KBS 2TV’s newest youth romance drama, My Girlfriend Is the Man, has started airing, and it is already making headlines for its bold storyline and rising idol cast.
Premiering on July 23, the show opened with ratings of around three per cent. But instead of chasing numbers, the team behind it is aiming for something different: attention, emotion, and a fresh look at love among today’s youth.
Adapted from the popular webtoon by Mastar, the series kicks off with a fantasy twist. A devoted boyfriend finds himself confused when his girlfriend suddenly turns into a man. With such a premise, early viewers had questions. Many wondered if this would fall under the Boys Love genre. But according to the creative team, that is not the case.
Not Just a Romance, but a Reflection
The production describes it as a fantasy romance that reflects the confusion, growth, and vulnerability of young people in love. Set against vibrant Seoul neighborhoods, it presents a summer filled with emotions and identity shifts.
Director Yoo Kwan-mo explained the intent clearly during a press event held on July 23. He stated that the series is not part of the BL category, though it contains emotional tension and identity-driven flashbacks. Instead, it focuses on the character’s emotional journey, anchored in the memory of who the girlfriend once was.
Yoon San-ha Takes on His First Lead Role
ASTRO member Yoon San-ha plays the male lead, Park Yoon-jae, a quiet astronomy student who finds himself caught in an unexpected love triangle. This is his first time leading a drama, and he admitted feeling nervous.
He shared that he read the script all at once and felt drawn to its originality. Known for his sweet demeanour in ASTRO, San-ha now faces a challenging shift into acting, trying to balance confusion, love, and loyalty as his character processes his girlfriend’s sudden transformation.
His performance is expected to show emotional growth, especially as he confronts feelings that don’t fit into any easy category.
Arin and Yoo Jung-hoo Share One Role
OH MY GIRL’s Arin plays Kim Ji-eun, the cheerful girlfriend who transforms overnight into Kim Ji-hoon. Arin revealed that this is her first time doing a romantic comedy, and while she was initially anxious, she found it fun to work on such an unusual story.
She’s currently receiving praise for her work in a darker series titled S Line, making this drama a complete change of tone. Her dual performance gives fans a chance to see her in both mystery and romance genres back to back.
Playing the male version of Ji-eun is actor Yoo Jung-hoo, who steps into the newly created identity of Kim Ji-hoon. He captures the same soul but with a new face and body. His chemistry with San-ha is already getting noticed, with many curious to see how the characters’ emotions will evolve.
Chuu’s Return to Acting After Six Years
Making her acting return after a long break, Chuu stars as Kang Min-joo, a popular student who has always liked Yoon-jae. She is energetic, expressive, and full of ambition. During the press conference, Chuu said this role fulfilled a personal dream, as she had always wanted to play a confident high school girl.
Known mostly for her bubbly personality in LOONA, Chuu now gets to show her acting skills again. Her return has been met with excitement from longtime fans who have waited years to see her in a role like this.
A Fantasy That Pushes Boundaries
The story balances romantic confusion and identity conflict with comedy and emotion. Ji-hoon’s presence in Yoon-jae’s life causes tension, especially when memories of Ji-eun start blending with the new reality. Their friendship, and possibly more, continues to evolve with each episode.
Director Yoo described the series as a watercolour painting of summer youth. He said the characters, though placed in an unrealistic situation, face very real feelings. The show uses the twist not for shock value, but as a way to talk about identity, loss, memory, and young love.
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Producers Respond to Early Reactions
When asked about audience confusion over genre, Director Yoo clarified that the emotional core of the show lies in Ji-eun’s memory and the relationships she built. It is not about categorising love, but about showing how it persists through unexpected change.
He added that the team is open to the idea of a second season if the response is positive. Ratings are not the only goal. If people talk about the drama, reflect on it, and feel something, the creators will consider that a success.
The team has also emphasised their decision to use real Seoul neighbourhoods as shooting locations, including spots like Hongdae and Gyeongbokgung. These settings help ground the fantasy in a familiar reality.
What’s Next for the Series
As My Girlfriend Is the Man continues its run, fans are waiting to see how the relationships shift. Will Yoon-jae realise that love can exist beyond physical appearance? Can Ji-hoon stay true to Ji-eun’s emotions while living in a new body?
With each episode, the show asks its audience to question what they would do if someone they loved changed completely but still felt like the same person inside.
And with idols like San-ha and Arin growing into their acting roles, this drama might just leave a stronger impression than anyone expected.
