PRESS CONFERENCE: Cho Yi Hyun and Choo Young Woo Aim for the ‘Nation’s First Love’ Title “Head Over Heels” – kdramadiary

Youth stars Cho Yi Hyun and Choo Young Woo are ready to redefine “nation’s first love” with their newest project, Head Over Heels—tvN’s upcoming Monday-Tuesday drama that blends romance, destiny, and folklore into one enchanting story.

Premiering on June 23, the drama has already generated buzz for its fresh pairing, compelling concept, and star-studded cast.

During the online production press conference held on June 17, director Kim Yong-wan, alongside lead actors Cho Yi Hyun, Choo Young Woo, Cha Kang Yoon, and Chu Ja Hyun, gave fans a sneak peek into the world of Head Over Heels, a romantic fantasy rooted in both modern youth culture and timeless mythology.

The story follows Bae Gyeon-woo (Choo Young-woo), a talented but ill-fated college archer whose life is overshadowed by a mysterious death curse. He crosses paths with Park Sung-ah (Cho Yi-hyun), a young shaman from the MZ generation who is determined to save him. Their bold first love unfolds in a swirl of emotional tension, metaphysical beliefs, and youthful optimism. Alongside them is Pyo Ji-ho (Cha Kang-yoon), a close friend whose love for both characters complicates the already delicate balance of fate, friendship, and romance.

Cho Yi Hyun shared her unique connection to the role of Park Sung-ah, explaining, “I’ve always been fascinated by shamanism and tend to see life through a fatalistic lens. When I first read the script, I truly felt like it was fate. Playing someone who lives a double life—a shaman and a modern young woman—felt like a huge opportunity for me to grow as an actress.”

Choo Young Woo described his character, Gyeon-woo, as “a boy surrounded by misfortune, who builds emotional walls to protect others from his own bad luck.” He noted that he resonated with Gyeon-woo’s internal struggles and looked forward to showing the character’s emotional evolution as the story progresses. “He’s like a hedgehog—bristly on the outside but deeply kind,” Choo added. “There are many sides to him, and you’ll see some intense shifts as the story unfolds.”

To bring authenticity to their roles, both actors immersed themselves in character-specific training. Cho Yi Hyun revealed she spent three months working with a real-life shaman advisor to master ritualistic movements, chants, and the energy needed to portray a modern-day spiritual guide. “There’s a ritual scene that’s emotionally and physically demanding. I wanted it to feel real, not just symbolic,” she said. Choo Young Woo trained rigorously in archery, impressing even the national team with his precision. “I had so much fun with it,” he said, to which Chu Ja-hyun humorously added, “He was so good, he didn’t even need a body double!”

Off-camera, the cast shared a close bond that made the filming experience even more special. Cha Kang-yoon, a rising actor tasked with playing both a friend and a rival in love, became emotional during a team dinner, saying he was touched by the director’s kind words about him “not just as an actor, but as a person.” Cho Yi-hyun chimed in with a smile, “That dinner was actually paid for by Choo Young-woo. Our set had such a warm and generous atmosphere.”

Veteran actress Chu Ja Hyun plays an original character not featured in the source webtoon, serving as an emotional anchor and occasional antagonist. While joking that her role involved “harassing the main leads,” she also expressed how much she enjoyed working with the younger cast. “They were so pure and passionate—it made me feel young again,” she said warmly.

Director Kim Yong-wan praised the synergy of the cast and crew, especially highlighting veteran actors like Kim Mi-kyung and Yoon Byung-hee, who bring depth and humor to the roles of senior shamans. “I needed someone who could hold their own against Choo Young-woo’s intensity, and Choo Ja-hyun was perfect,” he said. “Our drama is like a hot pot of acting talent—rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.”

Bringing together the supernatural with heartfelt emotions, Head Over Heels is poised to be more than just another youth drama. It’s a story of how fate can be challenged, how love can be a force for salvation, and how even the most cursed among us deserve to be loved.

As Jo Yi-hyun and Choo Young-woo put it: “Our drama is like a talisman against the Monday blues. It’s full of youthful energy, sincere love, and a touch of magic. We hope it gives viewers something to look forward to every week.”

Highlighting a blend of myth, romance, and emotional realism, Head Over Heels is ready to steal hearts—and maybe even rewrite fate—starting this June 23.

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