Jung Jinyoung and TWICE’s Dahyun are set to star in the Korean adaptation of the cherished Taiwanese coming-of-age romance film “You Are the Apple of My Eye.” The announcement came from STUDIO TAKE and Jayuro Pictures, the production companies behind the remake, who revealed that filming commenced earlier this month.
The original Taiwanese film, “You Are the Apple of My Eye,” is a beloved romantic drama that follows the story of high school troublemaker Ko Ching Teng and model student Shen Chia Yi. The narrative spans from their school years to 15 years later, capturing the essence of first love and the passage of time.
In the Korean remake, Jung Jinyoung will take on the role of Jin Woo, the equivalent of Ko Ching Teng. Known for his versatile acting in projects like “The Dude In Me” and the “Sweet Home” series, Jinyoung will portray a character who matures through the trials of first love. Dahyun, a member of the popular girl group TWICE, will play Seon Ah, the equivalent of Shen Chia Yi. This role marks Dahyun’s debut in a major film, where she will bring to life a character who is both shy and strong.
Jinyoung expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I am happy to have been cast in a project that I have affection for. I will do my best to convey the emotions of the original film.” Dahyun also shared her excitement, saying, “It is an honor to be able to greet viewers through the big screen with a great project. I am very excited, and I will work hard to produce a great project with the best collaboration with my senior actors.”
The Korean adaptation is being introduced to buyers at the Cannes market by K-Movie Entertainment. This remake will be the feature directorial debut of Cho Young-myoung. Jung Jinyoung, who is also known as a singer and former leader of the boy group B1A4, has gained recognition for his acting in TV series like “Love In The Moonlight” and “Police University.” Dahyun, on the other hand, is set to make her acting debut in the sports drama “Sprint.”
The 2011 original film was a breakout hit for writer/director Giddens Ko and star Kai Ko, achieving both box office success and critical acclaim. A Japanese remake directed by Yasuo Hasegawa was released in 2018, further cementing the story’s universal appeal.
The romantic comedy drama centers on a group of friends who attend a private school and all have a crush on the same girl, Sun-ah, played by Dahyun. Jung Jinyoung’s character is the only member of the group who initially claims not to have feelings for her but eventually falls for her.
Produced by Studio Take, the film is currently in pre-production with a planned release in 2025. The producer, Song Dae-chan, has an impressive portfolio, including credits for Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Broker,” which competed at Cannes in 2022, and Jung Woo-sung’s “A Man Of Reason,” which premiered at Toronto in 2022.
K-Movie Entertainment, known for handling the box office hit franchise “The Roundup,” holds the international sales rights for the film. Other titles on K-Movie’s Cannes slate include Park Sang-min’s “The Secret House,” Kongkiat Komesiri’s Thai action horror “Operation Undead,” and Won Shin-yeon’s science fiction feature “Seeking The King.”
The anticipation for this Korean remake is palpable, as fans of the original film and new audiences alike look forward to seeing how this beloved story will be reimagined. With a talented cast and crew, “You Are the Apple of My Eye” is poised to capture hearts once again, this time on the Korean big screen.
