Merry Berry Love has shared a fresh set of stills that show the slow, sweet shift between its two leads. The upcoming Korean-Japanese romantic comedy stars Ji Chang Wook as a Korean spatial designer who loses everything and Imada Mio as a Japanese strawberry farmer. The newly released photos capture the pair moving from tense first meetings to easy laughter, giving viewers a clear look at the chemistry at the heart of the show. The series is set to premiere on October 7 on Disney+ and Hulu worldwide, and on Nippon TV in Japan the same day.
From Wary Glances to Shared Laughter
The first still shows Lee Yu Bin and Shirahama Karin facing each other with clear suspicion. Yu Bin still carries the polished look of a city professional, while Karin wears the practical clothes of someone who works the land every day. Their first encounter happens because of an unexpected misunderstanding, and the photos make it easy to see why neither one trusts the other right away.
Later images tell a different story. The two exchange lingering looks. They break into natural laughter together on the mudflats. The stills track a relationship that starts cold and slowly warms up, which is exactly the kind of arc fans of romantic comedies look for. The drama itself follows Lee Yu Bin, a Korean spatial designer who achieved great success in Korea but loses everything overnight and travels to a Japanese island hoping to turn his life around. There, he meets Shirahama Karin, a young Japanese strawberry farmer who has devoted her life to growing strawberries.
Ji Chang Wook Says Real Conversations Shaped the Dialogue
Ji Chang Wook shared that the connection between the two characters was a major focus during filming. “Since the chemistry between Yu Bin and Karin is an important part of ‘Merry Berry Love,’ Mio and I talked a lot,” he said. Some of their everyday conversations were reportedly worked into the drama’s dialogue, which gives their scenes a natural, unforced feel.
He also explained how they helped each other with language. “We also taught each other our lines in Korean and Japanese. Mio especially helped me a lot with the pronunciation, intonation, and nuances, which allowed me to deliver my lines more naturally”. That behind-the-scenes effort shows in the stills, where the two look comfortable with each other rather than stiff or formal.
A Cross-Border Production With a Strong Team Behind It
Merry Berry Love is a joint production between CJ ENM and Nippon TV, marking the first time the two companies have worked together on a series. Kim Soojung, who directed Semantic Error, and Noh Youngsub, who directed My Lovely Liar, share directing duties. The script comes from Lee Jaeyoon, the writer behind Divorce Insurance.
The show was first announced about a year ago at the Disney+ Original Preview 2025 event in Hong Kong, where Disney+ revealed plans for its first Korean-Japanese co-produced title. The simultaneous release on Disney+ and Nippon TV targets audiences in both Korea and Japan, and the streaming release will make it available to viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other regions on the same day.
For Ji Chang Wook, the series marks his return to the romantic comedy genre three years after Welcome to Samdal-ri. He has built a strong reputation in the genre through dramas including Suspicious Partner, Lovestruck in the City, and Welcome to Samdal-ri. This is also his first Japanese series.
Imada Mio is a prominent Japanese actress who appeared in Tokyo Revengers. Her role as Shirahama Karin places her opposite one of Korea’s most recognizable leading men, and the casting signals the show’s deliberate cross-cultural pitch.
Supporting Cast and Additional Storylines
Nam Yoon Su appears as Park Gu Nam, a working-holiday participant who chooses to remain on the island for love. His presence adds another layer to the story, and the teaser shows him pursuing his feelings with straightforward determination.
Kumada Rinka plays Mizuno Mari, Karin’s best friend and a tarot reader who specializes in romance. Her character adds a second youthful love story to the drama.
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Release Details for Global Viewers
Merry Berry Love premieres on October 7 on Disney+ and Hulu. In Japan, it will also air on Nippon TV on the same day, with new episodes airing every Wednesday. The series will be available to stream in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other markets where Disney+ and Hulu operate.
Also Read: Ji Chang Wook Says Every Scene With Son Ye Jin in Netflix’s The Scandal Is Packed With Tension
For more updates on Merry Berry Love, Ji Chang Wook, and the latest Korean and Japanese dramas, keep exploring VvipTimes.
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