Chae Jong Hyeop and Lee Sung Kyung Reunite After 7 Years in New Romance Drama

Seven years. That's how long Chae Jong Hyeop and Lee Sung Kyung have been apart on screen. Now they're back together in MBC's "In Your Radiant Season," but there's a twist that changes everything: she doesn't remember him.

The newly released stills from tonight's premiere show two people in completely different emotional spaces. Chae Jong Hyeop's character, Sunwoo Chan, lives each day like "an exciting summer vacation." Meanwhile, Lee Sung Kyung's Song Ha Ran has "locked herself away" from the world, carrying the weight of forgotten memories.

When Memory Becomes the Third Character

What happens when one person remembers everything and the other remembers nothing? "In Your Radiant Season" isn't just banking on the actors' reunion—it's exploring the psychological complexity of relationships built on unequal ground.

The drama's premise immediately sets up an emotional imbalance. Sunwoo Chan knows their history, feels the weight of their shared past, and probably carries hopes tied to who Ha Ran used to be. But Ha Ran approaches him as a complete stranger, free from any expectations or baggage that might come with their previous connection.

This creates a fascinating dynamic rarely explored in K-dramas. Most reunion stories rely on mutual recognition and shared nostalgia. Here, the writers are asking: can love exist without shared memory? Is it fair to love someone for who they used to be?

The Evolution of K-Drama Storytelling

Lee Sung Kyung has proven her range beyond the typical rom-com heroine, particularly through her medical drama work in the "Dr. Romantic" series. Chae Jong Hyeop carved out his niche in romance with "Twenty Five Twenty One," showing he can handle emotional depth alongside the butterflies-inducing moments.

Their seven-year gap reflects how both actors have matured. They're no longer the fresh faces who might have relied purely on chemistry. Now they bring accumulated acting experience to characters dealing with complex emotional terrain.

The industry has noticed this shift. K-dramas are moving beyond the chaebol romance formula that dominated the 2010s. Global audiences, particularly through streaming platforms, are demanding more sophisticated narratives that can translate across cultures while maintaining Korean authenticity.

The Global Streaming Factor

With K-content's international success, every new drama carries the potential for global reach. "In Your Radiant Season" tackles universal themes—memory, identity, second chances—while staying rooted in Korean emotional storytelling traditions.

This balance isn't accidental. Production companies are increasingly aware that their local audience and global viewers might interpret the same story differently. A memory loss storyline might feel familiar to Korean viewers who've seen similar plots, but international audiences might find fresh angles in the cultural approach to healing and relationships.

The casting of Lee Sung Kyung and Chae Jong Hyeop also signals confidence in star power translating internationally. Both actors have established global fanbases, which gives the drama built-in international interest regardless of plot.