Three best friends, who have known each other since their teen years,  get ready to face their 40’s together.  Through thick and thin, their friendship has stood the test of time.  But when news of a terminal illness shows up at a routine medical exam, their lives will be rocked to their core.  Now it will take everything they have to stay strong for each other in the face of their most difficult trial.  

Jeon Mi Do as Jeong Chan Young

Jeong Chan Young is an acting coach who lost her chance to become an actress after missing her first audition.  She is having an “emotional affair” with a man she dated when she was younger, even though he is now married.  She still hopes he will divorce his wife and marry her.  When a routine medical exam reveals that she has terminal cancer, she is forced to prepare herself and all those she loves for the end of her life.  As her friends and family gradually find out the truth about her condition, she is met with new challenges and struggles, as she is forced to look at the  blessings and regrets of her too-short life.  

Lee Moo Saeng as Kim Jin Seok 

Kim Jin Seok is in love with Jeong Chan Young.  They dated in their 20’s, but when Jin Seok went abroad to study, he met another woman and married her after she became pregnant.  But even with a wife and son, he has never been able to let go of his love for Chan Young.  So he and Chan Young go on dates and obviously love each other, although they have never crossed the line physically since his marriage.  Just when Jin Seok finally gets the courage to ask his wife for a divorce, he finds out about Chan Young’s cancer.  He begs her to marry him, but she continues to refuse in the face of her pending death.  

 ♥ Mi Jo’s Family

Mi Jo’s family was such a wonderful breath of fresh air in this drama.  Her parents’ loving relationship and their love and acceptance of both of their daughters was heartwarming.  And Mi Hyun was a great addition to this cast.  I loved the idea that rather than being jealous of her adopted sister, she was the one responsible for bringing her home in the first place.  Her obvious adoration of Mi Jo was always sweet to watch.

♥ Kim Seon Woo

I swear the character of Kim Seon Woo could not be more perfect.  Everything about this guy was just so endearing and crush-worthy.  He was the perfect match for all of Mi Jo’s well constructed walls.  And the fact that he was willing to stand up to his overbearing father to support both of the women that he loved was amazing.  I really loved him and any scene that included him.

Main Character

I know that every source will tell you that all three friends were leads in this drama.  But am I the only one who felt like the majority of the story was really told through Mi Jo’s eyes?  Not that I mind that;  Mi Jo was an interesting and complex character, but it seems like they should have just named her as the lead.  You would think that since Chan Young was the one dying, there would have been more scenes about her and her journey.  And poor Joo Hee really didn’t get nearly enough screen time or character development.  

No Marriage

I really wish that Chan Young would have married Jin Seok before she died.  Jin Seok submitted the paperwork for his divorce before he found out about Chan Young’s illness, so she can’t say he was only doing it out of pity.  And as the one who will have to live on without her, I felt like she should have left him with at least that much memory.  

“Thirty-Nine” ends on the sad note we have all been preparing for since the beginning of the series, but also with some hope.  Chan Young dies quietly, we can assume with Jin Seok at her side.  Everyone meets at the hospital to see her off, although Mi Jo can’t bring herself to watch the final moments before her body is cremated.  Moving ahead, we see that each friend is doing their best to fulfill the promise they made to Chan Young.  Mi Jo and Joo Hee are spending more time together. Both of their relationships are going well, and Mi Jo is still engaged. They visit Chan Young’s grave together and as they walk away, they talk about how much they miss her, but Chan Young would be happy to know they are living well without her.