Thank you to NetGalley and June Hur for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
As you may have guessed by the title, I was fortunate enough to receive the full advance reader copy of Behind Five Willows after sharing my last post. I took a few side quests after receiving the full ARC, but I finally managed to sit down and finish the entire book over the weekend.
Behind Five Willows is a love story between a secret author and a secret transcriber who forge a bond over words and literature during a time of literary censorship. The book is pitched as Pride and Prejudice inspired but set in Joseon Dynasty Korea.
This was my first June Hur novel, so I don’t yet have her other works as a point of comparison. However, as I have mentioned in my previous post, she captured the backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty beautifully. The setting felt immersive and vivid, layered with historical details that grounded the story and gave meaningful context to the challenges the characters faced.
The characters’ dialogue and internal monologues were also beautifully written and carried a tone reminiscent of the 19th-century classics—fitting, given the story’s inspiration from Pride and Prejudice. At times, I had to remind myself that the characters were from Joseon Korea. Not because they weren’t convincingly portrayed, but because my brain was so accustomed to the voice and rhythm of Western classics. Since the story is written in English, my mind would occasionally wander to the familiar. It almost felt like my brain was code-switching—the prose read like an English classic, yet I was picturing the characters the way I’ve seen them in sageuk (Korean historical) dramas.
Like the author and her publisher have promoted, the romance is a slow burn. The two characters build a bond over their shared love of writing and words, and once Seojun realizes Haewon’s true identity, he falls first—and falls hard. By the time I reached the end of the book, I was beside myself—I wanted more. So naturally, the next thing I did was dream up my casting choices if this were ever adapted into a Korean drama.
My Fan Cast
Ahn Hyo-seop (안효섭) as Yu Seojun (유서준)
Because of the code-switching happening in my head, I couldn’t stop my imagination from drifting toward familiar voices. While reading Seojun’s dialogue, I kept hearing Jinu’s voice (from K-Pop Demon Hunters). Eventually, I could easily imagine Ahn Hyo-seop stepping into the role of Yu Seojun, especially remembering his broody portrayal of Seo Woo-jin in Dr. Romantic Season 2.
Kim Se-jeong (김세정) as Shin Haewon (신해원)
For Shin Haewon, I wanted someone feisty who could also have strong chemistry with Ahn Hyo-seop. That immediately led me to Kim Se-jeong. Their chemistry in A Business Proposal was electric, and she absolutely nailed that spirited energy. She was also fantastic in The Uncanny Counter, and I could easily see her embodying Haewon’s obstinate and headstrong personality.
이 세상에 진실로 저를 아는 사람 하나를 만났다 하더라도 한이 없을 것이다
Yeolhailgi, Park Ji-won
“If there is one person in this entire world who understands me, I can live this life without bitterness.”
Jung Chae-yeon (정채연) as Jade (연옥)
Earlier this year I watched Beyond the Bar and remember thinking, “How is this girl so pretty?” She looked so familiar that I eventually did an AsianWiki search and realized she played the princess alongside Park Eun-bin in The King’s Affection. She perfectly matches how I imagined Jade—radiant, elegant, and a hopeful romantic.
Song Joong-ki (송중기) as Young Master Byeongho (병호)
This casting choice might surprise some people since Song Joong-ki is usually known as the swoon-worthy male lead, especially after the reception of Descendants of the Sun. But while reading the book, I kept picturing Young Master Byeongho the way Song Joong-ki portrayed Gu Yong-ha in Sungkyunkwan Scandal—indolent, carefree, charming, and effortlessly graceful.
Moon Ga-young (문가영) as Yeonhee (연희)
It took me a while to decide who I would cast as Yeonhee, until I remembered Moon Ga-young’s role in Don’t Dare to Dream. Her character Ppalgang captured exactly the kind of energy I imagined for Yeonhee.
Kim Kap-soo (김갑수) as Minister Yu
For Minister Yu, Seojun’s father, I pictured Kim Kap-soo. He played a similarly imposing character in Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and he has that sharp, stern presence that can unintentionally place immense pressure on a devoted son.
Other Characters
- Han Ji-min as Seojun’s sister, Gwideok.
- Jang Hye-jin as Haewon’s mother
- Jeon Bae-su as Haewon’s father
- Han So-hee as Mistress Wol
- Kim Kwang-kyu as Wol’s father
- Lee Hak-joo as Inspector Wuyeong
Final Thoughts
In the end, what stayed with me most was how seamlessly the story blended the sensibilities of a classic English romance with the cultural and historical texture of Joseon Korea. That unusual pairing created an experience that felt both familiar and new—like reading a beloved classic through a completely different lens. As an avid Jane Austen fan myself, I could clearly see the parallels June Hur drew between Austen’s work and this particular period of Joseon society.
At its heart, the story is not just about romance but about the rare joy of finding someone who understands the inner world you carry in words.
For my first June Hur novel, it certainly left an impression on me, and I can see why readers are drawn to her ability to weave history, romance, and character so gracefully together. I’m glad I finally took the time to finish the ARC, and I’m even more glad I got to imagine the story unfolding in my head with this little fan cast along the way.
Overall, I give this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
“You needn’t answer me now, but I hope there is room for me in your heart, or I fear I shall wander entirely lost forever.”
Yu Seojun
Behind Five Willows is now available for pre-order
The official release date is May 26, 2026, but the book can already be pre-ordered through most major book retailers..
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