Praise of Death (or Hymn of Death) is a heart-wrenching drama based on a true story, which I wasn’t aware of until watching it. Though I wished for a happy ending for the characters, the fact that it’s based on real events left the writer no choice. The story is truly tragic, and I found myself crying during the last scene, especially when the male protagonist delivered his inner monologue while dancing with his lover. He reflected on how important she had become in his life, how deeply they were connected, and how much he cherished every moment spent with her—all while crying, which moved me to tears as well.

The tragedy didn’t only affect the two lovers but also his wife, who suffered silently. The real blame for their fate lies with his father. He was a dutiful son, and his father took advantage of that obedience, marrying him off at a young age and never allowing him any freedom. When he finally got the chance to live life on his own terms, he developed feelings for another woman. Despite being married, he never crossed any boundaries or expressed his deep love for her, bearing the pain in silence. On the other hand, the woman longed to share her feelings with him but was stopped when she learned the truth about his marriage. She quietly left his house, and that’s when their sorrowful love story began.

Lee Jong Suk's acting was exceptional. His performance was so calm and realistic that it felt like these events were unfolding in real time. I was deeply moved by his portrayal, and once again, I’ve become a fan of his acting.

While I don’t usually like sad endings, knowing that this is what actually happened to them makes it all the more heartbreaking.