Hymn of Death is a short (three episode) drama based on two real people — Sim Deok (Korea’s first soprano singer) and Woo Jin (playwright). The drama is set during the early 1920s, Japanese colonisation of Korea is the backdrop of the romance between these two talented artists. If you’re interested to learn more about the aspects of history, I wouldn’t say this is your drama to watch because it focuses mainly on the relationship which these two share. The beauty of this drama is that it managed to show the yearning and love Sim Deok and Woo Jin had for each other, a bond that transcends through time.

As the title suggests, it’s a tragic drama. The fact that these two people saw no other way to be together except through that one action. While the plot revolves around these two’s struggles, we do see very little of what it is to be a Korean, a woman, an artist forced to live a life dictated by others and the freedom to not share your art in your language.