'Absolute Value of Romance' turns teenage imagination into heartfelt drama

Actor Kim Hyang-gi, center, and other cast members of Coupang Play's rom-com "Absolute Value of Romance" pose during a press conference at The Saint in D-Cube City in Guro District, Seoul, Tuesday. From left are Son Jeong-hyuk, Kim Jae-hyun of Korean rock band N.Flying, Kim, VIXX member Cha Hak-yeon and Kim Dong-gyu. Yonhap

Coupang Play’s upcoming coming-of-age drama “Absolute Value of Romance” is expected to be a mix of awkward teenage moments, bittersweet humor and a touch of fantasy.

At its heart is Yeo Eui-ju (Kim Hyang-gi), a seemingly ordinary high schooler who secretly pens bold “Boys’ Love” (BL) web novels. Her quiet routine takes an unexpected turn when four charismatic new teachers join the faculty, unknowingly becoming the muses for her stories and the catalysts for her emotional awakening.

“When I had the chance to review scripts a few years ago, this project stood out the most,” director Lee Tae-gon said during a press conference for the series at The Saint in D-Cube City in Guro District, Seoul, Tuesday.

“I signed the writer immediately. I wanted to direct this myself because of the youthfulness and fun it exudes. Just as Qin Shi Huang searched for the herb of eternal youth, I felt that working on this project would make me younger,” he added.

The series marks a departure for lead actor Kim, known for the film “Along with the Gods Gods: The Two Worlds” (2017) and its 2018 sequel.

“When I first saw the project, I thought the characters were cartoonish yet three-dimensional,” she said of her first comedy role. “Every single character is charming, and it makes you curious about what happens next.”

A poster for Coupang Play's rom-com "Absolute Value of Romance" / Courtesy of Coupang Play

The ensemble cast includes Cha Hak-yeon of the K-pop group VIXX, who plays Ga Woo-su, a cold math prodigy-turned teacher. Cha noted that he adjusted his naturally soft speaking style to fit the character's “sharp and prickly” personality.

The drama’s plot involves the teachers inadvertently inspiring Eui-ju’s BL novels. Lee admitted he was initially unfamiliar with the subgenre but praised the actors' chemistry.

“The actors performed as if they had been waiting for this,” Lee said. “There were so many ideas on set that weren't in the script. It reached a point where you couldn't tell if it was BL or reality. The male actors seemed to sparkle even more when filming those scenes.”

Lee added that while the atmosphere is comedic, he took care to ensure the underlying emotions were sincere to avoid making the subgenre feel like a caricature.

Supporting cast members include Kim Jae-hyun of N.Flying as the wealthy polyglot Noh Da-ju; Son Jeong-hyuk as Jung Gi-jeon, a retired luge athlete-turned sports teacher; and Kim Dong-gyu as the warm-hearted Korean teacher Yoon Dong-ju.

“Although the title includes the word ‘romance,’ the main story is really about people going through growing pains,” the director said. “It captures various emotions and happenings beyond the BL theme — from friendships and conflicts to a student’s innocent crush on a teacher. I don’t think romantic feelings dominate the narrative,” he added.

“Some might see it as a female-oriented work, but even male staff members in my age found themselves deeply engaged and moved to tears. I’m confident men will find it just as enjoyable,” he said with a smile, upping the expectation for the upcoming drama.

“Absolute Value of Romance,” premiering on Friday, will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video internationally.