The Controversial Ending of 'High Kick Through the Roof'
When the South Korean sitcom High Kick Through the Roof aired from 2009 to 2010, it wasn’t just another comedy series—it became a pop culture moment. Directed by PD Kim Byung-wook, the show gained a loyal audience for its quirky humor, compelling characters, and surprisingly bold take on social issues.
But when the final episode aired, viewers didn't just laugh or cry—they argued, debated, and wrote essays. The drama ended with the sudden, tragic deaths of two beloved characters, Se-kyung and Ji-hoon, in a traffic accident. For a sitcom, many felt this was simply too much. The light-hearted world they had fallen in love with came crashing down, and the controversy surrounding its conclusion has yet to completely fade.
Supporters Say: It Was Bold and Brilliant
Some critics and fans commend the finale for breaking the mold. Sitcoms rarely take dark turns, let alone end in tragedy, but High Kick Through the Roof pushed boundaries. Supporters argue that it did more than entertain—it held up a mirror to the harsh realities of Korean society.
The deaths of Se-kyung and Ji-hoon, they argue, symbolized how inequality and lack of opportunity can crush dreams. Se-kyung was from a poor background, always trying to survive in a city that didn’t welcome her. Ji-hoon, a kind-hearted doctor, was caught in the emotional complexity of expectations and guilt. Their deaths weren’t random—they were, to some, a poetic tragedy born of societal pressures.
This style of storytelling may sound more familiar to American audiences in shows like Breaking Bad or The Sopranos—dark, morally complex, and profoundly affecting. Unlike a conventional sitcom that wraps up with laughs and lessons, High Kick aimed for something deeper: a long-lasting emotional imprint.
Detractors Argue: It Betrayed the Show's Spirit
But for many fans—especially those who tuned in every night expecting levity and warmth—the finale felt like betrayal. Killing off two central characters in such a sudden, emotionally devastating way was too much for some. A sizable portion of the audience had hoped for, if not a fairy tale ending, at least a sense of closure or continuity.
Instead, they got silence, broken hearts, and confusion. Watching the finale with children or teenagers, some parents were caught off-guard, left scrambling to explain what had happened. Some viewers even filed complaints with local broadcasting ethics committees, saying the content was too distressing for a family time slot. Whether or not that’s fair, it highlights the emotional weight and wide impact of the ending.
From an American perspective, one might compare this to a comedy like The Office ending with Michael Scott's sudden death—or imagine if Friends had ended with a fatal plane crash. It goes against the very essence of the show’s identity. That’s how jarring the ending was for many viewers.
A Middle Ground: What It Teaches Us
Despite the sharp divide, both reactions suggest that High Kick had a special place in people’s hearts. The controversy itself is proof of its impact. Viewers weren’t indifferent—they cared deeply.
What remains is an important lesson for creators and writers everywhere: know your audience, but don’t be afraid to challenge them. While endings don’t always have to be happy, they should feel earned. And for content made for mass or family viewing, intense emotional turns should be approached with care. A series can break norms, but it has to do so with intention and clarity.
As media around the world evolves, so does our relationship to it. American audiences have embraced darker, more complex endings in the past decade. But as High Kick Through the Roof shows, timing, tone, and expectations still matter. A brave ending doesn’t always land the way creators expect—but it gets people talking. And sometimes, that’s more powerful than a happily-ever-after.
