How old is Kim Dong Kyu? 'Love Like a K-Drama' star swears to 'protect' senior Japanese co-star Rio Yamashita
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Four Korean male actors and four Japanese actresses audition for a K-Drama lead role and fall in love in Netflix's newest dating reality series. To top it off, the latest episode of 'Love Like a K-Drama' featured a love confession from 28-year-old Kim Dong Kyu for 31-year-old Japanese costar Rio Yamashita.
Dong Kyu reveals in his confessional after filming a lengthy kissing scene with Rio, "Honestly, if I had been able to choose my fourth scene partner, I think I would have chosen Nozomi [Bando]. But she was the only one I had really been talking to up until that point, then Rio showed up out of nowhere."
Dong Kyu recalls feeling "drawn to her." When they went out to dinner, he noticed "how charming she is."
"She's funny, down to earth, and really cool. Plus, she can drink loads of Soju."
Dong Kyu admits that he is becoming increasingly drawn to her and says, "I want to protect her." He also adds, "I know she's older than me. But I still want to take care of her. She's my baby."
Rio Yamashita struggles to stay professional with 'Love Like a K-Drama's Kim Dong Kyu
Rio reveals in a confessional after their minute-long kissing scene, "I was definitely looking at him as a man."
She is unsure if this means she has feelings for Dong Kyu, but she was happy the entire time she was filming with him.
She confesses that it becomes tricky when love sentiments and acting collide, saying, "It changes everything."
Rio was fighting to keep her work and personal lives separate, despite being the most seasoned performer in the group.
Rio Yamashita and Kim Dong Kyu dubbed most compatible pair on 'Love Like a K-Drama'
Despite being matched with Lee Tae Gyun, Nozomi managed to catch the eye of Dong Kyu. Nozomi couldn't help but wonder how Dong Kyu grew so close to Rio.
Nozomi and Dong Kyu were the only couple that did not lead an episode while they were matched. Dong Kyu's fortunes improved when he was ultimately matched with Rio.
Rio and Dong Kyu's compatibility was determined by a fortune-teller to be that of "good friends." The expert noted that despite him being younger, the couple would look very compatible especially if put into a situation where they'd be working together.
Episodes 1 to 7 of 'Love Like a K-Drama' are currently streaming on Netflix.