'KPop Demon Hunters' star to play farmer in SBS rom-com

From left, actors Ahn Hyo-seop, Chae Won-been and Kim Bum pose during a press conference for SBS rom-com "Sold Out on You" at the broadcaster's headquarters in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Ahn Hyo-seop, who shot to global fame as the voice of Jinu in the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," is returning to the small screen as a perfectionist farmer.

In SBS’s new romantic comedy "Sold Out on You," Ahn plays Matthew Lee, a genius cosmetic researcher and passionate mushroom farmer who becomes entangled day and night with Ye-jin (Chae Won-bin), a “sell-out queen” home-shopping host.

Ahn, who attended the 98th Academy Awards last month after "KPop Demon Hunters" took home two trophies, said, “I actually finished all my dubbing work before shooting this drama, so I had some breathing room," during a press conference for the drama at SBS headquarters in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Wednesday.

“After working on emotionally heavy projects that made me think deeply about life, reading this script felt very healing. There’s no villain here — just an honest story about everyday life,” he said.

He said he threw himself into learning to drive a tractor. “I wanted to soak in the countryside and really live the life of a farmer.”

Director Ahn Jong-yeon described the series as a “therapy drama,” with its sense of comfort as the main appeal. He also praised Ahn Hyo-seop’s casting, saying that while the actor has often played serious, charismatic roles, he wanted to bring out the comic side. “Matthew Lee has hidden wounds, and Ahn is the actor who can bring all of those layers to life,” he said.

A promotional poster for SBS rom-com "Sold Out on You" / Courtesy of SBS

Kim Bum takes on the role of Eric Seo, which is his first foray into romantic comedy in his 20 years of acting career.

“Fantasy and action roles came with built-in details already laid out in the script; you didn’t have to invent much. Rom-coms feel more delicate, which made me doubt myself and avoid them. But when I first read this script, I saw so much already there — and realized I could bring Eric to life in vivid, colorful ways with what I have,” he explained.

Kim described his role as “someone who was adopted into a wealthy family but with nothing truly his own — no ambitions, just drifting day to day — until he meets Ye-jin and discovers purpose and what truly matters in life.”

Ahn Hyo-seop said both Ye-jin and Matthew have led ruthlessly demanding, nonstop lives. “Meeting each other becomes a moment of rest. I think there are people everywhere grinding through their days, and this show wants to tell them: ‘It’s OK to take it easy today'," he told about the message the series wants to deliver to the audiences.

"Sold Out on You" will also be available on Netflix on April 22.