The Road: The Tragedy of One

The Road: The Tragedy of One^[3][4] (Korean: 더 로드: 1의 비극) is a 2021 South Korean television series directed by Kim No-won and starring Ji Jin-hee, Yoon Se-ah, Kim Hye-eun and Kim Sung-soo.^[5] Based on the work by Rintaro Norizuki, the series tells the story of the ugly desires, secrets, guilt and salvation of 'Royal the Hill', where only the top 1% of Korea live.^[6][7] It premiered on tvN on August 4, 2021, and aired on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22.30 (KST) for 12 episodes.^[8][9]

The Road: The Tragedy of One
Promotional poster
Also known as	The Tragedy of One Birth of a Tragedy
Hangul	더 로드: 1의 비극
Revised Romanization	Deo Rodeu: 1-ui Bigeuk
Genre	Mystery Thriller Drama
Created by	Kim Je-hyeon (tvN)
Based on	The Tragedy of One by Rintaro Norizuki
Developed by	Kim Young-kyu Studio Dragon
Written by	Yoon Hee-jung
Directed by	Kim No-won
Starring	Ji Jin-hee Yoon Se-ah Kim Hye-eun Kim Sung-soo
Composers	Park Seung-jin Choi Min-chang^[1]
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	12
Production
Executive producer	Kim Gun-hong
Producers	Oh Hwan-min Kim Kyung-tae Yoo Si-yeon
Editors	Bae Young-joo Kim Min-ji
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	80 minutes
Production company	The Great Show
Release
Original network	tvN iQiyi^[2]
Original release	August 4 (2021-08-04) – September 9, 2021 (2021-09-09)

Synopsis

"Royal the Hill" is a posh place where the top one percent of Koreans live. The series tells the secrets, desires, guilts and salvation of the residents of this place.

Baek Soo-hyeon (Ji Jin-hee) the protagonist is a trusted anchor with strong beliefs. His words are taken as the truth, but he is a cold-hearted man. He will use any means to get what he desires. He is married to Seo Eun-soo (Yoon Se-ah), who is a daughter of chairman of the Jegang Group, a heavy weight having influence in the political and economic worlds.

On a torrential rainy night a tragic incident takes place and the secrets connected with it result in silence, avoidance, and confusion, which eventually leads to another tragedy.

Cast

Main

• Ji Jin-hee as Baek Soo-hyeon
  • Park Sang-hoon as young Baek Soo-hyun^[10]

45 years old, BSN News night anchor, a trusted journalist, a faithful family head. He is hiding a dark secret^[11]

• Yoon Se-ah as Seo Eun-soo

42 years old, a popular miniature artist, Baek Soo-hyeon's wife, the daughter of the steel group chairman, Seo Gi-tae

• Kim Hye-eun as Cha Seo-yeong

42 years old, BSN late night news anchor, always hungry for success

Supporting

People around Baek Soo-hyeon and Seo Eun-soo

• Chun Ho-jin as Seo Gi-tae

65 years old, father of Seo Eun-soo, the president of a leading conglomerate, self-righteous and overbearing^[12]

• Kim Min-joon as Baek Yeon-woo

12 years old, son of Soo-hyeon and Eun-su

• Kang Sung-min as Oh Jang-ho

41 years old, documentary director, husband of Eun-soo's younger sister, Eun-ho

• Kim Sung-soo as Sim Seok-hoon

45 years old, detective of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit, once the childhood friend of Baek Soo-hyeon from hometown, they cut off ties after a middle school girl disappeared in their hometown, Yeongsan^[13]

• Jo Seong-joon as Seo Jeong-wook

The son of Seo Ki-tae and Bae Baek-suk, Seo Jung-wook is someone who is afraid of Seo Ki-tae, but his name goes up and down every time he has a drug problem, including the Gap-jil case.^[14]

People around Cha Seo-yeong

• Ahn Nae-sang as Choi Nam-gyu

55 years old, husband of Cha Seo-young, a former lawyer and CEO of a large investment firm^[15]

• Lee Seo as Choi Se-ra

21 years old, daughter of Choi Nam-gyu and his first wife.^[16]

• Nam Ki-won as Choi Jun-young

12 years old, son of Nam-gyu and Seo-young

Steelmaking Foundation

• Kang Kyung-hun as Bae Kyung-Sook

45 years old, chairman, steelmaking foundation,

• Ha Min as Yang Yang

55 years old, head of planning department, steelmaking cultural foundation

• Jo Seong-joon as Seo Jeong-wook

22 years old, son of Seo Gi-tae and Bae Kyung-Sook^[17]

• Kim Roi-ha as Hwang Tae-seop

60 years old, 4th term National Assembly member

• Hyun Woo-sung as Jo Sang-mu

Seo Gi-tae's right-hand man, 40 years old, director, steelmaking Group^[18]

Press people

• Baek Ji-won as Kwon Yeo-jin

49 years old, Soo-hyeon's senior, a former news anchor and the first female director of BSN's news agency^[19]

• Oh Yong as Kang Jae-yeol

45 years old, Newsnight producer

• Joo Ye-eun as Park Mun-hwa :33 years old, Newsnight reporter^[20]

Others

• Lee Jong-hyuk as Yoon Dong-pil

45 years old, CEO of a large entertainment establishment^[21]

• Jo Jung-hwan as Park Seong-hwan

41 years old, freelance entertainment reporter and has a bad relationship with Baek Soo-hyeon^[22]

• Han Joo-wan as Kim Young-shin

35 years old, detective of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit

• Kang Sung min as Oh Jang Ho

Special appearance

• Son Yeo-eun as Lee Mi-do

35 years old, Dark Dining employee^[23]

Production

On March 30, 2021, the main cast of the drama was confirmed as Ji Jin-hee, Yoon Se-ah and Kim Hye-eun.^[24] On May 12, Yoon Se-ah posted photos from filming site.^[25] On June 25 announcing the premiere date, photos from script reading site were released.^[26]

Original soundtrack

The Road: The Tragedy of One
Soundtrack album by Various
Released	2021
Genre	Soundtrack
Language	Korean English
Label	Genie Music/Stone Music Entertainment

Score

Released on September 9, 2021 (2021-09-09)^[27]

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"Way back"	Park Seong-jin, Choi Min-chang
2.	"Way back (sad ver.)"	Choi Min-chang
3.	"Way back (fast ver.)"	Choi Min-chang
4.	"Pressing"	Park Seong-jin, Choi Min-chang
5.	"Suspicious woman"	Choi Min-chang
6.	"Atonement"	Park Seong-jin, Choi Min-chang
7.	"Moment"	Kang Won-mi
8.	"Another sinner"	Park Seong-jin, Choi Min-chang
9.	"Lacio"	Choi Min-chang
10.	"Ominous"	Kang Won-mi
11.	"Sandcastle"	Choi Min-chang
12.	"Judgment"	Park Seong-jin, Choi Min-chang

Part 1

Released on August 5, 2021 (2021-08-05)^[28]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Memories"	Park Seong-jin, Jeon Seung-woo	Park Seong-jin, Choi Min-chang, Kim Do-yeon	Lee Seung-yeol	3:55
2.	"Memories" (Inst.)				3:55

Part 2

Released on September 1, 2021 (2021-09-01)^[29]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Find The Way"	Jayins, Naiv, Jemma	Jayins, Naiv	Jeong-In	3:23
2.	"Find The Way" (Inst.)				3:23

Viewership

The Road: The Tragedy of One : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)

Season		Episode number												Average
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
	1	699	859	546	679	404	452	362	444	347	502	400	583	523

Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea^[30]

Average TV viewership ratings

Ep.	Original broadcast date	Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)^[30]^[31]
		Nationwide	Seoul
1	August 4, 2021	3.365% (1st)	3.748% (1st)
2	August 5, 2021	3.970% (2nd)	4.839% (2nd)
3	August 11, 2021	2.735% (2nd)	3.190% (2nd)
4	August 12, 2021	3.201% (2nd)	3.586% (2nd)
5	August 18, 2021	1.900% (3rd)	2.119% (3rd)
6	August 19, 2021	2.115% (3rd)	2.306% (3rd)
7	August 25, 2021	1.845% (3rd)	2.015% (2nd)
8	August 26, 2021	2.161% (3rd)	2.243% (4th)
9	September 1, 2021	1.733% (3rd)	1.734% (3rd)
10	September 2, 2021	2.470% (2nd)	2.256% (2nd)
11	September 8, 2021	1.957% (2nd)	2.126% (2nd)
12	September 9, 2021	2.856% (2nd)	3.099% (2nd)
Average		2.526%	2.772%
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings. This drama airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).

References

1. "더 로드 : 1의 비극 OST Part 1 (tvN 수목드라마) / 이승열 - genie". mw.genie.co.kr. from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
2. The Road: The Tragedy of One Episode 1 | iQiyi, from the original on August 5, 2021, retrieved August 5, 2021
3. "The Road: The Tragedy of One (2021)". CJ ENM. from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
4. The Road: The Tragedy of One / The Road: 1的悲劇 Teaser. YouTube. tvN Asia. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
5. Kim Jeong-jin (March 30, 2021). "지진희-윤세아-김혜은, tvN 새 드라마 '더 로드' 출연" [Ji Jin-hee, Yoon Se-ah, and Kim Hye-eun to appear in tvN's new drama 'The Road']. Yonhap News (in Korean). from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
6. "The Tragedy of One -(Korean Drama, 2021, 더 로드: 1의 비극)". HanCinema. from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
7. Kim Seong-hyun (June 2, 2021). "'슬의생2'→'유미의 세포'→'지리산' tvN 라인업 공개… 전 세계 드라마팬 공략" ['Sadly Life 2' → 'Yumi's Cell' → 'Mt. Jirisan' tvN lineup revealed Targeting drama fans around the world]. YTN (in Korean). from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
8. Ji-yeon Moon (June 25, 2021). "지진희·윤세아·김혜은 '더 로드 : 1의 비극' 8월 4일 첫 방송" [Ji Jin-hee, Yoon Se-ah, and Kim Hye-eun 'The Road: The Tragedy of 1' premiered on August 4th]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
9. "간 떨어지는 동거 몇부작 〔후속〕 '더 로드 1의 비극' 출연진 등장인물 정보 미스터리 드라마". 네이버 블로그 | ☆*:.My Sweet Haven.:*☆ (in Korean). from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
10. Ham Na-yam (August 13, 2021). "더로드' 지진희 아역 박상훈, 강렬한 존재감" [The Road 'Ji Jinhee Area Park Sang-hoon, intense presence]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Naver. from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
11. Han Eun-ki (March 30, 2021). "지진희X윤세아X김혜은, tvN '더 로드: 1의 비극' 캐스팅 확정" [Ji Jin-hee X Yoon Se-ah X Kim Hye-eun confirmed casting for tvN's 'The Road: Tragedy of 1']. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
12. Shin Young-eun (April 14, 2021). "천호진, '더 로드: 1의 비극' 출연 확정 [공식]" [Hojin Cheon Confirmed to Appear in 'The Road: Tragedy of 1' [Official]]. Maeil Economy (in Korean). from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
13. Schwartz, William (April 12, 2021). "[HanCinema's News] Kim Sung-soo Cast for "The Tragedy of One"". HanCinema. from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
14. Yeon Hwi-seon (August 4, 2021). "조성준, '더 로드 : 1의 비극' 출연...첫 방송 키플레이어 예감" [Jo Seong-joon to appear in 'The Road: Tragedy of 1'... First broadcast key player]. OSEN (in Korean). from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021 – via Naver.
15. Lee Yoon-hee (June 25, 2021). ""지금까지 없던 장르"…'더 로드:1의 비극', 대본리딩 현장" ["A genre that has never been seen before"... 'The Road: The Tragedy of 1', script reading site]. TV Report (in Korean). from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021 – via Naver.
16. Kim Ga-young (July 27, 2021). "이서, tvN '더 로드 : 1의 비극' 캐스팅…김혜은·안내상 딸 役" [Lee Seo, cast in tvN's 'The Road: Tragedy of 1' Kim Hye-eun and Ahn Nae-sang daughter]. E-Daily (in Korean). from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021 – via Naver.
17. Shim Eon-kyung (August 4, 2021). "신예 조성준, '더 로드 : 1의 비극' 캐스팅…강렬한 존재감 예고" [Rookie Jo Sung-joon, cast in 'The Road: Tragedy of 1'... Strong Presence]. SpoTV News (in Korean). from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021 – via Naver.
18. Kim Won-hee (July 30, 2021). "현우성, '더 로드 : 1의 비극' 출연 연기 변신 예고" [Hyun Woo-sung, 'The Road: Tragedy of 1' appearance change notice]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021 – via Naver.
19. Seong-Yeol Yoon (July 23, 2021). "백지원 '멜랑꼴리아' 이어 '더 로드' 출연..방송국 국장 役 [공식]" [Baek Ji-won appeared in 'The Road' following 'Melancholia'.. Broadcasting station director [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 – via Naver.
20. Jang Woo-young (June 18, 2021). "주예은 '더 로드:1의 비극' 캐스팅..지진희x윤세아와 호흡 [공식]" [Joo Ye-eun cast in 'The Road: The Tragedy of 1'... Breathing with Ji Jin-hee x Yoon Se-ah [Official]]. Osen (in Korean). from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021 – via Daum.
21. Jang Ah-reum (July 14, 2021). "[단독] 이종혁, 지진희x윤세아 '더로드' 출연…드라마·예능 '열일'" [[Exclusive] Lee Jong-hyuk, Jin Ji-hee x Yoon Se-ah to appear in 'The Road'... Drama/Entertainment 'Ten Days']. News 1 (in Korean). from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021 – via Naver.
22. Yoo Byung-cheol (April 22, 2021). "조달환, tvN '더 로드: 1의 비극' 캐스팅 확정…지진희와 호흡" [Jo Dal-hwan confirmed casting for tvN's 'The Road: Tragedy of 1'... Breathing with Ji Jin-hee]. Wow TV (in Korean). from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
23. Park Soo-in (July 14, 2021). "더 로드' 측 "손여은 특별출연" 지진희 윤세아 김혜은과 호흡(공식입장)" [The Road’ side “Son Yeo-eun Special Appearance” Jin Ji-hee and Yoon Se-ah Kim Hye-eun (official position)]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
24. Shin Young-eun (March 30, 2021). "'더 로드 : 1의 비극' 지진희·윤세아·김혜은, 출연 확정 [공식]" ['The Road: Tragedy of 1' Ji Jin-hee, Yoon Se-ah, Kim Hye-eun confirmed to appear [Official]]. Maeil Economic Daily Star Today (in Korean). Daum. from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
25. Hong Shin-ik (May 12, 2021). "'더 로드' 윤세아, 김나운 응원에 우아한 미소" ['The Road' Yoon Se-ah, an elegant smile for Kim Na-woon's support]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Daum. from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
26. Han Hae-seon (June 25, 2021). "지진희X윤세아X김혜은 '더 로드 : 1의 비극' 8월 4일 첫방[공식]" [Ji Jin-hee X Yoon Se-ah X Kim Hye-eun 'The Road: Tragedy of 1' premieres on August 4th [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
27. "더 로드 : 1의 비극 OST" [The Road: The Tragedy of One OST]. Melon. from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
28. "더 로드 : 1의 비극 OST Part 1" [The Road: The Tragedy of One OST Part 1]. Melon. from the original on May 27, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
29. "더 로드 : 1의 비극 OST Part 2" [The Road: The Tragedy of One OST Part 2]. Melon. from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
30. "Nielsen Korea Cable Daily -TOP 10 LIST FOR TV PROGRAMS". Nielsen Korea. from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
31. "더 로드: 1의 비극: 시청률" [The Road: The Tragedy of One: ratings]. Naver. from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.

External links

• Official website (in Korean)
• The Road: The Tragedy of One at Daum (in Korean)
• The Road: The Tragedy of One at Naver (in Korean)
• The Road: The Tragedy of One at HanCinema
• The Road: The Tragedy of One at IMDb