Ju Ji Hoon And Jung Yu Mi Open Up About Returning To Rom-Com With “Love Your Enemy,” Their Chemistry, And More

Nov 20, 2024

The director and cast of “Love Your Enemy” recently shared their thoughts!

Earlier on November 18, tvN’s upcoming drama “Love Your Enemy” held a press conference with director Park Jun Hwa and actors Ju Ji Hoon, Jung Yu Mi, Lee Si Woo, and Kim Ye Won.

“Love Your Enemy” is a romance drama about “arch-nemeses” Seok Ji Won (Ju Ji Hoon) and Yoon Ji Won (Jung Yu Mi), who were born on the same day with the same name and whose families have been enemies for generations.

Director Park Jun Hwa shared how determined he was to cast Ju Ji Hoon and Jung Yu Mi. “I’ve seen Ju Ji Hoon in strong, witty roles, but I was curious to see how he would be when he’s serious,” Park Jun Hwa said. “When we met, I found him to be even more pure and charming than I expected. During filming, I kept commenting on how cute he is—he’s even more delightful than I thought.”

Speaking about Jung Yu Mi, Park Jun Hwa said, “She had a cameo in ‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim,’ and she was adorable even then. I was excited to see how her romantic acting and expressions would complement Ju Ji Hoon’s. She exceeded my expectations,” remarking that her charm, with and expressions were incredibly endearing. The director continued, “I feel lucky to have worked with both of them.”

“Love Your Enemy” marks a return to romantic comedies for both leads. It is Ju Ji Hoon’s first rom-com in 18 years since “Princess Hours” and Jung Yu Mi’s first in 10 years since “Discovery of Love.”

Ju Ji Hoon explained his decision to revisit the genre: “In ‘Princess Hours,’ the fantasy setting of a constitutional monarchy didn’t feel grounded in everyday emotions or reality. But ‘Love Your Enemy’ feels more rooted in the ordinary. My character, Seok Ji Won, doesn’t pull Yoon Ji Won into his world but instead steps into her everyday life at school. Acting in these relatable scenarios was refreshing and exciting, which drew me to the project.”

Jung Yu Mi, often called the “rom-com queen,” reflected on her return: “I can’t believe 10 years have already passed. When I read the script, I thought it was fun. I remember asking the director what kind of drama he wanted to create. He said he wanted something healing, and I completely agreed. That’s why I chose this project—I wanted to work on a drama that feels warm and comforting.”

She added, “I’m thankful people still call me the rom-com queen. I believe I have more to show. This time feels different because, while my past characters were experienced in relationships, Yoon Ji Won seems to have little experience. That fresh perspective felt exciting, and I think it will stand out.”

The two leads also discussed their on-screen chemistry, highlighting the playful, love-hate dynamic between their characters. Ju Ji Hoon shared, “It was really fun. Since we’re close in age, we became comfortable quickly. Even during breaks, we had great banter and a natural back-and-forth dynamic.”

Jung Yu Mi said, “I’ve always enjoyed Ju Ji Hoon’s movies—his characters left a strong impression on me. When I learned we’d be working together, I was excited. With the support of the director, crew, and staff, we poured a lot of effort into this drama. Once it airs, I think the editing and soundtrack will really bring out our chemistry.”

In addition to Ju Ji Hoon and Jung Yu Mi, “Love Your Enemy” boasts a stellar supporting cast. Lee Si Woo plays Gong Moon Soo, a student-teacher at Dokmok High, while Kim Ye Won portrays Cha Ji Hye, a math teacher and close friend of Seok Ji Won and Yoon Ji Won for 18 years.

Director Park Jun Hwa praised Lee Si Woo, saying, “He appeared briefly in ‘Alchemy of Souls’ as the silhouette of Master Lee (Im Chul Soo). That connection led to his casting. He approaches acting with passion and brings a cheerful, versatile energy to his role.”

On Kim Ye Won, he shared, “She was someone I wanted to cast during ‘Rude Miss Young Ae,’ but it didn’t work out at that time. So I said that I wanted to work with her. Cha Ji Hye is a challenging character who struggles to express emotions, but Kim Ye Won excelled at portraying those subtle, complex feelings.”

Ju Ji Hoon previously likened his character in “Princess Hours” to a green apple and compared Seok Ji Won to an Irwin mango. He explained, “An Irwin mango has a soft texture but isn’t overly rich. For this role, I wore makeup, unlike in ‘Blood Free,’ where I didn’t. The genre is lighter, and the drama’s tone required a brighter style, so I also focused on anti-aging. The characters’ playful dynamic and backstory add a sense of purity to the narrative.”

Jung Yu Mi expressed her hopes for the series: “As the cold weather sets in, I hope this drama provides viewers with warmth and comfort.” Ju Ji Hoon added, “It’s a witty and enjoyable show. I hope it helps viewers reconnect with the pure, youthful sides of themselves.”