Star-studded 'Encounter' features heart-fluttering romance
Actress Song Hye-kyo, right, and Park Bo-gum make thier much anticipated returns in tvN's forthcoming TV series "Encounter." Courtesy of CJENM
By Park Jin-hai
Two big name stars Song Hye-kyo and Park Bo-gum make their much-anticipated returns in tvN's new romance drama “Encounter.”
Actress Song, who starred in the 2016 pan-Asian smash hit drama “Descendents of the Sun,” and Park, heartthrob of another 2016 hit period drama “Love in the Moonlight,” will depict the beautiful moments of love's spell.
“You need courage, big or small, when you start seeing someone and grow the encounter into something special. The drama is about the beautiful process,” said director Park Sin-woo during a press conference to preview the forthcoming TV series at Imperial Palace in Southern Seoul, Wednesday.
The new Wed-Thurs romance, which will premiere next week, revolves around Cha Soo-hyun, played by Song, a conglomerate heir divorcee and politician's daughter who has never lived her own life, and Kim Jin-hyuk, played by Park, a free-spirited young man who lives a simple life. The two from very different socio-economic backgrounds happen to meet in Cuba on their travels and start a whirlwind romance.
The drama, penned by Yoo Young-ah, whose previous works include films “Miracle in Cell No. 7” (2013) and “Take Off 2” (2016), has become the first K-drama filmed in Cuban cities.
Song, who married “Descendents of the Sun” co-star Song Joong-ki in 2017, said she expected “something beyond one's imagination” when she heard the writer-director duo were working together.
“Compared to Descendents, my upcoming drama is smaller in scale but more focused on detailed descriptions of emotions and personal relationships. Also, another interesting point will be my character change, which will be depicted as gloomy in the beginning of the drama but get bright as she returns to her old self,” she said.
The director Park said Yoo's strength lies in her subtle expression. “With no stirring elements, Yoo knows how to tell stories that viewers can sympathize with. I like her way of telling a subtle narrative, instead of telling it explicitly,” Park said.
Regarding the choice of Cuba as a location where their love was born, the director said he thought the country's ambience and images match the writer's intention of featuring that “special something” when a new relationship develops. “I understood that something as what slowly burns to flames. And I came up with images of Cuban cities,” said the director.
Actor Park also said, “Many people describe the country as a place where time has stopped. With distinctive fresh and exotic images of Cuba, drama fans will be able to appreciate the cinematography.”
On his character the 25-year-old actor said Kim is a man like a “green grape.” He added, “He is a positive thinking and warm-hearted man. He is always grateful for who he is and what he's got regardless of material wealth.”
The director says he hopes the slow-paced, finely weaved and lyrical melodrama will give fans some time to reflect on their own memories of love. “For those who missed slow-developing romance stories, Encounter will be sure to give some happy moments,” he said.
The 16-part drama will premiere next Wednesday.