Get ready to mark your calendars because tvN is making a dazzling return to its Wednesday-Thursday drama slot after three years with the highly anticipated romance, ‘I’ll Give You the Universe’! Headlined by the captivating duo Bae In-hyuk and Noh Jung-eui, this drama promises to melt hearts and spark laughter.
- The Story Takes Flight: A Unique Co-Parenting Romance
- Unpacking the Performance: Actors on Their Roles
- Bae In-hyuk‘s Character Deep Dive
- Noh Jung-eui Praises On-Screen Synergy
- Director’s Take on Noh Jung-eui‘s Charisma
- Park Seo-ham‘s Romantic Challenge
- Behind the Scenes: The Star Power of Baby Woo-joo
- A Warm Message to Viewers
The online press conference, held on the afternoon of the 27th, featured directors Lee Hyun-seok and Jung Yeo-jin alongside the charismatic cast, including Bae In-hyuk, Noh Jung-eui, and Park Seo-ham, all brimming with excitement for this unique story.
The Story Takes Flight: A Unique Co-Parenting Romance
‘I’ll Give You the Universe’ unfolds as an enchanting co-parenting romance, where in-laws Tae-hyung (played by Bae In-hyuk) and Hyun-jin (played by Noh Jung-eui), whose first encounter was anything but smooth, suddenly find themselves raising their 20-month-old nephew, Woo-joo (portrayed by Park Yoo-ho). Director Lee Hyun-seok beautifully described the drama, stating, “We’ve lovingly captured the journey of Tae-hyung, who grew up without family, and Hyun-jin, who received ample love from her sister, as they raise baby Woo-joo, who seems to have fallen from the sky. It’s a drama you’ll watch without realizing time is flying by.”
Unpacking the Performance: Actors on Their Roles
Bae In-hyuk‘s Character Deep Dive
Bae In-hyuk shared his immersive process, reflecting, “Initially, I wondered why Tae-hyung was so irritable and prickly, but as I read the script and filmed, I began to uncover his reasons.” He expressed his aspiration to evoke empathy from viewers by authentically portraying the underlying causes of Tae-hyung’s behavior. “Watching him open his heart and learn to give love while living with Hyun-jin and Woo-joo is a key viewing point,” he elaborated, suggesting, “You’ll find it truly engaging if you focus on his expressions, gaze, actions, and tone of voice.” His nuanced performance truly elevates the character’s journey.
Noh Jung-eui Praises On-Screen Synergy
Noh Jung-eui radiated warmth as she lauded her co-star, proclaiming, “Among all the actors I’ve filmed with, Bae In-hyuk is hands down the most comfortable and compatible partner.” She attributed their exceptional performance chemistry to this comfort, adding, “He’s fantastic at improvisation, and following his lead made our interactions even more natural.” She also revealed a personal connection to the story, “While I usually focus on my own character, this time, Woo-joo completely drew me in. I felt that the lovely aura Park Yoo-ho brought to Woo-joo would set this drama apart, showcasing love through a child’s eyes.”
Director’s Take on Noh Jung-eui‘s Charisma
Director Jung Yeo-jin expressed pleasant surprise, confessing, “I associated Noh Jung-eui with images of an ‘MZ goddess’ and delicate purity, but meeting her in person, I was astonished by how down-to-earth she is.” The director praised Noh Jung-eui‘s formidable professionalism and profound sense of responsibility on set, finding it refreshing. “She beautifully conveyed the anxieties of a peer striving to do her best,” Jung Yeo-jin added, highlighting her nuanced performance.
Park Seo-ham‘s Romantic Challenge
Park Seo-ham, stepping into the role of Hyun-jin’s first love, Park Yoon-seok, shared his excitement. “I’d always harbored a desire to challenge myself with a romantic comedy, and that’s when I encountered this script.” He spoke of his meticulous approach, “I pondered extensively on how to express Yoon-seok’s straightforward and confident charm, but ultimately strived to showcase the diverse emotions that emerge from his encounters with Hyun-jin.” His dedication to the character’s emotional arc promises a layered portrayal.
Behind the Scenes: The Star Power of Baby Woo-joo
The set was often filled with laughter, largely thanks to Park Yoo-ho, who plays Woo-joo. Bae In-hyuk, adeptly caring for the child while answering questions, recalled a heartwarming moment: “Though I’d never raised a child, there was a day when I was holding Park Yoo-ho and watching Noh Jung-eui film. Even when the camera wasn’t on me, I found myself holding his face and giving him a kiss. It felt like I had the whole world in my hands.”
Noh Jung-eui chimed in with her own adorable anecdote, “It was incredibly cute as Woo-joo grew and started responding to our lines.” She recounted, “Everyone on set would burst into big smiles whenever Park Yoo-ho said ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ or ‘Bye-bye.'”
Director Lee Hyun-seok shared the unique challenges and joys of working with a baby actor: “We worried a lot about how to manage Park Yoo-ho, who would freely roam about. I’m incredibly grateful to the actors because they took such good care of him, and everyone understood when we had to postpone emotional scenes to film Park Yoo-ho first.” The director concluded with a charming anecdote that brought more smiles: “The moment Woo-joo appeared, everyone became happy. Park Yoo-ho even got so used to the set that he cried when it was time to go home!”
These are just some of the enchanting moments that brought this drama to life:
- 👶 Park Yoo-ho‘s adorable responses like ‘응’ (‘Yes’), ‘아니’ (‘No’), and ‘빠빠이’ (‘Bye-bye’) brought pure joy to the set.
- 🥰 The entire cast and crew lighting up with smiles and laughter at every cute interaction.
- 🏡 Park Yoo-ho‘s undeniable attachment to the filming location, a true testament to the warm, family-like atmosphere created by the production team and cast.
A Warm Message to Viewers
Director Jung Yeo-jin wrapped up the press conference with a poignant reflection: “There’s a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Our drama, however, makes you think that one child can raise a whole village of people.” She expressed her hope that viewers would find solace in the heartwarming narrative: “I hope that even for a little while, you can meet this warm story and forget the harsh realities of the world. Even if you can’t forget, I hope it gives you the strength to live diligently.”
‘I’ll Give You the Universe’ is set to premiere on February 4th at 10:40 PM KST, promising a truly captivating journey.
This drama is poised to deliver an emotional punch, with the genuine connections formed on set clearly translating into powerful on-screen performance chemistry. The dedication from the cast to their roles and to each other promises a truly unforgettable viewing experience.
Editor: Minji Park 🎤
