2 baby girls are swapped by mistake in a hospital. The truth comes to light only after about 14 years, when one of the girls, Enxi, is hurt in an accident and her blood tested in the hospital. By then, Enxi has already developed a very close bonding with her "brother", Junxi, and her "parents". Nevertheless, she and Xinai - the other girl whose identity was swapped with hers - are returned to their respective families: Enxi to a life of poverty with her natural mother and gangster-brother, Xinai to an easy and comfortable life with her brother Junxi and their parents. Shortly after, Junxi and his family leave for America...
Enxi and Junxi are reunited in their adult years. By then, Junxi is engaged to Youmei while Taixi - Junxi's friend - is deeply in love with Enxi. In truth, Junxi and Enxi still have very strong feelings for each other, and their love upsets Taixi and Youmei, who try to break them up. Junxi's parents and Enxi's mother also object to their relationship, but Junxi is determined to marry Enxi. However, when Youmei attempts suicide, the guilt-ridden lovers decide to break up, and Junxi agrees to return to America with Youmei soon.
Following their break-up, Enxi discovers she has leukaemia, and Taixi offers his financial and emotional support. Enxi's illness is kept from Junxi until her condition has become very serious. Youmei finally relents and breaks up with Junxi, while Taixi prays hard for Enxi's recovery. However, Enxi's condition is beyond hope, and she spends her last days with Junxi, after which she dies while being carried piggyback by him at the beach...
While Taixi, at Junxi's request, scatters Enxi's ashes into the sea, a depressed Junxi is knocked down by a truck while standing in the middle of a road, and memories of his life with Enxi flash by......
This is possibly the one and only Korean drama that I like most. The love story of Junxi and Enxi is touching in a realistic way, and besides romance, the drama also centres well on family love and friendship. The plot is such that you will still want to follow the story despite the teary scenes that flood the screen every minute.
One character worth admiring is Taixi. My
first impression of him was that he was just another of the stereotypical rich
playboys who couldn't possibly love Enxi truly. But as the drama progresses,
Taixi's genuine love and concern for Enxi seems to be even stronger and more
'authentic' than that of Junxi's at times. This is also why I prefer Taixi over Youmei, whom I
find the most detestable character. Although Taixi loves Enxi and is
disappointed that she loves Junxi instead, he still spares a thought for her feelings and
lets her be with Junxi. Youmei, on the other hand, is very stubborn and selfish,
and uses suicide to make Junxi stay by her side. It is only when she learns that
Enxi is dying that she finally gives up Junxi.
And the long-suffering mothers of Junxi and Enxi. Junxi's mother has always regarded Enxi as her very own daughter, and falls sick easily just missing her, and worrying over her and Junxi. It's very heartwarming to see Junxi's mother caring so much for one who isn't her biological child. As for Enxi's mother, initially she doesn't seem to dote on Enxi at all. But as the story develops, it is clear that she does love Enxi, and is devastated to learn of her illness.
The ending of the drama is a bit shocking, as I had not expected Junxi to die too. But his death is also 'good' in a way, as it means he and Enxi can never be separated again......
Also known as Autumn Story or Gaheul Dongwha in other countries