Song Joong Ki is back in a romantic role after nearly a decade. His last melodrama was the hugely popular Descendants of the Sun in 2016. He recently explained his long break from romance projects at a press conference for his new drama My Youth. He said he did not mean to avoid romance shows but had not found the right one. He shared, “I think melodrama is always the most desired genre that actors want to be part of. I’m not sure about others, but that’s definitely how I feel.” He also mentioned that many of his past characters did not feel grounded in reality, which made him want to play a more ordinary person.
Song Joong Ki said: “Looking back at the characters I’ve played, many of them felt like they weren’t really grounded in reality. That made me want to take on a more everyday, relatable character, one that could actually exist in real life.”
What My Youth Is All About
My Youth is a JTBC drama that started on September 5, 2025. It airs every Friday at 8:50 PM KST. The series stars Song Joong Ki as Sunwoo Hae, a former child actor who now runs a flower shop. Chun Woo Hee plays Sung Je Yeon, his first love who now works as a manager in the entertainment industry. The story follows their unexpected reunion and how they deal with past memories and feelings. The show has 12 episodes, with two episodes airing each week. It is also available for streaming on Viki and Viu.
Song Joong Ki and Chun Woo Hee on Their Roles
Chun Woo Hee is also trying a classic melodrama for the first time in her career. She has been acting for over 20 years but usually picked romantic comedies or genre films. At the press event, she mentioned, “While working on this project, I found myself wondering why I hadn’t done more melodramas until now.” She realized that melodrama might actually be the genre that fits her best. Song Joong Ki talked about why he liked the theme of reunion in the drama. He said, “I personally think that the word ‘reunion’ sparks a fluttering feeling.” He added that he is a fan of stories about people reconnecting after time apart.
Behind the Scenes of the Drama
My Youth is directed by Lee Sang-yeop, who is known for other popular shows like Yumi’s Cells. The production companies behind the drama are SLL and High-Zium Studio. The supporting cast includes actors like Lee Ju Myoung, Seo Ji Hoon, Jin Kyung, and Jo Han-chul. Young versions of the main characters are played by Nam Da Reum and Jeon So Young.
Fan Excitement and Early Reactions
Fans have been eagerly waiting for Song Joong Ki to return to a romantic role. On social media, many expressed their excitement about the pairing with Chun Woo Hee. One fan on Facebook commented, “I needed to read the caption to confirm it myself that it wasn’t Song Hye Kyo,” referring to his previous co-star from Descendants of the Sun. The official premiere post on Facebook received over 1.2K shares and hundreds of comments from fans looking forward to the series.
Song Joong Ki’ Recent Work and Comeback
Before My Youth, Song Joong Ki focused on action and fantasy projects like Vincenzo, Reborn Rich, and Space Sweepers. However, some of his recent films, such as Hopeless (2023), Bogotá: City of the Lost (2024), and My Name Is Loh Kiwan (2024), did not do well commercially. This made his return to television even more important for his fans and career. At the press event, he admitted feeling some pressure because his last drama, Reborn Rich, was a major hit. But he said he sees the pressure as a good thing and a sense of responsibility to do well.
Also Read: Audience Anticipation Grows: Will ‘My Youth’ Be Song Joong Ki’s Next Career-Defining Drama?
Credits: koreaherald
