Ji Chang Wook returns to romantic comedy with Mio Imada

Actor Ji Chang Wook is returning to the romantic comedy genre after three years. His co-star is Japanese actress Mio Imada, and anticipation is already building over the chemistry between the two.

'Merry Berry Love,' a CJ ENM global production scheduled for release on October 7, is a romance depicting the meeting between Lee Yu Bin, a Korean space planner who has lost everything, and Karin Shirahama, who runs a strawberry farm on an island in Japan. Ji plays Lee Yu Bin, whose life is turned upside down in an instant, while Imada plays Karin Shirahama, who protects the farm inherited from her grandfather.

Released stills reveal the evolution of their relationship. While they are wary of each other during their first meeting, they eventually grow close, visiting tidal flats together and sharing smiles. Their natural expressions heighten expectations for this cross-border romance.

The project is drawing significant attention due to Ji's return to romantic comedy. After recently establishing a strong presence in action and heavy dramas, he has chosen a lighter genre for his comeback. The production offers a unique distinction by featuring a romance that moves between South Korea and Japan.

The two actors worked closely to overcome language barriers. Recalling the filming process, Ji said, "Since the chemistry between Yu Bin and Karin is crucial to this work, I had frequent conversations with Mio."

He noted that parts of their real-life conversations even became lines in the script. The pair helped each other with Korean and Japanese dialogue, working together to match intonations and nuances. "She helped me so well with the intonation and nuance that I was able to pull it off better," Ji said, suggesting their rapport will be a key highlight of the series.

'Merry Berry Love' will be released on Disney+ on October 7. In Japan, it will be broadcast every Wednesday on Nippon TV.