MBN+ drama “Blue Spring” concluded its emotional journey on May 26, leaving viewers with a heartfelt story of youth, healing and growth. Set against the backdrop of the blue ocean, the series received praise for its cinematic visuals and deeply emotional narrative as it portrayed wounded youth learning to heal and resurrect together.
Escaping the glamor of the city, the drama captured the raw beauty and unique charm of a quiet island village, creating what many viewers already call a “a life-changing drama that they will revisit every summer.” At the center of the story were actors Kang Sang Jun and Kim Yerim, who delivered career-defining performances through richly layered characters.
Kang Sang Jun played Yoon Deok Hyun, a lonely islander who bears emotional scars from his past as a soldier. The actor skillfully balanced the character’s quiet warmth and profound loneliness, presenting one of the strongest transformations of his career. Through Deok Hyun’s reserved personality and subtle emotional changes, viewers were naturally drawn into the character’s inner journey.
To fully embody the role, Kang Sang Jun apparently tanned on the roof every morning and even obtained a freediving certification. He made extraordinary efforts to physically absorb the spirit of nature and transform himself into the rawest version of the character possible.
Reflecting on the drama’s conclusion, Kang Sang Jun shared that he has learned to control the “want to breathe” through Deok Hyun’s story. Talking about his acting philosophy, he explained, “Even when I felt breathless, I never wanted to lose my composure.” He also described diving as “a desperate struggle to survive”, adding philosophical depth to the character.
Despite the challenging underwater filming process, Kang Sang Jun symbolized the sea like Deok Hyun’s “self-imposed prison” and his “only friend.” He also explained that Anna’s arrival marked the beginning of Deok Hyun’s true spring. The actor concluded by leaving viewers a warm message encouraging them not to lose their cool even under pressure and wishing that everyone can find someone like Deok Hyun or Anna in their life.
Meanwhile, singer-actress Yeri, credited under her real name Kim Yerim, played Seo Anna, a former swimmer who returns to her hometown after an injury destroys her dreams. Through the role, he vividly depicted the pain and resilience of youth.
Kim Yerim realistically captured the emptiness of losing her dream, while also portraying Anna’s gradual healing process as she returned to the ocean. His emotional acting anchored the center of the drama.
The actress shared that she felt personally connected to Anna due to the character’s wide emotional range and delicate personality. She explained that she cried and laughed alongside Anna during filming and described the project as a source of great comfort and healing for herself as well. Kim Yerim also expressed deep gratitude to the director, staff and other actors.
To prepare for the role, Kim Yerim worked hard to feel comfortable in water and even took diving lessons. She recalled struggling during scenes where she had to sink underwater while attached to heavy weights, but revealed she learned a lot through the experience.
The actress also put significant effort into the drama’s cooking scenes, particularly in a memorable sequence in which Anna prepares seaweed soup in a traditional cauldron. He shared that the scene required a tremendous amount of time and emotional energy.
Kim Yerim also revealed a fun behind-the-scenes detail, admitting that she previously disliked sea splashes but eventually grew fond of them while filming the drama.
Of all the scenes, he picked the narration at the end of episode 1 as the most memorable moment. He left viewers a heartfelt message, saying: “Like Anna, I hope people can shake off the difficult times and move forward again.”
One of the main reasons “Blue Spring” The exceptional chemistry between Kang Sang Jun and Kim Yerim resonated so deeply with viewers. The two actors perfectly portrayed the realistic friendship and emotional changes that developed as their characters learned to dive together.
Kim Yerim revealed that Kang Sang Jun took great care of her during filming and also shared fun behind-the-scenes stories from the drama’s CPR scene, giving viewers a glimpse into the warm atmosphere on set.
One particularly memorable moment from the series saw Anna comforting Deok Hyun, who was trapped in guilt over a past incident. Tell him calmly, “It was just an accident. It wasn’t your fault.” Anna’s calm words became one of the most emotional scenes in the drama thanks to the brilliant performances of the actors.
Kang Sang Jun identified the hospital conversation between Deok Hyun and Anna as the pivotal moment when Deok Hyun finally started to open his heart. According to the actor, it marked the true beginning of their emotional transformation.
By sharing each other’s pain and comforting each other, the two actors created a powerful emotional synergy that elevated the drama’s immersion to its highest point. Kang Sang Jun expressed his desire to continue projecting his own life experiences into future shows, while Kim Yerim promised to return with another big project.
The lasting emotions left by “Blue Spring” and its two stars are expected to remain in the hearts of viewers for a long time.
Sources: Daum
