Park Seo-joon is stepping back into the romance genre — this time with a deeper, more mature love story. Known for hits like Itaewon Class and What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, he now brings the sensibility of his thirties to screen, showing a love that is quieter, heavier, and more intentional.

He explained, "This is my first romance drama since entering my thirties. The way I see love now is completely different from my twenties. I want to show deeper emotional layers."

Reunited Lovers and a Story Spanning Decades

JTBC held a production presentation for the new weekend drama Waiting for Kyung-do on the 6th in Seoul. Directed by Im Hyun-wook, the series stars Park Seo-joon and Won Ji-an.

Waiting for Kyung-do follows a couple who break up twice — Kyung-do (Park Seo-joon), a gentle and steadfast entertainment reporter, and Ji-woo (Won Ji-an), a famously wealthy socialite with a reputation for stirring trouble. After years apart, they cross paths again and fall back into each other's orbit.

Park Seo-joon said he was drawn to the narrative that begins in the characters' twenties and stretches to their late thirties. He even suggested script revisions so he could portray all eras himself, noting, "I wanted to pour my own memories from my twenties into the role."

He also filled in emotional gaps between the two characters' breakups. "I imagined what Kyung-do and Ji-woo went through when they weren't together. Expressing emotions that shift with age was important."

Won Ji-an on Playing Ji-woo: Growth Through Love

Won Ji-an plays Ji-woo, a glamorous and influential figure whose life has been shaped by privilege and scrutiny. She reunites with Kyung-do after her divorce, marking the start of a complicated second chapter.

She admitted the challenge of portraying such wide age ranges but embraced the role as a chance to grow. "Kyung-do exists in all of Ji-woo's eras — her twenties and her thirties. I wanted to focus less on her innate personality and more on how she matures through him."

Interpreting thirty-something emotions she hadn't experienced was difficult, she added. "I followed Park Seo-joon's lead a lot. Thankfully, he guided me really well."

Ji-woo's styling also became a talking point, as the character is known to sell out every outfit she wears. Won Ji-an laughed, saying she relied heavily on the styling team.

A Chemistry-Driven Romance

Director Im praised the leads' synergy. "While shooting, I kept thinking these two were the perfect casting. Their chemistry feels incredibly natural."

The actors agreed, sharing that their long shoot fostered trust and collaboration. Park said, "Ji-an is younger, but she's very mature. There were many scenes where I followed her energy."

They also showcased strong occupational detail in portraying entertainment reporters. Park recalled his early-career days visiting eight newsrooms a day, noting how accurately the set captured that environment.

A Subtle, Eye-Driven Love Story

Director Im, known for romance hits like Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency and King the Land, said this project aims for a different tone. "We intentionally avoided overly sweet moments. There are many scenes where Kyung-do and Ji-woo simply look at each other — the tension and emotion come through their eyes."

Park Seo-joon reflected, "There were so many parts I personally related to. I think many viewers will feel the same. I hope you'll show the drama lots of love."

Won Ji-an added, "Their story is full of ups and downs. You won't be able to predict whether it ends happily or sadly. Please stay with us until the final moment."

Waiting for Kyung-do premieres on the 6th at 10:40 p.m.