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Extraordinary You
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Also known as
  • July Found by Chance
  • Suddenly One Day
Hangul
어쩌다 발견한 하루
Lit.Ha-ru Found by Chance
RREojjeoda balgyeonhan Haru
MRŎtchŏda palgyŏnhan Haru
Genre
Based onJuly Found by Chance
by Moo Ryuyee
Developed byKim Dae-jin
Written by
  • In Ji-hye
  • Song Ha-young
Directed byKim Sang-hyeop [ko]
Starring
Opening theme"Walk This Sky"
by Park Se-joon & Woo Ji-hoon
Ending themeVarious themes[a]
ComposerPark Se-joon et al.[2]
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes32[b]
Production
Executive producerKim Dong-rae
ProducersMoon Joo-hee
Namkoong Sung-woo
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time35 minutes[b]
Production companies
  • MBC Drama Production[4]
  • RaemongRaein Co., Ltd.[4]
Original release
NetworkMBC TV
ReleaseOctober 2 (2019-10-02) –
November 21, 2019 (2019-11-21)

Extraordinary You[5] (Korean: 어쩌다 발견한 하루) is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Kim Hye-yoon, Rowoon, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Na-eun, Jung Gun-joo, Kim Young-dae, and Lee Tae-ri. It is based on the webtoon July Found by Chance which was first published in January 2018 on Daum Webtoon. The series aired on MBC TV's Wednesdays and Thursdays 21:00 (KST) time slot from October 2 to November 21, 2019.[6]

Synopsis

[edit]

The series follows high school girl Eun Dan-oh (Kim Hye-yoon) who is a student at a prestigious academy. One day, by chance, she discovers that the world she lives in is a fantasy world of comics. She and everyone else are merely characters in a comic book entitled Secret,[c] all under the authority of their omnipotent and omniscient Writer. Dan-oh is only an extra character and, worse, the Writer gave her a lame set-up: she is engaged to her long-time crush who despises her, and she has a heart disease and is expected to die soon.

Not satisfied with this fate, Dan-oh decides to forge her own destiny by changing the story's plot and finding her own true love. Her hopes of freeing herself from the Writer's control becomes stronger than before when she unexpectedly meets nameless Student Number 13 (Rowoon). But as the events around Dan-oh and Number 13, whom she named as Haru, gradually start to have parallels with the Writer's previous work Neungsohwa,[d] changing her destiny could have a price to pay.

Cast

[edit]

Main

[edit]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; an extra character in Secret and the female main character of Neungsohwa. Dan-oh is the beautiful and only daughter of a wealthy family who still has a heart disease despite having been operated on multiple times. After sensing weird things happening to her, Dan-oh finds out that she and everyone else around her live in a fantasy world inside a teen fiction comic book entitled Secret,[c] of which she is only an extra character. As a character in Secret, she is engaged to Kyung, her crush for almost a decade, and could possibly die soon due to her health condition.
Dan-oh was also a main character in one of the Writer's previous works, the period romance comic book Neungsohwa,[d] which is set in the Goryeo era. In Neungsohwa, she is Lady Eun Dan-oh, a noble maiden betrothed to Prince Baek Kyung.
  • Rowoon as Number 13 / Ha-ru (Secret and Neungsohwa)[7]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; an extra character in Secret and one of the male main characters of Neungsohwa. Ha-ru is a handsome student that Dan-oh starts noticing and liking after he saves her multiple times, helping Dan-oh in changing her fate. He is a nameless extra in Secret that even other characters are not aware of his existence. Being the 13th student in the class roster, Dan-oh calls him Number 13[e] at first. Later on, Dan-oh names him Ha-ru[f] which, seemingly like a coincidence, was also his name in his former role in Neungsohwa. He has been aware that he is a character in a comic book.
Ha-ru was a main character in Neungsohwa as a warrior and Prince Baek Kyung's personal guard.
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; a supporting character in Secret and one of the male main characters of Neungsohwa. Kyung is a rude and arrogant student who has an abusive father and a greedy stepmother. He is a member of the A3, a trio of the most handsome and powerful boys in their school. He is engaged to Dan-oh, whom he dislikes due to circumstances around their arranged marriage. After observing Dan-oh, Ha-ru, and Do-hwa's strange behavior, he starts becoming aware that he is a character in a comic book, and slowly realises that he actually likes Dan-oh, as driven by his jealousy towards her close relationship with Ha-ru.
He was also a main character in Neungsohwa as Prince Baek Kyung, the brother of King Geum Jin-mi and Lady Eun's fiancé.
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; the female main character[g] of Secret. Joo-da is a beautiful student who comes from a poor family but is optimistic despite being bullied and has a kind heart. She senses strange things around her and eventually realizes that she is the protagonist in a comic book but keeps it a secret.
A student of Class 2-8 in Seuli High School and the second male main character of Secret. A member of the A3, Do-hwa is a friendly student, appeared to be cold and cool, who is skilled in music and hides his loneliness and sadness behind his bright smile. He secretly harbors feelings for Joo-da and is in a love triangle with A3 leader Nam-joo. Like Dan-oh, he senses strange things happening to him and later learns from Dan-oh about his existence as a character in a comic book.
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School and the male main character[g] of Secret. Nam-joo is a second-generation chaebol, and the leader of A3. He also has feelings for Joo-da and is entangled in a love triangle with A3 member Do-hwa.
A cafeteria cook in Seuli High School; an extra character in Secret and supporting character in Neungsohwa. Handsome yet mysterious, Jinmichae is nicknamed Dried Squid Fairy[h] by adoring female students. He seems to know more about the world of comics than anyone else.
He was a supporting character in Neungsohwa where he started to become aware of his existence as a comic book character while playing the role of King Geum Jin-mi.

Supporting

[edit]

Seuli High School

[edit]

Note: The following characters are part of the world of the comic book Secret unless indicated otherwise.

A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; Dan-oh and Soo-chul's close friend. She harbors a long-time crush for Nam-joo and bullies Joo-da for being Nam-joo's love interest despite her low status. She used to have a crush on Nam-joo but starts falling for her best friend Soo-chul.
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; Dan-oh and Sae-mi's close friend. He is a web vlogger who wishes to have millions of subscribers.
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; one of the three girl bullies who harass Joo-da with Sae-mi. One of Nam-joo's admirers.
  • Jung Mi-mi as Park Yi-jin[i]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; one of the three girl bullies who harass Joo-da with Sae-mi. One of Nam-joo's admirers.
  • Jung Ye-jin as Lee Sam-jin[i]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; one of the three girl bullies who harass Joo-da with Sae-mi. One of Nam-joo's admirers.
  • Han Chae-kyung as Kim Ae-il[k]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; one of Kyung's admirers
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; one of Kyung's admirers
  • Kang Min-ji as Lee Ae-sam[k]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; one of Kyung's admirers
  • Jung Dae-ro as Kim Yang-il[l]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; one of the three boy bullies, who sometimes call themselves "Y3" when the A3 is not around.
  • Lee Wo-je as Park Yang-yi[l]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; one of the three boy bullies
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; one of the three boy bullies
  • Jo Deok-hee as Kim Ban-jang[m]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; the class president.
  • Oh Jong-min as Kim Bo-tong[n]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; a guy with ordinary face and personality and average grades
  • Kim Joon-sung as Park Mo-bum[o]
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School; the class nerd and model student
  • Shin Yong-ho as Shin Ba-ram
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School.
  • Han Myung-hwan as Kang Chul-nam
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School.
  • Jung Ji-hyun as Han Soo-da
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School.
  • Lee Eun-hye as Kong Joo-hae
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School.
  • Heo Soo-bin as Wang Bit-na
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School.
  • Pyo Hyun-jin as Namgoong Dan-bal
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School.
A student of Class 2-7 in Seuli High School.
A transfer student of Class 2-8 in Seuli High School (Secret); King Geum Jin-mi's love interest (Neungsohwa)
A student in Seuli High School; Kyung's self-aware half-brother who remembers the past (Secret) / son of Lord Baek (Neungsohwa)

Others

[edit]
Dan-oh's loving and caring father (Secret and Neungsohwa)
Kyung's abusive and uncaring father (Secret) / a court official and Joon-hyun's father (Neungsohwa)
A cardiothoracic surgeon; Do-hwa's brother and Dan-oh's physician (Secret)
  • Yu Ji-soo as Ra Hye-young
Kyung's stepmother (Secret)
  • Yu Ha-bok as Oh Jae-beol[p]
Nam-joo's father (Secret)
  • Ji Soo-won as Cha Ji-hyun
Nam-joo's mother (Secret) / Queen Dowager and mother of King Geum Jin-mi (Neungsohwa)

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 2, 2019 (2019-10-02)
High school student Eun Dan-oh starts suffering from various symptoms including vision glitches, memory loss, "teleportation," sudden changes in personality and sporadically hearing a sound like that of flipping a page. While looking for answers, she discovers a strange book at the library entitled Secret[c] and, upon flipping its pages, suddenly gains the ability to "see the future." Later, she witnesses what appears to be a magic portal materializing in midair.
2"Episode 2"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 2, 2019 (2019-10-02)
Dan-oh becomes suspicious of the school cook Jinmichae after noticing that he can perceive the strange portal. Finding Secret in his possession, she sneaks in the cafeteria and discovers to her shock that Secret, a comic book, contains scenes that are exactly similar to what she had experienced previously. She comes into terms with the fact that the world she lives in is a fantasy world of comics and that she is one of the characters of Secret. Assuming she is the comic's protagonist, she later arrives at a shocking and embarrassing realization.
3"Episode 3"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 3, 2019 (2019-10-03)
Dan-oh is very indignant with her being an extra character with a lame yet ominous set-up. Jinmichae explains to Dan-oh about their fantasy world and its two phases: the Stage and the Shadow.[q] Unsatisfied with her fate, Dan-oh tries living life her way while in the Shadow but she loses to the Writer every time a Stage starts. A vision into the comic's Storyboard warns Dan-oh of an impending accident.
4"Episode 4"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 3, 2019 (2019-10-03)
The accident foretold in Dan-oh's Storyboard vision happens exactly as it is except for one thing: a boy randomly arrives at the scene and saves her in the midst of the incident. Dan-oh searches the school for the mystery boy, thinking he could help her change her fate. Finding him at a garden filled with trumpet creepers, Dan-oh finally gets to meet her sole savior.
5"Episode 5"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 9, 2019 (2019-10-09)
Dan-oh tries communicating with the mystery boy, only to learn that he is a mute, nameless extra character who is the 13th in the class roster. Lee Do-hwa starts gaining self-awareness and, unnerved, rushes to Dan-oh and Jinmichae for answers. Dan-oh overhears bad news about her failing health. As a new Storyboard vision warns Dan-oh of another accident involving her, she thinks Student Number 13 could turn the tide once again.
6"Episode 6"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 9, 2019 (2019-10-09)
Dan-oh tries her best to make sure Student Number 13 remembers her. She hopes for another twist in her fate during the school field trip after another vision there reveals that Student Number 13 is among the attendees. Much to Dan-oh's distress, the Stage happened exactly as planned in the Storyboard. As Dan-oh starts to lose hope, a surprise from Student Number 13 awaits her.
7"Episode 7"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 9, 2019 (2019-10-09)
A Storyboard vision tells Dan-oh of a nighttime couple trekking through the forest. Dan-oh gets lost in the forest despite her effort to memorize the route beforehand. She runs into Student Number 13 who surprises her with his recently acquired ability to speak. As the duo spend a moment in a riverside grove of trumpet creepers deep in the forest, Student Number 13 earns his new nickname: Ha-ru. To Dan-oh and Do-hwa's surprise, Baek Kyung starts acting outside his set-up.
8"Episode 8"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 9, 2019 (2019-10-09)
After learning about Ha-ru, Jinmichae gives Dan-oh an ominous warning: everything will go wrong once extras get names and start acting of their own accord. He later discovers Ha-ru's personal space in the school library and his many pencil sketches, most of which portray Dan-oh. As Kyung takes his pent-up anger and frustration out on Dan-oh, Ha-ru comes to Dan-oh's rescue and inadvertently gives his secret away to her.
9"Episode 9"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 16, 2019 (2019-10-16)
As Dan-oh realizes Ha-ru is self-aware and clearly remembers her, she introduces him to her peers and teaches him the ways of extra characters. Kyung gets more confused as Dan-oh, Ha-ru and Do-hwa speak of things he does not understand. Ha-ru receives a dire warning from Jinmichae: the scar on his left hand will become more painful if he continue seeking for answers and changing the Stage.
10"Episode 10"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 16, 2019 (2019-10-16)
Do-hwa reflects on the stark similarity between his real self and the character the Writer assigned to him. A Storyboard vision informs Dan-oh of Oh Nam-joo's confession to Yeo Joo-da on the night of his upcoming birthday party. Jinmichae notices the panels in Secret glitching and Ha-ru's face becoming more definite. After Ha-ru sneaks his way into the birthday party to let Do-hwa confess to Joo-da first, the Stage changes in a way Ha-ru and Dan-oh did not expect.
11"Episode 11"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 17, 2019 (2019-10-17)
Right after changing the birthday party Stage, the pain in Ha-ru's scar suddenly returns worse than before. Jinmichae warns that the Writer is willing to eliminate erring extras like Ha-ru. Unnerved at first, Ha-ru ultimately affirms to Jinmichae his decision to stay on Dan-oh's side and be the only person who can change her fate. Do-hwa is ousted from A3.
12"Episode 12"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 17, 2019 (2019-10-17)
Dan-oh and Ha-ru notice that their classmates and teachers had started paying attention to Ha-ru and, later, addressing him by his name. They discover to their surprise that Ha-ru's previously blank nametag now bears his name. As the news worries Jinmichae, Dan-oh notices days later at a swimming class that Ha-ru's nametag is empty once again. Chaos suddenly breaks out among their classmates and Dan-oh is accidentally thrown into the pool. She wakes up in the hospital to a shocking news.
13"Episode 13"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 23, 2019 (2019-10-23)
Much to Dan-oh's distress, Ha-ru has disappeared, Kyung reveals to her his self-awareness, and Jinmichae puts the blame on her for Ha-ru's untimely vanishing. Though she promises to Jinmichae not to rebel anymore, she is emotionally tormented by her loss. On the school sports day, Jinmichae and Do-hwa discover an astounding change in Secret.
14"Episode 14"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 23, 2019 (2019-10-23)
Ha-ru has reappeared in the comic world, but he now has a set-up, is not self-aware, has lost his memories and has no scar in his left hand. Dan-oh admits to Jinmichae that, though she has no plans to help the new Ha-ru gain self-awareness, she has become afraid about her ultimate fate. Soon, Ha-ru starts hearing the page flipping noise; he is compelled to go to his old personal space in the library where a portal opens up, revealing a scene seemingly dating back in ancient times.
15"Episode 15"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 24, 2019 (2019-10-24)
In old Ha-ru's personal space, the new Ha-ru witnesses a flower of the trumpet creeper falling from the portal and observes his past self's sketches of Dan-oh and the flower. Jinmichae stumbles into Ha-ru and accidentally reveals to him the second comic book he is reading: the period romance Neungsohwa.[d] Ha-ru starts having dreams of himself and Dan-oh set during the Goryeo era.
16"Episode 16"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 24, 2019 (2019-10-24)
Do-hwa is reinstated in the A3. At the library, Kyung discovers Neungsohwa in the spot where Secret should be, and notices a Goryeo girl character similar to Dan-oh, just before Jinmichae arrives to steal the book. Ha-ru gets agitated as Dan-oh, who soon realizes he has become self-aware though without memories of her, keeps on reminding him he is not himself anymore. As Jinmichae burns Neungsohwa to prevent anyone from reading it, Ha-ru gets strangely attracted to the trumpet creepers in the school garden and hears the sound of flipping pages.
17"Episode 17"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 30, 2019 (2019-10-30)
Ha-ru is compelled towards his old personal space where the portal, which has opened once again, finally restores his scar and his memories. He reunites with Dan-oh and promises to never let her go. In the library, Kyung notices that Neungsohwa is missing and searches for information about the trumpet creeper which the book's title represents.
18"Episode 18"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 30, 2019 (2019-10-30)
Ha-ru once again sees visions of himself and Dan-oh in the Goryeo era; Dan-oh starts feelings chest pains. As Kyung learns of Ha-ru's return to his old self, Jinmichae tries to analyze Ha-ru's restoration and fears the prospect of the "tragedy" in Neungsohwa happening again in Secret. Ha-ru admits to Kyung that he has feelings for Dan-oh.
19"Episode 19"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 31, 2019 (2019-10-31)
To Jinmichae's shock, Kyung discovers the remains of Neungsohwa which still has a few unburned pages he can salvage. Dan-oh keeps having butterflies because of Ha-ru and realizes she likes him very much. Jinmichae reminds the intrigued Kyung that not everyone has the power to change Stages: Ha-ru can, but all other characters cannot.
20"Episode 20"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngOctober 31, 2019 (2019-10-31)
For the first time, Ha-ru ranks first in the class, overtaking Kyung. To prove Kyung wrong, Ha-ru successfully modifies a Stage where Dan-oh is supposed to be rescued by Kyung after collapsing due to her failing heart. Dan-oh becomes more worried as her chest pains recur despite the change of Stages. Dan-oh and Ha-ru's budding romance is put to the test as a lengthy Stage separates the couple.
21"Episode 21"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 6, 2019 (2019-11-06)
Dan-oh and Ha-ru reunites after their month-long separation due to the Stage. The traumatic memories from Neungsohwa torment Jinmichae as Kyung vows to find out the secrets he has been hiding. A vision into their Goryeo past reminds Ha-ru of how the old Dan-oh loved to see the stars at night.
22"Episode 22"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 6, 2019 (2019-11-06)
Ha-ru encounters a girl transferee Kim Soo-hyang and feels something is off about her. Later, a vision into their Goryeo past reveals to Ha-ru the relationship he had with the old Kyung, his first encounter with the old Dan-oh and the first moments of his self-awareness. As Jinmichae warns him not to do "the same mistake" again, Ha-ru prepares a surprise for Dan-oh at the school's arts room.
23"Episode 23"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 7, 2019 (2019-11-07)
As Kyung gets more riveted to know the past, Jinmichae turns emotional and reveals about how he lost everything in Neungsohwa, putting the blame on Kyung. Ha-ru tells Dan-oh about the visions he had of their past. Do-hwa notices something is not quite right about Joo-da. Keeping Neungsohwa a secret to Dan-oh, Kyung correctly guesses an action she is set to do in an upcoming Stage.
24"Episode 24"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 7, 2019 (2019-11-07)
More visions from Neungsohwa reveal to Ha-ru the relationship his old self had with the old Dan-oh. After touching the unburnt pages of Neungsohwa that Kyung salvaged, Dan-oh experiences a new Storyboard vision which warns her of Kyung's upcoming public proposal to her at a video fair. To stop the proposal, Ha-ru vehemently fights against the Writer's will as his scar starts to bleed and he sees a fleeting vision of Neungsohwa's tragic ending. Jinmichae is floored upon first seeing Soo-hyang at the video fair.
25"Episode 25"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 13, 2019 (2019-11-13)
A Storyboard vision warns Dan-oh that her ultimate fate—her death due to her failing heart in the midst of a surgery—would be the next to play out in the Stage. After seeing more details into Neungsohwa's tragic ending in another vision, Ha-ru realizes that the story is happening again in Secret. Dan-oh asks a favor from Jinmichae, Kyung and Do-hwa.
26"Episode 26"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 13, 2019 (2019-11-13)
Acting outside her role, Joo-da takes revenge against her bullies. Ha-ru learns of Dan-oh's upcoming surgery and becomes a bit overprotective for her. Do-hwa realizes that Joo-da has long been self-aware. As Ha-ru and Dan-oh learns that the schedule for the surgery has been set, Kyung finds himself in Ha-ru's personal space at the library where the portal reveals to him a shocking scene from Neungsohwa.
27"Episode 27"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 14, 2019 (2019-11-14)
Ha-ru disguises, with Do-hwa's help, as a doctor and tries hard to change the Stage, preventing Dan-oh's surgery from happening. After the portal's revelation, Kyung rushes to the hospital, thinking Ha-ru murdered Dan-oh back in Neungsohwa. Kyung separately tells Dan-oh and Ha-ru about the revelation. As Ha-ru feels apprehensive, he invites Dan-oh to camping with her friends but their fun is cut short as Dan-oh feels chest pains once again.
28"Episode 28"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 14, 2019 (2019-11-14)
Ha-ru realizes a flaw in the way he had changed Dan-oh's heart surgery Stage. Jinmichae reminds Kyung of the atrocity he had done to Soo-hyang back in Neungsohwa, telling him the difference between dying in the Stage and in the Shadow. Through another vision, Ha-ru witnesses more details about Neungsohwa's tragic ending and fears Kyung's accusation might be true. As Dan-oh falls severely ill in the Shadow, Kyung sees a vision of the ending and realizes in shock who really murdered the old Dan-oh.
29"Episode 29"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 20, 2019 (2019-11-20)
After dying in the Shadow, Dan-oh reappears in the comic world but she has lost her self-awareness and memories. As Secret's ending looms, Jinmichae tells Ha-ru about the fate all characters suffer after a story ends. Ha-ru vows to help Dan-oh regain her self-awareness. Kyung goes out on a date with Dan-oh.
30"Episode 30"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 20, 2019 (2019-11-20)
As an extra character disappears from the comic world, Dan-oh's memories come to her in bits and she start to feel the symptoms of self-awareness. Ha-ru completes Dan-oh's restoration with help from the conceding Kyung and the couple reunites. Dan-oh ensures a closure with Kyung and forgives him for what he had done back in Neungsohwa. Ha-ru notices something strange with his nametag and the arts room.
31"Episode 31"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 21, 2019 (2019-11-21)
Ha-ru keeps secret from Dan-oh that he had seen the arts room disintegrating and his nametag becoming blank. As more extras disappear from the comic world and more spaces disintegrate, Ha-ru tries to make Dan-oh's bucket list come true while Jinmichae arranges a reconciliation-farewell date with Ha-ru and Kyung.
32"Episode 32"Kim Sang-hyeopIn Ji-hye & Song Ha-youngNovember 21, 2019 (2019-11-21)
As his scar fades away and darkness starts to swallow him up, Ha-ru spends his last seconds with Dan-oh and bids her a painful farewell. Skipping to a year later to their graduation, Dan-oh and her fellow characters make their last moments and say their last lines as Secret comes to its inevitable end.

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The series is based on the webtoon July Found by Chance, written by MooRyuyee. It was serialized on the portal site of Daum webtoon from January 18, 2018, to September 19, 2019.[13]

It is directed by Kim Sang-hyeop [ko] who directed previous hit television series such as Dong Yi (2010), Mama (2014), Glamorous Temptation (2015), and The King in Love (2017).[14]

It was tentatively titled as July Found by Chance (어쩌다 발견한 7월; Eojjeoda balgyeonhan 7wol), the same title as the webtoon which it was based on.[15]

Casting

[edit]

On March 27, 2019, it was reported that Kim Hye-yoon was in talks to star in the series.[16] On May 9, it was announced that Rowoon had been cast for the male lead role.[17] On June 10, Kim and Rowoon confirmed their roles, alongside Lee Jae-wook.[18] In the following days, additional cast members including, Lee Na-eun, Jung Gun-joo, Kim Young-dae, Lee Tae-ri, and Kim Ji-in also confirmed their participation.[19][9]

It was later revealed that the casting process alone spanned three months.[20] Initially, Kim Hye-yoon was cast as a candidate for the role of Yeo Joo-da. However, after a meeting with the director, he increasingly saw her as a perfect fit for Eun Dan-oh.[21] Rowoon had originally planned to audition for the role of Baek Kyung. Yet, after in-depth discussions with the director, he was ultimately chosen for the role of Haru instead. Similarly, Lee Jae-wook, who had initially auditioned for the role of Haru, ultimately took on the role of Baek Kyung after the director felt he would better synchronize with that character.[22]

Release

[edit]

The series was initially set for first broadcast in September 25, 2019, but it was postponed to October 2, 2019 to the preemption of the previous show during the Chuseok holiday.[23]

From March 16, 2022, MBC TV arranged a rerun of Extraordinary You in anticipation of the premiere of Rowoon's new drama Tomorrow. This rerun spanned for four weeks.[24] Additionally, on June 6, 2024, MBC also scheduled a two-day rerun on the MBC On channel, specifically on the 8th and 9th, in response to Kim Hye-yoon's sudden surge in popularity due to her role in Lovely Runner.[25]

Original soundtrack

[edit]
Extraordinary You:
Original Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
ReleasedNovember 20, 2019
GenreSoundtrack
Length204:41
Language
Label
  • VLENDING
  • MusicBuddy

Extraordinary You: Original Soundtrack

[edit]

The drama's soundtrack is compiled in a three-part album released by labels VLENDING and MusicBuddy on 20 November 2019. CD 1 contains the drama's theme songs and their instrumental versions, CDs 2 and 3 contain the drama's musical score.[2][26][27]

Extraordinary You: Original Soundtrack
CD 1
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Feeling"
  • Taibian
  • JeA
  • Siha
April3:08
2."My Beauty"
  • Kim Bum-ju
  • Kim Si-hyuk
  • Kim Bum-ju
  • Kim Si-hyuk
Verivery[r]3:51
3."First Love" (첫사랑)Epitone ProjectEpitone ProjectSondia3:45
4."First Love (Drama Version)" (첫사랑 Drama Version)Epitone ProjectEpitone ProjectEpitone Project4:00
5."Today I Wanna Say That I Love You" (오늘은 꼭)
  • Han-joon
  • Park Se-joon
GOTCHA!GOTCHA!2:37
6."The Story That Has Never Been Told" (한 번도 하지 못한 이야기)
  • Han Kyung-soo
  • Choi Han-sol
  • Han Kyung-soo
  • Choi Han-sol
Sondia4:04
7."Neverending Story" (끝나지 않을 이야기)
  • Park Se-joon
  • Taibian
  • Changbin (Stray Kids)
  • Taibian
  • Baaq
  • CHKmate
Stray Kids4:05
8."Draw You" (너를 그린다)
  • Park Se-joon
  • Han Joon
  • Kim Chang-rak
  • Kim Soo-bin
Jeong Se-woon4:43
9."Feeling" (instrumental) 
  • Taibian
  • JeA
  • Siha
April3:08
10."My Beauty" (instrumental) 
  • Kim Bum-ju
  • Kim Si-hyuk
Verivery3:52
11."First Love" (첫사랑) (instrumental) Epitone ProjectSondia3:45
12."First Love (Drama Version)" (첫사랑 Drama Version) (instrumental) Epitone ProjectEpitone Project4:00
13."Today I Wanna Say That I Love You" (오늘은 꼭) (instrumental) GOTCHA!GOTCHA!2:37
14."The Story That Has Never Been Told" (한 번도 하지 못한 이야기) (instrumental) 
  • Han Kyung-soo
  • Choi Han-sol
Sondia4:04
15."Neverending Story" (끝나지 않을 이야기) (instrumental) 
  • Taibian
  • Baaq
  • CHKmate
Stray Kids4:05
16."Draw You" (너를 그린다) (instrumental) 
  • Kim Chang-rak
  • Kim Soo-bin
Jeong Se-woon4:43
Total length:60:27
CD 2
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Walk This Sky"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
1:25
2."See the Fantasy"Lee Nyum2:27
3."A Door to Time"Lee Nyum3:01
4."Through Time"
  • Kim Dong-hyuk
  • Lee Han-bum
3:32
5."Touch by Touch"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Yoon-shik
2:36
6."Center Girl"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
1:36
7."Solitude"Song Jae-kyung1:40
8."Yellow Sky"
  • Song Jin-suk
  • Hwang Seung-pil
2:26
9."Conti"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
3:40
10."By Chance"Lee Nyum2:26
11."Burning Light"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Sang-jin
2:05
12."Pearly Rain"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Yoon-shik
2:44
13."Tricky"
  • Kim Dong-hyuk
  • Lee Han-bum
1:59
14."Shiny Morning"Song Jae-kyung3:04
15."Poop"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
3:28
16."There's a Problem"Lee Nyum1:52
17."A Blank of Memory"Park Se-joon2:39
18."Hype"
  • Kim Dong-hyuk
  • Lee Han-bum
1:51
19."Dazzlingly Love"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
2:10
20."Ocean Dreams"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Yoon-shik
2:42
21."Heart Memory"Lee Nyum2:41
22."Ego"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
1:55
23."High School Runway"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
1:33
24."House of Glass"
  • Song Jin-suk
  • Hwang Seung-pil
1:52
25."By Accident"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
2:24
26."Where Are We"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Sang-jin
1:55
27."Glow"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
2:42
28."A Turbulent Period"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
1:42
29."Strange Feeling"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
1:58
Total length:68:05
CD 3
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Honey Butter"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
1:45
2."What Little Girl Want"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
1:32
3."Connecting Room"Park Se-joon1:56
4."Cloud Cotton"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
2:51
5."Summer Star"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Sang-jin
3:15
6."A Cat on the Marimba"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Yoon-shik
1:18
7."A Girl on the Moon"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Yoon-shik
2:20
8."Rainbow Stairs"
  • Song Jin-suk
  • Hwang Seung-pil
1:20
9."Cloudy Sky"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
2:45
10."Get In"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
1:07
11."Exam Time" (시험시간)Lee Nyum1:43
12."Zap Zap"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
1:27
13."Light House"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Yoon-shik
2:13
14."Lovely Girl"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
1:55
15."King's First Love"Lee Nyum2:52
16."Requiem for Schizophrenia"
  • Song Jin-suk
  • Hwang Seung-pil
2:12
17."Perfume"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
2:20
18."Secret"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
1:52
19."Your Vacant Seat" (너의 빈자리)Lee Nyum2:25
20."Wing"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
1:43
21."Extra"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
1:47
22."Dark Side"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
2:05
23."Butterfly Effect" (나비효과)Park Se-joon2:22
24."System of Love"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
2:11
25."A Comic Found by Chance" (어쩌다 발견한 코믹)Lee Nyum1:43
26."Take"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
1:43
27."Head Ring"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Woo Ji-hoon
2:35
28."Suspicious Friend" (수상한 친구)Lee Nyum1:55
29."Blue King"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Kim Min-ji
1:58
30."A Shocking Comic" (어쩌다 심쿵 코믹)Lee Nyum2:01
31."Removing Nuclear"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Song Jin-suk
2:15
32."Jeremy"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Yoon-shik
1:47
33."Drone Tension II"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Song Jin-suk
2:05
34."End of Dawn"
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Yoon-shik
3:25
35."Fallen Ring" (떨어진 반지)Lee Nyum2:01
36."A Time for You and Me" (너와 나의 시간)
  • Park Se-joon
  • Na Yoon-shik
3:25
Total length:76:09

Singles

[edit]

The following is the track list of singles from Extraordinary You: Original Soundtrack.

Singles from Extraordinary You (Parts 1–8)
Part 1
Released on October 2, 2019 (2019-10-02)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Feeling"
  • Taibian
  • JeA
  • Siha
April3:08
2."Feeling" (Inst.) 
  • TAIBIAN
  • JeA
  • Siha
 3:08
Total length:6:16
Part 2
Released on October 9, 2019 (2019-10-09)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."My Beauty"
  • Kim Bum-ju
  • Kim Si-hyuk
  • Kim Bum-ju
  • Kim Si-hyuk
Verivery[r]3:51
2."My Beauty" (Inst.) 
  • Kim Bum-ju
  • Kim Si-hyuk
 3:51
Total length:7:42
Part 3
Released on October 16, 2019 (2019-10-16)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."First Love" (첫사랑)Epitone ProjectEpitone ProjectSondia3:45
2."First Love" (Inst.) Epitone Project 3:45
Total length:7:30
Part 4
Released on October 23, 2019 (2019-10-23)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."First Love (Drama Ver.)" (첫사랑)Epitone ProjectEpitone ProjectEpitone Project4:00
2."First Love (Drama Ver.)" (Inst.) Epitone Project 4:00
Total length:8:00
Part 5
Released on October 30, 2019 (2019-10-30)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Today I Wanna Say That I Love You" (오늘은 꼭)
  • Han-joon
  • Park Se-joon
GOTCHA!GOTCHA!2:36
2."Today I Wanna Say That I Love You" (Inst.) GOTCHA! 2:36
Total length:5:12
Part 6
Released on November 6, 2019 (2019-11-06)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."The Story That Has Never Been Told" (한 번도 하지 못한 이야기)
  • Han Kyung-soo
  • Choi Han-sol
  • Han Kyung-soo
  • Choi Han-sol
Sondia4:04
2."The Story That Has Never Been Told" (Inst.) 
  • Han Kyung-soo
  • Choi Han-sol
 4:04
Total length:8:08
Part 7
Released on November 7, 2019 (2019-11-07)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Neverending Story" (끝나지 않을 이야기)
  • Park Se-joon
  • Taibian
  • Changbin (Stray Kids)
  • Taibian
  • Baaq
  • CHKmate
Stray Kids4:05
2."Neverending Story" (Inst.) 
  • Taibian
  • Baaq
  • CHKmate
 4:05
Total length:8:10
Part 8
Released on November 13, 2019 (2019-11-13)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Draw You" (너를 그린다)
  • Park Se-joon
  • Han Joon
  • Kim Chang-rak
  • Kim Soo-bin
Jeong Se-woon4:43
2."Draw You" (Inst.) 
  • Kim Chang-rak
  • Kim Soo-bin
 4:43
Total length:9:26

Reception

[edit]

Despite the considerably modest viewership ratings, Extraordinary You received positive reviews among younger Korean audiences.[28][29][30] The television series also won the 'Drama of the Year' award at MBC Drama Awards through viewers' voting.[31]

Regarding this, Ha Jae-geun, a popular culture critic, said, "The younger generation has recently been flocking to online platforms such as YouTube instead of TV, and the main TV consumers have shifted to the middle-aged and older generations." He continued, "I think that as a broadcasting company, we have achieved meaningful results in successfully forming a consensus by communicating with the younger generation."[32]

Average TV viewership ratings (nationwide)
Ep. Broadcast date Nielsen Korea[33][34]
1 October 2, 2019 3.1% (40th)
2 3.5% (36th)
3 October 3, 2019 2.2% (49th)
4 3.3% (32nd)
5 October 9, 2019[s] 2.9% (37th)
6 3.9% (28th)
7 2.7% (41st)
8 3.1% (35th)
9 October 16, 2019 3.1% (36th)
10 4.1% (36th)
11 October 17, 2019 3.0% (24th)
12 3.8% (32nd)
13 October 23, 2019 3.1% (24th)
14 4.1% (32nd)
15 October 24, 2019 3.2% (24th)
16 3.5% (32nd)
17 October 30, 2019 3.0% (27th)
18 3.7% (36th)
19 October 31, 2019 2.9% (26th)
20 3.3% (36th)
21 November 6, 2019 3.1% (32nd)
22 3.6% (33rd)
23 November 7, 2019 3.1% (28th)
24 3.6% (29th)
25 November 13, 2019 2.9% (24th)
26 3.1% (37th)
27 November 14, 2019 2.7% (35th)
28 3.0% (36th)
29 November 20, 2019 3.0% (37th)
30 3.3% (33rd)
31 November 21, 2019 2.6% (39th)
32 3.6% (29th)
Average 3.2%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2021 Best New Actor Lee Jae-wook Nominated [35]
Popular Star Award, Actor Nominated [36]
Baeksang Arts Awards 2020 Best New Actor – Television Nominated [37]
Grimae Awards 2019 Best New Actor Rowoon Won [38]
MBC Drama Awards 2019 Drama of the Year Extraordinary You Won [39]
Excellence Award, Actress in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama Kim Hye-yoon Won [40]
Best Supporting Cast in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama Lee Tae-ri Nominated
Best New Actor Rowoon Won [41]
Lee Jae-wook Won
Jung Gun-joo Nominated
Kim Young-dae Nominated
Best New Actress Kim Hye-yoon Won [42]
Lee Na-eun Nominated
Best Couple Award Kim Hye-yoon, Rowoon and Lee Jae-wook Nominated [37]
Seoul International Drama Awards 2020 Outstanding Korean Drama Extraordinary You Won [43][unreliable source?]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Extraordinary You

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Extraordinary You is a South Korean fantasy romance television series that aired on MBC from October 2 to November 21, 2019, consisting of 32 episodes broadcast on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The series, directed by Kim Sang-hyub and Kim Sang-woo, follows Eun Dan-oh, a high with a heart condition who discovers she is a in a comic and rebels against her predetermined fate to pursue true love and autonomy. Adapted from the July Found by Chance by Muryu, the screenplay was written by In Ji-hye and Song Ha-young, blending elements of , youth , and meta-fiction as characters become aware of their scripted lives within "stages" controlled by an unseen author. Starring as Eun Dan-oh, as the mysterious Haru, as Baek Kyung, and as Yeo Joo-da, the production was handled by RaemongRaein Co. Ltd. and garnered positive reception for its innovative storytelling and character development, achieving an average rating of 8.3/10 on MyDramaList from over 82,600 users as of November 2025. The explores themes of , identity, and romance, earning praise for its whimsical yet poignant narrative that critiques the constraints of tropes in serialized .

Overview

Genre and format

Extraordinary You is a South Korean television series classified primarily in the genres of fantasy and romance, with significant elements of and . The story blends meta-fictional techniques, where characters become aware of their scripted lives within a , incorporating romantic entanglements and humorous self-referential moments. The series follows a standard K-drama format as a broadcast television program, originally airing on MBC from October 2 to November 21, 2019, in 32 episodes, each approximately 35 minutes long. It was scheduled for Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:00 KST, with two episodes broadcast per airing day to fit the typical short-episode structure of South Korean network dramas. For international and online distribution, Extraordinary You is often presented in an alternate format of 16 one-hour episodes, combining pairs of the original short episodes to align with streaming platform preferences. This dual structure allows flexibility across different viewing contexts while maintaining the core episodic progression.

Premise

Extraordinary You follows Eun Dan-oh, a 17-year-old high school student at the prestigious Seuli High School, who lives with a congenital heart condition that limits her daily life and future prospects. Engaged to the school's most popular student, Baek Kyung, through an set by their wealthy families, Dan-oh's existence appears ordinary on the surface. However, the core premise revolves around her shocking discovery that she and her entire world are characters in a serialized romance titled Secret. Upon gaining this self-awareness, Dan-oh realizes her actions, relationships, and even her illness are scripted by the webtoon's artist, positioning her as a mere extra with little agency in the main romantic plot between the protagonists. This meta-narrative setup allows her to perceive faint glimpses of upcoming panels, which only she can see, revealing the predetermined events of her life. Frustrated by her scripted fate—including her engagement and deteriorating health—Dan-oh resolves to rebel against the narrative, using her newfound insight to improvise deviations from the plot and assert control over her destiny. The series, adapted from the webtoon July Found by Chance by author Moo Ryoo and serialized on Daum Webtoon from January 18, 2018, to September 19, 2019, delves into themes of free will versus predestination, identity within constructed realities, and the pursuit of authentic love beyond imposed roles. Through Dan-oh's journey, the story examines how secondary characters in a fictional universe might awaken to challenge their marginalization and seek meaningful existence.

Cast

Main cast

The main cast of Extraordinary You features rising South Korean actors portraying the central characters in this fantasy romance drama, which revolves around high school students discovering their lives are scripted in a manhwa (Korean comic). Kim Hye-yoon stars as Eun Dan-oh, the protagonist who uncovers that she is an extra character in the comic titled Secret, leading her to challenge her predetermined fate. This role marked Hye-yoon's first lead in a drama following her supporting turn in SKY Castle. Rowoon, a member of the idol group SF9, plays Haru (also known as Student Number 13), an unnamed extra who gains self-awareness and becomes Dan-oh's ally in breaking free from the script. His performance as the gentle yet determined Haru earned widespread praise and helped elevate his acting profile beyond music. Lee Jae-wook portrays Baek Kyung, the brooding male lead of Secret and Dan-oh's scripted fiancé, whose character arc explores resentment toward his controlled existence. Jae-wook's nuanced depiction of Kyung's internal conflict contributed to the drama's emotional depth. Lee Na-eun, from the girl group , takes on the role of Yeo Joo-da, Dan-oh's cheerful best friend entangled in her own subplot romance within the . Her portrayal highlighted Joo-da's loyalty and hidden vulnerabilities. Kim Young-dae appears as Oh Nam-joo, the athletic and devoted boyfriend to Joo-da, whose actions drive key tensions in the love quadrangle. This debut lead role showcased Young-dae's ability to convey earnest determination.

Supporting cast

The supporting cast of Extraordinary You encompasses a diverse ensemble of actors who portray Dan-oh's classmates, family members, and peripheral figures within the manhwa world, enriching the themes of fate, identity, and relationships in the series. Key among them is , who plays Lee Do-hwa, Dan-oh's steadfast best friend and a member of the elite club; his character grapples with for Yeo Joo-da while supporting Dan-oh's quest for . Lee Tae-ri appears as Jin-mi-che, the enigmatic school cafeteria worker nicknamed the "Dried Squid Fairy," who possesses meta-knowledge of the comic's structure and aids the protagonists in navigating stage boundaries. Among Dan-oh's immediate circle, Kim Ji-in plays Shin Sae-mi, a gossipy classmate with a crush on Nam-joo, often involved in the group's dynamics and minor conflicts. Kim Hyun-mok depicts Ahn Soo-chul, an aspiring web vlogger and comic enthusiast whose side hobby uncovers clues about the characters' scripted lives. The family roles are filled by actors such as Um Hyo-sup as Eun Mu-young, Dan-oh's father who represents the pressures of wealth and legacy, and Choi Jin-ho as Baek Dae-sung, Baek Kyung's father. Additional supporting performers include Kim Jung-hak as the homeroom teacher, who enforces the school's rigid order mirroring the comic's constraints, and various classmates like Jung Ye-nok as Kim Il-jin, a bully in Nam-joo's fan circle, contributing to the portrayal of high school rivalries. These roles collectively amplify the narrative's exploration of secondary characters gaining agency beyond their original plotlines.

Production

Development

"Extraordinary You" originated as an of the South Korean "July Found by Chance" (어쩌다 발견한 7월), written and illustrated by Moo Ryu under the pen name Moo Ryoo. The , a fantasy romance blending elements of comedy and high school drama, began serialization on Daum Webtoon (now ) on January 18, 2018, and quickly gained popularity for its meta-narrative exploring themes of fate, , and fictional characters rebelling against their scripted lives. By early 2019, the 's success prompted its selection for adaptation by MBC, marking it as one of several high-profile webtoon-to-drama projects that year. The screenplay was penned by In Ji-hye and Song Ha-young, who expanded the 's core premise while incorporating additional character arcs and plot developments to suit the 32-episode format aired in two parts per broadcast slot. Produced by MBC in collaboration with RaemongRaein Co., Ltd., the project emphasized to depict the "stages" and "shadows" central to the story's comic-book world. The author, Moo Ryu, later praised the adaptation for its distinct charm, highlighting the directors' handling of romantic tension and the cast's performances in bringing the characters to life. Pre-production commenced in early 2019, with casting announcements starting on May 9 when SF9's was confirmed as the male lead, Haru. By June 10, lead actress and supporting cast members including were finalized. The first script reading took place on June 21, 2019, where the ensemble displayed strong chemistry, setting an energetic tone for filming. This phase aligned with MBC's scheduling to replace "" in the Wednesday-Thursday prime-time slot, culminating in the series' premiere on October 2, 2019.

Casting

The casting process for Extraordinary You spanned over three months, with director Kim Sang-hyup prioritizing rookie actors who demonstrated passion, ambition, and untapped potential to portray the drama's youthful ensemble. He emphasized selecting performers eager to hone their skills, stating, "We picked actors who not only had the passion and ambition of rookies, but also a lot of potential. They work hard in order to improve their . I think that these actors will be ones to watch in the future." This approach resulted in a blending emerging talents from and idol backgrounds, contributing to the series' fresh dynamic. In June 2019, the lead roles were officially confirmed, marking significant milestones for the actors involved. , fresh off her breakout villainous turn in , was cast as the protagonist Eun Dan-oh, a high school girl discovering her scripted existence in a comic book world; this was her first leading role in a broadcast drama. SF9's secured the male lead as Haru (initially known as "Number 13"), an enigmatic extra character who defies the story's predestined plot, representing his debut in a leading drama role. was selected as Baek Gyeong, Dan-oh's cold and entitled fiancé from the comic's main storyline, building on his prior supporting appearances in and Search: WWW. Rowoon's agency highlighted his intent to align closely with the webtoon character's essence. Supporting roles were filled with similarly rising stars, enhancing the high school setting's layered relationships. APRIL's was cast as Yeo Joo-da, the comic's idealized heroine and Dan-oh's rival, in what became a pivotal breakthrough for her acting career following web dramas like . In a pre-premiere , Naeun shared her initial excitement, noting, "When I first got the role, I was excited because I thought I was playing a lead role," only to embrace the character's complexity as the narrative unfolded. portrayed Lee Do-hwa, a cheerful extra harboring secret feelings, while took on Oh Nam-joo, the school's charismatic student president entangled in a . played Jin Mi-chae (also known as the "Dried Squid Fairy"), Dan-oh's quirky best friend and fellow extra. These selections underscored the production's focus on chemistry among newcomers, with the full main cast teased in promotional materials by September 2019 ahead of the October premiere.

Filming

Principal photography for Extraordinary You began following the first script reading, which took place on June 21, 2019, in . The production was handled by Raemong Raein in collaboration with MBC, utilizing a to capture the series' 32 episodes, each approximately 35 minutes long. Filming occurred primarily in , with the shoot aligning with the drama's premiere on October 2, 2019, indicating a pre-broadcast completion typical of MBC's Wednesday-Thursday slot productions. To depict the prestigious Seuli High School setting central to the story, the production team filmed at multiple university campuses across the country, leveraging their architectural and scenic variety to evoke a high school atmosphere. Key locations included Tongwon University in , in , in , and in , among at least two others to total six universities. Additional exterior and supplementary scenes were shot at sites such as Gyeonggi English Village in and areas around Namsan Tower in . Camera director Yoon Kwon Soo emphasized innovative techniques to reflect the webtoon's aesthetic, selecting key colors from the original comic and integrating them into the visuals. For lead character Ha Roo's scenes, a gentle hand-held camerawork style was employed, mimicking breathing or a heartbeat to create intimacy and romance, differing from typical tense handheld shots. An underwater sequence, where Ha Roo saves Eun Dan-oh, was filmed with delicate, soft movements, contributing to strong audience engagement and high viewership for those episodes. The close collaboration between the camera team and actors fostered a stable set environment, enhancing performances.

Episodes

Episode list

Extraordinary You consists of 32 episodes, each approximately 35 minutes long, which were generally broadcast in pairs on Wednesdays and Thursdays from October 2 to November 21, 2019, at 21:00 KST on MBC TV, except for episodes 5–8 which aired consecutively on October 9 due to a scheduling adjustment for a sports broadcast. The series does not have official individual episode titles. The episodes follow the story across three interconnected comic book stages within the narrative: Secret, Trumpet Creeper, and July Found by Chance. Below is the list of episodes grouped by air date.
No.Original air date
1–2October 2, 2019
3–4October 3, 2019
5–8October 9, 2019
9–10October 16, 2019
11–12October 17, 2019
13–14October 23, 2019
15–16October 24, 2019
17–18October 30, 2019
19–20October 31, 2019
21–22November 6, 2019
23–24November 7, 2019
25–26November 13, 2019
27–28November 14, 2019
29–30November 20, 2019
31–32November 21, 2019

Viewership ratings

"Extraordinary You" recorded an average nationwide viewership rating of 3.2 percent, as measured by Nielsen Korea, across its 32- run from October 2 to November 21, 2019. The series debuted modestly in the competitive Wednesday-Thursday 9:00 p.m. KST time slot on MBC, attracting 3.1 percent for 1 and 3.5 percent for 2 on its premiere date. Ratings remained consistent, peaking at 4.1 percent for episodes 6, 10, and 14, while the lowest point was 2.2 percent for 3. The finale episodes 31 and 32 achieved 2.6 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively, reflecting steady but unremarkable performance typical for cable and mid-tier broadcast dramas during that period.
DateEpisodesFirst Half (%)Second Half (%)
2019-10-021-23.13.5
2019-10-033-42.23.3
2019-10-095-82.9 (ep.5), 2.7 (ep.7)3.9 (ep.6), 3.1 (ep.8)
2019-10-169-103.14.1
2019-10-1711-123.03.8
2019-10-2313-143.14.1
2019-10-2415-163.23.5
2019-10-3017-183.03.7
2019-10-3119-202.93.3
2019-11-0621-223.13.6
2019-11-0723-243.13.6
2019-11-1325-262.93.1
2019-11-1427-282.73.0
2019-11-2029-303.03.3
2019-11-2131-322.63.6
Note: Episodes 5-8 aired on due to a scheduling adjustment for a sports broadcast; no episodes aired on October 10. All figures are nationwide averages from Nielsen Korea.

Release

Broadcast

Extraordinary You aired on (MBC) in from 2, 2019, to November 21, 2019. The drama occupied MBC's Wednesday and Thursday 20:55 KST time slot, with each episode running approximately 35 minutes; two episodes were typically broadcast back-to-back each night, totaling about 70 minutes per airing. The series consisted of 32 episodes in total. Due to coverage of South Korea's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against on October 10, 2019, the Thursday broadcast was preempted, and episodes 5 through 8 aired consecutively on , , in an extended two-hour slot starting at 20:55 KST. The remaining episodes followed the standard schedule thereafter.

International distribution

As of November 2025, "Extraordinary You" has been distributed internationally primarily through major streaming platforms, making it accessible to audiences worldwide with subtitles in multiple languages. The series has also been released on DVD and Blu-ray in various regions, with a Director's Edition Blu-ray re-issue planned for December 2025. Rakuten Viki, a prominent platform for Asian content, offers the series globally with English, Italian, and Hungarian subtitles, requiring a Viki Pass subscription for full access. The drama is available on Viki and at least 17 other countries, facilitating broad international viewership shortly after its South Korean . On , the series is streamed in several Asian markets, including , , , , the Philippines, , and , though it is not available in the United States. This regional licensing allows viewers in these countries to watch episodes with localized subtitles, contributing to its popularity in Southeast and . provides the show internationally, including in the United States, where it is listed with English subtitles and has garnered positive user ratings. Kocowa+, a service focused on Korean entertainment for North American audiences, streams "Extraordinary You" with English subtitles, targeting viewers in the and . Additionally, it is accessible on Apple TV in select regions such as and parts of , further expanding its reach to Western markets. These distribution agreements underscore the drama's global appeal, driven by its unique fantasy-romance premise and strong ensemble cast.

Soundtrack

Original soundtrack album

The original soundtrack album for the South Korean television series Extraordinary You (Korean: Eojjeoda Balgyeonhan Haru) was released digitally on November 20, 2019, by V Lending Co., Ltd., shortly after the drama's finale aired on MBC, with physical editions following in January 2020. The album compiles eight main vocal tracks performed by prominent K-pop and ballad artists, alongside 29 instrumental score pieces composed to underscore the series' fantasy-romance narrative, totaling 81 tracks across digital formats, including instrumental versions. Produced in collaboration with Music Buddy, the soundtrack emphasizes themes of youthful love, self-discovery, and alternate realities, with contributions from groups like APRIL and VERIVERY, as well as soloists such as Sondia and Jeong Sewoon. The vocal tracks were released episodically during the drama's broadcast from October 2 to November 21, 2019, allowing fans to engage with the music in sync with key plot moments. Standout singles include "Feeling" by APRIL, an upbeat pop track capturing the thrill of newfound emotions; "My Beauty" by VERIVERY, which conveys infatuation through energetic synth-pop; and "First Love" by Sondia, a tender ballad reflecting innocent romance, later reinterpreted in a drama version by Epitone Project. Other notable songs are "Neverending Story" by Stray Kids, marking the group's first drama OST contribution with its motivational hip-hop style, and "I Draw You" by Jeong Sewoon, a soulful acoustic piece highlighting longing. These tracks, along with "Today, I Really" by GOTCHA! and "A Story I Couldn't Tell" by Sondia, were praised for enhancing emotional depth without overpowering the dialogue. The instrumental scores, primarily composed by Park Se-joon, feature orchestral and electronic elements to evoke the webtoon-inspired world of the series, including motifs like "Walk This Sky" for adventurous scenes and "A Door to Time" for transitional moments. The full album's physical edition, available as a 2-CD or 3-CD set, includes a 48-page photobook with drama stills and , appealing to collectors. Upon release, the soundtrack topped Korean music charts on platforms like and , with individual parts achieving high streams, underscoring its role in amplifying the drama's popularity among young audiences.
PartTitleArtistRelease Date
Part 1FeelingAPRILOctober 2, 2019
Part 2October 9, 2019
Part 3First LoveSondiaOctober 16, 2019
Part 4First Love (Drama Ver.)Epitone ProjectOctober 23, 2019
Part 5Today, I ReallyGOTCHA!October 30, 2019
Part 6A Story I Couldn't TellSondiaNovember 6, 2019
Part 7Neverending StoryNovember 7, 2019
Part 8I Draw YouNovember 13, 2019

Singles

The singles from the Extraordinary You were released weekly as digital singles during the drama's broadcast run, each featuring a main vocal track alongside its version. These parts primarily consisted of ballad-style songs tailored to the series' themes of romance, fantasy, and self-discovery, performed by a mix of established and emerging artists. The releases were handled by distributed labels under major companies such as , , and , and were made available on platforms like , , and international services including and . The following table lists the eight main vocal singles (Parts 1–8), including their titles, artists, and release dates:
PartTitleArtistRelease Date
1"Feeling"October 2, 2019
2"My Beauty"October 9, 2019
3"First Love" (첫사랑)SondiaOctober 16, 2019
4"First Love (Drama Ver.)" (첫사랑 드라마 버전)Epitone ProjectOctober 23, 2019
5"Today, I Really" (오늘은 꼭)GOTCHA!October 30, 2019
6"A Story I Couldn't Tell" (한 번도 하지 못한 이야기)SondiaNovember 6, 2019
7"Neverending Story" (끝나지 않은 이야기)November 7, 2019
8"I Draw You" (너를 그린다)November 13, 2019
Among these, Part 7 by marked the group's first drama OST contribution and garnered significant attention, peaking at number 11 on the Gaon Digital Chart and contributing to the track's streaming success on platforms like , where its music video exceeded 10 million views within months of release. Similarly, Part 8 by resonated with fans for its emotional depth, aligning with the series finale, and was promoted through official music videos on channels like 1theK. The singles collectively enhanced the drama's atmospheric storytelling without individual physical releases, focusing instead on digital distribution to coincide with episode airings.

Reception

Critical response

"Extraordinary You" received generally positive critical reception for its innovative premise and strong character portrayals, particularly in the early episodes, though some reviewers noted a decline in pacing and narrative consistency later in the series. The drama's meta-exploration of tropes and themes of versus fate was praised for its clever execution and self-aware humor, setting it apart from typical romantic comedies. Critics highlighted the exceptional performances of leads Kim Hye-yoon as Eun Dan-oh and Rowoon as Haru (Number 13), describing Dan-oh's portrayal as "phenomenal" and "lovable" for capturing her awakening and determination. The supporting cast, including Lee Jae-wook as Baek Kyung, was commended for adding depth to the ensemble dynamics within the artificial world. Reviewers appreciated the tight storytelling in the first half, which built an engaging world without filler, allowing for subtle emotional layers and intelligent commentary on genre clichés. However, the series faced for its second half, where repetitive scenes and unresolved plot elements, such as the rules of the world and the Writer's intentions, led to a sense of stagnation. Some found the finale's resolutions bittersweet and clichéd, providing emotional closure for main characters like Dan-oh and Haru but leaving secondary arcs, including those of Soo Hyang and the Dried Squid Fairy, feeling underdeveloped. Baek Kyung's arc drew mixed reactions, with his initial cruelty frustrating viewers despite eventual growth. Overall, despite these flaws, the drama was viewed as a refreshing and heartfelt entry in the , with its emphasis on transcending scripted fates resonating emotionally and earning praise for a satisfying, if imperfect, conclusion.

Audience and cultural impact

Despite achieving domestic television viewership ratings consistently below 5%, Extraordinary You cultivated a strong , particularly among younger audiences who praised its fresh meta-narrative blending romance, fantasy, and about tropes. The series resonated with teens and young adults through its exploration of agency, fate, and high school dynamics, earning acclaim for subverting typical K-drama clichés like the second-lead syndrome. Internationally, the drama gained traction on streaming platforms such as Viki and Prime Video, where it was highlighted in lists of top youth-oriented K-dramas for its inventive plot involving characters awakening within a world. It holds an user rating of 7.8 out of 10 from over 7,000 votes, reflecting sustained popularity among global viewers drawn to its whimsical yet philosophical take on existence and love. The cultural impact of Extraordinary You extends to inspiring meta elements in later webtoon-based K-dramas, emphasizing characters' awareness of their scripted lives and influencing adaptations that blur reality and fiction. Its success prompted a Chinese remake titled One Day in July, announced in 2025, which began filming in 2025 and stars Shen Yue and Edward Chen Haosen, underscoring the series' role in cross-cultural exchange within Asian entertainment.

Awards and nominations

Awards won

At the 2019 MBC Drama Awards, Extraordinary You was honored with the Viewers' Choice Drama of the Year award, reflecting its strong popularity among audiences. Lead actress received the Excellence Award for an Actress in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama and the Best New Actress award for her portrayal of Eun Dan-oh. Male leads and shared the Best New Actor award for their roles as Haru and Baek Kyung, respectively. In December 2019, also won the New Actor Award at the Grimae Awards for his performance in the series. At the 2020 Brand of the Year Awards, was awarded Male Idol-Actor of the Year, acknowledging his successful transition from idol to actor via Extraordinary You. received the Rookie Actor of the Year award, highlighting his breakout role. The series itself won the Outstanding Korean Drama award at the 15th Seoul International Drama Awards in 2020, recognizing its contribution to the global appeal of Korean content. Additionally, at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards, Kim Hye-yoon earned the Actress Potential Award for her work in Extraordinary You.

Nominations

At the 2019 MBC Drama Awards, the cast of Extraordinary You dominated the rookie categories, with all six lead actors—Kim Hye-yoon, Rowoon, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Na-eun, Jung Gun-joo, and Kim Young-dae—nominated for Rookie of the Year honors. Specifically, in the Best New Actor category, Kim Young-dae and Jung Gun-joo received nominations alongside their co-stars. Kim Hye-yoon and Rowoon were also nominated for the Best Couple Award, recognizing their on-screen chemistry as Eun Dan-oh and the male lead characters. Lee Jae-wook earned a nomination for Best New Actor in the television category at the in 2020, highlighting his breakout performance as Baek Kyung. The series itself was nominated in the Kids: Live-Action category at the 9th International Emmy Kids Awards in 2020, acknowledging its innovative fantasy narrative suitable for younger audiences while appealing broadly.
Award CeremonyYearCategoryNominee(s)
MBC Drama Awards2019Best New Actor,
MBC Drama Awards2019Best Couple &
2020Best New Actor (TV)
International Emmy Kids Awards2020Kids: Live-ActionExtraordinary You

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