'Love Like a K-Drama': Former boy band member Song Ji Hyuk struggles to keep up with Rio Yamashita while filming miniseries
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Rio Yamashita and Song Ji Hyuk landed the first leading parts in a K-Drama, but things did not go as planned. Despite the fact that the two landed the roles following a difficult audition, Rio had to carry most of the baggage for the 'Love Like a K-Drama' duo.
During the filming of their miniseries, it was revealed that Ji Hyuk battled with his emotions as well as his lines. Rio felt more at ease throughout filming, despite the fact that the whole crew was Korean.
Director Jo Yong Sun praised Rio's performance but offered several suggestions for Ji Hyuk.
Ji Hyuk revealed in his confessional, "I haven't been doing as well [as] I had hoped to, unfortunately. I feel bad about it. I've been finding my performance disappointing in every scene we shot."
He knew he had to get the tone right or else he was keeping "Rio and the whole crew waiting while I try to figure it out." He further added, "This is all probably draining Rio, so I really have to focus on tapping into the right emotions."
Rio Yamashita helped Song Ji Hyuk land the first mini-series in 'Love Like a K-Drama'
According to the judges, Rio and Ji Hyuk were granted the leading parts in the first miniseries they auditioned to film.
Yuko said Rio's performance was "very captivating," which is why the judges picked them unanimously.
"In my opinion, none of the four pairs was good enough," Doo Jin said.
"We want you all to know that we didn't pick this team because they were much better than the others. We saw a concrete connection between the characters because Rio was reacting so naturally to Ji Hyuk."
Rio Yamashita is the most experienced cast member of 'Love Like a K-Drama'
The dating show has eight contestants. Four Korean male actors and four Japanese actresses live and perform together. Rio is one of the most attractive women in the cast.
Rio, the eldest and most experienced, was born in Tokushima, Japan, on October 10, 1992, and is a Japanese actor and fashion model. Stardust Promotion is in charge of Rio.
Rio decided to pursue a career in acting after witnessing Ko Shibasaki in the TV drama 'Orange Days' when she was in elementary school. She auditioned for Stardust Promotion, with whom Ko is associated, in 2006.
In March 2007, Mitsui Fudosan Realty chose her as the 12th Rehouse Girl. Riobe signed on as an exclusive model for the fashion magazine Hanachu later that month. She made her acting debut in the drama 'Koisuru Nichiybi: Dai 3 Series' in June.
Rio's debut role in a terrestrial television drama was in the Ai no Gekij 40th anniversary program 'Love Letter' in November 2008. Later the same month, she appeared in 'Someday's Dreamers', her first major part.
Rio appeared in the July 2013 drama 'Limit' as Arisa Morishige, a woman who is tormented and leaves in tough circumstances. Her first regular variety appearances were on the television show 'A-Studio' in April 2014 as an assistant.
'Love Like a K-Drama' star Song Ji Hyuk was formerly in a boy band
Actor and musician Ji Hyuk was born on July 14, 1987, making him the oldest male member of the ensemble. In 2007, the 36-year-old made his stage debut as a member of the six-piece boy band Supernova.
Supernova formerly worked with T-ara in 2009, but in recent years, they have primarily operated in Japan.
In addition to his most recent appearance in the historical romance series 'The Secret Romantic Guesthouse' (2023), starring Shin Ye Eun of 'The Glory', Ji Hyuk made his acting debut in the 2010 film 'A Love Song To You'.
Episodes 1-4 of 'Love Like a K-Drama' are currently streaming on Netflix.