One of the most crucial elements in love stories is the sweet chemistry between the male and female protagonists. While there are big age differences between couples in real life, it’s different in romantic comedies. In genres that thrive on the excitement of discovering the hearts of others, a noticeable age gap can break viewers’ immersion.
When there is a significant age difference between actors, viewers often feel less connected. In Coupang Play’s recently concluded “Cinderella at 2 in the Morning,” Shin Hyun-been and Moon Sang-min had an age difference of 14 years. Even though Shin Hyun-been appeared to be his real age, some felt there wasn’t enough romantic chemistry with Moon Sang-min, born in 2000. Likewise, tvN’s “No Gain No Love,” starring Shin Min-ah and Kim Young-dae with a 10-year age difference, faced initial skepticism.
As a result, works featuring refreshingly youthful 20-year-old protagonists are gaining attention. Among this year’s releases, “Hear Me: Our Summer” stands out as the only one featuring entirely 20-something protagonists, who exude youthful energy right from the posters, cuts and trailer.
“Hear Me: Our Summer,” out Nov. 6, follows the heartwarming story of Yong-jun (Hong Kyung), who pursues love with unwavering determination, and Yeo-reum (Roh Yoon-seo), who discovers meaning of true love. , and her supportive younger sister Ga-eul (Kim Min-ju). It’s a remake of a classic Taiwanese romance film.
Hong Kyung, born in 1996, is 28 years old, while Roh Yoon-seo, born in 2000, is 24, very close to the ages of the characters on screen. The director gave priority to this factor in casting.
The actors feel confident in displaying a unique youthful energy. Roh Yoon-seo explained: “We are close in age, so the rehearsals seemed like a childhood game. That natural chemistry should shine through, adding a fresh, lively appeal.“Hong Kyung added:”The story captures fleeting and subtle emotions unique to our time. I’m curious to see how the audience will perceive it and I hope that our 1920s energy is conveyed well.“
Their visual compatibility is also attracting attention. Fans are thrilled with the pairing of “deer-like” imagery, with Roh Yoon-seo and Hong Kyung embodying a fresh and innocent vibe suitable for youthful stories.
Kim Se-jeong, who became the queen of romantic comedies thanks to “Business Proposal”, has embarked on a new project together with her colleague Lee Jong-won. ENA’s drama “Brewing Love,” which premiered on Nov. 4, depicts the emotional love story between Young-ju, a sales queen at a liquor company who naturally hides her emotions, and Min- ju, the CEO of a brewery who is super sensitive and captures emotions in everyday life. Lee Jong-won and Kim Se-jeong, also in their 20s, make a charming on-screen couple with only a two-year age difference. After the first episode, the duo received praise for their visual pairing and chemistry, offering a refreshing dynamic in an age where 2020s protagonists are becoming rare.
Source: Daum
