Wonderful World, a new K-drama premiering March 1 on Hulu in the U.S., marks a major comeback for veteran actor Kim Namjoo. Known for ratings blockbusters such as My Husband Got a Family and critically acclaimed cult dramas such as Misty, Kim is finally returning to Korean dramas for the first time since 2018. She plays the role of Eun Soohyun, a beloved author and psychology professor who unravels after the tragic loss of her son and the justice system’s failure to punish the culprit.
Starring alongside Kim is actor and K-pop idol Cha Eunwoo, who plays strongly against type as Gwon Seonyul, a med school dropout who trades his wealthy background for a life of crime after the death of his parents. Directed by Yi Lee Seungyoung (Tracer and Voice season 2), Wonderful World follows their fateful meeting and explores how their scars and traumas intertwine. The K-drama also features True Beauty‘s Lim Semi as Han Yoori, who is Soohyun’s best friend, and Kim Kangwoo as Soohyun’s estranged husband, Kang Suho.
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Screen Rant virtually attended the press conference for Wonderful World, in which the stars described the highlights of their characters, while director Yi explained the intentions behind the show’s moody atmosphere. Cha and Kim Namjoo also shed more light on their unusual chemistry and the nature of their onscreen relationship, which has been a major talking point in the K-drama community.
(Note: All answers were given in Korean and translated in real-time by an interpreter.)
Wonderful World May Seem Tragic, But Its Message Is Beautiful
From the moment the first trailer dropped, Wonderful World has given off a sense of foreboding, implying that Soohyun is on the edge of madness and Seonyul is covering up a dark nature. Audiences may naturally intuit that there is an aura of tragedy that surrounds the story, beyond the inciting incident that derails Soohyun’s life. However, the director and cast assure viewers that there is a silver lining after the darkness.
Yi Seungyoung: Wonderful World is about all of us, who live in this world where we consistently lose something but still want to make the world into a better, more wonderful place.
The backdrop of our story is indeed a tragedy. But I think that, sometimes when the backdrop is darker, you will see the character shine through. The darker it is, the more beautiful the people you see within that backdrop become. When you watch the entire drama, rather than the tragedy of it all, I think you will get a sense that it’s a beautiful story.
Kim Namjoo: My character Eun Soohyun has a strong motherly love for her son, and her life turns upside down in just one day. She has that big scar and side of her, and she tries to heal that scar in the show. We have a very tightly knit storyline and narrative, so you can look out for the motherly bond, the scar, and the healing process of that scar.
I think what was important for me [about
Wonderful World]
was the motherly love. That’s what persuaded me. Eun Soohyun loses her son unjustly, and I wanted to play her to represent how these bereaved families feel.
Cha Eunwoo & Kim Namjoo’s Chemistry Is Both Surprising Yet Crucial To The Story
Many K-drama romcom enthusiasts have expressed concern that Wonderful World would be a “noona romance,” meaning that Kim and Cha would find themselves romantically linked. While Kim herself has already shut that rumor down, the fact remains that Soohyun and Seonyul will be inextricably bonded and their mysterious relationship is the focus of the show. At the press conference, the actors shared how they felt about their connection on and off set.
Cha Eunwoo: The chemistry with Namjoo sunbae was 100 out of 100 points. It was perfect. In the beginning, when we did the table read, she seemed a little bit posh. But right after the table read, we had a meal together, and she was such a nice person. She would just come to me and talk about things, and I thought that we would get along really well.
When I had scenes together with her, it was just so enjoyable. And whenever I was unsure of something, she would give me really nice advice, so she was such a big help. It was such an enjoyable experience for me, and I loved being on set.
Kim Namjoo: I’m going to go with 110 points. The chemistry between us is something that was really unexpected, and I think it’s an honor. It was a great opportunity for me.
On set, Eunwoo is someone who is very flexible as an actor, and someone who has a very open mind. He is just such a great person and has a great personality. Every time we worked together, he would approach his acting with an open mind, and I felt like the result could only be great. Honestly, in the beginning, it was a little overwhelming because he looks like a prince who has come to Earth from a different planet. But as the days went by, he became like a little brother.
Yi Seungyoung: I don’t think I need a reason [for the casting] because it’s just a perfect cast. If you look at the roles in the show, you will find that the two of them are cut out for their roles. Namjoo was just perfect for the role, and I knew that her performance would be really wonderful. She was at home for six years, and I’m so happy that she’s back on the small screen.
Even before we cast Eunwoo, when we were writing the script, the art director gave us some sketches. The sketch of Seonyul looked just like him, and I sent the picture to Eunwoo after I cast him. I think he was just cut out for the role, and I think it was destiny that I found him.
Character Growth & Healing Are At The Heart Of Wonderful World’s Mysteries
While many mystery thrillers (including Hulu’s recent show, The Worst of Evil) focus on corrupt characters doing underhanded deeds, Wonderful World‘s protagonists seem to be a collection of well-meaning individuals who fall on hard times. Soohyun commits an unforgivable act of vengeance, for example, but she is first shown to be a loving wife and mother with a kind soul.
Though Seonyul’s past remains shrouded in mystery and his present-day circumstances are bleak, he was set to treat sick children as a med school student before his life fell apart, pointing to his benevolent heart. Suho, meanwhile, is a fierce advocate for truth and justice, both in his career as a journalist and in his role as Soohyun’s husband. Finally, director Yi pointed to Yoori as the bright spot of Wonderful World, with her loyalty to Soohyun being one of her strongest points.
Cha Eunwoo: My character Seonyul goes on an emotional roller coaster ride. You can see the emotional evolution and inner scars. As time goes by, you’ll get to learn some secrets about him and understand what those mysteries were all about. You’ll also be able to see what he felt when he went through all that, like a Pandora’s Box.
Kim Kangwoo: In Wonderful World, I play the role of Kang Suho. Tagedy befalls my family, and I want to get to the bottom of it. I am a reporter turned anchorman. As you can see from the highlight reel and trailer, I keep screaming at the top of my lungs. But what’s important is that I really love my family. As a father and a husband, I just have infinite love for my family.
Lim Semi: I play the role of Han Yoori, who is like a younger sister to Soohyun.. She loves Soohyun so much, and they’re best friends. I become the CEO of a boutique shop, and then there are some mysterious things that happen surrounding her.
Our show is really about the humanistic side of people. Yoori might look positive and bubbly, but that’s just one facet of her. If you look closely at her, you can see that she has gone through a lot of different things. Just look at her as a multi-layered, three dimensional person.
Yi Seungyoung: I thought it was important for the husband of Soohyun to have that chemistry with Namjoo, so I wanted an actor who goes well with Namjoo. He also has this pure love for his family, and I wanted an actor who can pull off that role. We thought about this for a long time and thought that Kangwoo was perfect for the role.
Because our show can come off a little bit tragic, I think Yoori is someone who gives a positive energy to the show. That was exactly what Semi could do for us.
About Wonderful World
After a successful career that saw Eun Soohyun climb to the top of her field as a professor of psychology and a household name as a writer, she is brought crashing back to earth following the death of her son at the hands of others. Driven into a spiraling depression, Soohyun becomes consumed by one thought – revenge.
