'Heavenly Ever After': A Heavenly K-Drama That Will Pull Your Heartstrings

What happens after you die? In Netflix's K-drama Heavenly Ever After, you have the choice between the fiery pits of hell or the light of heaven accessed through a subway train. Packed with a talented cast and a beautiful plot, the story weaves together an emotional narrative with a spark of futuristic imagination. This drama explored grief, second chances, and what it means to live a life well-lived.

Here’s everything you need to know about Heavenly Ever After starring Kim Hye Ja and Son Suk Ku, including the cast, plot, a brief episode recap, and more. Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Ko Nak-joon (Son Suk Ku) comforts his wife Lee Hae Sook (Kim Hye Ja) in heaven. (Photo from: @jtbcdrama)

Heavenly Ever After: trailer and plot

Heavenly Ever After follows the story of 80-year-old Lee Hae Sook (played by Kim Hye Ja), who spends her life caring for her bedridden husband and working as a loan shark to local shop owners. After her death, she meets her husband, Ko Nak-joon (played by Son Suk Ku), in Heaven, only to discover that he has returned to his 30-year-old self. Meanwhile, she remains at 80 due to a misunderstanding that caused her to choose old age instead of a younger version of herself, like those around her.

Directed by Kim Suk-yoon, the drama features Son Suk Ku, with whom Suk-yoon previously collaborated on the acclaimed My Liberation Notes. The series is penned by veteran writer Lee Nam-kyu, who has partnered with Suk-yoon on five K-dramas since their initial project, Old Miss Diary, in 2004. They also collaborated on all three Detective K period action-comedy films. 

Meet the Heavenly Ever After cast

Son Suk Ku and Kim Hye Ja are the cutest K-drama lead couple in Heavenly Ever After. (Photo from: @netflixkr)

Veteran actress Kim Hye-ja takes on the role of Lee Hae-sook. She’s been in the game for decades and has delivered some unforgettable performances in shows like The Light in Your Eyes, Dear My Friends, and What a Woman Lives For. Everyone knows she has a knack for bringing real emotion and presence to her roles.

Opposite her is the talented Son Suk Ku, playing Go Nak-joon. He has a solid lineup of roles in A Killer Paradox, My Liberation Notes, and Designated Survivor: 60 Days. His charismatic presence is likely to add a new vibe to this unique love story.

Other cast members include Han Ji-min, Lee Jung-eun, Chun Ho-jin, and Ryu Deok-hwan.

1. Each episode gave us a ‘sneak peek’ into the afterlife

Lee Hae Sook adjusting to heaven with the help of her husband, Ko Nak-joon. (Photo from: @jtbcdrama)

If you ever wondered what awaits us after in the afterlife, Heavenly Ever After imagines an afterlife that brings us on a tour of heaven and even the fire and brimstone of hell. However, it's not exactly what you may expect. The afterlife in the series revolves around the Heaven Support Centre and its myriad of rules and programmes. Some rules include scoring points for good deeds to pay for goods and services, and receiving purple grapes when breaking the rules. You also need to go through a security check and give up your earthly possessions to be allowed inside.

2. The acting performances in Heavenly Ever After were top tier

The acting performances of Han Ji-min (as Som-i), Kim Hye-ja, and Son Suk Ku were a masterclass in acting, whether it’s comedy or drama. Whether reuniting with a lost love, reconnecting with past friends, or releasing long-held regrets, the actors convey deep emotional experiences. Their performances will give you an emotional whiplash. You can feel the pain in their eyes when they unearth the traumas of their past lives. There’s also the laughter and joy that shines through the screen during fun and lighthearted moments.

3. There’s a special place in hell for bullies

Heavenly Ever After also features a sharp commentary about modern-day South Korean society, in particular celebrity suicides and cyberbullying. The show even has a scene of what happens to people who engage in cyberbullying, including journalists who destroy the reputations of public figures. The punishment is shockingly gory, with the offenders being transformed into keyboard keys as King Yeomra, lord of the underworld, types away on their faces. So, fair warning, if you're squeamish about blood, you may want to skip through this scene.

Heavenly Ever After mystery finally answered: Who is Som-i?

One of the biggest mysteries of the show was the identity of Som-i and her connection to Nak-joon, and episode 11 gave us the most devastating answer. It's revealed that Som-i is not a living being but the embodiment of Hae-sook's unresolved grief over losing her son, Eun-ho.

It's also revealed that the Pastor in the show was Eun-ho, Hae-sook and Nak-joon's son. He tells his mother that he forgives her and urges her to release her guilt, and offers Hae-sook closure.

Heavenly Ever After ending explained: What happened to Hae-sook and Nak-joon?

Hae Sook and Nak-joon together in the afterlife. (Photo from: @netflixkcontent)

Both Hae-sook and Nak-joon decide to be reincarnated and begin their new lives on earth. We learn that they’ve lived 22 lives together. As they were about to set go on their 23rd life, Nak-joon decided that Hae-sook should go through the reincarnation portal alone and live a life completely free of him. Heartbroken, Hae-sook agrees and walks through the portal to live her new life.

In the final moments of the episode, the camera pans to two strangers, a man and a woman, walking along a road. Their gazes meet as if they were pulled by some sort of destiny. It's hinted that perhaps Nak-joon decided to be reincarnated and cross paths once again with Hae-sook in another life.

Where can I watch Heavenly Ever After?

For anyone who has ever lost a loved one, Heavenly Ever After is a quirky, deeply heartwarming, and thought-provoking show that will make you contemplate questions about the afterlife. You can stream all 12 episodes of Heavenly Ever After on Netflix. Have tissues ready just in case.

This article was first published on 24 April 2025. Last updated: 26 May 2025.

(Cover photos from: @netflixkcontent and @jtbcdrama)

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