Hwang Jung-eum, Nam Goong-min to create feel-good romantic comedy

Backing the classical theory that spring is the best season for love, SBS’ new romantic comedy “Handsome Guy and Jung-eum” hopes to hit the small screen as the ultimate feel-good series that is free of any complications or sadness.

"Our drama focuses on dating. Rather than depicting romance’s complex and heavy sides, the series is more about being comical and incorporating cartoonish elements,” said director Kim Yu-jin during a press conference for the drama in Seoul on Wednesday. 

“It’s just a light drama that people can watch with laughter at the end of the day,”

Featuring actors Hwang Jung-eum, Nam Goong-min, Choi Tae-joon and Oh Yoon-ah, the drama will tell a bubbly love story between a man who is expert in love and a woman whose biggest dream is to get married. Hwang will play the later character Yoo Jung-eum, a former diving athlete who now works at a matchmaking company but has estranged herself from the idea of love, and Nam will play the love expert Kang Hoon-nam who has no faith in love despite working as a love columnist. The story, where the two grownups with different personalities and backgrounds bump into each other and inevitably fall in love, may be nothing new in romantic dramas, however, the actors emphasized that shooting “Handsome Guy and Jung-eum” have been new experiences to themselves.

“Honestly, I wanted to do a sad drama. But after reading the drama script three times, I couldn’t help but accept the role,” said Hwang, often known as a master of romantic comedies due to her past roles in popular series like “She Was Pretty” and “Lucky Romance.” SBS’ new series marks the actress’ first project since she went on a hiatus after giving a birth to a son in August last year.

“It’s actually a lie that actors feel excited for tomorrow’s shooting, but for me, each day has been a blessing while filming the drama. It’s been totally new experiences for me,” she added. 

Nam also revealed that he has been stressed out with his new role in the drama. The versatile actor starred in “Good Manager,” “Man to Man” and “Distorted,“ last year.

“My role in the drama is different from my past roles. I’ve been putting a lot of effort to become Kang Hoon-nam, as I usually get stressed to the point where my voice cracks when I fail in absorbing the character,” he said.

This is the second time Hwang and Nam collaborate in a drama, as they have worked together in “Can You Hear My Heart” in 2011.

The series will air its first episode on Wednesday at 10 p.m.

(lotus@heraldcorp.com)