"My Youth" Song Joong‑ki, Chun Woo‑hee's chosen first‑love reunion romance was indeed right.
JTBC Friday series "My Youth" (written by Park Si‑hyun) has drawn praise in just two episodes. Just as director Lee Sang‑yeop confidently said that "you will smile warmly and then feel a lump in your throat," the reunion after 15 years of Sunwoo Hae (Song Joong‑ki) and Seong Je‑yeon (Chun Woo‑hee), who were each other's "light" and "first love," filled viewers' hearts with excitement. Lee Sang‑yeop's delicate direction, which captured the flow of emotion without gaps, and Park Si‑hyun's witty, increasingly resonant lines presented a richly emotional romance not seen in a long time.
Above all, Song Joong‑ki and Chun Woo‑hee's differently detailed emotional performances immediately drew viewers into the narratives of "Sunwoo Hae" and "Seong Je‑yeon." The eye‑contact ending that signaled the rekindling of a relationship after 15 years raised the excitement to the fullest, and the behind‑the‑scenes photos released that day further stimulated anticipation.
Song Joong‑ki realistically portrayed Sunwoo Hae, the florist who is the true identity of the mysterious novelist Jin Moo‑young and a former child star who burned out his prime too quickly. Sunwoo Hae learned the world of "adults" at a very young age and struggled to make a living through most of his youth, only starting an ordinary life later than others. Critics praised Song Joong‑ki's passionate performance, which deepened empathy for his lonely yet steady daily life built firmly atop wounds. In particular, Song Joong‑ki sensitively depicted Sunwoo Hae's agitated heart upon reuniting with his "first love" Seong Je‑yeon, raising the emotional temperature. Viewers are eager to see how Song Joong‑ki will portray Sunwoo Hae's straightforward advance into a new chapter of a short, dazzlingly aching first love.
Chun Woo‑hee also vividly unfolded Seong Je‑yeon's fluttering change from the moment her long‑buried "first love" Sunwoo Hae was suddenly brought back to the surface. From Seong Je‑yeon's playful side that went to find the "Sunwoo Hae" who had caused the heartache for actress Mo Tae‑rin (played by Lee Joo‑myeong) and disturbed her peace, to the way she calmly confesses her longing, Chun Woo‑hee's deep skill increased immersion. The scenes of her seriously discussing matters with director Lee Sang‑yeop make viewers look forward to Chun Woo‑hee's performance even more, after she said, "It will be interesting to watch Je‑yeon's heart and how her expressions grow little by little." In particular, Song Joong‑ki and Chun Woo‑hee's heart‑fluttering chemistry, lighting up the set with similar 'heart‑throbbing' smiles, makes viewers anticipate the upcoming reunion romance.
The behind‑the‑scenes work of Nam Da‑reum and Jeon So‑young, who solidly built Sunwoo Hae and Seong Je‑yeon's past narratives, adds fresh excitement. Nam Da‑reum added poignancy to the relationship with the 19‑year‑old Seong Je‑yeon (played by Jeon So‑young), who brightly illuminated the darkest period of his life, and made Sunwoo Hae's lonely 20s—when he couldn't even convey his true feelings to the bold 19‑year‑old Seong Je‑yeon, who promised a future—more convincing. Jeon So‑young also drew attention by lovingly completing the 19‑year‑old Seong Je‑yeon who reminded Sunwoo Hae of forgotten happiness.
The "My Youth" production team said, "In episodes 3 and 4 of 'My Youth,' Sunwoo Hae's straightforward pursuit of his first love Seong Je‑yeon begins in earnest. Sunwoo Hae, who has decided not to postpone his feelings any longer, and the changes in Seong Je‑yeon that begin to catch his attention will create excitement."
Meanwhile, JTBC Friday series "My Youth," the start of the weekend, will air episodes 3 and 4 back‑to‑back at 8:50 p.m. on the 12th (Fri). In Korea, it can be rewatched on Coupang Play, and in Japan it can be watched through Fuji TV's OTT platform FOD. Also, in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, "My Youth" is available on Viu, the region's largest pan‑regional OTT platform, and in the Americas, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East and India, it is available on Rakuten Viki, the global OTT specializing in Asian entertainment.