Actor Ji Chang-wook Targets Japanese Audience with Romance... CJ ENM and Nippon TV Join Forces for 'Merry Berry Love'

[Hong Kong – Shin Jin-ah]CJ ENM announced on the 13th that it will co-produce the Korea-Japan youth romance 'Merry Berry Love' (working title) with Japanese terrestrial broadcaster Nippon Television Network Corporation (NTV).
This marks the first time CJ ENM has partnered with the long-established broadcaster NTV for a co-production. With its confirmed release on the global OTT platform Disney+, the company is accelerating efforts to strengthen its global IP competitiveness.
'Merry Berry Love' tells the story of a Korea-Japan youth romance between Lee Yu-bin, a Korean space planner, and Shirahama Karin, a Japanese female farmer, set on a mysterious Japanese island. Ji Chang-wook has been cast as Lee Yu-bin, the failed space planner, while Mio Imada will play Shirahama Karin, the strawberry farmer.
Notably, 'Merry Berry Love' is significant in that the planning and direction are led by a K-drama production team. Sang-hwa Lee, head of CJ ENM's Global Content Production Team, is in charge of planning, while Kim Soo-jung, director of the popular OTT series 'Semantic Error,' will direct.
Earlier this year, CJ ENM released the Japanese version of 'Marry My Husband' on Amazon Prime Video, featuring a K-drama production team, Japanese actors, and local staff. The series became the most-watched drama in Japan within a month of its launch, sparking a wave of popularity. Following the success of the Japanese version of 'Marry My Husband,' there is much anticipation for whether 'Merry Berry Love' will achieve similar success.
Sang-hwa Lee, head of CJ ENM's Global Content Production Team, stated, "I am delighted that NTV, Disney+, our talented actors, and the local Japanese production team are all coming together for this new global project. We aim to present a work that will excite and entertain viewers worldwide, transcending national and language barriers, so please look forward to it."

At the 'Disney+ Original Preview 2025' event held in Hong Kong, the project was introduced as a key title in Disney+'s Japanese content lineup.
At the event, Ji Chang-wook explained his first appearance in a Japanese series, saying, "I have always wanted to work in Japan. When I received the offer, I had high expectations for a great collaboration. I am also looking forward to working with the actress."
Mio, who plays the strawberry farmer, commented, "The language barrier was significant, but it also served as a bridge that drew us closer." She added, "I love Korean romantic comedies, so I am excited to experience such a world firsthand through this opportunity."
In the story, the two characters meet without understanding each other's language and gradually become interested in one another. Ji Chang-wook said, "My character doesn't speak Japanese. From our awkward and clumsy first meeting, we will gradually show how communication develops between us."
Mio introduced the project by saying, "As we act in our native languages, our hearts open up and we gradually begin to speak each other's language."
[email protected] Shin Jin-ah Reporter