Character Relationship Map: Always

Characters

• Cheol-min (played by So Ji-sub) — protagonist

  A former professional boxer turned telemarketer who has emotionally isolated himself following vision loss. He serves as the film's central protagonist, navigating his journey toward healing and love.

• Jung-hwa (played by Han Hyo-joo) — protagonist

  A spirited telemarketer who remains optimistic despite progressively losing her sight. She is the female lead whose emotional openness helps Cheol-min reconnect with the world.

• Jung-hwa's Mother (played by Chu Gwi-jeong) — cameo
• Jung-hwa's Father (played by Jeong Dong-gyoo) — cameo

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Jung-hwa's Mother → Jung-hwa (mother)
• Jung-hwa's Father → Jung-hwa (father)
• Cheol-min → Jung-hwa (Romantic Partners) — Their growing love gives both characters hope for a shared future, while Cheol-min's dangerous fight threatens their plans.

  Their awkward first encounter gradually becomes a friendship and then a romance. They imagine traveling together and sharing a home.

Story Analysis

A guarded former boxer and an optimistic woman build a loving bond, while his dangerous attempt to pay for her treatment puts their hoped-for future in doubt.

Plot Progression

1. From Isolation to Connection — Cheol-min's account of prison, violence, and family loss establishes his guarded life. Meeting Jung-hwa in the rain begins a bond that grows into friendship.
2. Care and Renewed Hope — Cheol-min helps repair Jung-hwa's home and learns massage to ease her pain. Their mutual encouragement supports her workshop dream and helps him reconnect with boxing.
3. A Future Under Pressure — Cheol-min enters an official fighting league and earns money from a difficult bout. The couple imagine a life together, but the cost of Jung-hwa's operation raises the stakes.
4. The Dangerous Gamble — Cheol-min accepts an illegal no-rules fight for its large reward, hoping to fund Jung-hwa's treatment. After her operation, his whereabouts remain uncertain and a package for him arrives.