Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin became a real-life couple after starring together in Crash Landing on You. Their on-screen characters’ romantic relationship sparked dating rumors about the actors, and their exceptional chemistry played a significant role in boosting the drama’s popularity. In this roundup, we highlight other actor pairs who brought joy to their fans by reuniting in a new acting project.
Park Hyung Sik & Park Shin Hye: The Heirs, Doctor Slump
Park Shin Hye and Park Hyung Sik portrayed characters from completely different backgrounds in The Heirs, a high school romance drama about the love and friendship of affluent high school students. Park Shin Hye played Eun Sang, who matured early due to her family’s difficult circumstances, while Park Hyung Sik portrayed the carefree heir of a conglomerate family. Despite wearing the same school uniform, the two existed in different worlds.
Ten years later, the two actors reunite as doctors facing life crises due to their respective circumstances in a new JTBC drama titled Doctor Slump. Park Hyung Sik takes on the role of Jung Woo, a plastic surgeon who falls into a slump after a mysterious accident, while Park Shin Hye plays Haneul, an anesthesiologist struggling with burnout syndrome. Although they had little connection in The Heirs, this time, they will portray a romance where they become each other’s hope during a dark period in life despite being rivals during their school days.
Ahn Jae Hong & Esom: Microhabitat, High Surf Expected, LTNS
Working as a housemaid, Miso desires nothing more than whiskey, cigarettes, and a boyfriend. However, her financially struggling boyfriend decides to break up with Mi So for a better future, even though he still loves her. Esom and Ahn Jae Hong teamed up to portray an impoverished couple filled with affection despite the harsh reality in the movie Microhabitat. Later on, they played a couple bidding farewell to each other in a short film directed by Ahn Jae Hong.
This time, the pair is coming back to the small screen with a new drama titled LTNS, taking on the roles of a sexless couple chasing infidelity to make ends meet. All eyes are on the stars, wondering if they can maintain their relationship without a breakup this time.
Nam Joo Hyuk & Han Ji Min: The Light in Your Eyes, Josée
The Light in Your Eyes brought tears to many with its touching story about an Alzheimer’s patient who thinks she can control time. Towards the end, the show surprised everyone with it heartbreaking plot twist, revealing the true story of the twenty-five-year-old woman and all her experiences during her mysterious time travels. Han Ji Min takes on the role of Hye Ja and showcases a heartbreaking romance with Jun Ha played by Nam Joo Hyuk.
A few years later, the two reunited in another romance drama, Josee. Based on a famous Japanese movie titled Josee, the Tiger and the Fish, the film revolves around a woman named Josee, who has congenital leg disabilities, and a man named Young Suk, who bravely steps into her world. The movie depicts the bittersweet romance of the two as they meet and part ways with each other. Despite the 12-year age gap, the actors showed off great chemistry in the project.
Lee Seung Gi & Lee Se Young: A Korean Odyssey, The Law Cafe
A Korean Odyssey is a fantasy drama based on the ancient novel Journey to the West. Lee Seung Gi took on the role of the arrogant Son Oh Gong after completing his military service and showcased his impressive martial arts skills in the series. Lee Se Young portrayed a zombie girl with memory loss and also played Jin Bu Ja and Asanyeo.
They reunited in a romance drama titled The Law Cafe. In this series, Lee Seung Gi, who initially mistreated the zombie Lee Se Young living in his house, takes on the role of Jung Ho who has been harboring feelings for Lee Se Young (played by Yuri) for 17 years. Observing and comparing the changes in the relationships between the two works would be interesting.
Choi Woo Sik & Kim Da Mi: The Witch, Our Beloved Summer
The Witch is Kim Da Mi‘s debut project which made her rise to stardom. It delivers the story of Ja Yoon (Kim Da Mi), who has lived with memory loss ever since she escaped alone from a mysterious facility 10 years ago. One day, a group of suspicious people show up in front of her. Choi Woo Sik plays an enigmatic man from the mysterious group who faces off against Kim Da Mi with his deadly superhuman powers.
While the two were in a hostile relationship in The Witch, they got together as former lovers with subtle tension in Our Beloved Summer. Our Beloved Summer drew immense attention from young viewers as it brought back the fresh emotions of first love. In an interview after the drama ended, Kim Da Mi talked about her chemistry with Choi Woo Sik. She said it would be interesting to play a married couple in a future project with him if the chance comes up.
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.
