The enduring appeal of the horror-romance genre in Korean entertainment is set for a major revival with the confirmation that top stars Park Eun Bin and Yang Se Jong will lead the cast of the highly anticipated drama remake of the 2011 hit film, Spellbound.
This new iteration, set to premiere on tvN in 2026, promises to expand on the original movie’s charming blend of chilling supernatural elements, quirky humor, and heartfelt romance, while updating the plot to a more complex, investigative occult drama format.
Remaking a Romantic Horror Classic
The original 2011 film, which starred Son Ye Jin and Lee Min Ki, was a box office success, known in some markets as Chilling Romance or My Girlfriend Can See Ghosts.
That film centered on the unusual relationship between a street magician, Jo Goo, and a miserable young woman, Yeo Ri, who is cursed with the ability to see ghosts, particularly the vengeful spirit of her best friend.
The story focused on how the magician must overcome his fear to love the woman who is constantly haunted.
The movie’s blend of comedy, horror, and romance proved popular, inspiring international remakes in countries like Vietnam and China.
The upcoming drama remake, also titled “Spellbound” (working title), retains the core premise of a romance complicated by the supernatural but significantly elevates the social standing and professional roles of its main characters, shifting the dynamic toward a high-stakes, investigative narrative.
By expanding the film’s two-hour runtime into a full drama series, the production aims to introduce new plotlines and greater emotional depth, particularly concerning the protagonists’ professional collaboration and the mysteries they unravel.
The New Characters: Heiress and Ace Prosecutor
The confirmed casting brings together two of Korea’s most acclaimed actors, setting high expectations for their on-screen chemistry and portrayal of the reimagined leads:
- Park Eun Bin as Cheon Yeo Ri: Park Eun Bin, who gained global recognition for her nuanced performances in dramas like Extraordinary Attorney Woo, will play the female lead. Cheon Yeo Ri is depicted as the heiress of one of Korea’s top conglomerates and the CEO of a luxury hotel. She appears to have a flawless life—stunning beauty, immense wealth, and an undeniable aura of power. However, she harbors a devastating secret: she can see ghosts. Unlike the original character who was more isolated and passive, Cheon Yeo Ri’s powerful position suggests a character who might actively try to manage or even leverage her fatal ability within her chaotic corporate world.
- Yang Se Jong as Ma Gang Wook: Stepping into the male lead role is Yang Se Jong, known for his versatility in works such as Doona!. He portrays Ma Gang Wook, an ace prosecutor known for his strong physique, sharp intelligence, and righteous character. He is described as a man who treats principles as sacrosanct, relentlessly pursuing justice. In contrast to the original film’s male lead who was a charismatic magician, the new character is a passionate, empathetic prosecutor, suggesting that his involvement with Yeo Ri and the occult will stem from a professional case, drawing him into her unexpected world through the lens of forensic investigation.
Thrilling Catharsis and Fated Partnership
The drama is specifically described as an “investigative occult romance drama” centered on the chaotic yet fated partnership between the heiress and the prosecutor.
Their unique dynamic—Yeo Ri’s psychic sight meeting Gang Wook’s sharp legal and forensic instincts—is poised to create a compelling narrative where the supernatural directly influences real-world criminal investigations.
The production team emphasized the exciting contrast between the leads, noting that the plot will follow a woman who sees ghosts but isn’t afraid, and the man who, because of her, must confront a world beyond human understanding.
They believe the interlocking of Cheon Yeo Ri’s mysterious ability and Ma Gang Wook’s professional instincts will deliver a “thrilling catharsis” for viewers.
Scheduled to premiere on tvN in 2026, Spellbound is positioned to be a highly anticipated fusion of suspense, romance, and the supernatural.
Fans can look forward to seeing Park Eun Bin and Yang Se Jong embark on their first collaborative project, taking on a beloved story with a fresh, dramatic, and high-stakes twist.
Actor Park Seo Joon has shared his personal anticipation and insight into his highly awaited upcoming romance drama, “Surely Tomorrow.”
The series, which focuses on the complexities of adult relationships and the enduring nature of first love, marks a significant return for the actor, as it is his first television drama appearance in five years.
Park Seo Joon expressed genuine excitement about reviving the fun and emotional connection inherent in a weekly drama broadcast, a format he confessed he also eagerly used to wait for as a viewer.
The Unforgettable Story of Lee Gyeong Do and Seo Ji Woo
“Surely Tomorrow” is set to explore a decades-spanning love story involving the former lovers, Lee Gyeong Do (played by Park Seo Joon) and Seo Ji Woo (played by Won Ji An).
The narrative is structured around three critical periods in their lives, tracking how time and circumstance continually pull them back together, only to face new obstacles:
- First Love at 20: The couple first falls in love during their youth, setting the stage for an intense, foundational romance.
- Rekindled Love at 28: They find their way back to each other, attempting to navigate the relationship complexities that accompany late-twenties adulthood, before eventually breaking up again.
- Crossed Paths Years Later: In the present timeline, their paths cross dramatically and chaotically. Gyeong Do is now working as a journalist, assigned to cover a high-profile affair scandal. Ji Woo is tragically revealed to be the wife of the man at the center of the scandal, creating an emotionally conflicted and potentially adversarial reunion.
Park Seo Joon (Credit: YouTube)
Park Seo Joon’s excitement for the project stemmed directly from the story’s deeply relatable nature.
He noted that in recent years, his focus has largely been on “more genre-driven projects,” making the script for Surely Tomorrow a refreshing change.
He was drawn to how closely the story reflects “our everyday lives” and promised that the narrative would be intensely relatable to a wide audience, tapping into universal experiences of love, loss, and maturity.
Portraying Growth and Unchanging Sincerity
A major appeal of the role for Park Seo Joon was the opportunity to portray the entire arc of a character’s life, spanning from “youth to adulthood.”
He felt an immediate connection to the early version of his character, Lee Gyeong Do, specifically the young Gyeong Do in his early twenties, finding many aspects of that younger self highly relatable.
Park Seo Joon described Gyeong Do with special affection, highlighting his core traits:
“He’s pure-hearted, and sometimes that makes him seem immature, but he’s steadfast and sincere.”
He specifically pinpointed the enduring nature of Gyeong Do’s sincerity as the character’s most appealing quality, stating that the fact that “his heart and attitude don’t change over time is what makes Gyeong Do so appealing.”
This internal consistency will serve as the emotional anchor as the character confronts the challenging professional and personal conflicts that arise later in life.
The actor’s main focus during filming was capturing the emotional depth required to convey the passage of time without altering the character’s core spirit.
While he made subtle external adjustments, such as changes to Gyeong Do’s tone of voice and manner of speech to reflect his growth and maturity, his primary concentration remained on delivering the deep, complex emotions that define a long, complicated relationship history.
A Warm Holiday Premiere
The anticipation for Park Seo Joon’s return has been building, amplified by the promise of a classic, sweeping romance drama.
The highly anticipated series, “Surely Tomorrow,” is scheduled to premiere on December 6 at 10:40 p.m. KST.
“I hope viewers will spend a warm and comforting holiday season together with our drama.”
The series promises to be a moving and complex examination of love, destiny, and the unforeseen ways past relationships influence the present.
