Maestra: Strings of Truth (2023) K Drama Episode 1

The Kdrama tells the story of violinist Cha Se-eum who is now the conductor of an orchestra. While she has reached a stage that is envied by all with her hard work and passion, Se-eum has a secret that can change her life forever. And so it does when a mysterious case takes place in the orchestra and she takes a look into it. The drama is a remake of the French show Philharmonia which aired in 2019.

Lee Yong-ae returns to the screen with a new protagonist role after her spectacular performance in Inspector Koo, alongside Lee Mo-saeng from Cleaning Up and Hwang Bo Reum-yeol from Can I Step In?

Maestra Episode 1 Recap

The episode starts with Se-eum threatening a drunk concertmaster with a gun to come to perform at her show. The scene cuts to a successful orchestra concert and it ends with Se-eum and the concertmaster playfully and peacefully bid farewell to each other. In the next scene, we see a rich businessman Jeong-jae bid on his horse Thunder in a race. His horse fails at the race and to make things even worse, he receives the news of Cha Se-eum returning to South Korea after 20 years.

A still from the series “Maestra”

At Hanphil Music Centre, two senior music conductors fight with CEO Sang-do for randomly pulling in Se-eum as their new conductor when the seniors are present. Sang-do finds it hard to answer them as the decisions were made along with executives and they all believe Se-eum’s presence would be beneficial since the media has started buzzing over her return to South Korea. The orchestra team finds it hard to have a new conductor, especially a woman. Though some of the members are fine with Se-eum the rest simply dislike the decision.

Se-eum arrives a day before her expected date and shocks the orchestra team. They all welcome her with a Mission Impossible theme but she finds intrinsic mistakes and makes them perform it once again with her conducting it. Surprisingly this time the music sounds even better. The orchestra members leave gossiping about her rude character and her domineering attitude.

A still from the series “Maestra”

Her husband Kim Pil picks her up and they go to their house. Since they haven’t lived together consistently for years, it’s understood they don’t have kids and Kim Pil is quite a bit sad about it but doesn’t show it out as he loves Se-eum more than anything. He plays piano for her and watches her sleep. He receives a notification and buzzes it down (no idea why). That evening we see one of the orchestra members Luna playing the violin at a resto bar.

She has a conversation with her boss as she is quitting the job. He requests her to stay but she even gives up on that month’s salary as she wants to fully focus on Hanphil’s performance. It’s revealed that she was saving money to go to the USA so she can learn under Se-eum but now that she has come to South Korea, Luna doesn’t wish for it anymore. Luna is also the youngest member of the orchestra who won the blind recruitment.

A still from the series “Maestra”

The next day when Luna practises violin, Se-eum comes and speaks with her. Se-eum who is updated about each member’s qualifications finds Luna amusing and plays music with her. She then visits Jae-man the concertmaster who was also her former teacher. She asks him to leave the orchestra as she previously noticed his inability to use his fourth finger on the violin. Jae-man asks her to look upon his condition given his daughter’s marriage is coming as well as he has only one more year to retire. Se-eum tells him to simply leave the team and not the organisation itself. However, he doesn’t listen and argues with her.

During practice, Se-eum politely changes the concertmaster from Jae-man to Luna triggering the other members. Most of them get mad at the decision as they don’t want a young girl to lead the team. The rioting team leaves and only a handful stay inside the room. Sang-do tries to calm them all down but they get mad at Se-eum’s decision. Jae-man packs up his things and quits Hanphil. Sang-do has a conversation with Se-eum and she doesn’t reveal Jae-man’s condition but rather makes him understand that Luna’s presence as the concertmaster will be refreshing.

A still from the series “Maestra”

Sang-do gives her the challenge to increase attendance of the members up to 50% within 3 months but Se-eum bets that she will bring 95% attendance or else would leave the centre. The two agree on this condition. That night Se-eum visits her father at their home. While checking out her room her trauma hits back. It’s understood that her mother tried to kill her due to her mental condition. This still impacts Se-eum and makes her lose control sometimes. When her dad asks whether she’ll visit her mother, Se-eum requests time.

On her way back, she sees Kim Pil looking with awe at a family embracing their daughter. During the car ride, she asks him whether he regrets not having a child to which he says that she is all he needs. The next day, Jeong-jae approves to invest in a new game and meets his company’s CEO and best friend Han-gil, and says that he is going to meet Cha Se-eum. Han-gil asks him why he wants to make her run to him when it’s too late but Jeong-jae simply smirks.

A still from the series “Maestra”

The same day, Se-eum starts the rehearsal with whoever has come. Watching this Sang-do requests Se-eum to appease the left members however she tells him that she will recruit new members if the ones who left don’t turn up tomorrow. Sang-do starts to talk with the members who are angry and tries to recruit them back. His plan works but sort of backfires. The next morning all members except Luna appear quite early and lock their rehearsal room.

One of the senior conductors starts to train them. When Sang-do tries to get inside, Se-eum understands the situation and breaks the glass door with a fire extinguisher. She then lashes at the members authoritatively and asks them to leave if they want to. Nevertheless, they all remain. She takes the conductor’s stand and starts the training. Jeong-jae arrives and distracts Se-eum but she still proceeds with the practice. He fires the alarm bell and disturbs the practice. He walks up to her and the tension rises.

A still from the series “Maestra”

Maestra Episode 1 Review

It’s truly intriguing right from the start because watching a woman so powerfully conduct an orchestra and willfully change the picture is glorious. The lead actress Lee Young-ae is the right cast for the character as her aura is captivating. There are so many things going on in the first episode and that’s the point of interest.

What’s the connection between Jeong-jae and Se-eum? Why did Se-eum leave for America for 20 years? What happened between her and her mother? What is Kim Pil hiding from Se-eum? Why is he always tense? All these questions require answers which we will be uncovering as the episodes further.

A still from the series “Maestra”