Actor Jung Haein, who suffered as the opposing lead "Ha-young risk" in the new work Our Sticky Love, unveiled a new project just one month later.
Jung Haein and Shin Sae-kyeong, two actors whose names alone excite, meet in Love Virus.
The TVING original Love Virus, produced by CJ ENM STUDIOS and Studio Phoenix (written by Choi Sooyoung·Nam In-young, directed by Kim Seok-yoon·Choi Bo-yoon, produced by CJ ENM STUDIOS, Studio Phoenix, SLL, provided by TVING) is a romance drama that depicts the story of a ninth-year couple, each in their first relationship, who decide to take a "break time" to meet new people so that they leave no lingering regrets about other sexes before marriage.
Ever-reliable melodrama master Jung Haein plays Ha Do-woon, a capable lawyer and the long-time boyfriend of Kang Chae-rin (played by Shin Sae-kyeong). Born an only son into a wealthy family, Ha Do-woon is a man without a flaw—appearance, ability, athleticism—like a hexagon, and he has a nature that will achieve any goal he sets his sights on. He is literally a cheat character. Putting aside his overflowing popularity, attention is focused on Jung Haein's transformation, which will delicately portray the comfort and deep emotional lines born of a long-term first love, and the provocative tension created by the daring setting of a "break time."
Shin Sae-kyeong, an irreplaceable public "wannabe" who has proven a wide acting spectrum across genres, plays Kang Chae-rin, Ha Do-woon's long-time girlfriend and a dental pay doctor. Kang Chae-rin, who gained fame in school for her extraordinary beauty, seems to lack nothing—a dentist by profession, a sexy and capable boyfriend, and excellent work-life balance—but she begins to feel disillusioned with a life spent following a single path. Through the character of Kang Chae-rin, Shin Sae-kyeong's performance, which will simultaneously emit the composure and seasoned charm of a long-term relationship and the bold, self-directed allure of a woman, is eagerly anticipated.
Thus, with everything perfectly aligned, Ha Do-woon and Kang Chae-rin, thinking of marriage as the natural next step of a long-term relationship, make an unexpected decision. Because they were each other's first loves, to prevent their relationship from wavering later due to curiosity or lingering feelings for other people after marriage, they decide to take a "break time" during which each can freely meet new people.
As people wonder whether their choice will become a remedy for a regret-free marriage or a poison that will test their love, attention is also focusing on the synergy between Jung Haein and Shin Sae-kyeong as they take their first breath as Ha Do-woon and Kang Chae-rin. Expectations are building for the couple chemistry of Jung Haein and Shin Sae-kyeong, who will intricately portray everything from the familiar, comfortable dynamic of a long-term couple to the ever-changing emotional nuances after a shocking choice.
Adding reassurance is the meeting of director Kim Seok-yoon and writer Choi Sooyoung, who will depict the two people's mercurial romance with greater subtlety and realism. Director Kim Seok-yoon has directed Heavenly Ever After, My Liberation Notes and The Light in Your Eyes with a delicate and warm perspective, and writer Choi Sooyoung has cheerfully explored realistic romance and distinctive human types in Love to Hate You and My ID is Gangnam Beauty. How these two, each with their own established colors, will unfold Love Virus's unique romance is drawing attention.
The TVING original Love Virus, produced by CJ ENM STUDIOS and Studio Phoenix, will be released on TVING in 2027.
Meanwhile, Jung Haein released the Netflix series Our Sticky Love in early last month, but promotion was mostly canceled or scaled back, including media interviews, after the female lead Ha-young became embroiled in controversy over her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. Although lead actors usually promote together, Jung Haein completed minimal solo promotion.
[Photo] Provided by Mindbridge, The Present Company
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