TV
New Reality Show 'We Are Not Lovebirds' to Premiere with Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra
'We Are Not Lovebirds' is a program where real-life marital stories are re-enacted in a drama format. Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra will portray the roles of husband and wife, offering insightful solutions to the couples' problems.
Ahead of the premiere, a teaser video featuring Choi and Ha's dramatic transformation has gone viral, surpassing 10.22 million views on social media. The recently released 'Q&A Teaser' video includes questions like 'What do you do when your partner seems unlovable?', 'How would you rate your spouse?', and 'Would you marry this person again?' showcasing both their loving and realistic sides.
Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra shared their thoughts on being selected as hosts and their experiences re-enacting troubled couples' stories.
(Joint Answer) After much consideration, we wanted to experience and understand the lives of couples who need solutions. Although we are not experts, we hope to offer practical advice. We started with the hope that these couples could take steps towards improvement and recovery. However, portraying their lives has been more challenging than expected. (Laughs)
Was there any pressure in re-enacting the stories of troubled couples, and what drove you to take on this challenge?
(Ha Hee-ra) Unlike traditional drama roles where we create characters from a script, this drama therapy required us to portray real people, which was more challenging. We had to ensure our emotional expressions were neither too exaggerated nor too subdued, leading to detailed discussions with the production team and Choi Soo-jong.
(Choi Soo-jong) Playing characters we've never portrayed before added to the pressure. We focused on resembling the real individuals as closely as possible, even paying attention to hair and makeup. It was comforting when the couples were surprised by how accurately we portrayed them during the first recording.
What was it like meeting the couples whose stories you re-enacted?
(Joint Answer) It was challenging to match both their external and internal appearances. However, our goal was to be their emotional companions. By understanding their dialogues and actions, we could empathize with their situations, even if their words seemed harsh at first glance. This allowed us to delve deeper into their emotions and see them as extensions of ourselves during studio recordings.
How was the atmosphere on set?
(Joint Answer) We were more nervous than the couples when watching the videos together. However, through conversations, we were able to empathize and offer comfort.
What sets 'We Are Not Lovebirds' apart from other marital therapy shows?
(Joint Answer) Our program is a mirror therapy drama for couples. By watching the drama, couples can see aspects of their partners they might have missed, leading to empathy and understanding. We offer practical advice from the heart, while legal and medical experts provide professional guidance. Our letters and gifts to the couples have been a source of great comfort.
As a couple known for your sweet relationship, what have you learned from this program?
(Joint Answer) Initially, we wondered why couples fought so intensely. However, by analyzing and understanding their emotions, we realized that we could have chosen to fight too, but we opted for different choices. This program has taught us to be more understanding and considerate of each other.
What should viewers look out for in 'We Are Not Lovebirds'?
(Joint Answer) Our program unfolds from three perspectives: an objective view, the husband's perspective, and the wife's perspective. Viewers will see how different perspectives can change the perception of the same situation. We hope viewers will gain insights into their own relationships through our show. We look forward to your support for the premiere.
Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr
