Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
Some of K-drama’s biggest actors have gotten together in a recently aired variety show. Here, we’re talking about TVING’s original series Youth MT. Producer Kim Sung Yoon of Love in the Moonlight, Itaewon Class and The Sound of Magic invited fifteen actors from his previous drama projects to make this ambitious reunion happen. Those who made headlines just by starring in the series together are now showing fantastic teamwork as entertainers. As they have actually encountered one another in other projects, the cast showed their unexpectedly brilliant teamwork. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the five dramas starring more than two cast members from Youth MT.
Backstreet Rookie (2020): Kim Yoo Jung & Ji Chang Wook
Backstreet Rookie follows the love story between a feisty part-timer at a convenience store and her kind and good-looking store manager. Kim Yoo Jung plays Jung Saet Byul, the half-time worker, and Ji Chang Wook stars as Choi Dae Hyun, the store owner. Together they show incredible chemistry as they lead the romantic drama as its centerpiece. The drama boasts loads of witty and cartoon-like scenes as it is based on a webtoon, and among them was the hilarious Pulp Fiction parody scene that made everyone laugh. Kim Yoo Jung delivers the slice-of-life acting with some eye-opening action scenes as she plays the character with exceptional athletic talents. The drama brought warmth and joy to viewers as it perfectly portrayed the protagonists’ romance and their everyday life filled with small happiness.
Lovestruck in the City (2020): Ji Chang Wook & Ryu Kyung Soo
Lovestruck in the City tells the realistic dating stories of young people fighting to survive in a hectic city, throwing in questions like “What to do with your ex’s stuff after a breakup” and “How to deal with your lover’s opposite-sex friend.” In the drama, Ji Chang Wook plays an architect named Park Jae Won. He goes on a vacation to Yangyang, where he meets Lee Eun Oh (Kim Ji Won) and falls in love with her. However, their romantic relationship soon falters due to several practical reasons. The drama garnered favorable reviews for depicting the realistic reasons for their break up as the two returned to their everyday lives in the city. Ryu Kyung Soo plays Eun Oh’s longtime friend Kang Gun, a young novelist who already had his writing heyday, and the two show how the current generation creates and maintains their friendships.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020): Kwak Dong Yeon & Ji Hye Won
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay centers around a woman and a man who grew up in different environments, each having a painful past of their own. As they grow closer to each other, the two heal their wounds of the past together and fall in love. Kim Soo Hyun plays a psych ward community worker who takes care of his autistic brother, and Seo Ye Ji stars as a storybook writer with an antisocial personality disorder. The drama delivers consolation to viewers as it portrays the characters bravely seeking their own happiness. Kwak Dong Yeon and Ji Hye Won also left a strong impression on the show by making surprise cameo appearances. Kwak Dong Yeon appears as Kwon Ki Do, the youngest son of a congressman with manic depression, and Ji Hye won plays Lee Ah Reum who suffers depression and anxiety due to her dark family history.
Fight For My Way (2017): Park Seo Joon & Kwak Dong Yeon
Fight For My Way is about the friendship and love of young individuals who strive to achieve their dreams despite their difficult circumstances and lacking qualifications. Park Seo Jun stars as Ko Dong Man and shows great chemistry with Kim Ji Won. Although he dreamed of being a national Taekwondo player, he lives an entirely different life due to a single mistake he made. After Ko Dong Man realizes his feelings for his longtime friend Choi Ae Ra (Kim Ji Won), their friendship morphs into something more. Meanwhile, Kwak Dong Yeon makes a special appearance as Kim Moo Gi, the ex-boyfriend of Choi Ae Ra. He portrayed another youthful character by playing a young man who lives a life that does not always satisfy him. By showing different perspectives of various individuals, the drama shows that the happiness lies not only in fame and expensive outfits but also in the process and hard work.
Suspicious Partner (2017): Ji Chang Wook & Kwon Nara
Suspicious Partner follows a talented prosecutor named Noh Ji Wook and an eccentric district attorney named Eun Bong Hee (Nam Ji Hyun), who grow feelings for each other as they investigate a mysterious case. Ji Chang Wook takes on the role of Noh Ji Wook, the genius prosecutor who is not interested in climbing the job ladder despite having an eye-opening winning rate. He reunites with Eun Bong Hee, who once misunderstood him as a pervert, and helps her out as she becomes a murder suspect by accident. Kwon Na Ra appears as attorney Cha Yoo Jung, who once dated Noh Ji Wook. Seeing Bong Hee as her rival, many viewers supported Kwon Na Ra for her cute portrayal of Yoo Jung.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
Chon tao lao.