Sandglass

A sweeping, emotionally heavy melodrama that mixes personal loyalty with political trauma, building to devastating historical set pieces.

Created by

Kim Jong-hak, Song Ji-na

Genres

Drama

Starring

Choi Min-soo, Go Hyun-jung, Park Sang-won

Overview

Sandglass is a South Korean television series considered one of the most significant and highest-rated Korean dramas in history. Written by Song Ji-na and directed by Kim Jong-hak, it aired on SBS in 1995 in 24 episodes. A depiction of the tragic relationship among three friends affected by the political and civilian oppression of 1970s and 1980s Korea, the series mixed politics, melodrama, action, and great acting. It recorded a peak rating of 64.5%, the third highest of all time, and launched its leading trio of Choi Min-soo, Go Hyun-jung, and Park Sang-won into stardom. Its reenactment of the Gwangju Massacre remains one of the most realistic, devastatingly powerful, and unforgettable moments in Korean TV history.

How it feels

Melancholic, tense, dark and earnest. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Friendship, politics, betrayal, justice

Content

Strong violence. Mild gore, sexual content and language.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)