The phrase “Hyo-ri is so beautiful” has become a common reaction among viewers of tvN’s Monday-Tuesday drama Love, Take Two. But it’s not singer Lee Hyori they’re talking about—it’s the character Lee Hyo-ri , portrayed by rising actress Choi Yoon-ji , who is drawing increasing attention for her first-ever leading role.
The drama feels almost tailor-made to introduce Choi Yoon-ji as a lead actress. Her character, Hyo-ri , is a young woman who enters medical school through hard work, only to discover she has a brain tumor. Choosing to step away from her former life, she moves to the countryside village of Cheonghae to begin anew. Alongside her adoptive mother Ji-an (played by veteran actress Yum Jung-ah ), who has sacrificed much of her life for her daughter, Hyo-ri embraces a second chance at life.
In the countryside, they build a dream home, surrounded by nature, experiencing joys that urban life could never provide surfing, camping, stargazing, and even the tender spark of romance. Hyo-ri’s love interest, Ryu Bo-hyun (Kim Min-kyu) , shares heartfelt moments with her, from climbing mountains to watch the stars to exchanging shy words of affection reminiscent of classic youth romances.
One of the most memorable moments comes when Bo-hyun blurts out: “You’re pretty.” Embarrassed, he quickly adds, “I meant the stars are pretty… and maybe, you too.” Such youthful confessions echo the innocence of first love, reminding viewers of Alphonse Daudet’s romantic tale The Stars.
Hyo-ri’s beauty, however, goes beyond appearances. Her warmth, her resilience, and her complicated but tender bond with her mother make her deeply endearing. She may clash with Ji-an at times, but her sincerity shines through when she quickly reaches out to reconcile, offering moments of profound emotional impact.
The drama’s title, Love, Take Two, encapsulates this theme perfectly capturing the clumsy yet heartfelt honesty of first emotions, whether in family or romance. Lines like Bo-hyun’s reflection “ The two of you are like first loves awkward, clumsy, but full of sincerity. Honestly, I envy it.” resonate strongly with audiences.
In a particularly moving scene reminiscent of the beloved film The Classic, Hyo-ri confesses to Bo-hyun in the rain: “After getting sick, choices feel complicated. Is this pity, compassion, or genuine love? I don’t know. But what’s clear is that you make me flutter, and I like the version of myself who feels that way. I think I like you.”
Behind these emotional layers is the writing of Sung Woo-jin , who remarkably makes his debut with this drama. His ability to capture raw emotions and weave them into poetic dialogue has left viewers impressed, adding to the drama’s emotional weight.
For Choi Yoon-ji , stepping into her first leading role as Lee Hyo-ri feels like the start of something special—her “first love” moment as an actress. Paired with Sung Woo-jin’s debut as a screenwriter, Love, Take Two is shaping up to be a drama defined by fresh first steps that feel tender, sincere, and, above all, beautiful.
Sources: 다음 – 엔터미디어
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