Ji Chang Wook and Japanese actress Mio Imada are off to a strong start with their new romantic drama Merry Berry Love. The cross-border romance has quickly attracted international attention, achieving impressive streaming rankings shortly after its premiere. With the series available on both Disney+ and Japan’s Nippon TV, its popularity is expanding across global audiences.
Merry Berry Love follows Lee Yu Bin (Ji Chang Wook), a once-successful Korean spatial designer whose career falls apart, and Shirahama Karin (Mio Imada), a Japanese strawberry farmer. Set against the picturesque backdrop of a beautiful island, the drama tells a sweet and refreshing love story that transcends national borders. The first episode, released on October 7, introduced the unusual circumstances that bring Yu Bin and Karin together, delivering both laughter and romantic tension. Ji Chang Wook, once again demonstrating his reputation as a romantic comedy specialist, impressed viewers with his witty and natural performance, while his chemistry with Mio Imada added an irresistible charm to the series.
The drama has also made a remarkable impact on international streaming charts. According to FlixPatrol, a website that tracks content rankings across global streaming platforms, Merry Berry Love climbed to No. 2 on Disney+’s worldwide TV show chart on October 9, just two days after its premiere. The series reached No. 1 in Brazil, Japan, and Hong Kong, while entering the Top 10 TV show rankings in 73 countries and territories, including the Czech Republic, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, Poland, Taiwan, and Finland.
Meanwhile, the second episode, scheduled for release on October 14, will reveal an unexpected transformation as Yu Bin becomes a worker on a strawberry farm. In the premiere episode, Yu Bin lost his position as a top-tier spatial designer after being betrayed by a friend, leaving him suddenly unemployed. Desperate for one final opportunity to rebuild his career, he traveled to Charo Island, where he unexpectedly encountered Karin. However, their first meeting took a disastrous turn when she mistakenly accused him of stealing strawberries. With their relationship already off to a rocky start, viewers are eager to discover how their misunderstandings will unfold.
Newly released stills from the upcoming episode show Yu Bin abandoning his polished city lifestyle for the unfamiliar world of rural labor. Wearing a casual T-shirt and a straw hat, he looks every bit like a farm worker. Despite his simple and somewhat untidy appearance, Ji Chang Wook’s handsome features remain impossible to overlook. In one image, Yu Bin flashes a bright smile and confidently gives a thumbs-up, radiating the enthusiasm of a beginner who believes he can handle any challenge.
However, another image reveals a dramatically different side of his new life. Carrying a large bag and looking completely exhausted, Yu Bin appears drenched in sweat as his earlier confidence disappears. His struggle with even a single piece of luggage hints at the difficult adjustment awaiting a city man who has barely experienced physical farm work. The contrast raises an intriguing question: What could have convinced Yu Bin to voluntarily take on such a demanding job?
