Ji Chang Wook to star in cross-border romance with Imada Mio

Actor Ji Chang Wook is returning to the romance genre. Having established himself as a premier romantic lead in Korea, he is set to spark a new global connection by starring alongside Japanese actress Imada Mio in an emotional drama bridging Korea and Japan.

Ji will star in the CJ ENM global production 'Merry Berry Love.' The series depicts a cross-border romance between a Korean space planner who has lost everything and a Japanese female farmer meeting on a beautiful island.

Ji plays the role of Lee Yu-bin. A once-successful space planner in Korea, he loses everything overnight due to an unexpected incident and moves to Charo Island to rebuild his life. His world begins to change when he meets Karin (Imada Mio), a Japanese woman cultivating strawberries.

Ji has demonstrated a vast acting spectrum across various genres. He proved his mastery of romance with delicate emotional performances in 'Healer' and 'Suspicious Partner,' while showcasing his versatility through intense action and dark characters in 'The Worst of Evil' and 'The Manipulated.'

This project is particularly significant as it marks Ji's full-scale return to romance after approximately three years. After a period of commanding presence in action-heavy and genre-driven works, he is expected to capture viewers' hearts once again with his signature warm gaze and nuanced emotional expression.

His co-star, Imada Mio, is a prominent actress in Japan, beloved for her work in everything from youth romances to deep emotional dramas. Anticipation is high regarding how the two will portray a romance between characters from different cultural backgrounds.

'Merry Berry Love' goes beyond a simple love story, offering a narrative of growth and recovery following failure and loss. The heart of the series lies in the connection between a man who fell from the peak of success and a woman living a self-sufficient life in nature, as they offer each other comfort and transformation.

CJ ENM expressed high expectations, stating, "'Merry Berry Love,' starring Ji Chang Wook and Imada Mio, will deliver excitement and warm emotions to global viewers."

'Merry Berry Love' will premiere worldwide on Disney+ this October, and will air weekly on Wednesdays in Japan via Nippon TV.

As Hallyu (Korean Wave) star Ji Chang Wook meets Japanese star Imada Mio, all eyes are on how their cross-border romance will captivate global audiences.