The new K-drama, Goodbye Earth, premiered on Netflix on Friday, April 26, 2024. Starring Ahn Eun-Jin, the series released all 12 episodes, revolving around people struggling to survive the chaos due to an awaiting asteroid strike.
The story begins with the people of Woongcheon City receiving the news of an asteroid hitting the Earth within 200 days. The aftermath results in chaos as thugs openly kill many people, including children. Jin Se-Kyung (Eun-Jin), a middle-school teacher, struggles to move on from the death of her students and decides to protect the remaining three. When she cannot find any help, Se-Kyung takes matters into her own hands and kills the culprits.
Goodbye Earth also focuses on people bringing out their darker side when death is near. From a priest turning his back on his community to a father selling her daughter for money, Woongcheon City becomes dangerous. Se-Kyung turns into a murderer to protect the children. Ultimately, she does her duty before bidding farewell to the Earth. The drama has not ended on a happy note, but I can say it has a bittersweet ending.
Goodbye Earth episode 12 recap & spoilers: Ahn Eun-Jin is determined to protect children while others await D-Day
Netflix‘s Goodbye Earth episode 12 (finale) begins with the Woongcheon City people accepting their fate. With 20 days left before the asteroid hits the Earth, they focus on living their final days as they desire. Se-Kyung (Ahn Eun-Jin) and Yoon-Sang (Yoo Ah-In), too, enjoy their married life, while Woo Sung-Jae (Jeon Sung-Woo) quits his position as a priest in the church. Meanwhile, Kang In-Ah (Kim Yoon-Hye) ends her duty as a battalion commander and decides to travel before D-Day.
Before leaving, she visits Se-Kyung and Yoon-Sang. In-Ah hands over a loaded gun and bullets to Yoon-Sang, who hides them in a safe place. She requests him to protect Se-Kyung. On the other hand, the latter learns that the leader of the thug group has asked someone for three kids in place of a seat in the following aircraft. The remaining three students are her target.
Meanwhile, the people in the city are well-prepared to welcome the asteroid, aka their fate.
Goodbye Earth ending: Did the asteroid hit the Earth?
Towards the Goodbye Earth ending, Se-Kyung finds out the whereabouts of the thug leader. She decides to protect the kids and, hence, reaches the place holding the gun that In-Ah gave to Yoon-Sang. Moreover, the latter also follows her, carrying alcohol bottles to ignite a fire.
Simultaneously, the ending features Se-Kyung’s narration bidding farewell to the Earth. She says goodbye to the kids, friends, family, house, restaurants, shops, gardens, the city, and the world. The scene features the adults on a rooftop covered in flowers waving goodbye to the children flying away on a hot-air balloon. Along with the hot-air balloon, multiple balloons of different sizes and structures float, with messages like “Love” and “Peace.”
Goodbye Earth’s final scene features Se-Kyung heading into a club holding a gun. She and the thug leader lock eyes with guns pointing at each other. The camera zooms out and focuses on the sky where an asteroid is speeding towards the Earth. The series ends with the sound of a gunshot.
Overall, Goodbye Earth has a bittersweet ending. Se-Kyung protects the kids from criminals. However, no one can avoid their fate. It appears that the people happily said goodbye to Earth.
Meanwhile, all 12 episodes of the South Korean drama are available to stream on Netflix.
