The cast members of Netflix rom-com series "Melo Movie" make hearts with their hands during a press conference at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in Jongno District, Tuesday. From left are Choi Woo-shik, Park Bo-young, Jeon So-nee and Park Jun-young. Yonhap
A "dream team" of acclaimed creators is set to captivate audiences with "Melo Movie," a Netflix series arriving just in time for Valentine's Day.
Actors Choi Woo-shik and Park Bo-young team up with hit rom-com "Our Beloved Summer" writer Lee Na-eun and "Hotel del Luna" director Oh Choong-hwan, promising to touch the hearts of romance series fans.
This coming-of-age romance follows young adults on their journeys of self-discovery as they navigate love, dreams and personal struggles. Choi portrays Ko Gyeom, a passionate film critic, while Park plays Kim Mu-bee, an aspiring filmmaker with a complicated past.
Their paths have crossed before, but an unexpected event pushed them apart. Now, fate brings them back together as neighbors, forcing them to confront their past and navigate the complexities of their feelings. Despite lingering doubts and past grievances, their connection reignites, leading to a heartwarming exploration of love, loss and the pursuit of dreams.
"Melodrama has always been a genre I've been both drawn to and a bit afraid of. When I got the opportunity to work on a melodrama, I knew I had to take it. When I saw the script and realized it was written by the same person who created 'Our Beloved Summer,' I couldn't resist. The script was simply too good to pass up," director Oh said, sharing his excitement for the drama during a press conference at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in Jongno District, Tuesday.
"This drama portrays the lives of young people who dream of a cinematic life as they face reality and the future. In this process, movies become a major medium. It depicts the romance, empowerment and stories that one encounters in life. Just as the characters find comfort in watching movies, I hope this drama will also provide comfort to viewers," he added.
A scene from Netflix rom-com "Melo Movie" / Courtesy of Netflix
Choi, who previously worked with writer Lee in "Our Beloved Summer,'' also revealed that he joined the cast because of the writer's script.
"Having worked with Lee, I knew how captivating her writing was. Recently, in interviews, I mentioned wanting to work on projects where I could grow and enjoy the process. This project perfectly fits that criteria. The director also gave me a lot of encouragement and I knew I would have a great time working with them," he said.
Park shared that she was drawn to the script because it realistically portrayed the dreams and struggles of the youth. The actor, who usually portrays bright and bubbly characters in romantic comedies, will showcase a more cynical side in this new drama.
Her character Mu-bee initially dislikes films, but eventually becomes a film director. She is a solitary figure who prefers to keep to herself, but after meeting extroverted Gyeom, she is forced out of her comfort zone.
"My character's name, Mu-bee, comes from 'movie' because her father loved films so much. But she actually dislikes films. She feels like she comes second to her father's love for movies. However, she eventually finds herself drawn to the world of film as well," she said.
"In previous romantic comedies, my tone was usually quite bright and upbeat. However, for this role, I wanted to portray a more cynical character. I discussed this with the director and we worked together to lower my tone. There were times when my natural tone would slip out and the director would kindly remind me, 'Bo-young, you're being Bo-young, not Mu-bee.'"
A scene from Netflix rom-com "Melo Movie" / Courtesy of Netflix
The drama also follows the tumultuous relationship between the self-proclaimed genius composer Hong Si-jun (Lee Jun-young) and his ex-girlfriend Son Ju-a (Jeon So-nee). Years after the breakup, Ju-a reappears in front of her ex-boyfriend as a screenwriter, asking him to make the music for the story she wrote about them.
The drama interweaves the two compelling love stories. Gyeom and Mu-bee gradually deepen their relationship, starting from a place of curiosity and mutual interest, much like the classic tropes of romantic movies. On the other hand, Si-jun and Ju-a evoke empathy from the audience as they confront their true feelings for each other after breaking up.
Director Oh said he has always found comfort in dramas and wished this new drama could offer the same solace to viewers.
"Our characters experience the ups and downs of life, just like we do. While we don't have all the answers, we hope to offer understanding and companionship. I believe watching this drama can be a comforting experience, especially on tough days," he said.
"Melo Movie" will premiere on Netflix this Friday.