Third Sweet Home Season: Romantic Subplot of Cha Hyun-su
Though many K-dramas have romantic subplots, Sweet Home, a well-known Netflix series, approaches the central character, Cha Hyun-su, played by Song Kang differently. Though there are hints of a possible romance all through the show, the finale leaves Hyun-su's love life unclear.
Relationship of Cha Hyun-su and Lee Eun-yu
Strong hints of a developing relationship between former ballerina Go Min-si's Hyun-su and Lee Eun-yu abound throughout the series. Eun-yu first shows no interest in Hyun-su, but their common experience during the viral outbreak draws them closer. In season two, their relationship deepens and Hyun-su starts to be a major player in Eun-yu's life. Actually, Eun-yu is hinted to be looking for him actively in season two.
Adding still another layer to their relationship, Song Kang and Go Min-si were former stars in the romance K-drama "Love Alarm." This common experience might help the two characters to create on-screen chemistry.
In season three, Hyun-su tells Eun-yu straight out he loves her, even calling it his first love. He shows a great degree of affection by clearly caring for her welfare. The last episode of the season leaves their relationship unresolved and questions Eun-yu's fate. With Hyun-su finding her first and reverting her back to human form, she is perhaps changed into a neohuman.
Sweet Home Webtoon against Netflix Adaptation
The original Sweet Home webtoon follows a different path while the Netflix adaptation concentrates on the possible romance between Hyun-su and Eun-yu. The webtoon shows Hyun-su's romantic sentiments for another character, Yoon Ji-su, portrayed by Park Gyu-young on the Netflix adaptation.
The Webtoon: Yoon Ji-su's Involvement
The webtoon features Yoon Ji-su, who sadly passes away in Sweet Home season 2, more prominently. Ji-su becomes Hyun-su's grounding and stability even if their first interactions are tense. She is absolutely essential on his path and helps him to stay human. Their emotions for one another grow naturally over the webtoon and culminate in a reunion at the story's conclusion. Their future together is still subject for interpretation.
Ji-su's significance to the webtoon drives her absence from the Netflix adaptation to be more poignant. Although Eun-yu gives a great performance, some viewers could feel as though the story suffers without Ji-su.
Sweet Home: Examining Inner Demons
Hyun-su's lack of a clear romantic resolution for Netflix fits the series's emphasis on inner conflicts and the battle against inner demons. This highlights Hyun-su's path of self-discovery as well as his struggle against the terrible nature he is confronting within of himself.
Sweet Home lets room for conjecture regarding Hyun-su's future even with its uncertain ending. The Netflix adaptation might not have a clear solution, but the webtoon presents another view on his romantic path.
Important Lessons Learned
Romantic Relationships in Sweet Home: Cha Hyun-su
The webtoon shows Hyun-su's romantic sentiments for Yoon Ji-su, while the Netflix adaptation points to a developing romance between Hyun-su and Eun-yu.
Sweet Home's Emphasizing Internal Conflict
The Netflix adaptation's lack of a clear romantic resolution reflects the show's focus on Hyun-su's internal conflicts and the fight against his inner demons.
