Heavenly Ever After Cast includes Kim Hye-ja as Lee Hae-sook, Son Suk-ku as Ko Nak-joon, Han Ji-min as Som-yi, Lee Jung-eun as Lee Young-ae, Chun Ho-jin as Center Director, and Ryu Deok-hwan as Pastor. This South Korean romantic fantasy drama follows the reunion of an elderly woman and her youthful husband in the afterlife.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Premiering in April 2025 on JTBC, Heavenly Ever After is a touching Korean fantasy-romance drama that weaves the bittersweet beauty of love, loss, and reunion in the afterlife. Set in a whimsical version of heaven, the drama explores what happens when unresolved emotions and lifelong bonds transcend mortality. At the heart of this emotional journey is a richly talented ensemble cast, each bringing depth and nuance to their characters.
Kim Hye-ja takes on the lead role as Lee Hae-sook, an 80-year-old woman who enters the afterlife but chooses to retain her elderly appearance rather than return to her youthful self. Her decision speaks volumes about her values, experiences, and the way she remembers love. Kim Hye-ja, revered for her legendary performances, brings grace and gravitas to the role.
Opposite her is Son Suk-ku as Ko Nak-joon, Hae-sook’s late husband, who has taken on the appearance of his 30s in heaven. He works as a postman delivering messages from the living, quietly embodying the heartbreak and hope of unfinished stories. Son’s layered performance captures the charm and emotional complexity of a man navigating eternal love.
Han Ji-min plays Som-yi, a mysterious woman who arrives in the afterlife without any memories. Her presence introduces a sense of curiosity and connection that eventually entwines her with Hae-sook and Nak-joon. Known for her emotional range, Han adds intrigue and empathy to the role.
Lee Jung-eun portrays Lee Young-ae, a maternal figure from Hae-sook’s past who is reunited with her in the afterlife. Her warm yet firm presence offers emotional grounding, and her relationship with Hae-sook reveals layers of mentorship and history.
Heavenly Ever After Cast
Kim Hye-ja as Lee Hae-sook
Kim Hye-ja plays the heart and soul of Heavenly Ever After as Lee Hae-sook, an 80-year-old woman who makes a profoundly symbolic choice: to enter the afterlife in her aged form. Hae-sook’s decision is rooted in acceptance and a desire for authenticity, offering a poignant perspective on aging and eternal love.
Kim Hye-ja is a legendary actress in South Korea, best known internationally for her powerful performance in Bong Joon-ho’s Mother (2009). Her presence brings a quiet strength and emotional gravitas that anchors the drama. Her portrayal of Hae-sook is subtle yet incredibly moving—conveying years of love, regret, and wisdom with every glance and gesture.
Son Suk-ku as Ko Nak-joon
Son Suk-ku plays Ko Nak-joon, Hae-sook’s husband, who passed away years ago and now exists in heaven as his 30-something self. He works as a postman delivering letters from the living to the departed—a poetic symbol of unresolved emotions and lingering bonds.
Nak-joon is charming, thoughtful, and slightly melancholic. His reunion with Hae-sook—now appearing as her older self—creates a powerful dynamic that explores love beyond physical appearances.
Son Suk-ku has recently risen to mainstream popularity thanks to acclaimed roles in My Liberation Notes and The Roundup film series. Known for his naturalistic acting style and emotional sincerity, he brings a quiet intensity to Nak-joon that resonates deeply.
Han Ji-min as Som-yi
Han Ji-min takes on the enigmatic role of Som-yi, a young woman who arrives in the afterlife with no memory of who she is or how she died. Her story unfolds alongside Hae-sook and Nak-joon, serving as both a catalyst for emotional healing and a bridge between different timelines and experiences.
Som-yi’s journey is one of self-discovery, loss, and rebirth, and Han Ji-min delivers a beautifully restrained yet emotionally rich performance.
Han is no stranger to deeply emotional roles, having starred in The Light in Your Eyes, One Spring Night, and Our Blues. Her ability to portray vulnerability, strength, and mystery all at once makes her a perfect fit for this character.
Supporting Cast
Lee Jung-eun as Lee Young-ae
Lee Jung-eun plays Lee Young-ae, a warm and wise presence in Hae-sook’s heavenly journey. In life, she served as a mentor and almost parental figure to Hae-sook, guiding her through difficult times. Now reunited in the afterlife, their bond deepens even further, showing how connections forged on Earth continue to shape souls in the next world.
Lee Jung-eun is best known internationally for her memorable role as the housekeeper in Parasite, but K-drama fans also recognize her from When the Camellia Blooms, Our Blues, and Juvenile Justice. Her incredible range allows her to bring both gravitas and charm to every role, and she adds heartfelt wisdom to Heavenly Ever After.
Chun Ho-jin as the Center Director
Chun Ho-jin portrays the Director of the Heaven Support Center, a central figure who oversees the emotional and logistical needs of new arrivals in the afterlife. Despite his title, he’s more of a gentle, grandfatherly presence—unofficially guiding souls with empathy and kindness. He’s someone who makes heaven feel less like a mysterious realm and more like a place of healing.
Chun Ho-jin has long been a staple in Korean dramas, especially in fatherly or elder mentor roles, with standout performances in My Golden Life, Once Again, and Hospital Playlist. His calm demeanor and warm delivery give the show a grounded, comforting atmosphere.
Ryu Deok-hwan as the Pastor
Ryu Deok-hwan plays a Pastor residing in heaven who encounters Hae-sook during her afterlife transition. Initially portrayed as idealistic and deeply rooted in faith, his perspective begins to evolve as he engages with Hae-sook and others. His arc explores spiritual questioning, second chances, and what it means to hold on to beliefs in a place where all truths seem relative.
Ryu Deok-hwan is a versatile actor who has taken on a wide range of roles, from God’s Quiz to Miss Hammurabi and The Quiz Show Scandal. His performance in Heavenly Ever After is both thoughtful and humorous, providing a philosophical layer to the narrative.
Conclusion
Heavenly Ever After isn’t just a story about what lies beyond this life—it’s a beautifully woven tale of enduring love, healing, and rediscovery. What truly brings this heartfelt narrative to life is its exceptional cast. From Kim Hye-ja’s emotionally rich portrayal of Lee Hae-sook to Son Suk-ku’s quietly profound Ko Nak-joon and Han Ji-min’s mysterious, soul-searching Som-yi, the leads deliver performances that resonate long after the credits roll.
Supporting them is a powerhouse ensemble—Lee Jung-eun, Chun Ho-jin, and Ryu Deok-hwan—who infuse the drama with wisdom, warmth, humor, and spiritual introspection. Together, they create a version of heaven that feels not only magical but achingly human.
Whether you’re drawn to emotional storytelling, character-driven narratives, or simply great acting, Heavenly Ever After offers a profound and unforgettable experience—made all the more powerful by a cast that feels like family by the end.
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FAQs
Who plays Lee Hae-sook in Heavenly Ever After?
Kim Hye-ja plays the role of Lee Hae-sook, an 80-year-old woman who enters the afterlife but chooses to retain her elderly appearance. Kim Hye-ja is a legendary actress in Korea, widely celebrated for her performances in both films and television, including Mother (2009).
What role does Son Suk-ku play in Heavenly Ever After?
Son Suk-ku portrays Ko Nak-joon, Hae-sook’s deceased husband who appears as his younger self in the afterlife. He works as a heavenly postman, delivering letters from the living. Son Suk-ku is known for his nuanced, emotionally grounded performances, including his breakout role in My Liberation Notes (2022).
Who is Han Ji-min playing in this drama?
Han Ji-min plays Som-yi, a mysterious woman who arrives in heaven with no memory of her past. Her journey of self-discovery and involvement with Hae-sook and Nak-joon adds depth to the storyline. Han Ji-min is a highly acclaimed actress, known for her roles in One Spring Night (2019) and Our Blues (2022).
What is the character of Lee Young-ae, and who plays her?
Lee Jung-eun portrays Lee Young-ae, a motherly figure who guided Hae-sook during her life on Earth and is now reunited with her in heaven. Lee Jung-eun is best known for her standout role in Parasite (2019) and has a long career in both film and television, bringing wisdom and warmth to her characters.
Who plays the Director of the Heaven Support Center?
Chun Ho-jin plays the Center Director, a fatherly and wise figure in heaven who helps guide new arrivals. Chun Ho-jin is a veteran actor in Korea, known for his roles in My Golden Life (2017) and Once Again (2020), where he often portrays elder mentors and patriarchs.
What role does Ryu Deok-hwan play in the drama?
Ryu Deok-hwan plays the Pastor, a resident of heaven who challenges his own faith and views of the afterlife after meeting Hae-sook. Ryu Deok-hwan has a wide range, from playing serious characters in God’s Quiz to more lighthearted roles in Miss Hammurabi (2018).
What is the significance of the cast’s age diversity in Heavenly Ever After?
The diversity in the ages of the cast—ranging from Kim Hye-ja’s portrayal of an elderly character to the youthful version of Son Suk-ku’s role—adds a layer of depth and meaning to the narrative. It emphasizes the theme that love, memory, and connection transcend physical age and time, which is a central motif in the series.
Where have the main actors appeared before?
Kim Hye-ja: Known for Mother (2009) and The Queen’s Flowers (2017).
Son Suk-ku: Famous for My Liberation Notes (2022) and The Roundup (2022).
Han Ji-min: Starred in One Spring Night (2019) and Our Blues (2022).
Lee Jung-eun: Known for Parasite (2019) and When the Camellia Blooms (2019).
Chun Ho-jin: Appeared in My Golden Life (2017) and Once Again (2020).
Ryu Deok-hwan: Famous for God’s Quiz (2010-2014) and Miss Hammurabi (2018).
What makes the cast of Heavenly Ever After stand out?
The cast is an extraordinary combination of seasoned actors and younger talents, each bringing their own unique strengths to the project. The performances are heartfelt, drawing on deep emotional resonance, and the chemistry between the lead and supporting cast enhances the show’s exploration of love, grief, and reunion in the afterlife.