Man from the Equator

Updated on Dec 28, 2023

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Also known as The Equator Man Written by Kim In-young		Genre Revenge, Melodrama Country of origin South Korea
Directed by Kim Yong-sooHan Sang-woo Similar The Blade and Petal, Resurrection (South Korean TV series), The Thorn Birds (2011 TV series)

Man from the Equator (Hangul: 적도의 남자; Hanja: 赤道의 男子; RR: Jeogdoui Namja; also known as The Equator Man) is a 2012 South Korean television series, starring Uhm Tae-woong, Lee Joon-hyuk, Lee Bo-young and Im Jung-eun. A tense, emotionally charged tale of brotherhood and betrayal, it follows two best friends with a tragic, twisted history that follows them from youth to adulthood. It aired on KBS2 from March 21 to May 24, 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes.

After premiering in last place among its more high-profile competitors The King 2 Hearts and Rooftop Prince, the viewership ratings for Man from the Equator steadily climbed due in large part to Uhm Tae-woong's praise-worthy acting and the well-combined plot of romance, fate, revenge and success. Out of a total of 20 episodes, 16 rated number one in its timeslot.

Plot

One the driven top student and the other a happy-go-lucky troublemaker, Jang-il (Siwan) and Sun-woo (Lee Hyun-woo) become unlikely buddies in high school, both poor but proud in their own ways. Their fathers both have ties to a powerful businessman who orders Jang-il's father to kill Sun-woo's father. One desperate crime begets another, and the boys' friendship derails in a shocking betrayal. The attack leaves Sun-woo blind and in a coma. Thirteen years later, their fates will come to a head when they meet again as adults. Jang-il (Lee Joon-hyuk) has become a prosecutor haunted by his past, while Sun-woo (Uhm Tae-woong), the young CEO of investment trust company Royal Tree, is plotting his revenge. Their fates are intertwined with the women they love—Ji-won (Lee Bo-young), a volunteer reader for visually impaired people who now works as a VIP party planner at a five-star hotel, and Soo-mi (Im Jung-eun), a hyper-realism painter. As Jang-il and Sun-woo vow to destroy each other, the truth unravels in a harrowing cycle of deception and revenge as the crimes and secrets of yesteryear come to light.

Cast

Uhm Tae-woong as Kim Sun-woo

Lee Hyun-woo as teenage Sun-woo

Formerly a problem child with a penchant for getting into fist fights, Sun-woo discovers his new-found passion for learning after he befriends top student Jang-il. One day, Kyung-pil, whom he looked up to as a father, dies mysteriously. While trying to discover the truth behind his death, Sun-woo gets into a fatal accident. Years later, he establishes himself as a successful businessman. His new goal now is to solve the mystery behind Kyung-pil’s death while coming face to face with his former childhood best friend and nemesis, Jang-il.

Lee Joon-hyuk as Lee Jang-il

Siwan as teenage Jang-il

Jang-il is from a poor family and grew up in the countryside. From a young age, he excelled in his academic studies, dreaming of one day making it in the real world. His efforts pay off and he becomes a celebrated public prosecutor. Jang-il's greed and ambition for fame and fortune makes him betray his childhood best friend Sun-woo and he must now live with his dark and lonely secret.

Lee Bo-young as Han Ji-won

Kyung Soo-jin as young Ji-won

Im Jung-eun as Choi Soo-mi

Park Se-young as young Soo-mi

Kim Yeong-cheol as Jin No-shik

Sun-woo's biological father

Lee Won-jong as Lee Yong-bae

Lee Jae-yong as Choi Kwang-chun

Lee Dae-yeon as Kim Kyung-pil

Sun-woo's adoptive father, a timid but kind man.

Cha Hwa-yeon as Ma Hee-jung

Lee Seung-hyung as Department head Cha