Red Velvet member Kim Ye Rim (also known as Yeri) and actor Kang Sang Jun are set to appear together in a new Korean drama called Azure Spring. The show, which is based on a popular webtoon, tells the story of two broken people who find a new way to live as traditional sea divers.
The drama will start airing on May 11, 2026, at 11 PM on MBN Plus. Fans in different countries can also watch it on streaming platforms like Viu, Wavve, ABEMA, and Tving starting at 11:30 PM KST on the same day.
What is Azure Spring About?
Azure Spring is a healing youth drama that focuses on two main characters who are both stuck in their lives for different reasons. Seo Anna, played by Kim Ye Rim, is a former national youth athlete. Her sports career ended because of an injury, and she lost all her dreams. Not knowing what to do next, she goes to her mother’s hometown to find a new path.
Yoon Deok Hyun, played by Kang Sang Jun, is a former special forces soldier. He now lives alone in a quiet seaside village. People in the village stay away from him because of a dark rumor that calls him a “murderer.” He cannot move forward from his past.
The two meet in the village and start working as haenyeo (female diver) and haenam (male diver). These are traditional Korean divers who collect seafood from the sea without using any breathing equipment. As they dive together, they slowly help each other heal and find new reasons to live.
The Beautiful Setting in Tongyeong
The drama takes place on the islands of Hallyeohaesang National Park in Tongyeong, a coastal city in South Korea. The sea is not just a background in this show. It plays an active role as a space where the characters face challenges and grow.
The production team made the sea look like a place that pushes people to change. The clear blue water, the quiet islands, and the simple village life all add to the healing feeling of the story.
Viewers will also see many dishes made with fresh seafood from the Tongyeong sea. These food scenes are meant to add another layer of beauty to the drama.
Character Details
Kim Ye Rim takes on the role of Seo Anna, a young woman who was once full of dreams. She trained hard as a youth national athlete, but an injury ended everything. After losing her career, she felt lost and scared of the future. Going to her mother’s hometown gives her a chance to start over.
Kang Sang Jun plays Yoon Deok Hyun, a man with a painful past. He used to be in the special forces, but now he lives as a diver in a small village. The rumor that he is a “murderer” keeps everyone at a distance. He chooses to stay alone until Anna comes into his life.
The two characters are very different, but they both need the same thing, a reason to keep going.
Kim Ye Rim’s Acting Career
Kim Ye Rim debuted as a member of Red Velvet in 2015. While she is known as Yeri in the music world, she acts under her real name Kim Ye Rim. She started her acting career with the drama Mint Condition in 2021 and later starred in Blue Birthday (2021) and Bitch X Rich (2023).
She also appeared in Bitch X Rich 2 and made her movie debut with The Ghost Game. In 2025, she left SM Entertainment but continues to work as an actress under her new agency Blitzway Entertainment.
Kang Sang Jun’s Recent Work
Kang Sang Jun is known for his roles in dramas like Dear Hyeri. He also has a new project called Filing for Love, which will air at the end of April 2026. In that drama, he plays Jeon Sung Yeol, an executive director of a large company.
His role in Azure Spring is very different. He goes from playing a powerful businessman to a quiet, troubled diver. This shows his range as an actor.
Behind the Scenes
Azure Spring is directed by Jung Heon Soo and written by Ha Jin. The drama is produced by Oz Arena and Studio Dal. It received support from the Korea Creative Content Agency, which shows that the project has official backing.
The drama is an adaptation of a webtoon written by Jang Deok Hyun. Webtoon adaptations have become very popular in recent years, and many fans of the original comic are excited to see how the story comes to life on screen.
Also Read:
Global Release Information
For viewers outside of South Korea, Azure Spring will be available on multiple streaming platforms.
USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other global regions: The drama will stream on Viu and Wavve starting May 11 at 11:30 PM KST. The exact time in each country will depend on the local time zone.
Fans should check their local Viu or Wavve listings for the exact release time in their area. The drama will also be available on ABEMA for Japanese audiences and Tving for viewers in South Korea.
Stay updated with the latest K-drama casting news and release dates only on VvipTimes.
