Ji Chang-wook Returns to Romantic Comedy with Imada Mio in Strawberry Field

South Korean actor Ji Chang-wook is set to make a highly anticipated return to the romantic comedy genre after approximately three years. His co-star for this upcoming project is the popular Japanese actress Imada Mio. The series tells the story of a Korean space planner and a Japanese female farmer who meet on a remote island, where they heal each other's emotional wounds and rediscover their sense of purpose. This production is drawing significant attention as a global romance that merges the production systems of both Korea and Japan.

On the 2nd, Disney+ released the main poster and trailer for the new original series titled 'Merry Berry Love'. The story follows Lee Yu-bin, a Korean space planner who loses everything overnight, and Shirahama Karin, a Japanese woman living as a strawberry farmer. The narrative depicts the process of these two individuals forming a relationship after meeting on a beautiful island. Set against the backdrop of two people from completely different environments, the series explores how their encounter leads to healing and the pursuit of a new life.

Ji Chang-wook portrays Lee Yu-bin, a once-highly successful space planner known as the 'God of Space' who, after a sudden downfall, travels to a secluded island in Japan. Once there, he faces the realities of physical labor through working in a strawberry field, where his perfectionist personality is constantly tested by his new surroundings.

The released trailer captures Lee Yu-bin's clumsy attempts at farming in the strawberry field and the gradual process of him and Karin opening their hearts to one another despite their initial bickering. The premise—a man ousted from the urban order of success and failure discovering new relationships within a space of nature and labor—combines a classic romantic comedy shell with a profound narrative of personal growth. In particular, the scenes where the two characters lean on and support each other directly illustrate the core emotional theme of 'healing and growth.'

Imada Mio takes on the role of Karin. An actress with a solid reputation and high recognition in Japan, she portrays a character whose life is deeply dedicated to strawberry farming. Through the contrasting backgrounds, nationalities, and lifestyles of Ji Chang-wook and Imada Mio, the series aims to create romantic tension and excitement.

Nam Yoon-su also joins the cast, adding vitality to the drama. He plays Park Gu-nam, a working holiday participant who remains on the island for the sake of love, creating additional layers of relationships between Lee Yu-bin and Karin. Given the diverse backgrounds of the characters—a Korean space planner, a Japanese farmer, and a working holiday participant—the work is expected to explore not only romance but also cultural differences and the lives of outsiders.

Another reason 'Merry Berry Love' is garnering attention is its unique production structure. This project marks the first time CJ ENM and the Japanese terrestrial broadcaster Nippon TV have partnered for a joint production. Unlike many Korean dramas that merely use Japan as a setting, this is a project designed from the outset for the global market, combining the content planning expertise of a Korean production house with the local production and distribution infrastructure of a Japanese broadcaster.

This project also represents a significant genre shift for Ji Chang-wook. He has demonstrated versatile acting skills, moving between romance and action in works such as 'Healer', 'Suspicious Partner', and 'Melting Me Softly', and has since expanded his spectrum through 'The Uncanny Counter', 'The Sound of Magic', 'The Worst of Evil', and 'Welcome to Samdal-ri'. His return to romantic comedy after about three years since 'Welcome to Samdal-ri' has raised expectations for a character with a different tone than his recent intense and dark roles.

Furthermore, this work marks Ji Chang-wook's first challenge with a Japanese series. During a Disney+ original preview event last year, he expressed his desire to work in Japan and voiced his excitement for a project involving a joint Korean-Japanese production team. This serves as an example of how collaboration in the Asian content industry is evolving, expanding Korean actors' reach into Japan through formal joint productions rather than simple local appearances.

'Merry Berry Love' is scheduled to be released worldwide on Disney+ on October 7. In Japan, it will air weekly on Wednesdays via Nippon TV starting on the same day. Interest is high regarding how the premise—a man fallen from urban success and a woman who has sustained her life on an island farm meeting in the everyday space of a strawberry field to plant love—will resonate across borders.