Key takeaways
- Joy was drawn to the project for its focus on emotional connection and mutual understanding between two characters from different circumstances, describing it as offering warm comfort.
- Kim Hyun Jin prioritized fidelity to the original webtoon, focusing his preparation on understanding how the script translated the source material and the multiple facets of his character.
- Joy emphasized portraying Gong Yu Il's brightness as stemming from inner strength rather than surface-level optimism, while Kim Hyun Jin identified distinct versions of Tak Mu I based on his surroundings.
- The production team collaborated closely on romantic scenes to create heart-fluttering moments that extended beyond what the script alone provided.
Red Velvet’s Joy and actor Kim Hyun Jin are set to star in the upcoming romance drama “One of a Kind Romance,” a webtoon adaptation that explores emotional healing and unexpected connection between two characters from starkly different circumstances. Both actors recently discussed what drew them to the project in interviews documented by Soompi, offering insight into their preparation and creative approach to the material.
The Premise: Two Worlds Colliding
“One of a Kind Romance” follows Gong Yu Il, an ordinary woman navigating an active job search, who finds her life redirected when she becomes the personal manager of Tak Mu I, a top-tier celebrity. Joy portrays Gong Yu Il while Kim Hyun Jin takes on the role of Tak Mu I, a star carrying emotional scars from a past stalking incident. According to Soompi, the drama centers on how these two characters—one seeking a simple, ordinary existence and the other burdened by psychological trauma—gradually develop a romantic bond through mutual understanding. A novel that Tak Mu I discovered years earlier and drew emotional strength from during difficult times creates an additional meaningful connection point between them.
What Attracted Joy to the Project
Joy emphasized the emotional foundation underlying the story as her primary draw to the role. According to Soompi, she explained, “What resonated with me most was the process of two very different people meeting, understanding each other’s pain and shortcomings, and embracing one another. I felt it was a project that offers warm comfort.” This statement reveals that she connected with the narrative’s focus on emotional intimacy and healing rather than surface-level romantic tension.
Her understanding of Gong Yu Il as a character shaped her enthusiasm for the project. She told Soompi, “I found her lovable and, in a way, admirable because she continues to live her life with a bright and spirited attitude even when faced with difficult circumstances.” This observation informed her approach to bringing the character to life.
Kim Hyun Jin’s Commitment to the Source Material
Kim Hyun Jin’s preparation took a different trajectory, anchored in respect for the original webtoon. He told Soompi, “I think I was particularly interested in how similar the script would be to the original.” Rather than viewing the adaptation as a departure point for reinterpretation, he framed it as an opportunity to translate the webtoon’s characterization onto screen. He continued, “I was excited imagining the different sides of Tak Mu I that I could portray and how closely I could capture the original character.” This focus suggests that Kim Hyun Jin dedicated effort to studying the webtoon in order to understand the psychological layers of his character before beginning his performance work.
Character Development and Preparation
The Complexity Behind Gong Yu Il’s Brightness
Joy’s approach to her character revealed a nuanced interpretation that extends beyond simple cheerfulness. When asked about Gong Yu Il’s defining brightness, Joy told Soompi, “I think this comes not simply from having a positive personality, but from her inner strength to get through each day in her own way despite the harsh realities she faces.” This perspective frames her character’s optimism as an active choice rather than an innate personality trait—something harder-won and more resilient.
Joy also committed to portraying emotional range throughout her performance. She stated, “I tried to naturally bring out Gong Yu Il’s easygoing and lovable side while also making sure not to overlook the vulnerability that occasionally comes through.” This dual focus on strength and fragility creates space for genuine character development and prevents her portrayal from becoming one-dimensional.
Tak Mu I’s Multiple Dimensions
Kim Hyun Jin structured his understanding of Tak Mu I around the different contexts in which the character operates. He explained, “Tak Mu I shows different sides of himself when he’s working, in his everyday life, and when he’s around someone he likes.” This recognition of situational personality variation provided Kim Hyun Jin with a framework for creating distinct versions of the same character—his public persona, his private self, and the person transformed by romantic connection.
Elevating Romantic Scenes Through Collaboration
The scenes in which Tak Mu I openly expresses his affection received particular attention from the production team. Kim Hyun Jin told Soompi, “I worked closely with the director and my fellow cast members on set to create even more heart-fluttering moments and compelling scenes.” This statement indicates that the production treated romantic moments not merely as scripted beats to execute, but as collaborative opportunities where director, actors, and crew worked together to develop chemistry and emotional resonance.
Premiere Details
“One of a Kind Romance” premieres on November 9 at 6 p.m. KST.
Source: Soompi
Frequently Asked Questions
When does "One of a Kind Romance" premiere?
The drama premieres on November 9 at 6 p.m. KST.
What is the basic premise of "One of a Kind Romance"?
The webtoon-based drama follows Gong Yu Il, an ordinary woman seeking employment who becomes the personal manager of Tak Mu I, a top star carrying emotional scars from a past stalking incident. The story explores their gradual development into romance as they come to understand each other's pain and struggles.
What specifically attracted each actor to the project?
Joy was drawn to the story's exploration of two different people meeting, understanding each other's pain, and embracing one another, which she felt offered warm comfort. Kim Hyun Jin was particularly interested in how closely the script followed the original webtoon and the opportunity to portray different sides of his character depending on context.
