A Comprehensive Look at One Day Off 2023
Dive Into the Wandering World of 'One Day Off'
Explore every aspect of ‘One Day Off’ in this comprehensive review. Dive into character insights, strengths, and weaknesses. If you haven’t seen the drama yet and are looking for a spoiler-free review, check out the link below.
Spoiler Alert
Please be advised that this review contains significant spoilers about the plot and characters of ‘One Day Off’. If you have not yet watched the drama, we recommend viewing it first to avoid any spoilers.
Series Details
General Information
Air Dates: May 24 – 31, 2023
Episodes: 8
Where to Watch: Kocowa
Genre: Travel Life Drama
Starring: Lee Na Young
The Story
A high school Korean Literature teacher spends her Saturdays getting away from her mundane life by travelling on day trips. Each weekend is a new destination with new adventures and new sights and people. And as she walks, eats, and talks to new friends along the way, she finds the comfort to fill the empty holes in her day to day life.
Meeting the star: Lee Na Young
Lee Na Young as Park Ha Gyeong
Park Ha Gyeong works during the week at a local high school teaching Korean Literature. But she spends every Saturday traveling to nearby destinations to try the food, see the sights, and hopefully meet some new friends along the way. Generally each trip lasts the full day, but she seldom spends the night, preferring to end the day back at home.
But as we get to know our quirky teacher, we discover that she hasn’t always loved traveling. In fact, when she was young she often complained that she didn’t see the point. But her best friend, Jin Sol, loved the adventure of seeing the world and experiencing new things. So when Jin Sol passes away, Ha Gyeong decides to honor the memory of her friend and seek healing through the kinds of trips Jin Sol would have loved. And as she embraces the challenges and joys of traveling, Ha Gyeong begins to find her own joy in the journey.
Park Ha Gyeong is a bit of a loner. It is easy to see the scars that she still carries from losing a best friend at such a young age. But traveling has a way of throwing you into unusual connections you may have never chosen. And even though she often tries to keep to herself on her trips, she still manages to meet some interesting people along the way. And each of these new “friends” bring their own life lessons.
Lee Na Young took a four year hiatus before returning to the small screen and I was so happy to see her back. She has such a unique presence and I really enjoyed watching her play this introspective, socially awkward character.
Supporting characters
Jo Hyun Chul as Art Teacher
The art teacher works with Ha Gyeong at the high school. He is also quiet and introspective, but he has a joy for teaching which intrigues Ha Gyeong. And as they go about their teaching duties, Ha Gyeong finds her path crossing with him at unusual times and places.
Shim Eun Kyung as Lee Jin Sol
Lee Jin Sol was Ha Gyeong’s best friend in high school. Jin Sol was bright and optimistic, and her chaotic spirit challenged Ha Gyeong in healthy ways. But her sudden death leaves a hole in Ha Gyeong’s life that feels impossible to fill.
3 Things I Loved About ‘One Day Off’
1.
Former Students:
I loved that they included a former student in Ha Gyeong’s travels. In case the audience has the impression that Ha Gyeong’s daily life is terrible and uninspiring, we learn that she has encouraged students to follow their dreams when no one else supported them. Sure, Yeon Ju might not be an artistic genius. But she is doing what she loves, in large part, thanks to Ha Gyeong. Good teachers are invaluable!
2.
Powerful Message:
I just love the concept of this drama. The idea of spending a day a week outside of your own comfort zone is exciting and powerful. “I walk, I eat, I let my mind wander”. What an amazing perspective to have on life.
3.
New Friends:
The guest cast and their stories were wonderful. I really looked forward to who we would meet in each episode and what kind of story they would have to tell. I loved the older author and was intrigued by the reporter at the temple. Each new character presented a new and unique story.
3 Things I Didn’t Love About ‘One Day Off’
1.
Jin Sol’s Death:
I was shocked and saddened when they finally explained what happened to Jin Sol and how it led Ha Gyeong to start her day trips. But I couldn’t help but be curious about what exactly happened. I wish they had spent a little more time filling in her backstory.
2.
Sparks But No Fire:
There are at least a couple guys through the course of this drama that seemed to have some romantic interest in Ha Gyeong. And she didn’t seem entirely uninterested either. But in every case, nothing ever comes of it. I was hoping that once she returned home from the trip where she seemed to make peace with Jin Sol and her death, that maybe one of those men might reappear as a love interest. But alas, nothing.
3.
Season 2:
This drama seems like the perfect series to get a season 2. There is more food to eat and friends to meet. And we certainly haven’t explored Ha Gyeong’s character completely. I feel like we have just brushed the tip of the iceberg with this whole drama.
The Conclusion of 'One Day Off'
The Ending
‘One Day Off’ really isn’t the kind of show to have much of an ending. For Ha Gyeong, her day trips will go on and she will meet new friends and have new adventures. But we do finally get a peek into Ha Gyeong’s relationship with the ever present yet absent Jin Sol. We find out that she died 20 years ago. But it is her love of travelling and Ha Gyeong’s need to find healing from her death that inspired Ha Gyeong to start going on trips in the first place. In the final scene, Ha Gyeong encourages her audience to wander aimlessly, enjoy the moments of clarity, and embrace the fun!
My Personal Thoughts and Ratings
‘One Day Off’ is a short, quirky travel drama. This gem is quick and sweet. Each episode is a separate vignette with new characters and locations. While there are a couple repeat appearances, there really aren’t any side stories. It is the story of one woman’s journey to find healing through simple day trips to nearby destinations.
This drama is not complex or heavy into character development. With only 8 episodes at under 25 minutes each, there isn’t much time for depth. It was difficult to even fit this one into a genre, since it really is just a life drama about simple weekend day trips. But there is a beauty to the sutle life lessons this series has to offer and I found myself encouraged and challenged by the lead’s journey to healing. I give ‘One Day Off’ a 9 out of 10 ramen.
🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜
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