The new tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'For the First Time, For Love,' directed by Yoo Je-won and written by Seong Woo-jin, produced by Studio Dragon and Showrunners, is set to air in August. It depicts the story of a single mother and her medical student daughter who unexpectedly face a second act in life, deciding to embrace happiness today rather than tomorrow, encountering a love that is not an end but a beginning. Their story, a gift that is sometimes cheerful and sometimes heartwarming, is expected to provide a strong sense of empathy and entertainment. Director Yoo Je-won, known for his heartwarming romances such as 'My Mom's Friend's Son,' 'Crash Course in Romance,' and 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,' is at the helm, and expectations are high with the fresh writing of Seong Woo-jin.
The script reading revealed on this day featured Yoo Je-won and Seong Woo-jin, along with a star-studded cast including Yum Jung-ah, Park Hae-joon, Choi Yoon-ji, Kim Min-kyu, Kim Sun-young, Yang Kyung-won, Kim Mi-kyung, Kang Ae-sim, Jeong Yeong-joo, and Park Soo-young, who all brought a sense of trust just by their names. In particular, the actors' lively performances, vividly bringing to life a diverse range of themes from middle-aged romance to youthful romance sparkling like late summer sunshine, as well as familial love filled with both affection and resentment, have raised expectations for a delightful warm healing drama.
Yum Jung-ah plays the role of 'Lee Ji-an,' a single mother who has lived strongly with confidence. She embodies both the charisma of a construction site manager while being a 'daughter fool' who becomes infinitely weak around her daughter Lee Hyo-ri (played by Choi Yoon-ji). Yum Jung-ah's transformation into Lee Ji-an, who faces new life due to her daughter's sudden rebellion and unexpected first love, has been enough to turn everyone's expectations into certainty.
Park Hae-joon shines with a new charm as 'Ryu Jung-seok,' Lee Ji-an's (Yum Jung-ah's character) first love and a prickly architectural designer. Ryu Jung-seok lives alone with his son Ryu Bo-hyun (played by Kim Min-kyu) and experiences change when the mother-daughter duo unexpectedly arrive in his peaceful life. The character, who appears aloof and cold, becomes disarmed in front of Lee Ji-an, delicately portraying the innocence of a forgotten boy, signaling his rise as the 'first love lead.' In particular, the delightful banter between Yum Jung-ah and Park Hae-joon, which maximizes the relationship between the distinct characters of Lee Ji-an and Ryu Jung-seok, filled the set with pleasant laughter.
The youthful chemistry between rising stars Choi Yoon-ji and Kim Min-kyu heightened the anticipation. Choi Yoon-ji fully immersed herself as Lee Hyo-ri, an unconventional wanderer from a straight-laced medical student. Despite having endured tough times in life, she brilliantly portrayed the complex psychology of a young woman who suddenly begins her biggest escapade.
The synergy created with Yum Jung-ah, depicting a special and affectionate mother-daughter relationship, exceeded expectations. Kim Min-kyu transformed into 'Ryu Bo-hyun,' Ryu Jung-seok's (Park Hae-joon's character) son and a young farmer displaying fresh charm without reservation. Ryu Bo-hyun begins to develop new emotions when Lee Hyo-ri unexpectedly parks her camper in front of his house. From the refreshing youthful romance with Choi Yoon-ji to the 'sweet yet tough' father-son chemistry with Park Hae-joon, Kim Min-kyu's performances brought life to the drama.
The performances of seasoned actors who amplify reality and laughter cannot be overlooked. Kim Sun-young played 'Sun-young,' a loyal friend who supports Ji-an and owns the restaurant at the construction site. Yang Kyung-won added humor to the show as 'Tae-oh,' a carefree and hip character living life with a unique aesthetic in the neighborhood. Kim Mi-kyung, who portrayed the mysterious neighbor 'Moon-hee,' suddenly appearing before Ji-an and Hyo-ri, aroused curiosity about her hidden backstory with a strong presence.
Meanwhile, the charming and chatty 'Mimi Halmae,' played by Kang Ae-sim, has preserved the tradition of the community over the years, showcasing her rich acting skills. Jeong Yeong-joo, who has a distinctive presence, plays 'Go Yi-jang,' the village headwoman, who is celebrated for winning the local election six times. The role of the amiable yet affectionate 'Go Yi-jang's husband' is played by Park Soo-young, a master of comedic acting who brings laughter as a romantic who withstands nagging while diligently working for his wife.
The new tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'For the First Time, For Love' is set to air in August as a follow-up to 'Gyeonwoo and the Fairy.'
[Photo] tvN
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