Whenever I think about what actually first got me into Kdramas, Healer always comes to mind. It's not just the plot alone but what I was feeling while I was watching it. The late night binge, me blushing each time Ji Chang Wook appeared on the screen and the combination of romance, mystery and action. I still say it, even till now, that Healer is the Kdrama that made me fall for Ji Chang Wook and in love with Kdramas even more.
The Plot
Healer (2014) is about Seo Jung-hoo, played by Ji Chang Wook. He is a night courier operating under the codename "Healer". He is the kind of guy they called when they wanted something done in the shadows, whether it's moving sensitive materials from point A to point B or getting into places thought to be impossible to get into, but he never killed. But everything changed when he took a job involving Chae Young Shin (Park Min-Young), a reporter with a troubled past. What started as a simple mission then turns into something deeper. Jung Hoo learns that he and Young Shin are connected by an incident from decades ago, caused by a group of idealistic friends who were silenced in the past. As the drama continues, the ruthless media tycoon Kim Moon Ho (Yoo Ji-tae) gets involved and secrets about family, betrayal and hidden truths come crashing down.
Healer still feels so much more than just another Kdrama to me, even with the chases, the mellow romance and the twist that stunned me.
I cannot even lie, this drama had me hooked from episode one. Ji Chang Wook as Healer was just perfect. He carried that mysterious and dangerous aura but the moment he became the shy "Bong Soo" at the office, I was gone. The duality in his acting was just wow. Park Min-Young also did so well in her role. Their chemistry was natural, warm and full of sparks.
The romance was one of my favourite parts. It wasn't rushed or forced, it just grew naturally as the drama continued. The way Healer protected and loved Young Shin, not just physically but emotionally, made me melt. And let's not forget the action scenes. They were slick, intense and actually believable (which you can't always say for dramas). But beyond the romance and fights, Healer has depth and it balanced everything beautifully.
I still recommend Healer to anyone who asks me for a good Kdrama to start with
My Rating
I think Healer is timeless. It's the drama that gave me Ji Chang Wook as my forever favourite and its one I'll never forget. Everything from the plot, to the performance, to the rest of it, all just made sense together.
That being said, I rate it a 5 out of 5 stars.