Ji Chang-wook. Photo: courtesy of Spring Company.
In an exciting new collaboration between Korean media giant CJ ENM, major Japanese television network Nippon TV, and streaming service Disney+, a new Korean-Japanese romance drama is in the works —Merry Berry Love, starring Hallyu star Ji Chang-wook and popular Japanese actress and model Imada Mio.
Written by Lee Jae-yoon and directed by Kim Soo-jung, Merry Berry Love is about finding love and embracing new beginnings. The story revolves around a chance encounter between Lee Yoo-bin (Ji Chang-wook), a Korean man, and Shirahama Karin (Imada Mio), a Japanese woman. Reeling from a career setback, Yoo-bin moves to a quiet, remote island in search of a fresh start. He finds solace in the island’s tranquillity, and when his path crosses with Karin’s, something beautiful begins to unfold.
Ji Chang-wook is excited to be a part of the project, and it’s no surprise why. According to a report by Ten Asia, working in Japan has been a long-time goal for the actor. He also expressed that he’s eager to work with Imada Mio. “The character setup itself was interesting,” he said, adding that he’s prepared thoroughly for the project. “I’m nervous since it’s my first time doing such work, but I’m very excited because I’ve prepared a lot.”
Imada Mio shared that the language barrier may be a challenge, but she believes that “love is about wanting to know more about each other, and I think this desire to communicate beyond language is expressed in this drama.” She also revealed that being a Korean rom-com fan herself, she’s thrilled “to experience that world in real life.”
Speaking about his character in the drama, Ji Chang-wook stated that Yoo-bin is in for a culture shock in Japan — literally, since he doesn’t speak a word of Japanese. His visit to the island will bring laughter and awkward encounters, but as he navigates the language barrier, he also finds opportunities for growth and healing.
Merry Berry Love will stream on Disney+; the official release date is yet to be announced.
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