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If you’ve been secretly (or not so secretly) waiting for Song Joong Ki to make his grand return to dramas, then My Youth is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Seriously, the anticipation around this project has been buzzing for months, and now that it’s here, it’s safe to say—our patience has paid off.
Premiering on Friday, September 5, 2025, the drama immediately caught the attention of fans worldwide. And let’s be honest, how could it not? With a mix of romance, nostalgia, and slice-of-life warmth, My Youth feels like a story made to tug at your heartstrings. Add in Chun Woo Hee as the female lead, and you’ve got a pairing that practically guarantees sparks.
But this isn’t just a sweet rom-com. Underneath the romance, My Youth gives us a heartfelt look at lost dreams, second chances, and the quiet ache of growing older while still carrying your youthful scars. Let’s break it down together—because trust me, there’s a lot to gush about.
The Storyline That Captures Both Heartache and Hope
The premise of My Youth might sound familiar on paper, but it’s the execution that makes it shine. The story follows Sun Woo Hae (played by Song Joong Ki), who was once a wildly popular child actor. You know the type—beloved, adored, and marketed everywhere. But fame can be cruel, especially when the adults around you value profit more than your well-being. Because of greed and exploitation, Woo Hae’s stardom faded, leaving him broken and forgotten before he even had the chance to grow up.
Fast forward to the present, and we find Woo Hae living a quiet life as a novelist and florist. Can we just pause here for a second? A man who writes novels and arranges flowers—come on, that’s a level of swoon that feels almost unfair.
Meanwhile, Sung Je Yeon (Chun Woo Hee) seems to have had it all growing up. Born into wealth, she lived a comfortable life until everything suddenly collapsed. Now she works as a team leader at Feel Entertainment, carrying the weight of expectations while battling her own insecurities.
The twist? Je Yeon isn’t just a random love interest. She’s Woo Hae’s first love. They shared a deep connection in their youth, helping each other through hard times, only to be separated. A decade later, fate throws them back together. And yes, sparks fly—only this time, with the baggage of years apart and the maturity that comes from surviving heartbreak.
A First Episode That Sets the Tone
Right from episode one, My Youth doesn’t waste time. We’re immediately treated to the long-awaited reunion between Woo Hae and Je Yeon. It’s tender, bittersweet, and exactly the kind of emotional setup that makes you want to binge the entire series in one sitting.
The second episode dives even deeper, dedicating much of its runtime to flashbacks of their youth. About 80% of it is spent building the foundation of their bond, showing us how their relationship blossomed and why their reunion hits so hard. It’s a bold storytelling choice, but it works—by the time we return to the present timeline, you feel the weight of their history.
And let me tell you, the aesthetics of this drama are gorgeous. Warm color grading, dreamy flower fields, and atmospheric transitions between past and present—it all feels cinematic. Yes, some of the quick scene shifts can be a little disorienting, but once you settle into the rhythm, it feels intentional, almost like flipping through a photo album of memories.
A Cast That Elevates Every Scene
Song Joong Ki as Sun Woo Hae
This role feels tailor-made for Song Joong Ki. After his powerhouse performances in Reborn Rich and Vincenzo, seeing him step into something softer and more introspective feels refreshing. Woo Hae isn’t the sharp-tongued lawyer or chaebol heir we’ve seen before—he’s a man carrying quiet wounds, choosing a life of peace after the chaos of stardom.
Watching Joong Ki balance Woo Hae’s tenderness with his lingering pain is mesmerizing. One minute, he’s arranging flowers with delicate care. The next, you catch a flicker of sadness in his eyes that says more than words ever could.
Chun Woo Hee as Sung Je Yeon
Chun Woo Hee, known for her nuanced performances in both film and drama, brings depth to Je Yeon. Her character could’ve easily been one-note—the “childhood love who got away.” Instead, Chun Woo Hee makes her layered, vulnerable, and strong all at once. You feel her struggles, her resilience, and the quiet longing she carries for the boy she once knew.
Lee Joo Myung and Seo Ji Hoon as the Second Couple
Because no K-drama is complete without a second couple that steals our attention, right? Enter Mo Tae Rin (Lee Joo Myung) and Kim Seok Joo (Seo Ji Hoon). Their romance adds a fresh, youthful energy to the show. It’s playful, intriguing, and honestly makes you wonder if you’re about to end up shipping two couples instead of just one.
Nam Da Reum’s Post-Military Return
Fans of Nam Da Reum, rejoice! This drama marks his return after completing military service. He plays the teenage version of Sung Je Yeon, and seeing him back on screen is like catching up with an old friend you’ve missed dearly. He slips effortlessly into the role, reminding us why he’s one of the most beloved young actors of his generation.
The Visual Language of My Youth
One thing that deserves special mention is the way this drama looks. It’s visually stunning, almost like a moving painting at times. The use of flower motifs ties beautifully into Woo Hae’s life as a florist, symbolizing growth, fragility, and renewal.
The warm tones make every scene feel cozy and nostalgic, while the pacing of transitions creates a dreamy, almost reflective mood. Sure, some viewers might find the quick scene changes a bit jarring, but others will see it as a stylistic choice that mirrors the way memory works—fragmented, yet deeply emotional.
Relatable Themes Wrapped in Romance
At its core, My Youth isn’t just about rekindled love. It’s also about resilience and the way life never unfolds the way we expect.
- For Woo Hae, it’s the loss of a career he never fully chose for himself.
- For Je Yeon, it’s the sudden collapse of the security she once took for granted.
- For both, it’s the reminder that love, even when lost, can still shape who you become.
These struggles are universal. Maybe we’ve never been famous child actors, but we’ve all faced disappointment, pressure, or moments where we had to start over. That’s why their journey resonates—it feels personal, even if their circumstances are extraordinary.
Why My Youth Feels Special in a Sea of Romances
Yes, childhood-first-love dramas aren’t new. But what makes My Youth stand out is its sincerity. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it simply polishes it until it shines. The performances, the visuals, the chemistry, and the themes all come together to create something that feels comforting yet impactful.
It’s like re-reading a favorite book. You know some of the beats, but the way it’s told makes it feel brand new. And with Song Joong Ki leading the charge, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the magic.
Where and When to Watch My Youth
If you’re already itching to dive in, here’s the good news: My Youth airs every Friday and is available for streaming on Viu. With its mix of heartfelt romance and slice-of-life charm, it’s the perfect drama to ease into the weekend.
So, grab your snacks, queue up the first episode, and prepare to fall in love with a story that feels like spring after a long winter.
✨ My Youth isn’t just about rekindling romance—it’s about finding courage in vulnerability, rediscovering forgotten dreams, and learning that sometimes, the person who once held your heart might just be the one to heal it again.