Drama Profile
Title: Like Flowers in Sand (English title) / Flowers Bloom in the Sand (literal title)
Main Cast: Jang Dong-yoon, Lee Joo-myoung
Writer: Won Yoo-jung
PD: Kim Jin-woo (A Model Family, Suits, Healer, Good Doctor)
Timeslot: Wednesday & Thursday, 2100H KST
Network: ENA, Netflix
Episodes: 12
Genre: Coming-of-age, Sports
Plot Synopsis: This story is about young people striving to succeed in the city of Geosan, renowned for the traditional Korean wrestling sport of Ssireum. A former prodigy is on the verge of giving up but rediscovers his passion when he reconnects with a childhood friend.
Poulomi’s First Impression
Get ready for Like Flowers in the Sand, a drama as intense as a desert storm! Like flowers thriving in harsh sands, picture two resilient souls defying adversity. This story is entwined with the fierce energy of Ssireum, traditional wrestling played on relentless sandy grounds. The title song, a sand art masterpiece, beautifully intertwines our protagonists’ destinies with their gritty sport.
Enter Geosan, a timeless town brimming with village allure. Here, dialogues resonate with the earthy rhythm of rural life, while casual, everyday wear speaks of a simple, genuine existence. The actors authentically embody this raw, vibrant place, their every action capturing its unrefined essence. The setting, a world painted in muted hues yet alive with mysterious energy, resembles an ancient, forgotten village rich in secrets and history, inviting you into a narrative waiting to be unraveled. This drama, firmly set in its era and locale, ultimately draws you into its vividly realized world.
The drama plunges us into the thrilling 1989 Ssireum championships in Geosan, alive with festivity. Amidst the excitement, a wall humorously declares, “Oh Du-sik is a goofball.” In this vibrant chaos, a lone blurred figure running away and a mysterious, silent house captivate us, hinting at hidden secrets.
Fast-forward to 2023, and we’re in the thick of the action with Kim Baek-du (Jang Dong-yoon), who is tying his satba and walking towards the Ssireum arena. The announcer’s voice fills the air, speaking of Baek-du’s rising star yet shadowed by the absence of a championship win. The sad music intertwines with Baek-du’s laboured breathing, painting a vivid picture of the pressure, the gnawing fear of failure, and the storm of self-doubt. In a moment of vulnerability, he confesses that this match might be his last. Straight off the bat, I’m all in with Baek-du, our lovable underdog – totally hooked and cheering for him in his nail-biting Ssireum showdown!
The scene shifts to the high-stakes match preparations, where flashing cameras capture a younger wrestler effortlessly toppling Baek-du, each fall echoing his silent disappointments. Once a Ssireum prodigy, Baek-du now battles a reputation of failure, with each excuse amplifying ridicule. He stands out, not just as a competitor but as a misfit, his unique clumsiness drawing constant chiding. Even his coach seems to favour Lim Dong-seok (Kim Tae-jung), Baek-du’s victorious opponent.
As the drama intensifies, the focus shifts to an imminent elementary school reunion. Cho Seok-hui, noting a mysterious car, enters Lim Hun-ja’s hotel. Engrossed in counting money, Baek-du comes across the name Oh Du-sik, reigniting old memories. A peculiar customer’s arrival, observed from a mysterious car, adds another layer of intrigue.
At the reunion, Baek-du, seemingly oblivious, indulges in his meal while classmates bombard him with unsolicited Ssireum advice. Seok-hui stands as his lone defender against the critics. Enter Kwak Jin-su (Lee Jae-joon), a retired champion, adding an air of sarcasm and derogatory jabs. Baek-du, naïve and unaware, confronts Jin-su over an unpaid fee, leading to an embarrassing mishap where he chokes on food and inadvertently gulps down alcohol, much to everyone’s shock.
Later, we see drunk Bae-du walking down a lonely dark street shouting Du-sik’s name when a racing car topples him. It turns out that this is a quirky trademark move for Baek-du. Whether on a sandy beach or the hard asphalt, lying on his back seems to trigger a whimsical experience as if he’s transported to a serene sandy shore. Enter young Du-sik, genuinely concerned, questioning Baek-du’s well-being and prompting him to rise.
Baek-du emerges as an endearing, oversized child navigating the world with an adult’s awkwardness. He struggles to be taken seriously in social settings, occasionally appearing slow and lost. It’s as if he inhabits his own unique universe, marked by hallucinations of his past, constant self-mumbling, and frequent admonishments from his mother. Despite these challenges, his demeanour remains remarkably casual. However, subtle glances and gestures hint at the underlying complexities brewing beneath the surface. Jang Dong-yoon, with his cherubic countenance and boyish physique, delivers a captivating portrayal of Baek-du, leaving us in anticipation of what lies ahead for this character.
Our not-so-morning person, Baek-du, wakes up at home courtesy of a less-than-gentle slap from his no-nonsense mother, Ma Jin-sook (Jang Young-nam). As Baek-du rubs the sleep from his eyes, he’s greeted by a fog of confusion. The previous night’s events are a complete blur – no memory of the drinks, the journey home, nada. But wait, there’s a twist! A bruise on his left side becomes the unexpected souvenir of whatever mysterious escapade unfolded.
Suddenly, we’re whisked away to a scene involving a car, and guess what? It’s the same one that sent Baek-du sprawling on the road. This time, though, it’s being dredged out of a reservoir. And buckle up because the bombshell drops – a certain Choi Chil-seong (Won Hyun-joon) is no more. Yep, dead. Oops… the plot is definitely getting murkier.
Back on the streets, Baek-du, still in his mumbling state, catches the attention of Seok-hui in his police car. Asked about the previous night, Baek-du, in his classic honesty, admits to having added more foolish antics to his list during those inebriated blackouts. Surprise–he called his coach, declaring retirement if he does not triumph in the upcoming championship, and he is even considering a name change to Kim Ji-ri.
The two coaches are in a heated debate during the championship meeting. One who is rooting for Lim Dong-seok says it’s time for Baek-du to retire, citing age and a lack of recent victories, while the other holds onto hope for his skills. In its quirky way, the universe pairs Baek-du against his in-house top wrestler, Lim Dong-seok, who had previously bested him. The catch? It happens just as Baek-du is generously sharing his secret technique with him. Amid the absurdity, Baek-du remains utterly adorable and naive, caught in awkward charm.
In awkward exchanges with his coach, Baek-du’s internal turmoil is crystal clear. Both subtly feign optimism, grappling with the consequences of innocent mistakes like tournament draws and Baek-du accidentally revealing his unique technique. There’s a mutual understanding, a silent pact to hope against inevitable failure, and the weight of it all adds a poignant touch to their journey.
Back at the accident scene, the two Seoul Detectives delving into the case raise eyebrows – their actions seem suspicious, almost as if they’ve been quietly observing the victim for days. Even our hometown hero, Seok-hui, can’t help but wonder about their true motives. There’s a curious twist to this mystery – it’s pretty intriguing that the victim, a non-native, ended up here to meet his demise. Hmm…there’s a mysterious twist waiting to take centre stage. Buckle up because we’re in for a wild ride of unravelling secrets and unexpected turns!
In this town, there are two formidable factions of Ajusshis and Ahjummas, each holding court in their own domain. The Ajusshis convene in a makeshift gym, transforming a house into their hub of town gossip, while the Ahjummas congregate at Lim Hyun-ja’s restaurant or the bustling marketplace. The air is thick with the typical village chatter – speculative tales, intuitive dreams unfolding, and relentless nosy inquiries. It’s the quintessential village gossip, adding that extra touch of charm to the community narrative.
Enter the mysterious lady, portrayed by Lee Ju-myoung, who is making waves by dressing like a virgin ghost and wielding an umbrella as her shield wherever she goes. The Ajusshis and Ahjummas are buzzing with gossip about her peculiar arrival, turning the town into a hub of speculation.
But wait, there’s more intrigue. Tae-baek, Baek-du’s father and a former ssireum champion, has vanished into the mountains, now donning the hat of a ginseng digger. The big question looms: is he estranged from his family, or do the ties still bind under the same roof? The puzzle pieces are scattered, and we’re left wondering about Tae-baek’s enigmatic past.
And on the political front, Mayor Hong Man-sik (Kim Pub-lae) of Geosan throws a curveball. He’s intimidated by Tae-baek for reasons unknown and is keen to disband the ssireum team, citing it as a cost centre. However, his excitement peaks with the Geosan matches later this year – a paradox of professional interest amidst other motives.
Meet the eccentric Joo Mi-ran (Kim Bo-ra), her strangely coloured hair, and a café that seems misplaced in this small town. She’s a bit out of sync, not quite getting that “coffee” comes with two ‘e’s. In a self-talk with the mysterious lady, Mi-ran discusses the drowned man, noting the mysterious lady’s oddly unbothered reaction as if she knew about it all along.
Contemplating helping the detectives, Mi-ran hesitates because of their critique of her coffee-spelling mishap. The entire town is a quirky blend of weird and whimsical characters, and the atmosphere is thick with mystery. Ji-su casually strolls in, questioning the spelling of “coffe” like a regular. What’s the deal with this offbeat town?
As evening descends, Hyun-ja shuts down her ginseng grinding workshop adorned with championship photos of Tae-baek and a childhood picture of Baek-du. While securing the store, she spots the mysterious lady standing under an umbrella, gazing into the night. Jin-suk engages in self-talk about the town’s peculiar habit of mumbling to oneself, just as Baek-du, shouting “omma,” scampers by, eyeing the mysterious lady. His attention keeps drifting back to her.
Our overgrown baby is famished, devouring his meal while his mother tunes into the TV. Nervous about his match the next day, Baek-du craves attention, but he can’t express it. His mother senses something amiss but can’t quite grasp it. As the youngest sibling and the black sheep of the house, Baek-du is caught at the crossroads of anticipation and familial dynamics.
In the patrol car, Seok-hui is gripped by the murder case, sensing there’s more than meets the eye. Detectives from Seoul, surveillance on the man the day before – it all adds up to something significant. As the car passes the reservoir, an eerie sight unfolds; the mysterious woman under the umbrella, fixated on the dark waters.
On the day of the match, the mayor, engrossed in the footage, feels the winds of change with the entrance of Tae-baek. Ignoring the mayor, Tae-baek exudes a powerful and commanding presence, sending the mayor scuttling back to his seat. The atmosphere shifts, and Tae-baek’s aura dominates the scene.
At Hyun-ja’s restaurant, a joyful scene unfolds as she enthusiastically prepares kimchi, coaxing Jin-suk to taste it. Encouraging her to go to the arena and support her son, Hyun-ja faces Jin-suk’s resistance, who deems it boring. Yet, Hyun-ja’s cryptic response about it being Baek-du’s day leaves a mark.
As the concerned look lingers on Jin-suk’s face, she retreats to her space, mumbling and blaming everyone loudly. In a surprising turn, Jin-su discreetly slips away to a corner in the arena, silently watching the match. There’s more beneath the surface than meets the eye, painting a complex picture of emotions in this small-town drama.
Baek-du’s nerves are palpable as he frequents the loo, the presence of his father only intensifying his anxiety. Exhausted even before the match begins, the atmosphere is charged. A coach, not in Baek-du’s favour, engages in animated conversation, catching Baek-du’s intrigue. The narrative comes full circle as we return to the opening scene when he enters the arena.
The match is a grueling one, and Baek-du gives it his all. Though the last round becomes hazy, even after a video replay, the decision declares Baek-du the loser. A sense of injustice lingers in more than half of the stadium, with Jin-su and Tae-baek visibly frustrated. Despite Baek-du’s graceful acceptance of the outcome, Lim Dong-seok and his coach show no enthusiasm, accepting the victory with a pinch of salt.
Baek-du trudges back, the weight of defeat evident in his heavy steps. Zoning out once again, he answers young Du-sik’s question about being okay with a resounding “No!” The melancholy permeates the arena, the market lanes, and even Jin-suk’s shop, where she mumbles to herself. The despondency extends to Mi-ran’s café, where Jin-su, visibly upset, walks in.
Jin-su denies watching the match to Mi-ran, who catches him in his own words about the details. A perplexed Mi-ran questions why Jin-su harbours such animosity towards Baek-du. Childhood friends turned into bitter foes. Jin-su clarifies that they were never friends; Baek-du was always close to Du-sik, a name that hushes the village into silence. Mi-ran, entirely intrigued by this mysterious Du-sik character, insists Jin-su spill the details. However, Jin-su remains tight-lipped, revealing only one startling fact – Du-sik is a girl.
Baek-du, seeking solace, rests at a deserted house, likely Du-sik’s haunt, during his lowest moments. Discovering someone moving in, he investigates and ends up being toppled over, only to be confronted by the mysterious lady. On his back, zoning out, he’s startled when she asks if he’s okay. His usual hallucination and reality seem mixed up, and Baek-du is convinced she’s Oh Du-sik.
The stage is brimming with anticipation in this small town’s drama, where every corner hides a secret, and every character holds a mystery. What unfolds next is a tale of untold connections and enigmatic twists, leaving us on the edge, eagerly awaiting the next act in this captivating saga.
Meet our guest contributor, Poulomi: I am an undercover enthusiast, tucked away in my snug hideout, secretly feasting on the delightful buffet of human interactions. My introverted spirit finds its haven on the fringes, a place where I can silently root for the triumphs and delve into the intricacies of humanity. With an eye sensitive to the subtlest nuances and a heart that echoes each observation, I’m all in for the people-watching game. Life, in its essence, mirrors my beloved K-dramas, offering a sanctuary of stories spiced with intrigue and emotion, and I savour every scene, relishing the unfolding drama with a sly grin and a knowing nod.
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