Song Joong Ki Returns to Romance After 9 Years in JTBC's "My Youth" with Chun Woo Hee
The Hallyu star makes his melodrama comeback alongside rising actress Chun Woo Hee in this reunion romance premiering September 5
Song Joong Ki is making his first return to romantic melodrama in nine years since "Descendants of the Sun" (2016) with JTBC's upcoming series "My Youth," premiering September 5, 2025.
At yesterday's press conference in Seoul, the actor expressed his excitement about working with co-star Chun Woo Hee, calling her "the best partner" and praising their on-screen chemistry that even production staff noticed.
The Story: Former Child Stars Find Love Again
"My Youth" follows Sun Woo Hae (Song Joong Ki), a former child actor who became a florist and novelist after leaving the entertainment industry, and Sung Je Yeon (Chun Woo Hee), his first love who now works as a team leader at Feel Entertainment. Their unexpected reunion after a decade forces both to confront their past and present selves.
Director Lee Sang Yeop described the 12-episode series as "a story about thirty-something adults who meet people from their past, reflect on themselves, overcome scars, and grow together."
Song Joong Ki's Grounded Role
After playing werewolves, space travelers, and fictional heroes in recent projects, Song Joong Ki welcomed the chance to portray a "realistic and down-to-earth character" for the first time in years.
"Melodrama has always been a genre I crave," he said at the press conference. "I felt like I might not be able to do melodramas anymore as I get older."
The actor specifically chose this project because of Chun Woo Hee, stating his co-star was his primary motivation for joining the drama.
Chun Woo Hee's Melodrama Discovery
Chun Woo Hee, known for genre work, discovered her natural fit for romance during filming. "Through 'My Youth,' I realized that melodrama really suits me," she revealed. The actress plays a driven professional who must disrupt her first love's peaceful life to achieve her career goals.
The chemistry between the leads impressed even the production team, with staff frequently commenting on how well their faces work together on screen.
Creative Team and Production Details
The series reunites "Yumi's Cells" director Lee Sang Yeop with "Run On" writer Park Si Hyeon. The drama will air 12 episodes on JTBC every Friday at 8:50 PM KST from September 5 to October 10, 2025. International viewers can watch on Viu in selected regions.
Supporting cast includes Lee Joo Myung as another former child star and Seo Ji Hoon as a complex love interest, adding layers to the central romance.
Why "My Youth" Matters
This marks a significant return for Song Joong Ki to the genre that made him a Hallyu star. His previous melodrama "Descendants of the Sun" achieved massive success with 41.6% peak viewership in Korea and 2.5 billion views across Asia.
The timing also reflects broader industry trends toward shorter, more focused storytelling, with the 12-episode format allowing for tighter narrative control.
"My Youth" promises to deliver the emotional depth and visual appeal that made Song Joong Ki and romantic K-dramas global phenomena, while showcasing Chun Woo Hee's evolution as a leading actress in the romance genre.
"My Youth" premieres September 5, 2025, at 8:50 PM KST on JTBC and will be available on Viu.