Four Hands, Two Sonatas

• Original title : 포핸즈
• Other titles: Four Hands
• Number of episodes: 12, 1h10
• Air date: August 29, 2026, Saturdays and Sundays
• Broadcaster: tvN / Netflix
• Directed by Park Hyun-suk
• Scriptwriter: Shin Yi-won
• Genre: youth, romance, everyday life
• Casting: Song Kang, Lee Jun-young, Jang Gyu-ri, Kim Joo-heon, Yoon Se-ah, Jung Jin-young; Lee Myeong-ro, Park Kwang-il

The title of the drama refers to the musical term «Four Hands», a piano technique in which 2 people play the same instrument simultaneously. A perfect metaphor for a story that combines friendship, rivalry, love and a passion for music.

A genius who constantly strives for perfection

In the series, Song Kang plays Kang Bi-oh, a student considered to be exceptional. A top student both academically and in piano, he is recognized as one of the rising stars of Korean classical music.

But this success is not solely the result of natural talent. Kang Bi-oh is, above all, a tireless worker who devotes every day to pushing his own limits. At just 17 years old, his abilities have already caught the attention of renowned classical musicians in Korea and abroad. Many see him as a future leader of the Korean classical music scene.

Yet, despite all the praise and admiration he receives, there is one form of recognition he still lacks: that of his grandfather, a world-renowned conductor. Earning his approval one day becomes the motivation that drives Kang Bi-oh to keep going, even after he reaches a level that many already consider exceptional.

An encounter that turns her world upside down

Kang Bi-oh's perfectly organized life begins to change with the arrival of Choi Jeong-yo, played by Lee Jun-young.

Choi Jeong-yo, a new transfer student, effortlessly surpasses everything Kang Bi-oh has built up over years of hard work. For the first time, Kang Bi-oh finds himself facing limitations he has never felt before.

This encounter will not only challenge his view of music, but also open the doors to a world he didn't know existed.

Lee Jun-young, a piano prodigy caught up in reality

Lee Jun-young plays Choi Jung-yo, a naturally gifted pianist whose journey is very different from that of the other students.

After losing his mother at a very young age, he found himself having to care for his father, who suffered from alcoholism. Forced to become the breadwinner for his family while still just a child, Choi Jung-yo had to put his own dreams on hold.

Even though he loved the piano more than anything, the realities of his life forced him to step away from music.

Having grown up in difficult circumstances, he has become someone who tackles problems head-on. Accustomed to relying only on himself, he is not easily swayed by rules or the opinions of others.

In fact, this independent spirit has earned him a reputation as a free-thinking student at his school.

A musician with perfect pitch

Hong Jae-in (Jang Gyu-ri) has a rare gift: perfect pitch. Able to identify each note with remarkable precision, she decided to study the viola under the influence of her mother, who runs an agency specializing in classical musicians.

A music lover, she spends her free time listening to music on headphones to further refine her ear. This ability allows her, in particular, to recognize a performer after just a few notes.

Ever since childhood, she has had a special relationship with Kang Bi-oh (Song Kang), who is her best friend. Her affection for the young pianist is so strong that she can recognize his playing even when he is playing from a distance.

The first images released show a young woman who is always smiling, hinting at a radiant character who will bring a touch of tenderness to this story.

All three students at the same arts high school—Kang Bi-oh, Choi Jung-yo, and Hong Jae-in—will grow up together to the rhythm of music, navigating friendship, competition, and dreams for the future. More than just a love triangle, Kang Bi-oh, Choi Jung-yo, and Hong Jae-in are meant to represent three different ways of experiencing music.

The first was built on discipline and the pursuit of perfection. The second is trying to reconnect with a talent and a dream he had given up on. The third observes and feels the music with exceptional sensitivity.

In the hallways of their high school, in rehearsal rooms, or in front of their instruments, they’ll share not only their first major successes but also their rivalries, doubts, and disappointments.

Secondary characters

Jung Jin-young Kang Seung-woon plays his grandfather, a world-renowned conductor. A perfectionist, he refuses to compromise when it comes to music and is just as demanding of his family.

His attitude stirs up a particularly strong desire in Kang Pio: to finally gain his grandfather's recognition.

Added to this pressure is that from her mother, Kang Ji-hye, played by Yoon Sea. Convinced since her childhood of her son's exceptional talent, she has devoted much of her life to his career.

Kim Joo-hun played by Do Hyun-soo, the teacher of Kang Pio and Choi Jeong-yo.

After studying at an arts high school in Korea and then building a career as a pianist in the United States, he finds himself tasked with mentoring two students with radically different personalities and musical styles. Rather than simply determining which one is the best, Do Hyun-soo will try to help them develop their strengths, overcome their weaknesses, and above all, find their own musical identity.

On his side, Seo Jae-hee plays Yoon Sun-joo, the wife of Kang Seung-woon and the mother-in-law of Kang Ji-hye.

A former violin student, she is now the director of the Korea Group Cultural Foundation and chair of the board of directors of the arts high school—a position that gives her considerable influence in the classical music world. She quickly recognized Choi Jeong-yo’s potential and decided to support him generously.

Inspired by a pianistic term referring to two musicians playing on the same piano, the series follows a group of young artists who meet at an arts high school and grow up together, between passion, rivalry and the quest for identity.

The story follows these students from adolescence to adulthood, as they try to establish themselves as professional pianists. Through their lives, Four Hands promises to explore the fine line between friendship and competition, as well as the way in which music can both bring people together and change their destinies.

Viewership and End of Broadcast

«Four Hands, Two Sonatas» wrapped up its run with its highest ratings since its premiere: a 9.4 % audience rating, compared to just 3.4 % for its first episode (for the TV broadcast in Korea).

But Song Kang and Lee Jun-young’s story is far from a classic happy ending. Three years apart, a career left behind, and above all, the truth about what Jeong-yo actually risked to play with Pi-o one last time: the finale offers a deeply bittersweet conclusion.

And several questions are deliberately left unanswered, which didn't convince all the viewers.