What makes Red Velvet’s Joy’s ‘One of a Kind Romance’ truly one of a kind

South Korean actors Park Soo-young and Kim Hyun-jin are no strangers to the romance genre, having starred in several romantic series in the past. Thus, at first glance, taking on the lead roles in the romantic comedy series “One of a Kind Romance” may seem like familiar territory for the two.

But beyond the heart-fluttering moments and laughter-inducing scenes, the series also promises relatable and cathartic storylines centered on career growth and healing from painful past experiences. For the two stars, it is the journey of their characters as they help each other heal that makes their latest project truly one of a kind.

“It’s not a romance comedy with just their romance and comedy. They look into each other’s pain and fill each other’s deficiencies. That’s what makes the drama different from other romantic comedies,” Soo-young, better known as Joy of the K-pop girl group Red Velvet, told ABS-CBN News.

“How they become each other’s fan and savior can make viewers feel warm and comfortable when they watch it,” she added.

Hyun-jin echoed Soo-young’s sentiment. “The romance in our drama, as Soo-young just said, comes from two people who fill each other’s deficiencies, which makes it feel even more precious and touching,” he said.

Premiering for Filipino audiences on November 9 via Viu, “One of a Kind Romance” follows Gong Yu-il, a job seeker who makes ends meet by working part-time at a convenience store. Circumstances lead her to repeatedly cross paths with Tak Mu-i, a popular actor who has been traumatized by severe stalking.

What Mu-i does not know, however, is that Yu-il, who has a gift for words, is also the author of a novel that once helped him overcome a professional slump, adding another layer to their connection.

Rather than focusing solely on the romance between the characters, Soo-young also sought to bring Yu-il’s “pain and sadness” to life onscreen. After all, the character is dealing with painful experiences from her past while navigating the challenges of finding a job.

“Outside, she’s bright, down-to-earth, and determined, but the pain and sadness inside her had to be expressed subtly. I put a lot of effort into that,” said Soo-young, who also noted that she cut her hair into a bob to capture Yu-il’s look in the original webtoon.

Meanwhile, Hyun-jin focused on portraying the different sides of Mu-i, particularly how he adjusts his attitude depending on the people he interacts with.

“Dealing with the director as an actor, dealing with my acquaintances and family as an actor, and dealing with Yu-il, I had all different attitudes. It just felt like I worked hard as an actor,” he said.

“One of a Kind Romance” also adds another romance project to Soo-young and Hyun-jin’s respective filmographies.

Soo-young has previously starred in romance dramas such as “The Liar and His Lover” and “Once Upon a Small Town.” Meanwhile, audiences may recognize Hyun-jin from “Cheer Up,” “Crushology 101,” “I Dol I” and “Love Phobia.”

So, what is it about the romance genre that continues to draw the two 30-year-old actors to it? For Hyun-jin, “Compared to other genres, it’s the genre that’s easiest to relate to.”

“Two different people meet, share feelings, and fill each other’s lack and deficiencies — to portray that process is the charm of the romance genre,” Soo-young said.