Jung So-min Refuses Dating Rumors with 'Love Next Door' Co-star Jung Hae-in

연합뉴스 / 2024-10-08 17:22:26

▲ This photo, provided by Ieum Hashtag, shows Korean actress Jung So-min. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- "I am grateful that people saw great 'chemistry' in our performance for this project. I think the dating rumors came about because we worked toward creating a believable 'love line' in the drama."

Jung So-min, who starred alongside Jung Hae-in in the recently concluded tvN romantic comedy drama Love Next Door, addressed rumors of their relationship. Speaking to reporters at a café in Gangnam, Seoul, on the 8th, she clarified that the rumors were a "happening" caused by their on-screen chemistry. She emphasized, "Not only for this project, but I always try to adjust to my co-star so they can feel comfortable acting with me."

The dating rumors emerged due to the convincing portrayal of their relationship in the drama, which led viewers to speculate that the two might be dating in real life. This reaction highlights the strong on-screen connection between Jung So-min and Jung Hae-in, enhancing the viewers' immersion in the story.

▲ This photo, provided by Ieum Hashtag, shows Korean actress Jung So-min. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Love Next Door centers on Baek Seok-ryu, who returns to her hometown after leaving a stressful job abroad, and Choi Seung-hyo, a childhood friend, as they gradually develop a romantic relationship. As the title suggests, Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo's mothers are close friends, and the two have known each other since childhood.

Jung So-min plays Baek Seok-ryu, a woman who quits her job at a major American company to return to her hometown, declaring that she will find what she truly wants to do. It is later revealed that during her time in the U.S., she battled stomach cancer and faced workplace harassment. Jung So-min shared, "I was happy to meet a character like Seok-ryu, whom I wanted to cheer for. Everyone experiences burnout at some point, and I wanted to comfort others through her journey."

Jung So-min felt a deep connection to Seok-ryu, who often clashed with her younger brother while carrying the heavy expectations of being the eldest daughter—a role that mirrored her own life. "Seok-ryu naturally felt a sense of responsibility and burden as the eldest, but gradually learned to free herself from it. I related to her because, like her, I also wanted to fulfill my parents' wishes," she explained.

▲ This photo, provided by tvN, shows Korean actress Jung So-min in rom-com series "Love Next Door." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Love Next Door is also a family drama, exploring the relationships between the protagonists and their parents. Jung So-min appreciated how the drama covered different generations' stories, allowing viewers of all ages to connect with the narrative. Throughout the series, Seok-ryu encounters parental opposition when she returns to Korea, starts cooking, and reveals her relationship with Seung-hyo. However, her parents eventually come around, offering support.

Jung So-min reflected on these moments, saying, "The scenes with my on-screen mother were especially memorable and immersive. As a child, I used to think only from the perspective of a daughter, but now I understand my parents' side of things much better."

Debuting in 2010 with the SBS drama Bad Guy, Jung So-min earned the title of "Romantic Comedy Queen" with notable performances in Because This Is My First Life (2017), Monthly Magazine Home (2021), and Alchemy of Souls (2022). On this nickname, she remarked, "I am grateful for any title, though romantic comedies just happen to be the genre I've done the most. I'd love to explore other genres too."

She added, "I used to feel a strong desire to take on specific genres or roles, but now I focus more on the story and character itself. When genre becomes the main criterion, it can be easy to overlook the essence of a project, so I prioritize whether the story captivates me."

Jung So-min also ventured into theater last year with Shakespeare in Love. She expressed, "I realized I had a craving for the stage. I definitely want to return to it." Reflecting on the experience, she said, "The play is about people who love acting and the stage, fighting against real-world challenges, which helped our team come together even more. The story gave me a sense of strength and healing."