Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
'Dare to Love Me' mixes historical, modern elements for lighthearted romance
Actors Kim Myung-soo, left, and Lee Yoo-young pose during the press conference for the new romantic comedy series, “Dare to Love Me," held at a hotel in southwestern Seoul's Guro District, Monday. Courtesy of KBS
By Lee Gyu-lee
Singer and actor Kim Myung-soo, also known as L from Infinite, said his new romantic comedy series, "Dare to Love Me," will have an interesting mix of historical elements in a modern-day setting.
"This series has an irresistible charm that will grow on you as you watch. Things that would happen in time travel stories unfold in the real world with our series," the actor said during a press conference for the series at a hotel in southwestern Seoul's Guro District, Monday.
"This series is unique in that it features period genre elements in a contemporary setting. And I think this uniqueness makes the series stand out from other works. It was also the part I found entertaining when I read the script."
KBS' new series "Dare to Love Me" revolves around a conservative man, Shin Yoon-bok (Kim), and an optimistic woman, Kim Hong-do (Lee Yoo-young).
Shin lives in a Confucian village called Seongsan, where people preserved an old-fashioned style of living. When he leaves the village to the outside world, he meets Kim, who works as a contract employee at a fashion company and dreams of becoming a fashion designer.
Based on the webtoon of the same name, the series is directed by Jang Yang-ho, who is known for leading the hit historical series "Mr. Queen" (2020-21) and "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" (2016).
Scenes from the first episode of the series "Dare to Love Me" / Courtesy of KBS
The series premiered Monday with a modest 2.3 percent viewership rating. The first episode showed Shin heading to Seoul to hunt down a thief who stole a valuable cultural property. There, he runs into Kim, who was his teacher when he ran away from home to become a webtoon artist seven years earlier.
"'Dare to Love Me' is a fun and delightful series, depicting a polite young man and a determined, straightforward woman growing as people," the director said.
"It unfolds the story of a former student and teacher's first encounter to their reunion and becoming lovers in a lyrical yet comedic manner. It also has rich themes of family, dreams and hope."
Actor Kim noted there will be a refreshing comedy that arises from his character's escape from the traditional village and exposure to modern life.
"The character of Shin Yoon-bok is a spiritual leader of Seongsan Village who has a sense of integrity," he said. "And the boy, who wears traditional hanbok (traditional Korean attire) and holds the Joseon Kingdom's Confucian values, experiences modern-day life (away from the village) in an interesting way. The way he encounters new things, such as kiosks and nightclubs, felt fresh and entertaining to me."
Lee, who is taking a stab at the comedy genre with the series, expressed she has been wanting to play a comical role.
"It is a genre I really wanted to try. My biggest concern was that it would be too comical. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to control myself and would be too much," she said.
"The director has done a lot of comedy before, so whenever I wasn't sure how far I should go, the director always told me to do as I pleased and enjoy myself as much as possible. He guided me well in finding that balance."