The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! The enchanting new tvN K-drama, ‘Give You the Universe’, is set to make its grand premiere tonight, ready to sweep us off our feet and into a heartwarming world. Fans are buzzing with excitement, eager to dive into the captivating character dynamics and intricate plot details of this highly anticipated series.
Unveiling the Heart of ‘Give You the Universe’
Mark your calendars! Tonight, February 4th, at 10:40 PM KST, tvN’s ambitious new Wednesday-Thursday drama, ‘Give You the Universe’, officially opens its doors to viewers. This series promises to infuse warmth into the hearts of those yearning for spring, weaving a tumultuous cohabitation romance. It all begins when two in-laws, whose first encounter was comically disastrous, suddenly find themselves entrusted with the care of their 20-month-old nephew, Woojoo. Far from being a simple romantic comedy, ‘Give You the Universe’ delicately explores the profound meaning of family and the bittersweet growing pains of youth.
A Glimpse into the Poignant Narrative
The drama’s compelling narrative centers on an unexpected tragedy that befalls two individuals living ordinary lives, and the hope that blossoms within it. We meet 32-year-old Seon Tae-hyung (played by Bae In-hyuk), a free spirit dreaming of becoming a photographer, and 29-year-old Woo Hyun-jin (played by Roh Jeong-eui), a fiercely dedicated assistant manager at a food company. Their paths unpleasantly cross when Tae-hyung’s brother marries Hyun-jin’s older sister, making them in-laws. With vastly different personalities and lifestyles, they clash at every turn, unable to understand each other.
However, their lives are irrevocably altered when Tae-hyung’s brother and Hyun-jin’s sister tragically pass away in a sudden car accident, leaving behind their 20-month-old son, Seon Woojoo. As the only remaining blood relatives, the two embark on an awkward cohabitation, driven by the sole conviction that Woojoo cannot be sent to an orphanage.
Battling Parenthood, Blooming Romance
The main storyline follows the struggles of these two novice guardians, thrust into parental roles without preparation. From sleepless nights comforting a crying baby to chaotic kitchens while making baby food, and frantic dashes to the emergency room with a sick child, they gradually evolve into ‘true adults.’ Amidst the chaos of parenting, a subtle shift in feelings begins to emerge between the once-antagonistic pair. This romance, blossoming as they fill each other’s gaps and endure hardships together, promises to deliver both heart-fluttering excitement and profound emotion to viewers.
Meet the Irresistible Cast
Our Leading Stars
- ✨ Bae In-hyuk: Taking on the role of Seon Tae-hyung, who grapples with his dreams and reality while holding onto his sense of responsibility, Bae In-hyuk is set to showcase a more mature side of his acting. He’s expected to deliver a wide spectrum of emotions, from the internal conflict of guilt over his brother and love for his nephew, to a delightful ‘tiki-taka’ romance with Roh Jeong-eui.
- 💖 Roh Jeong-eui: A talented former child actress with a solid filmography, Roh Jeong-eui transforms into Woo Hyun-jin, a superwoman who must juggle work, childcare, and love. Her realistic portrayal is sure to resonate deeply with working professionals in their 20s and 30s.
Supporting Stars and Our Little Scene-Stealer
- 🎶 Park Seo-ham: Joining the cast as Park Yoon-sung, Hyun-jin’s dependable boss and ‘Daddy Long Legs,’ Park Seo-ham embodies the quintessential charming second male lead. Though seemingly aloof, Yoon-sung shows a warm side only to Hyun-jin, creating a compelling love triangle with Tae-hyung that ignites the drama’s tension.
- 💎 Park Yu-ho: The drama’s secret weapon is undoubtedly little Park Yu-ho, playing baby Woojoo. With a smile that melts hearts and perfectly natural acting, he’s rumored to have stolen everyone’s affection on set.
Untangling the Intertwined Destinies
To fully grasp the intricate web of character relationships, consulting the relationship chart is essential. Released through the drama’s official website and social media, it reveals the threads connecting various characters, all centering around Tae-hyung and Hyun-jin. The core relationship between Tae-hyung and Hyun-jin evolves with a two-way arrow, moving from ‘in-laws’ to ‘co-parents,’ and eventually to ‘lovers’ who are indispensable to each other.
Meanwhile, Park Yoon-sung shows unwavering devotion to Hyun-jin, creating a rivalry with Tae-hyung. Supporting characters like Jo Mu-saeng (Tae-hyung’s mentor) and Kim So-hee (Hyun-jin’s best friend) are strategically placed to inject vitality into the narrative. Secrets surrounding the brother’s accident and hidden stories of peripheral characters, not revealed in the relationship chart, will gradually unravel as the drama progresses, sparking viewers’ curiosity.
Is ‘Give You the Universe’ an Original Story?
Due to the drama’s unique premise, there’s been fervent interest in whether it’s based on an original work. Many viewers have been searching for popular web novels or comics with the same title, but the conclusion is clear: this drama is an original creation without a separate source material. Penned by three writers – Soo-jin, Shin Yi-hyun, and Jeon Yoo-ri – it’s a pure creative script, promising a fresh and unrestrained narrative free from the constraints of existing works.
A Nostalgic Echo: Reminiscing ‘Da Da Da’
Confusion has arisen due to the existence of a webtoon with the same title. While a romance fantasy webtoon called ‘Give You the Universe’ is serialized on portal sites, it shares only the title with the drama and has entirely different content and world-building. Drama fans should be aware of this distinction when searching for information.
The setting of ‘Give You the Universe’ strongly reminds many of the highly popular early 2000s anime, ‘UFO Baby’ (known as ‘Da Da Da’ in Korea). ‘UFO Baby’ also depicted the parenting diary of middle school boy and girl protagonists who coincidentally end up raising an alien baby, Ruu. The premise of an unlikely pair growing closer and developing familial bonds through a child evokes a sense of nostalgia for the 30-40 generation, positively lowering the entry barrier for the drama.
Episode Count & Where to Catch Every Moment
One of the most frequently asked questions is about the drama’s total episode count. ‘Give You the Universe’ is scheduled for a total of 12 episodes. While this might seem relatively short compared to the typical 16-episode mini-series, the planning behind this 12-episode run aims to intensify immersion by accelerating the narrative pace and streamlining unnecessary elements, aligning with recent drama trends. This episode count suggests that viewers can follow the drama’s rhythm and enjoy it without boredom until the very last episode.
Information on OTT services is also crucial for viewers who might miss the live broadcast. As ‘Give You the Universe’ airs on tvN, a CJ ENM channel, TVING is the exclusive streaming platform. It will not be available on other OTT platforms like Netflix or Disney+, so viewers wishing to rewatch episodes should use TVING. TVING provides real-time streaming simultaneously with the live broadcast, and VOD services are uploaded immediately after the broadcast concludes, allowing convenient viewing anytime, anywhere.
A Pure Healing Romance for Your Soul
‘Give You the Universe’ positions itself as a rare ‘pure healing drama’ in today’s drama landscape, often overflowing with provocative themes and revenge plots. The fresh visuals and captivating chemistry of youth actors like Bae In-hyuk, Roh Jeong-eui, and Park Seo-ham, coupled with the innocent joy brought by baby Woojoo, promise a comforting respite from the weariness of daily life. The production team shared, "Through the story of young adults growing while sharing warmth amidst a cold reality, we hope this drama serves as an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of family."
This is a new form of family, bound not by blood, but by love and responsibility. Their warm and delightful story arrives in living rooms tonight. Don’t miss the first episode of tvN’s Wednesday-Thursday drama, ‘Give You the Universe,’ airing today, February 4th, at 10:40 PM KST.
This drama’s heartfelt narrative about finding family and love amidst life’s unexpected turns is truly a gem, promising to mend our hearts with its raw emotion and charming cast chemistry. It’s an absolute must-watch for anyone craving a genuinely touching story that resonates deeply.
Editor: Chloe Jung ✨
