Korean-Japanese Romcom 'Merry Berry Love' Hits Disney+, Hulu Oct 7
Starring Ji Chang-wook and Imada Mio, the bilingual series follows a strawberry farmer and a city dweller on a Japanese island, and will be available on both streaming platforms from October 7
The Korean-Japanese romantic comedy series 'Merry Berry Love' starring Ji Chang-wook and Imada Mio will be released on Disney+ and Hulu on October 7. The series is a co-production between CJ ENM, Disney, and Nippon TV, and follows the story of a strawberry farmer and a city dweller who meet on a Japanese island.
Ji Chang-wook plays the role of Lee Yubin, a space planner navigating life outside his comfort zone, while Imada Mio plays the role of Karin Shirahama, a strawberry farmer. The series is co-directed by Kim Soojung and Noh Youngsub, and will be bilingual.
The series is set on a picturesque Japanese island, where Karin Shirahama pours everything into her land, and Lee Yubin, a city dweller, arrives after his fortunes have taken a sharp turn for the worse. The pair's first encounter is spectacularly awkward, leading to an unlikely misunderstanding that keeps them closer than expected.
## What it means The release of 'Merry Berry Love' is significant as it joins an expanding Asian originals slate on Disney+ and Hulu, which already carry Korean romantic titles including 'Perfect Crown' and 'Soundtrack #1'. The series is an attempt to appeal to both Korean and Japanese markets, and its bilingual nature makes it accessible to a wider audience.
## Background The series was developed and produced by CJ ENM, the Korean entertainment company behind global hits 'Crash Landing on You' and 'Queen of Tears', alongside Disney, with Nippon TV serving as co-producer. The show's deliberate cross-cultural pitch is evident in its casting, which unites one of Korea's most recognizable leading men with a prominent Japanese star.
The release of 'Merry Berry Love' on Disney+ and Hulu on October 7 marks a new attempt by the streaming platforms to grow their Asia business, with Korea becoming a content engine for the streamer, and Japan proving to be one of the company's most brand loyal markets.
