After four years, Yumi's Cells 3 returns with spring breezes to deliver even stronger excitement.
On the afternoon of the 7th at The Link Seoul hotel in Guro-gu, Seoul, a production showcase for the TVING original 'Yumi's Cells season 3' was held. Director Lee Sang-yeop and actors Kim Go-eun and Kim Jaewon attended the showcase and talked.
Yumi's Cells 3 is a cell-stimulating, empathetic romance in which Yumi (played by Kim Go-eun), who became a star writer, once again laughs, cries and falls in love because of an unexpected person, Sun-rok (played by Kim Jaewon), who appears like a bolt from the blue in her unstimulating daily life. Director Lee Sang-yeop said of season 3, "This happens after Yumi succeeds as a romance writer. It is a drama about unexpectedly met love, growth and life. It is still witty and lovable."
This season 3, unlike previous seasons, will be released as a short eight-episode series. Director Lee Sang-yeop explained the reason, "Viewing environments have changed a lot. I think I have changed a lot in the past four or five years too, so I wanted to make it compact and put only the fun parts." He also asked viewers to watch, saying about differences from the original, "I can't say it's exactly the same as the original; there are different parts. I can't tell you the ending in advance. You'll know when you watch."
When asked why they chose to bring out season 3 in 2026 despite four years passing since the release of season 2, he said, "The reason seasons 1 and 2 were loved in the original is that they resonated with young people living in the same era. I thought the remaining stories would also resonate with young people living now, and I empathized with that, so I adapted them to the present to make the work more relatable. I thought it could be a sufficiently meaningful work."
Kim Go-eun has been playing the character Yumi for five years, starting from season 1 released in 2021, and has become 'Yumi herself.' She said of Yumi's Cells, "I personally felt like a second chapter of my acting life was opening. Even when I was filming Yumi, I talked about that with people at the company. It felt like actor Kim Go-eun in her 30s had struggled and worked hard through various things, and the wisdom and lessons gained from that can be used as a second chapter in her 30s. I was happy doing Yumi, and doing a series has a very big meaning to me," revealing deep affection.
On the burden of playing a character for five years, she said, "This is the first time I've done a one-top drama like this through Yumi's Cells. The amount of lines is enormous. There were ups and downs physically, but the content is so quaint and the set was one where laughter never stopped, so rather than feeling burdened, I thought the biggest thing was I needed to pace my stamina well. Among ourselves, we had an extremely fun time filming."
In particular, Yumi's Cells season 3 is presented about four years after season 2, which was released in 2022. Asked how it felt to become Yumi again after filming emotionally intense genre works, Kim Go-eun said, "I reviewed seasons 1 and 2. I looked at what kind of girl Yumi was and then started filming," adding, "I have a fairly large comedic cell inside me. I like making others laugh. So Yumi's Cells has many comic elements, and I was very excited while acting. Because the director laughs out loud, if I couldn't hear the director's laugh coming from the monitor side I would feel slighted. So I filmed with excitement."
She also spoke about the chemistry with the cells that have been with her since season 1. Kim Go-eun said, "It's the kind of relationship with the cells where you understand each other without speaking. So there was no need to coordinate separately, and it was nice to see them again after a long time," and pointed out, "Sun-rok's lewd cell is the friend placing a hand on the poster and it's very large. You can look forward to it." She added, "On set, the FD's timing is important because they read the lines. We are grateful that excellent voice actors all joined, and the quality rises much more than on set, so there's a relief," she said frankly, causing laughter.
Meanwhile, in season 3, Kim Jaewon newly joins as Sun-rok, a PD in the editorial department of Julie Literature who delivers harsh but true blows with a sweet face, and unfolds a romantic chemistry with Kim Go-eun. Sun-rok seems rational and composed, but the character has the reversal charm of being a committed homebody who lives in a "low-power mode" outside the house. Kim Jaewon, who has recently left his mark in various works and risen to mainstream status, said, "I'm just so grateful to be called that. I'm so thankful; I can only say thank you. I just work hard, and I'm grateful people see me well."
He added, "Rather than my strength, my biggest weapon is that I have the very lovable Go-eun noona, so that might be my greatest asset. Filming season 3, I had fun and filmed without regrets. I trusted noona and worked hard on set. I hope my Sun-rok shows a lot of charm through this drama."
Asked how he felt when first offered the role of Sun-rok, he said, "I thought, 'It's a go.' I'm so grateful. I thought, such luck comes to me too. And moreover, it's really like a younger-man unicorn, a character beloved by original fans that I could portray, so I thought it was a huge opportunity." Director Lee Sang-yeop explained the casting reason, "I met him a few times in dramas. Even though his career wasn't long, he handled characters diversely, so I was curious. When I actually met him, he gave a very tall impression. I thought he resembled the original Sun-rok wearing a suit and angular glasses. Also, when we talked, he seemed nervous but tried to act skillfully without showing it. I thought that was similar to the Sun-rok I had in mind."
Kim Jaewon said, "When I read the script, I thought the biggest features of Sun-rok were his hairstyle and glasses as focal points. Not as fashion but because wearing glasses at work makes him want to look cold-blooded, I thought glasses were important. Also, when he's a homebody, we talked a lot with the hair team to give contrast with a curly, puppy-like hairstyle," conveying his efforts to portray the character.
When asked about the burden of becoming the new male lead of the Yumi's Cells series after Ahn Bo-hyun as Gu-woong in season 1 and Park Jin-young as Yoo Ba-bi in season 2, he said, "It's an honor to join a work that received so much love and attention. It would be a lie to say I didn't feel pressure because Sun-rok received tremendous love and support among original fans, but I tried hard to act as Sun-rok as much as possible. Beyond that, as a newcomer, it's my first time taking on such a big role. Also, as a younger man, I was led by an older noona with more experience than me and learned a lot while filming." He then addressed Ahn Bo-hyun and Park Jin-young, saying, "It's an honor to inherit the lineage, but in the end Yumi the writer, I'll take good care of her. I'll look after her well," evoking laughter.
In particular, the two reunited immediately after Netflix's You and Everything Else, drawing anticipation even before release. Asked about their chemistry, Kim Go-eun said, "Our chemistry is perfect. It's all included in season 3, and when I watched the highlight video for the first time, I was smiling with satisfaction even though I was acting. The video came out so joyfully and well that if you're curious, please watch season 3," she said confidently. Kim Jaewon also said, "In You and Everything Else, I only had the chance to meet child actors and didn't have moments to work with senior actors, so I was very happy to work together. From our first meeting she treated me comfortably, and because noona opened her heart, it was easy to approach. I think I learned a lot on set."
Regarding the actual 10-year age gap with Kim Jaewon despite the character's one-year difference, Kim Go-eun said, "I diligently visited dermatology and learned MZ terms," showing her efforts, and frankly admitted, "Anyway, Jaewon has many mature aspects beyond his age, so I didn't really feel a 10-year gap." Kim Jaewon also emphasized, "I didn't feel the age difference at all. If I had, I might have felt awkward or found it hard to approach, but I didn't feel that at all. She's a very nice and pretty noona who also buys meals well. When action starts on set, her gaze suddenly changes and she shows a professional senior look," adding, "Age difference doesn't seem to be a problem at all." Kim Go-eun, embarrassed, cut him off, saying, "Okay, I get it!" and joking, "Aren't you denying it too strongly?" which turned the set into a sea of laughter.
He added, "In real life I'm bright and playful. I looked for commonalities with Sun-rok and found that when I work I try to be rational and planned. Sun-rok is cool-headed, rational and planned at work. When he comes home he relaxes and shows a dog-like charm. His look when he comes home is similar to me, and even at work we aren't that different, so I think we were similar," saying the sync rate increased and raising expectations.
When asked about points to watch in season 3, Director Lee Sang-yeop said, "Yumi's growth is not over. Her love continues and it is witty, fun and enjoyable. We would appreciate it if you join us." Kim Go-eun urged, "It's a drama that makes you laugh a lot. A drama that makes you feel good just by watching it. And when the OST plays, your heart pounds. Such dramas are rare. Because they are rare, please join us for Yumi's Cells, which makes you feel good just by watching it." Kim Jaewon emphasized the excitement, saying, "I would pick the chemistry between Yumi and Sun-rok. It starts with dislike and unfolds in an interesting and thrilling way, so if you focus on that part you can enjoy it more. Our drama is heart-fluttering, so please watch it a lot."
Asked how they hoped the show would reach viewers, Director Lee Sang-yeop replied, "I hope it becomes a drama that makes people contact the precious person beside them." Kim Go-eun said, "People remain the same even as they age. I felt that more while filming Yumi," and Kim Jaewon said, "I hope it brings real excitement. Also, since it's spring, I hope people focus on the fluttering chemistry."
Finally, Director Lee Sang-yeop said, "There are still many stories left, and Yumi is still struggling, thrilled, crying and laughing, loving and living. I hope you enjoy pleasant spring days with Yumi." Kim Go-eun said, "It's a drama that suits spring very well. Great music still plays and very wonderful actors appear. For me it is personally a precious and dear work, and I think you will like it too, so I hope you'll join us." Kim Jaewon added, "It's a precious work that makes me nervous and excited. I worked with a great director, writers and senior actors. The chemistry is good and the content is fun, so please give us a lot of love," urging viewers to watch.
Meanwhile, Yumi's Cells 3 will premiere on TVING at 6 p.m. on the 13th. It will then air on tvN every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 p.m.
[photo] OSEN reporter Park Joonhyung
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