Jung Hae In Tackles Romantic Comedy in ‘Love Next Door’ with Co-Star Jung So-min

Seoul, South Korea – The much-anticipated press conference for the new romantic comedy drama “Love Next Door,” starring Jung Hae In and Jung So-min, captivated journalists and fans alike with insights into the making of the drama, the chemistry between the cast, and the unique approach to the romantic comedy genre.

Jung Hae In’s Challenge in the Romantic Comedy Genre

Jung Hae In, widely recognized for his performances in emotionally charged romance dramas such as Something in the Rain and One Spring Night, expressed both excitement and nervousness about his first foray into romantic comedy. “I was a bit afraid at first, but with the support from the director, the writer, and So-min, I was able to quickly blend in on set,” he explained.

He noted that while his previous roles carried somber sentiments, Love Next Door was filled with comedic moments that made him laugh constantly, adding, “I filmed while laughing so much, which was a new experience for me.”

Director Yu Jewon on Friendship and Romance

Director Yu Jewon shared his thoughts on how Love Next Door explores the theme of childhood friends transitioning into a romantic relationship. “These characters have known each other’s good and bad sides, making it difficult for them to be fully honest about their feelings,” he said. He emphasized the delicate balance of directing scenes that reflected both the characters’ past memories and the emotional complexity of falling in love with a longtime friend.

Heart-Fluttering Moments Between Jung Hae In and Jung So-min

When asked about the most heart-fluttering moments during filming, Jung Hae In highlighted Jung So-min’s contagious laughter as a key point of appeal. “Her hearty and energetic laughter made everyone on set feel comfortable,” he shared, adding that it helped break the ice and brought a sense of warmth to the set.

Jung So-min, in turn, praised Jung Hae In for his attentiveness and care toward her on set. “He would always check on me, asking how I was feeling and making sure I was okay,” she said, noting that while their characters often bicker at the start of the drama, audiences can look forward to more romantic developments in the latter half.

Yun Ji On’s Image Transformation

Yun Ji On, who had played villainous roles in previous dramas, addressed his new character in Love Next Door. “In this piece, viewers will see a more clumsy, upright character, and while he may be a bit frustrating at times, I believe he will score some favorable points,” Yun said with a smile.

Cast Chemistry and Director Yu’s Secret Recipe

The cast spoke highly of the chemistry they shared on set, crediting Director Yu for creating a positive environment. “The atmosphere on set was lively, thanks to the crew’s preparation,” Jung Hae In noted. Director Yu added, “The secret recipe is that everyone is doing their job properly. We prepare well in advance, so when the actors arrive, we greet them warmly, ready to start the day.”

School Uniforms and Nostalgia

One of the lighter moments in the conference was when the cast discussed wearing school uniforms for certain scenes. Jung So-min shared that she thought it might be her last time wearing one, while Jung Hae In expressed that, despite initial nervousness, wearing the uniform made him feel nostalgic for his youth. “I hope it won’t be my last time,” he said with a grin.

Expectations for Success

With high expectations following the success of other Korean dramas on streaming platforms, Director Yu and the cast expressed optimism for Love Next Door‘s performance. Director Yu mentioned a hopeful goal of exceeding 10% in viewer ratings, to which Jung Hae In playfully added, “Since we’re on the same ship, can I raise it by 1%? Let’s aim for 14%.”

The press conference showcased not only the depth of the characters and story but also the camaraderie and fun that the cast experienced while working on Love Next Door. Fans are eagerly awaiting the drama’s release, anticipating both laughter and heartfelt moments in what promises to be a refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre.

Love Next Door is set to premiere on tvN and will be available on Netflix worldwide starting August 17, 2024.