Ji Chang Wook and Japanese actress Mio Imada are off to a strong start with their new romantic drama Merry Berry Love. The cross-border romance has quickly attracted international attention, achieving impressive streaming rankings shortly after its premiere. With the series available on both Disney+ and Japan’s Nippon TV, its popularity is expanding across global audiences.
Merry Berry Love follows Lee Yu Bin (Ji Chang Wook), a once-successful Korean spatial designer whose career falls apart, and Shirahama Karin (Mio Imada), a Japanese strawberry farmer. Set against the picturesque backdrop of a beautiful island, the drama tells a sweet and refreshing love story that transcends national borders. The first episode, released on October 7, introduced the unusual circumstances that bring Yu Bin and Karin together, delivering both laughter and romantic tension. Ji Chang Wook, once again demonstrating his reputation as a romantic comedy specialist, impressed viewers with his witty and natural performance, while his chemistry with Mio Imada added an irresistible charm to the series.
The drama has also made a remarkable impact on international streaming charts. According to FlixPatrol, a website that tracks content rankings across global streaming platforms, Merry Berry Love climbed to No. 2 on Disney+’s worldwide TV show chart on October 9, just two days after its premiere. The series reached No. 1 in Brazil, Japan, and Hong Kong, while entering the Top 10 TV show rankings in 73 countries and territories, including the Czech Republic, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, Poland, Taiwan, and Finland.
Meanwhile, the second episode, scheduled for release on October 14, will reveal an unexpected transformation as Yu Bin becomes a worker on a strawberry farm. In the premiere episode, Yu Bin lost his position as a top-tier spatial designer after being betrayed by a friend, leaving him suddenly unemployed. Desperate for one final opportunity to rebuild his career, he traveled to Charo Island, where he unexpectedly encountered Karin. However, their first meeting took a disastrous turn when she mistakenly accused him of stealing strawberries. With their relationship already off to a rocky start, viewers are eager to discover how their misunderstandings will unfold.
Newly released stills from the upcoming episode show Yu Bin abandoning his polished city lifestyle for the unfamiliar world of rural labor. Wearing a casual T-shirt and a straw hat, he looks every bit like a farm worker. Despite his simple and somewhat untidy appearance, Ji Chang Wook’s handsome features remain impossible to overlook. In one image, Yu Bin flashes a bright smile and confidently gives a thumbs-up, radiating the enthusiasm of a beginner who believes he can handle any challenge.
However, another image reveals a dramatically different side of his new life. Carrying a large bag and looking completely exhausted, Yu Bin appears drenched in sweat as his earlier confidence disappears. His struggle with even a single piece of luggage hints at the difficult adjustment awaiting a city man who has barely experienced physical farm work. The contrast raises an intriguing question: What could have convinced Yu Bin to voluntarily take on such a demanding job?
Beyond its leading couple, Merry Berry Love also features a talented supporting cast expected to bring additional depth and entertainment to the story. Actors Kim Tae Hoon, Jung Soon Won, Moon Woo Jin, Jung Young Joo, Kangnam, and Lee Hyo In have joined the production, each portraying characters with distinctive personalities and important connections to the central romance.
Kim Tae Hoon plays Lee Kyung Soo, Yu Bin’s late father. A plant breeder who once dreamed of building a future with his family on Charo Island, Kyung Soo unexpectedly becomes the catalyst for a major turning point in his son’s life. The drama will gradually explore the secrets surrounding the father and son’s long-standing emotional distance, as well as how Kyung Soo’s past influences the developing romance between Yu Bin and Karin.
Jung Soon Won, known for his memorable supporting performances, portrays Kim Bong Soo, Yu Bin’s business partner and longtime best friend. Although the two originally worked together as equals, Bong Soo gradually took on the role of Yu Bin’s manager as his friend rose to celebrity status. Their relationship promises entertaining moments as the drama explores both their close friendship and the sometimes frustrating imbalance between them.
Moon Woo Jin takes on the role of young Yu Bin, portraying the character’s childhood experiences and emotional struggles. In the drama, Yu Bin grows up primarily with his mother while his father works overseas. Moon Woo Jin is expected to deliver a sensitive portrayal of the young boy’s complicated feelings toward his parents. His visual resemblance to Kim Tae Hoon, who plays Yu Bin’s father, is also drawing attention to their on-screen father-son dynamic.
Jung Young Joo will make a special appearance as a mysterious character, bringing her signature charisma and playful personality to the story. Meanwhile, Kangnam portrays Rage, Karin’s former university classmate and a social media influencer. As someone who constantly competes with Karin, Rage is expected to create amusing situations and add another layer of rivalry to the drama.
Rising actress Lee Hyo In will introduce a potential complication to the central romance. She plays Han Si Ah, Yu Bin’s university junior and the granddaughter of the family behind a globally recognized construction company. Her arrival is expected to create subtle tension between Yu Bin and Karin, raising questions about whether their budding relationship can withstand the unexpected challenges ahead.
The production team teased the developments awaiting viewers in the second episode, stating, “Episode 2 will explore Yu Bin’s life after he suddenly finds himself unemployed. In particular, his relationship with Karin, which began with a misunderstanding, will enter a new phase.” They continued, “Please look forward to discovering why Yu Bin chooses to work on the strawberry farm, what new situations arise between him and Karin, and how their sweet strawberry-field romance develops.”
With Ji Chang Wook and Mio Imada’s charming chemistry, an engaging supporting cast, and an impressive early performance on global streaming charts, Merry Berry Love is establishing itself as a promising international romantic comedy. New episodes are released every Wednesday on Disney+ and Japan’s Nippon TV.
Sources: Daum