I'm not a big fan of TV dramas due to their length and generally sub-par acting. However, watching Korean TV series has changed my perspective forever.This is my second IMDb comment since I started using IMDb many years ago. I am compelled to write about this series because it deserves to be noted, along side with another Korean TV series "Dae Jang Geum" (AKA A Jewel In The Palace) if you have not already seen it.If you have been an avid Korean romance TV drama fan before watching this series, you will probably find this one too clichéd and has taken (politely speaking) the "best ingredients" of other romantic-themed TV dramas.However, if you are new to Korean romance TV dramas (dare I say anyone who has watched less than 5 Korean TV drama series prior to this?), then this will probably woo you as it did me, and forever change your view of Korean romantic TV dramas, for the same reason above: when you see other similar dramas after this, you will find bits and pieces of the others that remind you of this one. But -- most importantly -- this one has managed to weave it together better than all the others of the same genre to date. Is it any surprise that the writers and producers have benefited from previous similar productions? Would it be better off if this show was never produced?This brings me to the next point: I ask that anyone casting their vote to bear in mind that just because elements of this show came from others before it should not be the main reason for down-casting it. Should we down grade an ice skater's superior performance just because he/she has used similar steps as others before them? I think the difference is mainly in execution. This one is beautifully executed with some of the most memorable sound tracks for a romance-based TV series ever -- look up the song title "Bo Go Ship Da" on "www.YouTube.com" for a taste of what may have already become a classic -- seems that every Korean I meet knows this song. The only other Korean TV romance drama series that has this memorable a sound track would be "Winter Sonata," but this show still manages to out-do it with it's own classic.I have heard many times from other people that watched this series BEFORE some of the other series telling me that "nothing compares" to this one -- that they are spoiled by this show. I concur. If you watch this series, it may just have the same effect on you. Luckily, even though I watched "Dae Jang Geum" after this, DJG was not similarly themed that I was not "disappointed" at DJG in any way.Does this mean this show is PERFECT? No -- hence the 9 out of 10. The acting by the stepmother and her daughter were over the top at times, and it did get a bit slower near the end where the emotions ran very high, but I strongly disagree with those that said the "ending" was bad because it is "sad." I think the way it ended was beautifully done that though it was sad it wasn't poorly framed nor felt unpolished like some other dramas where the ending leaves you wondering if the writer fell asleep.So be forewarned -- watch this show and it just may change your expectation for other romantic TV series that follow forever, not to mention needing a box of tissue handy for each episode.If you want to learn more about the show (and therein possible spoilers), visit "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stairway_to_Heaven_(TV_series)" by cutting and pasting the address into your browser.Side comment: This series has been watched at least three times in our household. Each time my wife commented that Yuri would have been a better choice as the tragic heroine. Personally, I feel Yuri is prettier than Jeong-Seo. While this may just be a coincidence, did any one notice that Jeong-Seo and Song-joo have complimentary initials (JS vs. SJ)?? :)P.S. Please let me know if my comment is helpful to you so I know how to improve it for the future. Thanks!P.P.S. By the way, the someone needs to add "Stairway to Heaven" as the AKA title in the listing. I tried many times to bring this show up in IMDb and have been unsuccessful since I have never known this show's English title as anything else.

I live in Canada, but I have a Chilean Channel which is airing this Korean Soap Opera, and so far so good. I read a bit of a spoiler, and I'm going to keep watching it... unless I die of dehydration from crying so much if that's even possible. If you're vulnerable to tearing up during any shows, don't watch it. It's a good story, but the ending is brutally sad. At first I found it a little childish, but if you've never seen any other Korean Soap Opera before, then give it a shot. It's a good story, and if you're part of the western audience, this will be new to you. As said before, the storyline is good, and it's not your everyday story.4 Thumbs Up!

Well, this Korean drama for me is one of the best Korean dramas that I ever saw. Well, yeah it is true that it has a very sad ending but still it is the number one Korean drama shown in my country. Actually, it touched a million lives because of it's story. The actors and actresses here are very good, most especially Kwon Sang Woo, the lead male star. I also like Choi Ji-Woo she is actually one of Korea's finest star. The story itself tells a very unique story which make the viewers interested, but what makes this drama interesting is a very good lesson to tell us...Once you love a person you need to sacrifice something... your Love...your love for yourself

At first it's quite nice, in the middle it still looks nice and interesting, but at the end it's really really awful. The usual story for South Korean drama, after the couple separate and make up their relationship (they even get married), the girl was having terminal disease and died, end of the story. Perhaps the producer and the scriptwriter are crazy (absolutely they are). How can they make such a long story which was telling about how difficult the couple being together but at the end what they faithed is meaningless. Actually it's really a good drama , I like it but absolutely hate the ending so much.One more another disappointed drama from South Korea, and I wouldn't recommend this drama if you don't like sad ending because you'll be disappointed after you saw the ENDING.The soundtrack is good and I like it.