae-sook (played by Kim Hye-ja), who arrives in heaven at the age of 80, only to reunite with her husband, Go Nak-joon (Son Suk-ku), who has returned to his youthful 30s.

A Star-Studded Cast & Powerhouse Production Team

The drama boasts an impressive lineup, including legendary actress Kim Hye-ja, Son Suk-ku, Han Ji-min, Lee Jung-eun, Chun Ho-jin, and Ryu Deok-hwan. The collaboration of director Kim Seok-yoon and screenwriters Lee Nam-kyu and Kim Su-jin, known for hits like Behind Your Touch, The Light in Your Eyes, and Awl, has only heightened anticipation for another potential masterpiece.

Tackling the theme of a second life after death, the drama promises to deliver heartfelt laughter, warmth, and healing, as Lee Hae-sook embarks on her heavenly journey.

2nd Teaser Unveils a Beautiful & Surreal Afterlife

On March 11, Heavenly Ever After released its second teaser, offering a glimpse into Lee Hae-sook’s surreal and touching arrival in heaven.

The teaser opens with Chun Ho-jin, playing the director of Heaven’s Welcome Center, delivering an unforgettable greeting: “Everyone, you’ve all experienced death, right?”

As Lee Hae-sook follows a mysterious light, she steps into a tranquil paradise, a place designed for souls to heal from their past wounds and reflect on their lives. Throughout her journey, she encounters past connections from both the living and the afterlife, leading to moments of deep introspection.

Fans who watched the second teaser flooded social media with excitement, expressing their anticipation for the drama. Many praised the star-studded lineup, noting that Kim Hye-ja, Son Suk-ku, and Han Ji-min, combined with the director of My Liberation Notes and the writers of The Light in Your Eyes, made this an absolute must-watch. Others highlighted the legendary pairing of Kim Hye-ja and Son Suk-ku, calling it a masterpiece in the making.

Some viewers admitted they were already bracing themselves for an emotional rollercoaster, fearing how much they would cry. The teaser alone gave many the feeling that this could be a "God-tier" drama. Han Ji-min and Kim Hye-ja’s reunion particularly stood out, reminding fans of the deep emotions they experienced in The Light in Your Eyes. With so much anticipation, many are already predicting Heavenly Ever After to become one of the greatest dramas of all time.

One of the most heart-wrenching scenes in the teaser shows Lee Hae-sook tearfully reuniting with her late mother, a moment she never thought she would experience again. Her longing for her estranged daughter Young-ae (played by Lee Jung-eun) adds another layer of emotional depth, making viewers eager to uncover the story behind their relationship.

Adding intrigue, Han Ji-min appears as a mysterious woman named Som-yi, while Ryu Deok-hwan plays a pastor, hinting at an unexpected dynamic between the characters. One of the most anticipated moments in the teaser is the reunion between Lee Hae-sook and Go Nak-joon. While Nak-joon appears in his 30s, Hae-sook remains 80 years old—but their love remains unchanged. In one particularly moving moment, Nak-joon gently tells Hae-sook,

“Darling, in heaven, everyone has a duty to be happy. I just want you to be happy.”

This heartfelt exchange hints at a deeply emotional journey, as the couple navigates their new life in heaven.

Can ‘Heavenly Ever After’ Break JTBC’s Viewership Records?

Given the immense hype, all eyes are on whether Heavenly Ever After can surpass previous JTBC weekend drama records.

Since 2021, JTBC’s Top 5 Highest-Rated Weekend Dramas are:

🥇 Reborn Rich (26.948%)

🥈 Doctor Cha (18.546%)

🥉 Agency (16.044%)

🏅 King the Land (13.789%)

🏅 The Tale of Lady Ok (13.575%)

Will Heavenly Ever After join the ranks of JTBC’s most successful dramas? Find out when it premieres in April 2025!