Park Seo-joon is stepping back into the romance genre with a new emotional intensity. Known for hits like Itaewon Class and What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, the actor is now embracing a deeper, more contemplative love story in his thirties.
A Romance That Reflects a New Stage of Life
At the press conference for JTBC’s new weekend drama ‘Surely Tomorrow’, held on December 4 at The Link Seoul Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Park Seo-joon revealed why this project marks a turning point for him. “This is my first romance drama since entering my thirties,” he said. “My perspective on love has changed since my twenties. I wanted to show a more mature emotional arc.” In contrast to the youthful charm of his earlier works, Park aims to portray the layered, introspective emotions that accompany adult relationships.
A Second Chance Love Between Two People With History
‘Surely Tomorrow’ follows the story of Lee Kyung-do (Park Seo-joon) and Seo Ji-woo (Won Ji-an), a couple who has endured two breakups. After years apart, they reunite by chance and find themselves drawn back into each other’s orbit. Park Seo-joon plays Kyung-do, a dedicated entertainment journalist at Dongwoon Daily. A steadfast romantic, he has never forgotten Ji-woo, his first love from his twenties someone who remains unforgettable even at 38.
Park was deeply moved by the script. “Their story beginning from age 20 felt meaningful. I felt that if I expressed each stage of his life carefully, it could become a truly special drama.”
Park Seo-joon Wanted to Portray Kyung-do Through Every Age
Originally, the younger version of Kyung-do was supposed to be played by a child actor. However, Park personally requested to portray every timeline himself. “I wanted to capture the memories and emotions of Kyung-do’s youth directly,” he explained. He studied the gaps in the characters’ histories, imagining the years in which the couple was apart to enrich their emotional depth.
Won Ji-an Embraces a Challenging, Multi Layered Role
Won Ji-an stars as Seo Ji-woo, a wealthy celebrity-level socialite with a complicated reputation in the business world. After her divorce, she crosses paths with Kyung-do once again. She admitted the role wasn’t easy. “I had to portray Ji-woo at various ages, and that was intimidating. But I also felt it would help me grow as an actor.” Instead of focusing solely on Ji-woo’s personality, Won emphasized her relationship with Kyung-do how meeting him changes her throughout her twenties and thirties. Won also praised Park Seo-joon for guiding her through the emotional complexity. “I leaned on him a lot. He led the scenes with so much care.”
Chemistry, Realism, and a New Kind of Romance
Director Lim Hyun-wook, known for works like Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency and King the Land, promised a more grounded and emotionally subtle romance this time. “I intentionally avoided overly sweet scenes,” he said. “There are many moments where Kyung-do and Ji-woo simply look at each other in silence. Their eyes communicate everything.” The on set chemistry mirrored this sentiment. The actors expressed confidence that their dynamic would resonate deeply with viewers
Park Seo-joon also reflected on how surprisingly realistic the newsroom set felt.
“Director Lim was a reporter before becoming a director,” he said. “Everything from the physical office to the character behavior felt incredibly authentic. He recalled his early debut days, when he visited multiple news outlets daily. “It felt like stepping back into those offices again.”
A Story Full of Emotion Until the Final Moment
Both actors hinted at an unpredictable ending. Won Ji-an shared, “Their story is full of ups and downs. You won’t know whether it will be a happy ending or a sad ending until the very end.” Park Seo-joon added, “There were so many moments I personally related to. I think many viewers will feel the same.”
Surely Tomorrow premieres on December 6 at 10:40 p.m. and is expected to deliver one of the season’s most heartfelt, quietly powerful romances.
Editor’s Insight
ark Seo-joon’s decision to return to romance with ‘Surely Tomorrow’ reflects a broader evolution in K-drama narratives one that is moving away from idealized love toward emotionally grounded, life-stage storytelling. Unlike his earlier works, which leaned on charm and fantasy-driven romance, this project centers on time, separation, and unresolved feelings, themes that resonate more deeply with audiences in their 30s and beyond. What stands out is his choice to portray the character across multiple ages, suggesting a focus on continuity of emotion rather than isolated moments.