K-Drama “Pokssak Soksassuda (You Really Worked Hard)”
Discover K-Drama “Pokssak Soksassuda (You Really Worked Hard)”: a heartwarming family saga set in Jeju, exploring its unique dialect, characters, and cultural backdrop.
– A Jeju family drama of love, sacrifice, and local dialect.
“Pokssak Soksassuda”-Drama Overview
Netflix Friday Drama “Pokssak Soksassuda” is a 16-episode romance/slice-of-life series that aired from March 7 to March 28, 2025. Set in a small seaside village on Jeju Island, it tells the pure yet turbulent love story between the spirited young woman Ae-soon (Lee Ji-eun) and the steadfast boy Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum). The screenplay was written by Im Sang-chun, and the series was directed by Kim Won-seok. The main cast includes IU (Lee Ji-eun), Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon. It was praised for capturing the lyrical warmth typical of Korean family dramas and for authentically conveying Jeju’s unique local spirit.
“Pokssak Soksassuda”–Drama Setting
The drama’s setting unfolds through a cross-cutting editing style that spans from the 1950s in western Jeju Island to 2025 in Seoul. In the 1960s sequences, viewers see haenyeo (female divers) plunging into the sea to harvest seafood and fishermen laboring from dawn onward to mend their nets and support their families. As time accelerates, the story also traces how Jeju—once a subsistence community—transforms into a major tourist destination, reflecting that historical shift.
From the poster showing the expansive canola fields of Gochang’s green barley fields, to the stone-walled country lanes and the quiet rural villages of Jeju, to the sweeping shots of the turquoise ocean, the series’ cinematic visuals have become a major talking point—making its filming locations themselves a highlighted attraction.
Key Characters
O Ae-soon (IU/Moon So-ri)
A bold and ambitious literature-loving girl. The once-dreamy young Ae-soon has now grown into a determined adult.
Yang Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum/Park Hae-joon)
Gwan-sik feels he can handle anything as long as Ae-soon is by his side. He quietly watches over and protects her.
The True Meaning of the Drama Title “Pokssak Soksassuda”
The Jeju dialect phrase “Pokssak Soksassuda” corresponds to standard Korean “Pokssak Sugohasyeotseumnida,” or simply “Jeongmal Gosaeng Manhaseotseumnida,” both meaning “You really worked hard” or “Thank you for all your hard work.” Its uniquely smooth, rhythmic feel comes from fishermen on Jeju exchanging this greeting after repairing nets or finishing a day’s work at sea.
- Pokssak (폭삭/폭싹): An emphatic adverb meaning “very much” or “completely.”
- Soksassuda (속았수다): A variation of “Sugohassuda (수고했수다),” formed by adding the honorific ending “-assuda” to the verb “suda (수다),” which means “to toil” or “to have worked hard.”
- Therefore, “Pokssak Soksassuda” literally translates to “You’ve truly worked so hard.”
Filming Locations for “Pokssak Soksassuda”
Seongsan Ilchulbong: a coastal cliff renowned for its breathtaking sunrises
Gochang Barley Fields: the vast expanse of endlessly stretching barley fields
Gimnyeong Beach: calm waters and a tranquil sandy shoreline
Andong Village Set: a filming set that recreates a traditional hanok village
If you visit these locations, you’ll be able to see firsthand how the scenes from the drama were shot in their real environments, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Image Use Notice
Some images in this post are licensed through Freepik Premium and used in compliance with their commercial use policy.