Yum Jung-ah Returns to TV with 'For First Love' Amidst Overlapping Drama Controversy

Yum Jung-ah, currently starring in 'Eye Shopping,' is set to return to the small screen with 'For First Love.' Previously, Yum addressed the controversy over her overlapping drama appearances, stating, "'Eye Shopping' was filmed last year, and the scheduling overlap is purely coincidental." Fans are eager to see if Yum can captivate audiences with her romance with Park Hae-joon and her chemistry with her on-screen daughter, a medical student, in 'For First Love.'

On the 30th, an online press conference was held for tvN's new Monday-Tuesday drama 'For First Love,' attended by actors Yum Jung-ah, Park Hae-joon, Choi Yoon-ji, Kim Min-kyu, and director Yoo Je-won.

'For First Love' tells the story of a single mom and her medical student daughter who unexpectedly embark on the second act of their lives, choosing to live for today's happiness and encountering their first love.

Yum Jung-ah plays the role of Lee Ji-an, a single mom and construction site manager. Yum shared, "She's a mother who laughs and cries for the daughter she loves most in the world. I plan to showcase a first-love-like chemistry with my daughter." She chose the project because "I'm a fan of director Yoo Je-won and wanted to work with him."

In the drama, Yum portrays a unique mother-daughter chemistry with her daughter Lee Hyo-ri, played by Choi Yoon-ji. Yum explained, "To achieve perfect chemistry, I thought it was important to get close quickly. We frequently contacted each other, met up for meals, and the more we met, the more I realized what a wonderful friend she was. Just like how everything your child does is adorable, Yoon-ji was that kind of presence for me."

Park Hae-joon takes on the role of Ryu Jung-seok, a famous architect and single father. Park expressed, "The script was so entertaining, and I felt it would be a great project for me in many ways." He described his character as "prickly yet warm-hearted."

When asked about working with Yum Jung-ah, he replied, "She was a perfect actor who appeared as a good person in every situation." Park humorously added, "I heard so many good things about her from others that I decided to look for her flaws during this project, but I haven't found any yet."

Park also shared, "Watching this drama will open up wounded hearts and bring warmth. I hope many people watch and enjoy it."

Choi Yoon-ji, who plays Lee Ji-an's daughter and medical student Lee Hyo-ri, said, "Hyo-ri was pushed into medical school by her mother's pressure, which strained their relationship. After that, she causes her mother a lot of trouble." She humorously noted, "In my previous work, I also played a character who excelled academically, and somehow I ended up as a medical student again."

When asked about her preparation for the role, she said, "Since I was playing a daughter, I asked my mom a lot of questions at home about how to act annoyed and how to speak, to portray a real daughter."

Choi also expressed gratitude to Yum Jung-ah, saying, "Acting with her was such an honor that I was very nervous at first. But she was so warm and thoughtful, bringing me things like sikhye and soybean paste, for which I'm very thankful."

Director Yoo Je-won, who helms 'For First Love,' described the drama as "a story about a mother and daughter who constantly bicker but find themselves settling in a rural village where many events unfold. It's a drama with a lot to show."

Yoo added, "Given the current state of the drama and film market in Korea, I hope 'For First Love' receives a lot of love and contributes to the growth of K-dramas. We've worked hard, and there are many stories to tell, so it will be really fun. Please tune in."

'For First Love' premieres on August 4th at 8:50 PM.

Reporter: Se-yoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr