When the Camellia Blooms (2019)
A heartfelt Korean drama-comedy about a single mother navigating love, resilience, and small-town prejudice in 2019.
When the Camellia Blooms - Series Information
- Original Title: 동백꽃 필 무렵
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Created by: Lim Sang-choon
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (35 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 40
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: September 18, 2019 (United Kingdom - 12), September 18, 2019 (Brazil - 12), September 18, 2019 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: KBS2
- Alternative Titles: ربيع الكاميليا (SA), Dongbaekkkot Pil Muryeop (KR), When Camellia Blooms (US), 山茶花開時 (TW), Когато цъфне камелията (BG)
- Production Companies: Pan Entertainment
- Production Countries: South Korea
When the Camellia Blooms - Plot
Dongbaek is a single mother. When a potential new love enters her life, she finds ways to defy the social stigmas surrounding her.
When the Camellia Blooms - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this acclaimed Korean drama-comedy.
Now that I think about it, everything about my life was nothing but a miracle.
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When the Camellia Blooms - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Lim Sang-choon
Main Cast
- Jung Ga-ram
- Gong Hyo-jin
- Kang Ha-neul
- Kim Ji-seok
- Son Dam-bi
- Oh Jung-se
- Yeom Hye-ran
- Ji Su-yeon
- Goh Doo-shim
- Kim Kang-hoon
Writers
- Lim Sang-choon
When the Camellia Blooms - FAQs
Where can you stream When the Camellia Blooms?
When the Camellia Blooms is available on Netflix as a flat-rate streaming title. You can also watch it through Netflix Standard with Ads at a lower subscription tier. Both options give you access to all 40 episodes of this beloved Korean drama-comedy.
Who are the lead actors in When the Camellia Blooms?
The series stars Gong Hyo-jin as Dongbaek, the resilient single mother at the heart of the story, and Kang Ha-neul as Hwang Yong-sik, the earnest police officer who falls for her. Kang Ha-neul's performance in particular earned widespread praise for its warmth and sincerity.
Is When the Camellia Blooms based on a true story?
No, When the Camellia Blooms is an original work written by screenwriter Lim Sang-choon. While the story draws on very real social issues — the stigma faced by single mothers in South Korea — the characters and plot are entirely fictional, crafted to explore those themes with warmth and depth.
Why is Hwang Yong-sik so beloved by fans?
Hwang Yong-sik, played by Kang Ha-neul, became a fan favorite for being one of K-drama's most openly devoted and emotionally mature male leads. He pursues Dongbaek without ego or manipulation, openly admiring her strength. Viewers adored his sincerity, humor, and the refreshing lack of toxic tropes in his character.
What is the serial killer subplot in When the Camellia Blooms?
Running beneath the romantic storyline is a tense mystery involving a serial killer nicknamed 'Joker' who targets women in the small town of Ongsan. This thriller thread adds genuine suspense and raises the emotional stakes, keeping viewers on edge as Dongbaek's safety becomes increasingly threatened throughout the series.
How many episodes does When the Camellia Blooms have?
When the Camellia Blooms consists of 40 episodes across one season, which aired on KBS2 in South Korea. There are also 4 special episodes available. The main season ran from September to November 2019, with episodes averaging around 35 minutes each.
Did When the Camellia Blooms win any awards?
The series was a major awards sweep. Gong Hyo-jin won the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the KBS Drama Awards, while Kang Ha-neul took home the Top Excellence Award. The show also claimed multiple wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Korea Drama Awards, cementing its status as one of 2019's finest dramas.
Is When the Camellia Blooms worth watching?
Absolutely. This series masterfully blends romantic comedy, family drama, and mystery thriller into something genuinely moving. Gong Hyo-jin delivers one of her career-best performances, and the writing treats its single-mother protagonist with rare dignity and complexity. It's funny, tender, suspenseful, and deeply human — a standout in the K-drama genre.
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