Lee Je Ha is the son of a famous melodrama film director. While Je Ha’s first major film was heralded as a huge success, some attributed his popularity more to his father’s well-respected career than his own talent. But now, five years later, he hasn’t been able to get over a directing slump. He is desperate for another box-office hit, so when an old friend and producer comes to him with a proposition to remake his father’s greatest melodrama about a terminally ill woman he can’t resist. 

And as the project gets underway, a star actress from Je Ha’s past steps forward to audition for the leading role. But it is an unknown rookie, Lee Da Eum, that manages to gain Je Ha’s interest. And that is, in large part, because Da Eum is actually suffering from her own fatal illness. In the beginning, Je Ha sees Da Eum as a way to gain extra attention when the actress does eventually pass away. But as the pair spend time preparing and working together, they bond over similar childhood traumas and a love of cinema. And slowly the movie, written in secret by Je Ha’s sick mother shortly before her death, becomes a love letter that tells his own painful romantic story. 

Lee Je Ha has never believed in true love. So when he originally decides to make his father’s film, he plans to make it a tragedy instead of a romance. But when he finds out that the movie was not written by his father after all, but by his dying mother, he begins to see the story and the idea of real love from a new perspective. I love Namkoong Min. He is such a talented and versatile actor, and I thought he was great in this role. He has an ability to portray such deep emotions and his quiet intensity fit this role perfectly.

Lee Da Eum watched her mother suffer through a rare disease before dying at an early age. And she learned as a child that genetics can be both a blessing and a curse. Having a father who is a doctor has meant that she has always received the best care. But now, at 25, her time has run short.

So, when she hears that her favorite movie, that tells the story of a dying woman, is being re-made, she dreams of finally getting the chance to live her life-long dream of being an actress. And while she decides to keep her personal health a secret from the other cast and crew, she confides in Je Ha, who is understandably nervous about casting a lead who could die any day.

In the end, Je Ha sees the value in letting someone who has really lived the experience play the part. And as she lives out her final dream, Je Ha will step in to make sure his actress lives long enough to finish their masterpiece. And when she finds herself falling in love with the cynical Je Ha, she gets the chance to live out another dream, to experience love first hand.

Lee Da Eum is caring and optimistic. Since she was a child, she has understood the need to  live every day to the fullest and never take the blessings of life for granted. But with Je Ha, she also gets a chance to share her more painful emotions and fears as well. I have seen Jeon Yeo Been in several dramas, but her emotional performance in this drama was a pleasant surprise. I was so moved by her beautiful portrayal of this brave and tender character.