Crushology 101 stars Roh Jeong Eui, Cho Jun Young, and Lee Chae Min | Photo from @mbcdrama_now

This article may contain spoilers.

Oh, to be young and in love! If you’re into rom-com or simply want a palate cleanser, here’s a K-drama we recommend you get started on ASAP: Crushology 101, which is based on the Kakao webtoon Bunny and Her Boys by Ni Eun.

Like a crash course on young love—cute, exciting, and sometimes clumsy—this new K-drama depicts the beauty (and chaos) of first crushes and first loves. Set in a vibrant campus that witnesses many firsts in the lives of its students, the series narrows in on Bunny or Ban Hee Jin (Roh Jeong Eui) and the good-looking boys she encounters who will teach her a thing or two about friendship, love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.

Romance with hints of humor and drama, in Crushology 101, there are familiar plots and themes such as a love triangle, unrequited love, and falling for the wrong guy. And with six episodes so far, we’re feeling giddy about how the story unfolds, including all the Korean youth romance drama staple tropes like Hwang Jae Yeol (Lee Chae Min) tying Bunny’s hair.

Crushology 101 sees the reunion of Roh Jeong Eui and Lee Chae Min, who starred in another school-based series, albeit one in the heavy drama genre, Hierarchy. On working with each other again, Lee Chae Min told Metro.Style, “Since we had already worked together once before, we went into filming feeling comfortable, which made communication on set much smoother. We were able to act without any awkwardness and match each other’s rhythm easily, which made the whole shoot feel relaxed and enjoyable.”

Among the three lead stars of Crushology 101, Roh Jeong Eui “is the most experienced actor,” as Cho Jun Young (who plays Cha Ji Won) mentioned, because she debuted as a child actress and went on to appear in popular K-dramas like 18 Again and Our Beloved Summer. She also recently starred in the webtoon-based romance mystery series The Witch. 

“She always kept the mood bright on set, but the moment the camera started rolling, she’d switch to a serious, focused mindset,” Cho Jun Young said of Roh Jeong Eui. “That professionalism really stood out to me and was something I truly admired.”

With Crushology 101 and The Witch belonging in different genres, ultimately showcasing Roh Jeong Eui’s versatility, we were curious about the genre this 23-year-old actress wants to do next. “I haven’t had the chance to play a character with a specialized profession, so I’d love to try it if the opportunity comes. I’d also like to take on a calm, emotional melodrama someday,” she said. Bunny is a top sculpture student at Yein University, described as someone with an artistic eye but bad luck in love. 

For now, like her character, Bunny, she’s basking in experiencing firsts through her latest project. Roh Jeong Eui shared, “This project was my first step into romantic comedy, and it made me want to explore the genre even more. Whatever the genre or role, I’m always open to new challenges and meaningful opportunities.”

Acting is an opportunity to put oneself in another person’s shoes, an aspect of the craft that actors often find challenging yet exciting. But there’s also a sense of thrill from portraying a role that mirrors one’s personality or experiences. That’s one of the things Roh Jeong Eui couldn’t say no to when Crushology 101 was presented to her.

“The script was just so fun and engaging. More than anything, I felt it was a chance to capture the essence of my twenties, and I was drawn to the idea of bringing the character ‘Bani’ to life in my own way. That’s what made me decide to take on the role,” she said.

Lee Chae Min (who also appeared in the K-drama Crash Course in Romance and See You In My 19th Life) also complimented the script, which he said has a “unique charm,” and it’s among the factors he considered for taking on this project. “First of all, the script was such an enjoyable read that it left a strong impression on me. There are many youth dramas out there, but what drew me to this one was its unique charm—those fresh and heartwarming emotions that only this story delivers,” explained the 24-year-old rising actor. 

Cho Jun Young (whose K-dramas include Dear M and All That We Loved), on the other hand, liked how “lively” their set is. The 22-year-old actor said, “Since it’s a campus drama, I had a lot of scenes with actors around my age. That made the set really lively—we joked around a lot, had great conversations, and the atmosphere was always cheerful.”

Presenting a classic yet fresh approach to the storytelling of a coming-of-age K-drama, Crushology 101 also entertains us with the brewing bromance between Hwang Jae Yeol and Cha Ji Won. They may not always be friendly towards each other, but when it comes to Bunny, they have no qualms about joining forces. And it’s nice to know that the actors behind these characters get along behind the scenes as well. “Among the cast, the one who surprised me the most was Chae Min, who plays Jae Yeol. He was so different from my first impression—much warmer and more caring than I expected. He always looked out for me and treated me fondly like the youngest on set,” Cho Jun Young said with a laugh.

Each character in Crushology 101 has endearing qualities and compelling stories that make viewers want to root for them. 

“I think Bani’s cheerful personality is a lot like mine. The way she’s chill and bright around her friends really reflects how I am, too,” Roh Jeong Eui shared. 

For Lee Chae Min, he and his character are only about “30 to 40%” similar. “On the outside, we both seem a bit cold, but deep down, we’re actually quite different from that impression—that part feels similar to me. Aside from that, I think our way of speaking and how we treat people are quite different,” he said, adding that what’s most appealing about Hwang Jae Yeol is his “classic tsundere charm.” “Hwang Jae Yeol is the textbook definition of a tsundere. He doesn’t show much interest in others, but once someone becomes part of his inner circle, he takes care of them with unwavering warmth.” 

Cha Ji Won, meanwhile, has a “steadfast presence” that Cho Jun Young thinks makes the character so special. “I think Ji Won’s biggest charm is his strong inner strength and kindness. No matter what happens, he stays by Bani’s side without wavering… Ji Won usually doesn’t show big emotional swings and tends to be endlessly gentle with the people he cares about. He may seem quiet, but once he’s comfortable with someone, he’s actually playful and jokes around a lot—that’s something I really relate to.”

Whether it’s the cold yet caring Hwang Jae Yeol or the gentle and kind Cha Ji Won who will steal Ban Hee Jin’s heart is a plot development worth looking forward to. Sit back, relax, and feel the heart-fluttering young love!

Crushology 101 also stars Kim Hyun Jin, Hong Min Gi, and Kim Min Chul. 

Check it out on Viu now.

Lead photo from @mbcdrama_now