Uee plays haughty swimming champion in new TV rom-com

In the new tvN miniseries “Hogoo’s Love,” girl group After School member Uee takes on the role of Do Do-hee, a beautiful but haughty it-girl and national swimming champion.

Known for her long legs and glamorous body, Uee recently appeared in the reality show “Law of the Jungle.”

“Hogoo” is her first TV drama lead since 2013, in which she played orphan Kim Baek-won in “Golden Rainbow.” 

“I have never sworn this much before in my life,” she said on her role as the boisterous queen bee. “I’m so immersed in my character, I find myself yelling ‘Get out of my way!’ and being really outspoken even in real life. It’s such a stress release!”

The role, Uee said, is perfect for her in more ways than one.

“As many of you may know, I was an actual swimmer in high school, so I’m happy to be able to show off my swimming skills on television,” she said Thursday in a press conference for the show.

New to the TV scene, actor Choi Woo-shik portrays Kang Hogoo, the ultimate “nice guy” who has never been on a date in his life and is head over heels in love with the unattainable Do-hee.

“I very strongly pushed for this chance,” Choi said on landing his first lead TV role. “It felt like a piece of clothing that fit me perfectly, and I just knew I could do it justice.”

Hogoo, whose name literally means “pushover,” by no means boasts chiseled looks or sophisticated manners. He is, however, sweet, considerate, and endearingly clueless, and an unexpected friendship blossoms between him and Do-hee throughout the series.

“Playing the lovable buffoon is my specialty and my greatest strength,” Choi said with a broad, playful grin. “I’m sure our show will be every bit as fun as it was making it.”

Ballad group 2AM’s Lim Seul-ong will be starring as Byun Gang-chul, the handsome and intelligent lawyer ― in short, the complete opposite of Hogoo.

Based on a webtoon series under the same name by Yoo Hyun-sook, the 16-part drama delves into the winner-loser dynamic that tends to develop in romantic relationships. It will air Mondays and Tuesdays at 11 p.m. starting Feb. 9

By Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)