Episode 1 of "Way Back Love" kicks off with an intriguing glimpse into Jung Hee Wan's secluded world, as persistent pounding at her door forces her from hiding. To her surprise, she discovers Kim Ram Woo standing there, patiently awaiting her emergence. Before unraveling the reason behind this encounter, the narrative skillfully shifts back to their school days, painting a vivid picture of Hee Wan and Ram Woo's past.
Hee Wan, a charismatic and bubbly trickster, captivated her entire class with her elaborate pranks and whimsical antics. Her vibrant personality shone brightly through her regular live streams, where she shared her mischief with the world. Undaunted by bullies, she demonstrated her courage by boldly throwing chocolate milk at a group of intimidating kids outside the school. As she hastily fled the scene, she inadvertently dropped Ram Woo's name-tag on the ground, leading to an unexpected twist.
This incident stands in stark contrast to Kim Ram Woo's reserved demeanor. As a new transfer student, he kept a low profile, striving to avoid trouble. However, fate had other plans. In class, Hee Wan boldly called him out, urging him to swap name-tags as part of their elaborate plan to prank their student teacher. Despite his initial reluctance, this pivotal moment cemented their unexpected bond.
Soon, Hee Wan and Ram Woo found themselves in a precarious situation as they confronted the bullies who had earlier harassed Hee Wan. Unaware of the switched name-tags, the bullies awaited them outside the school gates. To bolster their courage, Hee Wan and Ram Woo armed themselves with markers, creating fake tattoos that made them look more intimidating.
This revised version aims to enhance the narrative's expressiveness and bring the scenes to life, immersing the reader in the vibrant world of "Way Back Love".
When the bully shifts his focus to their parents, Hee Wan and Ram Woo cleverly play along, declaring themselves orphans without parental figures. This unexpected revelation prompts the bullies to reconsider their actions, ultimately leading them to apologize out of pity. The ordeal concludes hastily as the bullies scurry away upon the arrival of adults.
At school, Ram Woo's friend Hong-suk chances upon noticeable marks on his arm and inquisitively probes him about them. Recall those cleverly faked tattoos? Despite Ram Woo's vigorous scrubbing and a scorching hot bath that evening, the fake ink stubbornly refuses to budge. Oh dear!
To add to the drama, Hee Wan, our mischievous trickster, has rented a cache of forbidden manga under Ram Woo's name and posted the names of various schoolmates across the noticeboard. Though Hee Wan harbors a clear fondness for Ram Woo, after a botched transaction that night, she texts him, playfully teasing him. However, he ignores her message and promptly forgets about it.
That is, until Hee Wan arrives at school with the very same package she had delivered earlier that evening. So, what lies within? As we earlier witnessed, it contains lacy underwear, which torments Ram Woo's thoughts, pondering over Hee Wan's possible schemes. Meanwhile, Hee Wan jests with her friend Tae-kyung outside, revealing that the underwear was a silly gift intended for him.
Ram Woo confronts Hee Wan about the underwear prank and implores her to keep the night's mishap a secret. She agrees but on one stipulation – they must continue their name-switching charade. Since they switched, Hee Wan has been enjoying a stroke of good luck, in stark contrast to Ram Woo's string of misfortunes.
However, the faculty soon catches wind of their name-switching antics. Hee Wan's father is far from pleased and reprimands her severely for her actions, whereas Ram Woo's mother takes a more relaxed stance, viewing it as mere harmless fun.
It swiftly becomes evident that they all share the same hometown abode. Indeed, Hee Wan's father is the proprietor of the local eatery, where he graciously treats Ram Woo and his mother to a home-cooked feast, a tradition that has persisted since Hee Wan's childhood. With a heartfelt gesture, he extends his business card, warmly inviting them to visit anytime they please.
Hee Wan harbors an unmistakable fondness for Ram Woo, evident even when her jealousy flares upon discovering he has a secret admirer at school, who leaves token gifts in his locker. Although she tries to deny her feelings, that very evening, Hee Wan dolls herself up for a mysterious meeting with a "buyer." Who could this buyer be? Why, none other than Ram Woo himself! And thus, their romance blossoms.
Their love story is filled with joy and laughter... until we leap forward six years into a bleak future. The once vibrant hues have faded into a单调 and cold palette of greys. Hee Wan now occupies a vastly different realm, her once bubbly demeanor dimmed. She is an outsider, seemingly haunted by an unseen trauma.
Back at her hometown residence, her belongings are packed in boxes, and she approaches life with a palpable lethargy. Ram Woo enters the house, bringing life back into the stale air by opening the windows and curtains, inquiring about her well-being. Something is amiss, and the truth soon unfolds. They failed to meet on graduation day as they had wished, and it has been more than four years since they last saw each other. Oh, and a shocking revelation: Ram Woo had actually passed away during that time!
