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Tatler Asia
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
15 K-dramas where the couple starts as childhood sweethearts
2. 'When the Camellia Blooms' (2019) Small-town charm meets low-key obsession in this Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Ha-neul drama. But rewind a few decades, and you'll find that Hwang Yong-sik had already fallen for single mom Dong-baek when they were just kids. His devotion never wavered, even if hers took a while to catch up. Proof that sometimes the loud kid in class turns into the man who'll love you through serial killer subplots. 3. 'Castaway Diva' (2023) The premise is unconventional: a girl (Park Eun-bin) stranded on an island for 15 years returns to civilisation to become a pop star. But buried beneath the survival storyline is a poignant twist: her long-lost childhood friend Mok-ha is unknowingly reunited with the boy who once protected her from an abusive father. Ultimately, this K-drama uses the childhood connection and enemies-turned-friends trope to full effect. What follows is a masterclass in longing, memory and quiet redemption. 4. 'My Love from the Star' (2013) Sure, he's an alien. But Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun) first met Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun) when she was a child in the Joseon era, and he saved her life. Centuries pass, but the universe has a flair for reunions. While the story doesn't dwell on their first meeting, the undercurrent of destiny is strong, and frankly, intergalactic devotion deserves a mention. 5. 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' (2025) This is a Jeju-set youth romance that delivers soft-focus cinematography and heartache in equal measure. Gwang-sik (Park Bo-gum) and Ae-sun (IU) grow up together, chasing each other through beaches and cabbage patches. Unlike the tropes where the couple meet once in their youth and then again as adults, When Life Gives You Tangerines is truly about childhood sweethearts. Unfailingly loyal to Ae Sun since they were nine years old, Gwang-sik stood by her side through family tragedy all the way to menopause. 6. '18 Again' (2020) Technically not childhood sweethearts, but an exception has to be made: Hong Dae-young (Yoon Sang-hyun/Lee Do-hyun) and Jung Da-jung (Kim Ha-neul) fell in love and had kids young. After a magical body-swap scenario, Dae-young becomes 18 again and sees his wife from a new lens, all while reliving the roots of their relationship. The flashbacks to their teenage years are pure nostalgia-fuelled romance. 7. 'I'll Go to You When the Weather Is Nice' (2020) This slow-burn gem centres on introvert bookstore owner Eun-seob (Seo Kang-joon) and cellist Hae-won (Park Min-young), whose connection stretches back to high school. Without spoiling too much, it's later revealed that Eun-seob has quietly loved her since childhood. Set against a wintry village backdrop, the show whispers its way into your heart. Childhood love, but make it melancholic and snow-dusted. 8. 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes' (2018) Not your typical romance—this drama is darker, twistier and potentially traumatic. But yes, our leads (Seo In-guk and Jung So-min) share a tragic link from childhood that fuels the entire mystery. It's less 'we were meant to be' and more 'we were bound to collide', but the emotional weight of their past makes the adult romance all the more intense. 9. 'She Was Pretty' (2015) Once upon a playground, Kim Hye-jin (Hwang Jung-eum) had the world—good looks, good grades and a best friend who adored her. Years later, life has rearranged the chessboard: Hye-jin now hides behind frizzy bangs and an unpaid credit card bill, while her childhood pal Ji Sung-joon (Park Seo-joon) has transformed into a magazine-cover version of success. When they meet again, he doesn't recognise her, and she doesn't correct him. What follows is a masquerade of mistaken identity, office antics and buried affection, all underlined by the ache of once being seen and now being invisible. 10. 'See You in My 19th Life' (2023) We're redefining childhood sweethearts a bit with See You in My 19th Life . Ban Ji-eum (Shin Hye-sun) remembers every life she's ever lived—all 18 of them. But in her 19th, she wants only one thing: to find the boy she once loved. Her pursuit of Moon Seo-ha (Ahn Bo-hyun) isn't just romantic; it's cosmic, a collision of past and present griefs. He, of course, remembers nothing, only the aftermath. A reincarnation romance soaked in melancholy and second chances, See You in My 19th Life asks: how far would you go to reclaim a love the universe keeps rewriting? 11. 'Come and Hug Me' (2018) They met in childhood, shared first kisses and playground promises. But then his father murdered her parents. Come and Hug Me is not a gentle love story, but a raw, unnerving meditation on trauma and survival. Years later, Chae Do-jin (Jang Ki-yong) wears a police badge; Han Jae-yi (Jin Ki-joo) lives behind stage lights. Their connection is fragile, haunted and quietly defiant, a love not defined by the violence that surrounded it but by the strength it takes to remember who they were before it. Don't miss: 12 intense K-drama thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat 12. 'Our Beloved Summer' (2021) First love rarely comes with a film crew, but Choi Woong (Choi Woo-shik) and Kook Yeon-soo's (Choi Woo-shik) romance was documented from the start: awkward, bickering, electric. Years after they break up, fate (and a nosy producer) drags them back on camera for a sequel no one asked for. What unspools is part rom-com, part emotional autopsy, as flashbacks blur into present longing. It's messy, modern and disarmingly tender: the story of two people trying to make sense of a love that never fully faded. 13. 'Pinocchio' (2014) Their lives are stitched together by coincidence and calamity. Choi In-ha (Park Shin-hye), who hiccups when she lies, and Choi Dal-po (Lee Jong-suk), who wears his grief like armour, share a household, not by blood, but by circumstance. She considers him family; he's spent years quietly redefining the word. Behind their sibling façade lies a tension neither dares name, forged in tragedy and nurtured in quiet companionship. When the past catches up, their bond must weather more than just societal judgment. 14. 'Reply 1988' (2015) There are dozens of love stories in Reply 1988 , woven through dinner tables, alleyways and late-night chats under shared blankets. Set in the analogue warmth of the late '80s, Reply 1988 isn't just about who marries whom. It's about how love grows when no one's looking—via childhood games, neighbourly teasing and the way a boy silently gives you an extra tight hug. This classic is a love letter to community, nostalgia and the kind of affection that sneaks up after years of friendship. Also read: 11 heart-warming found families in K-dramas 15. 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo' (2016) She lifts like a tank, cries like a teenager and falls in love like someone who's never really been looked at before. Kim Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) is no manic pixie. She's an athlete with calloused hands and a deeply awkward crush. Her banter with swimming star Jung Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk) is peak college rom-com, but what elevates their story is a flicker of memory: a childhood encounter, long buried but quietly formative. He once helped her, and now he sees her. And slowly, so does she.
Pink Villa
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Chae Jong Hyeop to lead romance drama In Your Brilliant Season alongside Lee Sung Kyung: Character and plot details inside
Rising actor Chae Jong Hyeop has reportedly confirmed his next small-screen role. He is to play the lead in upcoming drama In Your Brilliant Season. The casting news was shared by industry insiders to Sports Chosun on May 29. They suggested that the actor is set to team up with Lee Sung Kyung in what promises to be a moving and emotional love story. Storyline In Your Brilliant Season tells the touching tale of a man who suffers from both memory loss and hearing impairment following a tragic accident. As he grapples with his altered life, he crosses paths with a woman who becomes a ray of hope and healing. The drama aims to explore themes of emotional recovery, unspoken pain, and the quiet strength found in human connection. Chae Jong Hyeop is expected to play Seon Woo Chan, a talented animator working for a major animation studio in the United States. He appears to live a successful and quiet life. However, Seon Woo Chan carries a deeply hidden secret that adds a layer of complexity to his character. His emotional journey begins when he meets Song Ha Ran. Lee Sung Kyung to play lead female Starring opposite Chae, actress Lee Sung Kyung takes on the role of Song Ha Ran. She will reportedly play the eldest of three sisters and the chief designer at a leading firm. She is outwardly cheerful and maintains friendly relationships with others. However, she harbors a deep reluctance to form close emotional bonds, choosing instead to remain emotionally detached. The inner conflicts of her character are expected to add depth to the romance narrative. Fans are already anticipating the fresh chemistry between Chae Jong Hyeop and Lee Sung Kyung. Many are eager to see how the duo brings their characters' emotional complexities to life. Production details and creative team The script for In Your Brilliant Season is penned by Jo Sung Hee. She is known for hit dramas including Thirty But Seventeen, She Was Pretty, among others. With Jo's proven talent for weaving emotional and reflective stories, expectations are high for another well-crafted story. Production is scheduled to begin soon after the casting process is finalized. Meanwhile, Chae Jong Hyeop has steadily gained popularity with his standout performances in Castaway Diva and Serendipity's Embrace. He showcased both range and emotional depth. With this new project, he is expected to further solidify his status as a versatile leading man in the K-drama scene. As more updates about the cast and filming schedule emerge, anticipation continues to grow for what promises to be one of the most emotional dramas in the upcoming lineup.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Park Eun-bin on becoming psychopath doctor in 'Hyper Knife'
The actress says bringing her character in 'Hyper Knife' to life was a complex challenge. Photo: Handout Park Eun-bin, widely recognised for her infectious smile and innocent roles – most notably as the endearing Woo Young-woo in Extraordinary Attorney Woo and the free-spirited Mok-ha in Castaway Diva – has taken on a strikingly dark transformation in her latest project. In a bold departure from her previous roles, the actor plays Se-ok in Hyper Knife (Disney+ Hotstar), a psychopathic doctor prone to bouts of rage and a penchant for illegal surgeries. In the eight-episode medical crime thriller series, Se-ok is a once-celebrated surgeon whose career is derailed after her mentor, Deok-hee (Sul Kyung-gu), revokes her medical license. Left with few options, Se-ok turns to performing illegal surgeries as a "shadow doctor". For Park, bringing Se-ok to life was a complex challenge. She explained that her approach to playing the character was akin to making a "new friend". 'Unless it's a historical figure, I create a new character in my own way rather than looking for reference works. "This time, Se-ok went through several revisions after the first proposal... and I patiently created her with the mindset of making a 'new friend',' Park shared in a recent interview. She acknowledged that balancing Se-ok's sense of self-righteousness with the need to convincingly embody a psychopath was a challenging feat. 'It wasn't easy because, along with Se-ok's unique sense of self-righteousness, I had to add elements to make myself convincing as Se-ok, while expressing the typical traits of a psychopath in a different way," she said. Park was adamant about avoiding the typical portrayal of a psychopath or sociopath. 'There's a stereotype that associates psychopaths with a lack of empathy. "When we think of psychopaths, we tend to imagine them as emotionless and without compassion, and I wanted to create a different image for an anti-social character,' she said. Researching antisocial personality disorder, Park saw certain traits in Se-ok that resonated with the condition. 'I can't deny it, but as I studied more, I think I became closer to Se-ok,' she confessed. Reflecting on her experience of playing Se-ok, Park shared: "There were experiences I had not had myself and many emotions that were far from common." She added: "Going through these turbulent emotions, I had the fresh experience of realising that there are people who can live with such feelings." Looking ahead, Park is set to star in the upcoming Netflix series The Wonder Fools, alongside Cha Eun-woo. Set in 1999 during a time when apocalyptic beliefs were on the rise, the action adventure comedy follows a group of neighbourhood heroes who gain superpowers after an unexpected event and must battle villains threatening their city's peace. 'I enjoy trying new things. (Working on Hyper Knife,) although it's a medical thriller, I got to experience a mix of genres. The drama I'm currently filming, The Wonder Fools, is a fun one,' Park said. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network View this post on Instagram A post shared by 박은빈 (@eunbining0904)
International Business Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
Crash Course in Romance Star Jung Kyung Ho to Portray Labor Attorney in Upcoming MBC Drama
Jung Kyung Ho, the South Korean actor who won the hearts of millions of K-drama fans by portraying star tutor Choi Chi Yeol in the TV drama Crash Course in Romance, will play a labor attorney in the upcoming MBC drama. The mini-series, titled Labor Attorney Noh Moo Jin, will revolve around the life of a lawyer named Noh Moo Jin. MBC has revealed the premiere date of this upcoming drama by releasing its first look poster featuring Jung Kyung Ho. The mini-series will premiere on Friday (May 30) at 9:50 pm KST. It will focus on the relationships and conflicts taking place at various places. Jung Kyung Ho will appear as an attorney who can see ghosts. His life takes an unexpected turn after he realizes about his skills. The attorney who focuses on survival receives the daunting task of solving labor issues brought to him by ghosts. This change happens in his life after a near-death experience while struggling to make money to pay office rent. Noh Moo Jin eventually grows as an individual and learns a lot about social issues when he visits labor sites. Preview and Spoilers The first look poster features Noh Moo Jin as a confused attorney. Spirits surround him with their problems, and he tries to help them. The tagline for the poster sparks curiosity among K-drama fans about the action-packed journey of this labor attorney. It reads as below: The 180-day journey of fulfilling a labor contract—at the cost of life. Jung Kyung Ho is known for effortlessly handling comedic scenes and entertaining viewers in his unique style. His hit television dramas include Prison Playbook, Hospital Playlist, and Crash Course in Romance. The actor appeared in several K-dramas, including Crash Landing on You, Wedding Impossible, and Resident Playbook. Labor Attorney Noh Moo Jin Screenwriter Kim Bo Tong, who wrote the script for the D.P. series, has penned this fantasy drama. Director Yim Soon Rye of The Point Men and Little Forest has helmed the directorial position. Apart from Jung Kyung Ho, the drama will feature Twinkling Watermelon actress Seol In Ah and Castaway Diva actor Cha Hak Yeon in lead roles. Seol In Ah will play Na Hee Joo, Noh Moo Jin's sister-in-law and the brain behind his success. Cha Hak Yeon will portray Go Kyun Woo, a video content creator who was a journalist. "Labor Attorney Noh Moo Jin' deals with a rather heavy topic of labor issues, but it will be made into a pleasant and refreshing story by adding comedy and fantasy [elements]. With trustworthy actor Jung Kyung Ho playing the main character and star director Yim Soon Rye in charge of production, we expect that [the drama] will resonate with viewers through stories that are more realistic than reality," an MBC representative shared. Watch the Teaser Below:
Korea Herald
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Park Eun-bin talks becoming psychopath doctor in 'Hyper Knife'
"Extraordinary Attorney Woo" star discusses drastic change in character, next project with Korean heartthrob Cha Eun-woo Park Eun-bin, widely recognized for her infectious smile and innocent roles — most notably as the endearing Woo Young-woo in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and the free-spirited Mok-ha in "Castaway Diva" — has taken on a strikingly dark transformation in her latest project. In a bold departure from her previous roles, the actor plays Se-ok in "Hyper Knife," a psychopathic doctor prone to bouts of rage and a penchant for illegal surgeries. In the medical crime thriller series, Se-ok is a once-celebrated surgeon whose career is derailed after her mentor, Deok-hee (Sul Kyung-gu), revokes her medical license. Left with few options, Se-ok turns to performing illegal surgeries as a "shadow doctor." For Park, bringing Se-ok to life was a complex challenge. She explained that her approach to playing the character was akin to making a "new friend." 'Unless it's a historical figure, I create a new character in my own way rather than looking for reference works. This time, Se-ok went through several revisions after the first proposal … and I patiently created her with the mindset of making a 'new friend,'' Park shared during a group interview held Tuesday in Seoul. She acknowledged that balancing Se-ok's sense of self-righteousness with the need to convincingly embody a psychopath was a challenging feat. 'It wasn't easy because, along with Se-ok's unique sense of self-righteousness, I had to add elements to make myself convincing as Se-ok, while expressing the typical traits of a psychopath in a different way," she said. Park was adamant about avoiding the typical portrayal of a psychopath or sociopath. 'There's a stereotype that associates psychopaths with a lack of empathy. When we think of psychopaths, we tend to imagine them as emotionless and without compassion, and I wanted to create a different image for an anti-social character,' she said. Researching antisocial personality disorder, Park saw certain traits in Se-ok that resonated with the condition. 'I can't deny it, but as I studied more, I think I became closer to Se-ok,' she confessed. Reflecting on her experience of playing Se-ok, Park shared, "There were experiences I had not had myself and many emotions that were far from common." She added, "Going through these turbulent emotions, I had the fresh experience of realizing that there are people who can live with such feelings." Looking ahead, Park is set to star in the upcoming Netflix series "The Wonder Fools," alongside Cha Eun-woo. Set in 1999 during a time when apocalyptic beliefs were on the rise, the action adventure comedy follows a group of neighborhood heroes who gain superpowers after an unexpected event and must battle villains threatening their city's peace. 'I enjoy trying new things. (Working on 'Hyper Knife,') although it's a medical thriller, I got to experience a mix of genres. The drama I'm currently filming, 'The Wonder Fools,' is a fun one,' Park said.
