Jaehwa Bernardo

Article (news)

Choi Jin-hyuk, Oh Yeon-seo on appeal of 'reverse romance' K-drama 'Positively Yours'

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block" width="633"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17714750890391000001922.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Oh Yeon-seo and Choi Jin-hyuk in &#x27;Positively Yours.&#x27; <em>Photos from Channel A&#x27;s Instagram account</em></span></span></span></div><p>Can love grow between two people brought together by an unexpected pregnancy?</p><p>That question anchors the South Korean romantic-comedy series “Positively Yours,” now streaming for Filipino viewers on Viki.</p><p>The 12-episode drama stars Choi Jin-hyuk and Oh Yeon-seo as the conglomerate heir Kang Doo-joon and the fiercely career-driven Jang Hee-won, respectively.</p><p>Both characters carry emotional scars that have left them wary of marriage. But their resolve is tested when a one-night stand results in Hee-won’s unexpected pregnancy, binding them in a life-changing entanglement. </p><p>Jin-hyuk, known for his roles in “The Last Empress” and “Miss Night and Day,” described the characters’ predicament as a “reverse” of the usual romance formula. </p><p>It’s this twist, he said, that ultimately drew him to the project.</p><p>“Most romantic comedies begin with two people meeting and gradually developing their relationship, but our story begins with a powerful plot of a pregnancy, and then works its way back toward love,” Jin-hyuk said in a recent interview with ABS-CBN News.</p><p>“The concept of a ‘reverse romance’ as I would call it — the unique pace and concept drew me in so much that I found myself reading the entire script in one sitting,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/11/10/choi-jin-hyuk-shows-off-versatility-in-manila-fan-con-1730&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjknJ7h1-SSAxUVOPsDHXErJiYQFnoECCIQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2yyj2s5RUwI4boYwO0yDXC">READ: Choi Jin-hyuk shows off versatility in Manila fan-con</a></div><p>Audiences, Jin-hyuk believes, may also be drawn in by the show’s “perfect balance” of romance and humor.</p><p>“I think the real charm lies in that perfect balance. You find yourself laughing one moment and before you know it, reaching for tissues the next,” the actor said.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17714752061381000001921.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Yeon-seo, meanwhile, said that while the series embraces a “reverse romance” structure, it still delivers the familiar pleasures of a classic rom-com.</p><p>Echoing Jin-hyuk’s earlier statement at a press conference for the drama, she recalled his remark that “there’s something powerful about a familiar flavor.”</p><p>“[Our series is] a classic romantic comedy, so I think viewers will be able to enjoy it comfortably and with a light heart,” said the actress, who has also starred in “A Korean Odyssey,” “Café Minamdang,” and most recently “Nice To Not Meet You.”</p><p>Here&#x27;s more from our interview with the two stars:</p><div><strong>Q: The series often shifts between light romantic moments and more serious themes, such as unexpected pregnancy and your characters’ traumatic pasts. How challenging was it to balance these different tones when portraying your characters?</strong></div><p><strong>Jin-hyuk: </strong>In the beginning, there were definitely some challenges in finding the right tone for my character. If I played him too lightly, the weight of the situation might be lost; if I leaned too heavily into the seriousness, the charm of the romantic comedy could fade. I wrestled with that balance early on. </p><p>But through constant conversations with the director, the staff, and my fellow actors—including Oh Yeon-seo—we were able to find Doo-jun’s center naturally. In the end, it was truly the result of the strong teamwork between the production team and the cast.</p><p><strong>Yeon-seo:</strong> I tried to stay faithful to the script while also discussing the emotional tone with the director and my co-stars on set. Through those conversations, I was able to find the right balance. It was a genuinely enjoyable process.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17714754771361000001924.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong></strong><strong>Q: Yeon-seo, pregnancy becomes a turning point for Hee-won, affecting not only her love life but also her personal life and career. How did you prepare to portray this aspect of her character?</strong></div><p><strong></strong><strong>Yeon-seo: </strong>I read the script multiple times, and through exchanging lines with my co-stars on set, I found myself naturally immersing in the emotions and situations my character was experiencing.</p><div><strong>Q: Jin-hyuk, at the start of the series, Doo-joon comes across as serious and no-nonsense. What was it about this character that drew you in and how did you prepare to portray him?</strong></div><p><strong>Jin-hyuk: </strong>My natural tone and overall impression can feel a bit cold or heavy when I’m not smiling. Because of that, rather than leaning further into Doo-jun’s seriousness, I focused more on revealing the subtle vulnerability and lightness beneath his composed exterior.</p><p>I intentionally relaxed my performance more than usual, and in the comedic scenes, I paid close attention to small facial expressions and gestures so viewers could feel comfortable and genuinely enjoy the subtle humor amidst his seriousness.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17714755132061000001920.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong>Q: What was it like working with each other? Can you share any memorable moments from filming this drama?</strong></div><p><strong>Jin-hyuk:</strong> Oh Yeon-seo is a talented actress who prepares for each scene incredibly thoroughly. Watching her carefully analyze the script and stay fully aligned with the emotional flow of each scene gave me a lot to learn from as her partner. Thanks to her dedication, I was able to stay sharp and fully immersed in my own performance.</p><p>The most memorable moment from filming was when the entire cast and crew participated in a social outing. In nearly 20 years of working in this industry, it was the first time I’d experienced something like that. Sitting together, grilling meat and chatting in such a warm and relaxed atmosphere really brought everyone closer. </p><p>Looking back, I’m so grateful for that atmosphere. I think that sense of togetherness carried over onto the set and strengthened our chemistry, which makes me smile to this very day.</p><p><strong>Yeon-seo:</strong> We clicked instantly. Although we went through preparations separately, it felt as if we were together through the entire planning process whenever we met on set. Choi Jin-hyuk is a wonderful actor, which made every scene enjoyable to film, so I want to take this opportunity to thank him again.</p><p>The set was a constant stream of joy. The director, staff, and cast were all so cheerful and considerate rather than one specific episode standing out, I remember every moment feeling happy and genuinely fun.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17714755489161000001923.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong>Q: What kind of personal takeaway, if any, did you gain from portraying your characters?</strong></div><p><strong>Yeon-seo:</strong> In many ways, this was a very challenging project for me. I had to portray a wide range of emotions that came from the different relationships in the story, and through the process, I felt that my emotional expressions began to gain more depth. While monitoring my performance, there were moments when I found myself thinking, “Oh, I made that expression in that scene,” or “I didn’t realize I had that tone in me.”</p><div><strong>Q: “Positively Yours” feels like it asks whether love can grow from responsibility. What message do you hope viewers take away?</strong></div><p><strong>Jin-hyuk:</strong> Love comes in different forms. Even if a relationship begins out of responsibility, like Doo-jun and Hee-won’s, if two people truly care for one another and face each other with sincerity, that love can grow deeper and stronger than any other. </p><p>I hope viewers can find that sense of hope in our story. More than anything, I hope our drama can be like a refreshing glass of cold beer at the end of a long day—a source of warmth, comfort and rest in your everyday life.</p><p><strong>Yeon-seo: </strong>At its heart, the drama carries warmth. You’ll be able to feel the warmth of family love, friendship and even the bonds between colleagues.</p>

<p>Can love grow between two people brought together by an unexpected pregnancy? That question anchors the South Korean romantic-comedy series 'Positively Yours.'</p>

Can love grow between two people brought together by an unexpected pregnancy? That question anchors the South Korean romantic-comedy series 'Positively Yours.'