Song Joong-ki, Chun Woo-hee pair up with strong chemistry in ‘My Youth’
Actors Chun Woo-hee, left, and Song Joong-ki pose during a press conference for JTBC’s Friday drama “My Youth” at The Link Seoul hotel in Guro District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Song Joong-ki and Chun Woo-hee are returning to the romance genre with JTBC’s new drama “My Youth,” a project described both as a meaningful opportunity and a chance to showcase their on-screen chemistry.
At a press conference Thursday at The Link Seoul in Guro District, director Lee Sang-yeob appeared alongside cast members Song, Chun, Lee Joo-myung and Seo Ji-hoon.
“My Youth” follows Sunwoo Hae (Song), who begins an ordinary life later than others, and Sung Je-yeon (Chun), who finds her peace disrupted by first love.
The drama is helmed by Lee, who previously directed “Yumi’s Cells” and “Familiar Wife,” with a script by Park Si-hyun, known for “Run On.”
Director Lee said the drama tells the story of 30-somethings who reconnect with important people from their past, confront old wounds and grow through shared experiences.
He said that he was thrilled when Song accepted the lead role. “This character requires many different faces, and Song Joong-ki was perfect,” he said.
Song, appearing in his first romance drama in nine years since KBS2’s “Descendants of the Sun,” said, “I was excited to return to romance. It’s a genre actors are always drawn to. I wanted to try a character who could exist in real life rather than a fantasy setting, and this script gave me that chance.”
Chun also returns to romance after her acclaimed turn in JTBC’s 2019 series “Be Melodramatic.”
She said, “That show is still loved, and I’m grateful for it. While filming ‘My Youth,’ I wondered why I hadn’t done more romance roles. I realized I really enjoy exploring subtle emotional lines in relationships.”
Director Lee Sang-yeob, center, poses with actors, from left, Song Joong-ki, Chun Woo-hee, Lee Joo-myung and Seo Ji-hoon during a press conference for JTBC’s drama “My Youth” at The Link Seoul hotel in Guro District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Chemistry on and off screen
The two leads expressed mutual trust and affection. Song called Chun his “best partner” and said he had heard from staff that their visuals matched well.
“Our acting chemistry was as good as our visual match. We were often told we looked like siblings, which shows how similar we can appear. He always listened to my opinions and was very considerate," Chun said.
Seo Ji-hoon and Lee Joo-myung also praised the script’s wit and the director’s openness to input. Seo said the drama portrays emotions that “anyone might feel at some point in life,” while Lee noted it combines sweet and spicy romance with elements of both bromance and female friendship.
Director Lee summed up “My Youth” as “a drama that is delightful, moving and full of love.”
Song added, “It suits this season well. Please watch, and I’ll always try to show my best as an actor.”
Chun said the show portrays “how people and love come together through youth, even if clumsy and imperfect, in a way that still feels beautiful.”
“My Youth” premieres at 8:50 p.m. Friday and will air two consecutive episodes every Friday.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.