Rising Chemistry: Lee Joo-bin and Ahn Bo-hyun's On-Screen Romance Captivates Viewers

"Many viewers commented, 'You two should really get married,' because of the great chemistry between Ahn Bo-hyun and me. I also remember a comment saying, 'Even if a dating article suddenly pops up, no one would be upset,' which made me realize how much people loved and were immersed in our drama. I'm very grateful for that."

On the 13th, at a cafe in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, Lee Joo-bin shared her thoughts during a wrap-up interview for tvN's 'Spring Fever.' Lee, who played the role of Yoon Bom, is known for her petite stature of 161cm. Her on-screen chemistry with Ahn Bo-hyun, who stands at 187cm, drew attention for their 'size chemistry.' Ahn was born in 1988, while Lee was born in 1989, making them close in age.

'Spring Fever,' based on a web novel of the same name, tells the story of Yoon Bom (played by Lee Joo-bin), a teacher with a cold demeanor, and Seon Jae-kyu (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), a man with a fiery heart, as they warm each other's frozen hearts in a pink-hued romance. The drama concluded on the 10th with a peak rating of 5.7% (Nielsen Korea, paid households), marking a successful end.

Lee Joo-bin portrayed Yoon Bom, an ethics teacher at Shinsu High School and a self-imposed outsider with a frozen heart. Once lively, she became withdrawn after being falsely accused of an affair. Meeting Seon Jae-kyu in Shinsu-eup, she gradually opens her heart and overcomes her past wounds. Lee's portrayal of Yoon Bom's journey from being trapped by past scars to overcoming them through love was praised.

Lee debuted in 2017 with the SBS drama 'Whisper' and was known as a former DSP Media girl group trainee. Although she didn't debut at a young age, she steadily built her filmography. Lee gained recognition as a supporting lead in tvN's 'Queen of Tears' in 2024 and later secured main roles in tvN's 'Divorce Insurance' and KBS2's 'Twelve.' While her first lead roles didn't achieve expected success, 'Spring Fever' showcased her unique charm, earning positive reviews and solidifying her presence as a lead actress.

The drama received praise for its story and direction, with Lee Joo-bin and Ahn Bo-hyun's chemistry being a hot topic. Lee commented, "Our chemistry is largely due to the height difference. Ahn Bo-hyun is very tall and stable. When I suggested acting or movement ideas, he would easily say 'okay' and execute them, which was impressive and surprising."

"Because he's so tall, I didn't need to wear heels, which was comfortable. Even with 5cm or 7cm heels, there wasn't much difference, so lower shoes were more comfortable and advantageous."

Lee noted, "Ahn Bo-hyun's image is different from his actual personality." She continued, "We were similar in many ways. I chose this project because the script was genuinely interesting, and when I heard Ahn Bo-hyun was cast, I thought he would fit perfectly. I felt confident I could do my role well, so I decided to take it."

"Ahn Bo-hyun has a strong masculine image, but he's actually very delicate. His leadership was excellent. He prepared for aspects I hadn't considered, so I could rely on him during filming. He's full of ideas and ad-libs. Instead of pre-planning, I often reacted to his suggestions, which made the acting flow naturally. I trusted him and felt very comfortable during filming."

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr