Park Bo-young
Go Se-yeon / Lee Mi-do
Abyss
“The goddess was reborn as a woman, and an ugly man was reborn as a super handsome man.”
2019
Ended • 1 Season • 16 Episodes
Director: Yu Je-won
Overview
After meeting an untimely demise in separate incidents, Cha Min and Go Se-yeon discover they’ve come back to life in new bodies they don’t recognize.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 16 episodes
- First aired
- May 6, 2019
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Abyss as Mirror: What Happens When the Face You Wear Isn’t Yours?
I’ve always been suspicious of stories that promise second chances. There’s something too neat about them, like a bargain struck with fate—this time, I’ll get it right. Abyss, the 2019 South Korean series from director Yu Je-won, takes that premise and drops it into a blender with murder, comedy, and a glowing orb that might as well be a cosmic joke. The result is a show that’s equal parts heartfelt and messy, a genre-blender that never quite settles on a single flavor but leaves you thinking about the ingredients long after the credits roll.
The premise is simple, in the way that all good sci-fi premises are: two people die, and the Abyss—a mysterious, pulsating sphere—brings them back in new bodies. Go Se-yeon (Park Bo-young), a sharp-tongued prosecutor, wakes up in the body of a woman she doesn’t recognize, her beauty and status stripped away. Cha Min (Ahn Hyo-seop), a wealthy but socially awkward cosmetics heir, returns as a conventionally handsome man, his previous unattractiveness replaced by a face that turns heads.
The catch? Neither of them asked for this. The Abyss doesn’t offer explanations, just a second shot at life—with interest.
What makes Abyss more than just a high-concept gimmick is its refusal to let its characters off the hook. Go Se-yeon, in particular, is a fascinating study in identity crisis. Before her death, she was defined by her looks and her professional success—traits that made her untouchable, even feared.
In her new body, she’s forced to confront the vulnerability she’d spent a lifetime avoiding. There’s a scene early on where she stares at her reflection, her fingers tracing the unfamiliar contours of her face, and the camera lingers just long enough to make you feel the weight of her disorientation. It’s a quiet moment, but it’s the kind that sticks with you, because it’s not just about the shock of a new appearance.
It’s about the terror of realizing how much of your self-worth was tied to something as fragile as a mirror’s reflection.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Abyss (2019): Romance, Reshoots, and the Magic of Transformation
Abyss (2019), the South Korean fantasy-romance series directed by Yu Je-won, blended supernatural intrigue with emotional depth, thanks in part to its standout cast and on-set chemistry. While the show’s premise—a mysterious "Abyss" that revives the dead with altered appearances—drove its plot, behind-the-scenes moments between leads Park Bo-young and Ahn Hyo-seop stole the spotlight. Here’s what we know about the making of the series, latestnetflix.com maintains, from playful cast dynamics to the challenges of its high-concept premise.
Park Bo-young and Ahn Hyo-seop: From Friends to On-Screen Lovers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmlrQra9i_k
The undeniable chemistry between Park Bo-young (Go Go Sister, Strong Girl Bong-soon) and Ahn Hyo-seop (Still 17, Business Proposal) was a major draw for Abyss. Off-screen, the two shared a close friendship that translated seamlessly into their roles as childhood friends-turned-lovers, Go Se-yeon and Cha Min. Fans latched onto their playful interactions, particularly in scenes where Se-yeon teases Cha Min about his post-resurrection appearance—including a now-iconic moment where she dresses him up in a "pretty" outfit, complete with makeup and accessories . The clip, titled "Park Bo-young dresses Ahn Hyo-seop up prettily," went viral, showcasing their natural rapport and the cast’s willingness to lean into the show’s lighter moments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5gdH2jclE
Their bond extended beyond the camera. In a behind-the-scenes photoshoot for the series, the duo’s easy camaraderie was on full display, with candid shots of them laughing and goofing around between takes . While neither actor has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship, their off-screen friendship fueled speculation about whether their on-screen romance was more than just acting.
The Challenges of a Supernatural Premise
Abyss’s central gimmick—the titular orb that revives the dead with new faces—required careful execution, both narratively and visually. The show’s tone balanced dark themes (murder, identity crises) with romantic comedy, a tightrope that director Yu Je-won navigated by emphasizing character-driven moments over special effects. However, the premise wasn’t without its hurdles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUhug5NavcQ
One of the most talked-about aspects of the series was its ending, which left some viewers divided. A fan-made edit titled "Abyss || ending" highlights the emotional payoff of the finale, but also underscores the challenges of wrapping up a complex plot . Rumors (unconfirmed) suggest that the ending underwent reshoots or edits to better align with audience expectations, though no official statements from the cast or crew have verified this. What is clear is that the show’s mix of genres—fantasy, romance, and thriller—demanded a delicate balance, one that occasionally leaned more toward melodrama than mystery 
.
Fan-Favorite Moments and Viral Clips
Abyss may have earned a modest rating of 5.8/10 on SensCritique , but its standout scenes and meme-worthy moments kept it in the cultural conversation. Among the most shared clips:
YTYouTube·Abyss | Kiss Scene Ep 9 | Park Bo Young & Ahn Hy… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw_bPs-npUg- The Kiss That Broke the Internet: Episode 9’s kiss between Se-yeon and Cha Min became an instant fan favorite, with a dedicated YouTube edit amassing views for its slow-burn tension . The scene’s emotional weight—coming after a major character revelation—solidified the show’s ability to pivot from humor to heartbreak.
YTYouTube·“I’m not usually the clingy type”— Park Bo-young… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUawxUAzR78- "I’m Not Usually the Clingy Type": Park Bo-young’s delivery of this line in Episode 1 became a meme, with fans praising her ability to blend sass and vulnerability . The moment set the tone for Se-yeon’s character: fiercely independent but secretly longing for connection.
YTYouTube·Abyss || ep7 || I must get out of my mind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgDLO-GMcPw- Episode 7’s Emotional Breakdown: Titled "I must get out of my mind," this fan edit captures one of the series’ most raw performances, as Se-yeon grapples with her new reality . The scene’s intensity showcased Park Bo-young’s range and became a turning point for the show’s darker themes.
The Verdict: A Cult Favorite with Lasting Appeal
Despite its mixed critical reception, Abyss carved out a niche as a cult favorite, thanks to its charismatic leads and genre-blending premise. While the show’s 16-episode run (per TMDB) wrapped up its story, its legacy lives on through viral clips and fan edits. The cast’s off-screen chemistry—particularly between Park Bo-young and Ahn Hyo-seop—remains a key part of its appeal, proving that even a high-concept fantasy series thrives on authentic relationships.
For now, Abyss stands as a testament to the power of strong performances and a premise that, while flawed, dared to be ambitious. Whether it’s the memes, the romance, or the supernatural twists, the series left an indelible mark on its viewers—and a trail of behind-the-scenes moments that keep fans coming back.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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