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After showing the An eventful encounter between Ji Chang-wook and Imada Mio, « Merry Berry Love »This time, the series focuses on its hero’s fresh start. Disney+ has released the first images of Ji Chang-wook as Lee Yu-bin, a renowned designer whose career comes to an abrupt end. Forced to start from scratch, he leaves Korea for a Japanese island, where a strawberry farmer might just change his life.
«Merry Berry Love» will mark the return of Ji Chang-wook in a romantic comedy, three years after «Welcome to Samdalri.» In this new story, the actor will star opposite the Japanese actress Mio Imada.
Ji Chang-wook plays Lee Yu-bin, a particularly talented and perfectionist interior designer. After achieving professional success in Korea, however, he finds himself everything he built disappearing overnight. He then decided to travel to an island in Japan in the hope of giving his life a new direction.
From Designer to a Life Surrounded by Strawberries
The first images offer a glimpse into the two sides of Lee Yu-bin. In one of them, the character appears completely absorbed in his work, with the confidence of a professional accustomed to excelling at whatever he undertakes. This image contrasts sharply with what awaits him following the upheaval in his career.
Another photo does indeed show him in a radically different setting: in the middle of a strawberry field. This time, his expression is more relaxed, and a slight smile appears on his face. This change in atmosphere foreshadows his encounter with Karin Shirahama (Mio Imada), a young Japanese producer who has devoted her life to growing strawberries.
Their first meeting, however, isn’t expected to immediately resemble a fairy-tale romance. Previous previews of the drama, on the contrary, hinted at a rather disastrous start to their relationship. But Yu-bin’s arrival on the island will gradually turn their respective lives upside down.
Ji Chang-wook promises a «bright, joyful, and adorable» story»
Ji Chang-wook also explained what convinced him to accept the role. «When I received the script, I felt that this was a character I could relate to and one that audiences would easily connect with. His passion for his work is also something we have in common. I was excited and eager the whole time I was reading the script.»
Beyond the romance, the actor emphasizes above all Yu-bin’s personal growth after she arrived in Japan. «“Merry Berry Love” is a bright, joyful, and charming show, so there was never a shortage of laughter on set. I hope you’ll follow closely how Yu-bin finds love after meeting Karin and how he grows through this experience.»
This last detail suggests that his relationship with Karin won’t simply be an opportunity for Yu-bin to fall in love. After losing the life he had built for himself in Korea, this encounter should also help him to redefine what he expects from his future.
And the contrast between the perfectionist professional in the first images and the smiling man standing among the strawberries already seems to foreshadow this transformation.
«Merry Berry Love» will be available starting October 7 on Disney+.
