The actor known for “A Business Proposal” and the “Dr. Romantic” series is taking on a completely different kind of role. Ahn Hyo Seop is set to return to the small screen with a new romantic comedy, and this time he is trading his doctor’s coat and office suit for a farmer’s straw hat and work gloves.
The upcoming SBS drama “Sold Out on You” has released its first images of the actor, and they show him in a role unlike any he has played before. He is stepping into the shoes of a young farmer who does not just work the land. He also runs a company and develops cosmetics, all while trying to keep his village elders happy. The drama is scheduled to premiere on April 22, 2026, at 9 p.m. KST and will also be available for streaming on Netflix for global audiences.
The Character: Matthew Lee, The Farmer With A Double Life
In “Sold Out on You,” Ahn Hyo Seop plays Matthew Lee, a young farmer who lives in the countryside. But he is not just any farmer. The people in his village call him by a cute nickname, “Mechoori,” which means “Quail” in Korean. It is a playful name that comes from how his English name sounds when spoken in Korean.
On the surface, Matthew Lee looks like a simple, maybe even a little grumpy, young man. The production team has described his outer appearance as being like “soboro bread,” which is a Korean pastry with a rough, crumbly top. But under that tough exterior, he has a very gentle heart. He is always busy running errands and helping the elderly people in his village with their daily tasks.
The newly released promotional stills capture this busy life perfectly. In one image, Ahn Hyo Seop is seen wearing a practical straw hat with a towel around his neck, driving a small farming vehicle called a cultivator. In another, he is carefully tending to special mushrooms in a greenhouse. But the story takes a sharp turn in other photos, where he is dressed in a clean, crisp shirt, sitting behind a desk, looking every bit the part of a serious CEO.
Juggling Multiple Jobs: The Farmer, The CEO, And The Researcher
What makes Matthew Lee such a fascinating character is the number of jobs he handles every single day. He is not just a farmer. He holds three official titles. First, he is a young farmer who is currently the only person in the world successfully cultivating a rare plant called the white flower nuri mushroom. This mushroom is known in the cosmetics industry as a “miracle ingredient” because of its powerful skin benefits.
Because of this special crop, Matthew Lee has also become the CEO of a natural ingredient company that supplies these mushrooms. On top of that, he works as a cosmetics development researcher, creating new products from the ingredients he grows. The drama will show him switching between these roles around the clock. He goes from driving a tractor and getting his hands dirty in the soil to attending important business meetings.
The big mystery of the show is why he pushes himself so hard. Viewers will be curious to find out what drives this young man to work relentlessly from dawn until dusk, taking care of his village, his farm, and his business all at the same time.
The Story: A City Girl Meets A Country Man
“Sold Out on You” is a romantic comedy based on the push-and-pull between two very different people. The female lead is Dam Ye Jin, played by Chae Won Bin. She is a top show host for a home shopping network and is known as a “sellout champion” because everything she presents on air sells out instantly. Despite her huge success, she has one major problem: she suffers from severe insomnia.
Her life changes when she sets her sights on Matthew Lee’s rare mushrooms. She sees them as the next big product to sell on her show. But when she goes to the countryside to meet him, she faces a problem she never expected. Matthew Lee keeps refusing her offers. The first teaser poster for the drama shows this dynamic perfectly. Dam Ye Jin appears on multiple TV screens, clasping her hands together with a pleading look, asking, “CEO? Please, I’m begging you.” Meanwhile, Matthew Lee sits with his back to the screens, firmly responding, “I’m not a CEO. Absolutely not.”
Their relationship starts with this constant back-and-forth. The city girl who can sell anything meets the stubborn farmer who refuses to sell to her. As their day-and-night encounters continue, they slowly begin to understand each other’s struggles. He hides a heavy burden behind his busy schedule, and she cannot sleep because of her own stress. Through their growing connection, they help each other heal.
The Cast And Crew: A Team Of Trusted Names
Aside from the two leads, “Sold Out on You” has assembled a strong supporting cast. Actor Kim Bum is joining the drama as Seo Eric, the warm-hearted executive director of a French cosmetics company called L’Etoile. He is known for being empathetic and kind, which will add another layer to the story.
Legendary actress Ko Du Shim will also appear as Song Hak Daek, a powerful and influential figure in Deokpung Village, where Matthew Lee lives. She brings a sense of warmth and stability to the community.
The drama is being directed by Ahn Jong Yeon, who previously directed the hit comedy-crime drama “Seoul Busters” in 2024. The script is written by rookie writer Jin Seung Hee. The production is handled by Beyond J, the company behind popular shows like “Nevertheless” and “A Shop for Killers,” working together with Studio S and Slingshot Studios.
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Release Date And Streaming Details
Fans will not have to wait much longer to see Ahn Hyo Seop in this new role. “Sold Out on You” is confirmed to premiere on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. It will air in the Wednesday-Thursday time slot on SBS at 9 p.m. KST.
For international viewers, the drama will be available to stream on Netflix shortly after its Korean broadcast. This follows the trend of major Korean dramas becoming available to a global audience through the platform. Viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other regions can expect to find the series on Netflix, making it easily accessible for fans around the world.
This drama also marks a special reunion between Ahn Hyo Seop and SBS. He has delivered back-to-back hits with the network, including “Dr. Romantic” (seasons 2 and 3), “Still 17,” “Lovers of the Red Sky,” and the massive hit “A Business Proposal,” earning him the nickname “SBS’s son”. With his recent global recognition from the Oscar-winning film “KPop Demon Hunters,” expectations are sky-high for his return to romantic comedy.
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