The finale of Begins ≠ Youth (2024) left fans in a melancholic state, with the future of its characters ranging from grim to tragic—deaths, incarcerations, and endless struggles marked the closing scenes. As viewers digest the intense ending, speculation is rife about the possibility of a second season. Here’s a closer look at the clues and fan theories circulating around the fate of this beloved Korean drama.
Clues Pointing to a Potential Season 2
The Intriguing Time Loop Theory
Still cut Korean drama Begins ≠ Youth (Instagram.com/ahn__jiho)In the dramatic finale of Begins ≠ Youth, we witness a series of devastating events—Kim Hwan (played by Seo Ji Hwan) reels from the news of Min Ce In’s (portrayed by Noh Jong Hyun) death in a fire he started at a motel. Meanwhile, other characters face their own despair; Jeon Je Ha (Jeon Jin Seo) jumps off a crane at the beach, and Park Ha Ru (Kim Yoon Woo) remains confined in a mental hospital.
Amidst this chaos, there’s a glimmer of hope with Kim Hwan’s potential ability to manipulate time. Theories suggest that Kim Hwan might engage in a time loop to alter the fate of his friends, offering a narrative reset that could serve as the basis for a second season.
Single Season Source Material
Webtoon Save Me (doc. Webtoon/Pyramid Game)Begins ≠ Youth is adapted from the 2019 webtoon Save Me, which is itself a compact story confined to just one season and 15 episodes. The drama closely mirrors the events of the webtoon, especially the climactic twelfth episode. This raises the question: if the original material concluded in a single season, what narrative space is left for the drama to explore in a new season?
Potential Against Renewal
Still cut Korean drama Begins ≠ Youth (doc. Xclusive/Begins ≠ Youth)Despite the open-ended nature of the finale, there are significant hints that a second season may not be in the cards. One telling detail is the change of the title’s inequality sign “≠” to an infinity symbol “∞” at the end of the last episode. This could symbolize an eternal struggle for Kim Hwan, suggesting his efforts to change fate might be doomed to repeat indefinitely, a poetic yet bleak commentary on the futility of his actions.
As of now, the production team has not confirmed any plans for a second season. The decision could hinge on various factors, including audience reception, ratings, and creative direction. While fans hope for a continuation that could potentially provide a happier resolution for Kim Hwan and his friends, they may have to prepare for the possibility that the series has already told its full story.
In conclusion, whether Begins ≠ Youth will return for another season remains uncertain. Fans are left to ponder the implications of the finale and speculate on what could have been, or might still be, if the creators decide to revisit this compelling narrative. Stay tuned for any updates from the production team, and keep those fan theories coming!