K-Pop Star Falls, K-Drama Rises—A Story That Begins with a Breakdown, and Hooks from Episode 1

As spring unfolds, a new K-drama rooted in youth and K-pop is turning heads. SBS’s 'Spring of Youth' kicked off on May 6 with a gripping premiere, marking its territory in the genre with intense storytelling and cinematic flair.

The first episode introduces Sa-gye (played by Ha Yujun), the leader of global K-pop band “The Crown.” During a concert, he learns his song has hit No.1 on the World Music Chart. However, the celebration turns violent when a drunken Sa-gye lashes out at his agency CEO (Jo Han-chul)—an incident caught on video. As the scandal spreads, his career comes to a halt, prompting him to retreat to Hanju University, where he’s enrolled but never attended.

🎸 Destiny, Music, and Campus Tension

On his first day back on campus, Sa-gye meets Kim Bom (Park Ji-hu), who claims the melody from his dream as her own. Intrigued, he tries to talk to her, but is interrupted by Seo Taeyang (Lee Seung-hyub). Unable to shake his curiosity, Sa-gye follows her to her part-time job—only to be blocked again by Taeyang. Determined, he eventually finds Bom in the campus band club and declares he’s joining, igniting a rivalry with Taeyang.

What follows is a guerrilla-style guitar battle over Bom’s attention. Though Bom is impressed by Sa-gye’s skills, his guitar string snaps mid-performance, forcing him to concede defeat. Later, he proposes forming a new band with her, sparking both conflict and chemistry.

Haunted by words exchanged with his CEO during the scandal, Sa-gye contacts him again—but receives an ultimatum: enlist in the military or go abroad. Sa-gye refuses both, and the CEO cuts ties.

The next day, Sa-gye is framed by band members, and footage of the altercation circulates online. The backlash leads to his official departure from “The Crown.” Now with nothing left but his guitar and cash from his manager, Sa-gye wanders until he spots a familiar home and becomes a tenant—only to discover Bom is the landlord.

“I realized the moment I saw her—I came here to meet Kim Bom,” Sa-gye says in voiceover, signaling the start of a new chapter.

Director Kim Sung-yong’s cinematic touch elevates the emotional depth. Flashbacks to Sa-gye’s childhood are bathed in shadowy lighting, while the concert scenes burst with energy and contrast. Slow motion captures their fated encounters, and piano scenes shimmer with petals and soft filters. The guitar duel is intense, every strum magnified, while darker tones hint at underlying mystery.

The pacing is fast, the drama unapologetically bold. Traumatic childhood memories, a fall from stardom, fateful campus encounters, and clashes all unfold in a single episode. The climax escalates with betrayals, misunderstandings, and a dramatic reunion—making for a thrillingly unpredictable ride.

Strong Performances, Stronger Reactions

Ha Yujun delivers a layered performance, oscillating between playful and pained. Park Ji-hu brings refreshing energy with a nuanced blend of innocence and charisma, while Lee Seung-hyub balances intensity with warmth as the protective Seo Taeyang.

Viewers flooded social media with praise, saying they were “completely hooked from episode 1,” with many calling it “like watching a movie” and marveling that they “can’t believe they packed this much into one episode.” The intense guitar battle scene drew particular attention, with fans commenting, “That scene took my breath away” and “The triangle tension is everything.” Others highlighted the show’s stunning visuals and emotional depth, noting, “Sa-gye’s downfall and rise hit hard,” “The cinematography is insane,” and “Can’t wait for the OST!”

‘Spring of Youth’ airs every Wednesday at 10:40 p.m. KST on SBS. Episode 2 will air as a special broadcast on May 7 at 10:40 p.m.

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