Hwang Inyoup and Lee Hye-ri's perfect rom-com chemistry in "Dream To You" is unveiled.
On the 7th afternoon at The Saint Wedding Hall in Guro-gu, Seoul, an ENA new Monday-Tuesday drama 'Dream To You' production presentation was held. Director Yoo Seon-dong and actors Hwang Inyoup and Lee Hye-ri attended the production presentation and spoke.
"Dream To You" is a romantic comedy that depicts the aftermath of the reunion between genius film director Woo Soo-bin (Hwang Inyoup), who returned after achieving his dream, and livelihood reporter Joo I-jae (Lee Hye-ri), who lives having forgotten her dream.
Director Yoo Seon-dong described Dream To You as "a romance drama about two protagonists who wrote scripts together in high school, nurtured the same dream and almost had their first love, meeting again after 15 years to rewrite the unfinished dream and love," adding, "What struck me while doing this drama was that as I passed 30, the words dream and love became bland at times. But the script that the Dream To You writer wrote, and working with the two actors during filming and completion, made me feel my heart race again at the words dream and love, and in some scenes I felt moved and my heart grew warm. I hope this drama delivers the emotions I felt intact to the viewers."
Asked about what sets it apart from other 'reunited first love' stories, he said, "Although it's a love story, because it's a story of finding dreams, it's differentiated from other romance dramas. There are moments when talking about dreams makes your chest swell and moments that make you feel heated. What I felt while filming is that ideally life would have dream and love together, but sometimes people give up love for their dreams, or give up dreams for love. We tried to capture emotional lines that can occur not only in relationships between men and women but also within families. I think these points are what make Dream To You's rom-com aspects unique."
Director Yoo Seon-dong, who directed a romantic comedy for the first time through this work, said, "I realized anew that there was a lot of melo and rom-com sensibility inside me. I received much help from rom-com masters, and while this work has a bright and lively tone, there are parts where characters clash while pursuing dreams and love, so there might be points where another color can enter to express the complex perspective." Lee Hye-ri also emphasized, "I thought the director was a gentleman. He has romance. He brings in very realistic elements. Rom-coms can sometimes have childish aspects. Through the director's perspective, those parts are blended into something everyone has experienced, making them realistic. I received a lot of help on set."
In the drama, Hwang Inyoup plays genius film director Woo Soo-bin and shares romantic chemistry with Lee Hye-ri. Hwang Inyoup introduced the role, saying, "Woo Soo-bin was a friend who, in childhood, did as his parents told and treated dreams as something unreal, focusing only on studying. Meeting Joo I-jae made him experience first love and dream for the first time. He is a character who worked to achieve his dream and, appearing before Joo I-jae after 15 years to return it, hopes they will dream together and achieve it."
Asked why he chose the project, he said, "Our drama has many romantic melodramatic points that are chaotic and can give you thrills because characters who shared the same dream meet the first love they once liked to return that dream. I personally like rom-coms a lot and was eager to do this. I think it was a really good choice."
Lee Hye-ri, who plays livelihood reporter Joo I-jae with passion and skill, explained, "She dreamed of becoming a film director in high school, but having failed to achieve that dream, she lives as a livelihood reporter in reality. Having forgotten her dream and living her present life, she is a character who starts dreaming again because of Woo Soo-bin, who appears after 15 years."
She continued, "When I read the script, Jae and Soo-bin were close when they were young. But when they met again after 15 years, they were so at odds — almost to the point of dislike. That made me think why these friends changed so much, what incident caused this, and what will happen next, creating an ultimate curiosity. To see the next episode, I had no choice but to act, so I felt I had to do it. I thought it would be so fun to work with these two. I had been a big fan of them, so I chose to join," she said frankly about her reason for appearing.
Director Yoo Seon-dong, asked about casting behind the scenes, said, "Actor Hwang Inyoup played a pivotal role in getting Dream To You started. He was the first to recognize the script's value. Even before I became a director, I liked this script so much that Hwang Inyoup had already occupied a place in this work like a fixture. From our first meeting, he had become Woo Soo-bin. After meeting Hwang Inyoup and reading the script, I wanted to cast Lee Hye-ri as the one and only choice. I thought Lee Hye-ri could express Joo I-jae's realistic worries and the uplifting energy beyond that, showing both sides. Fortunately, she gladly and quickly gave an answer and we were able to meet."
Asked what kind of reception he wants through Dream To You, Hwang Inyoup said, "Honestly, I really wanted to do a romantic comedy, and my goal is to be praised for the great chemistry between Hyeri and me. In rom-coms, above all else, the pair's chemistry is most important, and I think ours was really good. I'm confident, and it would be satisfying if people focus on that part and say we fit well together."
Lee Hye-ri also said, "I also want people to say the two of us have great chemistry," and, borrowing Hwang Inyoup's mouth, expressed the wish to be described as "an actor you miss, want to keep watching and look forward to the next work," prompting laughter. She added, "I think my chemistry with Hwang Inyoup was a perfect 100 points. It was perfect," and when MC Park Kyung-lim jokingly said, "ENA should hold an awards ceremony," she confidently said, "Give us the best couple award!"
Regarding a ratings pledge, Lee Hye-ri said, "I will work a one-day popcorn part-time job at a movie theater." After discussion with MC Park Kyung-lim, they added a group viewing with viewers and a free-hug event, raising anticipation. When they proposed a target rating of 7 percent, Hwang Inyoup accepted, saying, "Today is July 7, isn't it?" and Lee Hye-ri showed excitement, saying, "Just thinking about it makes me so happy."
Finally, about viewing points, director Yoo Seon-dong said, "It's not too late to write down dreams and love. I hope it becomes a drama that encourages many people." Lee Hye-ri said, "I think it will really wake people up. It might awaken viewers' love, dreams, memories, and maybe offer a bit of rest to those weary from life's hardships. So I hope people watch our drama. I want to reiterate that the chemistry between Hwang Inyoup and Lee Hye-ri is incredible, and I hope viewers enjoy it happily," she emphasized.
Hwang Inyoup added, "It has many thrilling and sweet points to watch in midsummer. As a rom-com, it is a sweet drama that can make you recall the first love you once had. It's a beautiful and fresh drama, so please love it a lot."
Meanwhile, Dream To You will premiere at 10 p.m. on the 13th.
[photo] OSEN reporter Park Joonhyung
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