Actress Park Ji-hyun is entering a crucial new phase in her career with her first full-fledged romantic comedy role. After gaining momentum through acclaimed projects such as Netflix’s You and Everything Else and the box-office hit Wild Sing, Park Ji-hyun is now preparing to headline tvN’s upcoming office romance drama See You at Work Tomorrow! a project that could become another defining milestone in her rapidly rising career.
However, even before its premiere, the drama has sparked debate among fans of the original webtoon due to casting differences between Park Ji-hyun and the character she portrays.
Premiering on June 22, See You at Work Tomorrow! stars Park Ji-hyun alongside Seo In-guk. Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, the drama follows Cha Ji-yoon, a seventh-year office employee who has fallen into a rut. Her life begins to change when she develops a complicated relationship with her demanding supervisor, Kang Si-woo, leading both characters to rediscover excitement in their careers and personal lives. The series has been described as a heart-fluttering office romance that combines workplace struggles with emotional growth.
One of the biggest talking points surrounding the drama has been Park Ji-hyun’s casting as Cha Ji-yoon. In the original webtoon, Ji-yoon is portrayed as an ordinary office worker with a fuller figure and a relatable, everyday charm. The character’s appearance is an important part of her identity, resonating with readers who appreciated her realistic portrayal.
Park Ji-hyun, on the other hand, is known for her slender physique and sophisticated image. When the casting was first announced, some webtoon fans questioned whether she was the right choice for the role, arguing that her appearance differed significantly from the source material.
Comments ranged from skepticism about the adaptation’s faithfulness to concerns that the character’s core appeal might be lost.
Unlike some actors who dramatically alter their appearance to match webtoon characters, Park Ji-hyun chose not to undergo major physical changes for the role. Instead, she appears to have focused on creating her own interpretation of Cha Ji-yoon rather than replicating the character exactly as depicted in the original work.
The production team has publicly defended the casting decision. Director Jo Eun-sol revealed during a press conference that she had noticed Park Ji-hyun’s potential years earlier when the actress was still a newcomer. The director also cited Park Ji-hyun’s performance in the film Hidden Face as one of the reasons she believed the actress was capable of bringing something unique to the character. According to the production team, acting ability and emotional range ultimately outweighed concerns about visual similarity.
Interestingly, reactions have become increasingly positive following the release of promotional teasers. Many viewers who initially doubted the casting have begun expressing curiosity about the drama. Online comments include:
- Her chemistry with Seo In-guk is better than expected.
- It feels like the drama will have a different charm from the webtoon.
- I’m interested to see her interpretation of the character.
Whether the adaptation can satisfy both longtime webtoon fans and general drama viewers remains one of the biggest questions ahead of its premiere.
The timing of Back to Work Tomorrow! is crucial for Park Ji-hyun, who is currently enjoying the strongest momentum of her career. Since breaking out with Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, she has built an impressive résumé through projects such as Do You Like Brahms?, Yumi’s Cells, Reborn Rich, and Flex X Cop. More recently, she earned acclaim for Netflix’s You and Everything Else and expanded her range through films like Hidden Face, Forbidden Fairytale, and Wild Sing.
Despite her growing success, a traditional romantic comedy remains unexplored territory for the actress. As a result, Back to Work Tomorrow! represents both a new challenge and a major opportunity. If successful, it could become Park Ji-hyun’s first signature rom-com while further cementing her status as one of Korea’s rising leading actresses. However, with ongoing debate over her casting compared to the original webtoon character, the drama will face close scrutiny from viewers upon its premiere.
Sources: Daum | 텐아시아
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