One of the most crucial elements in romance stories is the sweet chemistry between the male and female leads. While large age gaps between couples do exist in real life, it’s different in romantic comedies. In genres that thrive on the excitement of discovering each other’s hearts, a noticeable age gap can disrupt immersion for viewers.
When there’s a significant age difference between the actors, viewers often feel less connected. In Coupang Play’s recently concluded “Cinderella at 2 AM”, Shin Hyun-been and Moon Sang-min had a 14-year age gap. While Shin Hyun-been appeared her actual age, some felt there wasn’t enough romantic chemistry with the 2000-born Moon Sang-min. Similarly, tvN’s “No Gain No Love”, featuring Shin Min-ah and Kim Young-dae with a 10-year age gap, faced early skepticism.
Accordingly, works with refreshing and youthful 20s leads are gaining attention. Among this year’s releases, “Hear Me: Our Summer” stands out as the only one featuring leads entirely in their 20s, emitting youthful energy right from its posters, still cuts and trailer.
“Hear Me: Our Summer”, releasing on Nov 6th, follows the heartwarming story of Yong-jun (Hong Kyung), who pursues love with unwavering determination, Yeo-reum (Roh Yoon-seo), who discovers the 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, while Roh Yoon-seo, born in 2000, is 24—very close to their on-screen characters’ ages. The director prioritized this factor in casting.
The actors feel confident in showcasing a unique youthful energy. Roh Yoon-seo explained, “We’re close in age, so rehearsals felt like childhood play. That natural chemistry should come through, adding a fresh and lively charm.” Hong Kyung added, “The story captures fleeting, subtle emotions unique to our age. I’m curious to see how the audience feels it, and I hope our 20s energy is conveyed well.“
Their visual compatibility is also garnering attention. Fans are excited about the pairing of “deer-like” visuals, with Roh Yoon-seo and Hong Kyung embodying a fresh, innocent vibe suited to youthful stories.
Kim Se-jeong, who rose as a romcom queen through “Business Proposal”, has taken on a new project alongside her peer Lee Jong-won. ENA’s drama “Brewing Love”, which premiered on Nov 4th, depicts the exciting romance 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 catches emotions in everyday life. Lee Jong-won and Kim Se-jeong, also in their 20s, form a charming on-screen couple with only a two-year age gap. After the first episode, the duo received praise for their visual pairing and chemistry, offering a refreshing dynamic in a time when 20s leads are becoming rare.
Source: Daum
