More Than Friends (TV series)

More Than Friends (Korean경우의 수; Hanja境遇의 數) is a South Korean television series starring Ong Seong-wu, Shin Ye-eun, and Kim Dong-jun. It aired on JTBC from September 25 to November 28, 2020.[1]

More Than Friends
Promotional poster
Hangul
경우의 수
Hanja
境遇의 數
Literal meaningNumber of Cases[a]
Revised RomanizationGyeong-uui Su
GenreRomantic drama
Created byJTBC
Written byJo Seung-hee
Directed byChoi Sung-bum
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16
Production
Running time70 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkJTBC
ReleaseSeptember 25 (2020-09-25) –
November 28, 2020 (2020-11-28)

Synopsis

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Ten years ago, Kyung Woo-yeon (Shin Ye-eun) was as innocent and carefree as any eighteen year old might be. With dreams and ambitions and a heart ready to love, it was only a matter of time before she fell for someone. And fall she did — for her friend, Lee Soo (Ong Seong-wu). Little did she know that at the time, Lee Soo also had a crush on her. Unfortunately, a simple misunderstanding kept them from confessing their feelings.

A decade later, Woo-yeon still harbors a crush on Soo. Working as a calligrapher, she still keeps in touch with her friend but has never confessed her feelings for him. Oddly enough, the same could be said for Soo, who is now working as a professional photographer. Though the two have taken turns having a crush on each other for over ten years, misunderstandings and missed timings have continued to keep them from becoming anything more than friends.

With feelings ten years in the making, Woo-yeon and Soo begin to realize their feelings for each other are becoming too strong to keep hidden. Has the time for their confessions finally come or will yet another misunderstanding keep them apart?

Cast

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Main

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  • Ong Seong-wu as Lee Soo: a well-known photographer and Woo-Yeon's friend since high school. He used to be very popular in school due to his looks, and he often appeared cold. He realizes his feelings for Woo-yeon later when she starts to date Jun-soo. He despises his parents for neglecting him and focusing on their divorce.
    • Ha Yi-an as young Lee Soo
  • Shin Ye-eun as Kyung Woo-yeon: A cheerful person who received many awards in school, but now works as a calligraphist and has a part-time job. She has had a crush on Lee Soo for over 10 years, but got rejected twice. She dates men thinking she will fall for them after dating, but her conflicting feelings for Lee-soo always gets in the way.
    • Shim Hye-yeon as young Woo-yeon
  • Kim Dong-jun as On Joon-soo: The CEO of a huge publishing house. His first love ends up being his sister-in-law. He falls for Woo-yeon after a few encounters.

Supporting

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  • Pyo Ji-hoon as Jin Sang-hyuk: A good friend of the gang (Woo-Yeon, Lee soo, Young-hee, Hyun Jae and Jin Joo) who owns the small restaurant, Tonight, where the friends frequently meet.
  • Baek Soo-min as Han Jin-Joo: A rich prosecutor who has never dated. He is the best friend of Woo Yeon.
  • Ahn Eun-jin as Kim Young-hee: An ordinary office worker who despises her mother, and has been in a relationship with Hyun Jae for over 10 years. She avoids marrying Hyun-jae because of her poor family.
    • Ahn Se Bin as young Young-hee
  • Choi Chan-ho as Shin Hyun-jae: Young-hee's boyfriend who has been wanting to marry her for a long time, but patiently waits till Young-hee is ready.
  • Ahn Nae-sang as Lee Young-hwan: Lee Soo's father who still has feelings for his wife even after getting divorced. He is a retired judge.
  • Kim Hee-jung as Choi Won-jung: Lee Soo's mom who is an artist.
  • Jo Ryun as Park Mi-sook: Woo-yeon's mother.
  • Seo Sang-won as Kyung Man-ho: Woo yeon's father.
  • Yang Hee-jae as Chul-soo
  • Kang Yoon-je as Joon-young
  • Oh Hee-joon as Min Sang-shik: Jun-su's good friend and colleague.
  • Jung Mi-hyung as Min-ah
  • Yoon Bok-in as Oh Yoon-ja: Young hee's mother.
  • Kim Dal-yul as Kim Chul-soo
  • Baek Seo-yi as Hwang Ji-hyun
  • Bae Da-bin as Kwon Yoo-ra, Lee Soo's 'girlfriend'
  • Kim Dan-yool as Kim Chul-soo
    • Wang Hee-jae as young Chul-soo

Special appearances

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Episodes

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No.English titleKorean titleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Chapter 1: More Than Friends"1장 경우의 수Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeSeptember 25, 2020 (2020-09-25)
2"Chapter 2: Wind, Wind, Wish"2장 바람, 바람, 바람Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeSeptember 26, 2020 (2020-09-26)
3"Chapter 3: After the Curse is Broken"3장 저주가 풀리고 난 뒤Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeOctober 9, 2020 (2020-10-09)
4"Chapter 4: To Catch a Tiger, Go Into the Tiger's Den"4장 호랑이를 잡으려면 호랑이굴로Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeOctober 10, 2020 (2020-10-10)
5"Chapter 5: Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear"5장 사물은 보이는 것보다 가까이 있습니다Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeOctober 16, 2020 (2020-10-16)
6"Chapter 6: What the Shepherd Boy Did Not Know"6장 양치기 소년이 몰랐던 것Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeOctober 17, 2020 (2020-10-17)
7"Chapter 7: Where Did the Curse Go?"7장 저주는 어딘가에Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeOctober 23, 2020 (2020-10-23)
8"Chapter 8: Opportunities Lost Become Regrets"8장 놓친 기회는 후회가 된다Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeOctober 24, 2020 (2020-10-24)
9"Chapter 9: The Function of Efforts"9장 노력의 기능Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeOctober 30, 2020 (2020-10-30)
10"Chapter 10: Misunderstanding Called Understanding"10장 이해라는 오해Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeOctober 31, 2020 (2020-10-31)
11"Chapter 11: The End"11장 The EndChoi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeNovember 6, 2020 (2020-11-06)
12"Chapter 12: A Wound Deeper Than Love"12장 사랑보다 깊은 상처Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeNovember 7, 2020 (2020-11-07)
13"Chapter 13: Attitude Towards What We Love Too Much"13장 너무 사랑하는 것들을 대하는 자세Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeNovember 13, 2020 (2020-11-13)
14"Chapter 14: Pinocchio's Nose Pushes People Away"14장 피노키오의 코는 사람을 밀어낸다Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeNovember 14, 2020 (2020-11-14)
15"Chapter 15: The Reason for Walking Away"15장 뒷모습의 이유Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeNovember 27, 2020 (2020-11-27)
16"Chapter 16: Every Moment Was a Coincidence"16장 나의 모든 순간이 너였다Choi Sung-bumJo Seung-heeNovember 28, 2020 (2020-11-28)

Original soundtrack

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More Than Friends OST
Soundtrack album by
Various Artists
Released2020 (2020)
GenreSoundtrack
Language

Part 1

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Released on September 26, 2020 (2020-09-26)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Serendipity" (우연일까)
  • midnight
  • TM
  • midnight
  • TM
Ha Sung-woon3:20
2."Serendipity" (Inst.) 
  • midnight
  • TM
 3:20
Total length:6:40

Part 2

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Released on October 9, 2020 (2020-10-09)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Highlight"
  • Naomi
  • Ra.L
  • Ra.L
  • Rebin
Ra.L3:29
2."Highlight" (Inst.) 
  • Ra.L
  • Rebin
 3:29
Total length:6:58

Part 3

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Released on October 10, 2020 (2020-10-10)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Sweet Dream"
  • Kim Eun-jae
  • Ryu Hye-nee
Kim Eun-jae
  • J_ust
  • Kim Chae-won (April)
3:18
2."Sweet Dream" (Inst.) Kim Eun-jae 3:18
Total length:6:36

Part 4

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Released on October 17, 2020 (2020-10-17)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."I'm Still Here" (오늘도 난 그 자리에 있어)midnight
  • Gaemi
  • midnight
Ben4:32
2."I'm Still Here" (Inst.) 
  • Gaemi
  • midnight
 4:32
Total length:9:04

Part 5

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Released on October 23, 2020 (2020-10-23)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Close Your Eyes"
  • Kim Beom-ju
  • Kim Si-hyuk
  • Kim Beom-ju
  • Kim Si-hyuk
Bernard Park3:47
2."Close Your Eyes" (Inst.) 
  • Kim Beom-ju
  • Kim Si-hyuk
 3:47
Total length:7:34

Part 6

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Released on October 24, 2020 (2020-10-24)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Late Regret" (왜 몰랐었을까)
  • Gaemi
  • midnight
  • Gaemi
  • midnight
Ong Seong-wu4:23
2."Late Regret" (Inst.) 
  • Gaemi
  • midnight
 4:23
Total length:8:46

Part 7

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Released on October 31, 2020 (2020-10-31)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Spider Lily" (피안화)
  • Jang Young-soo
  • 4Batter
  • Park Jae-hoo
  • Jang Young-soo
  • 4Batter
  • Park Jae-hoo
  • Glody
Yoo Yeon-jung (Cosmic Girls)3:09
2."Spider Lily" (Inst.) 
  • Jang Young-soo
  • 4Batter
  • Park Jae-hoo
  • Glody
 3:09
Total length:6:18

Part 8

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Released on November 7, 2020 (2020-11-07)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Falling Slow"
  • Kevin Oh
  • Han Ji-won
  • Gaemi
Kevin Oh3:49
2."Falling Slow" (Inst.) 
  • Gaemi
 3:49
Total length:7:28

Part 9

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Released on November 14, 2020 (2020-11-14)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Each Other" (서로)
  • Kim Yoon-ju
  • Kim Yoon-ju
Rooftop Moonlight3:18
2."Each Other" (Inst.) 
  • Kim Yoon-ju
 3:18
Total length:6:36

Production

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Development

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Early working title of the series is Number of Cases Friends Become Lovers (Korean친구에서 연인이 되는 경우의 수; RRChingueseo Yeonini Dweneun Kyungwooui Soo).[2]

Casting

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On February 18, 2020, news outlet Osen reported that Ong Seong-wu would play the lead role of the series.[3] The same day, another news outlet revealed that Shin Ye-eun would be Ong's co-star.[4] Fantagio and Npio Entertainment (respectively Ong and Shin's agencies) confirmed that they were both positively reviewing the offer, but that nothing had been decided yet.[5][6] On March 25, Kim Dong-jun's agency confirmed that the actor had joined the main cast.[7] The final lineup was confirmed on April 9.[8]

Filming

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Part of filming took place in Jeju Island.[9][10] Production was halted during the last week of August 2020 after Kim Hee-jung came in contact with Kim Won-hae, who tested positive for COVID-19, on another filming set. Filming resumed after the tests came back negative.[11]

Release

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The first trailer for the series was released on August 7, 2020.[12] The second trailer was released in August 20 and revealed that the series would premiere on September 18.[13] On September 4, the premiere was postponed by a week after filming was halted at the end of August.[14]

Ratings

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Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Nationwide average
audience share[15]
1 September 25, 2020 1.510%
2 September 26, 2020 1.438%
3 October 9, 2020 1.612%
4 October 10, 2020 1.611%
5 October 16, 2020 1.336%
6 October 17, 2020 1.572%
7 October 23, 2020 1.318%
8 October 24, 2020 1.131%
9 October 30, 2020 1.442%
10 October 31, 2020 1.529%
11 November 6, 2020 1.499%
12 November 7, 2020 1.412%
13 November 13, 2020 1.448%
14 November 14, 2020 1.311%
15 November 27, 2020 1.324%
16 November 28, 2020 1.260%
Average 1.422%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This drama aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).

Notes

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  1. ^ The Korean title can also be translated to Kyung Woo's Soo, after the two main characters' names.

References

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  1. ^ Kim, Myung-mi (September 4, 2020). "JTBC 측 "'사생활' '18 어게인' 촬영 재개, 편성 논의 중"(종합)". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  2. ^ Son, Bong-seok (February 18, 2020). "배우 신예은 '친구에서 연인이 되는 경우의 수' 여주인공 배역 제안 받아". Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. ^ Choi, Na-young (February 18, 2020). "After "At Eighteen", Ong Seong Wu continues to star in new JTBC romantic drama". Osen. V Live. Retrieved August 7, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Jung, Ga-young (February 18, 2020). "[단독] 신예은, '경우의 수'로 열일 행보 잇는다…옹성우와 '첫사랑 호흡'". Sports World (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  5. ^ Han, Hye-sun (February 18, 2020). "옹성우 측 "'경우의 수' 출연 제안 받고 긍정 검토 중"(공식)". Star News (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  6. ^ Kwon, Mi-sung (February 18, 2020). "신예은 소속사 측 "드라마 '친구에서 연인이 되는 경우의 수' 긍정 검토中"". Top Star News (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  7. ^ "Kim Dong-jun Confirms Appearance in JTBC's "From Friend to Lover"". HanCinema. March 26, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  8. ^ "Ong Seong-wu, Shin Ye-eun and Kim Dong-jun Confirm "From Friend to Lover"". HanCinema. April 9, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  9. ^ Kim, Eun-jung (June 12, 2020). "옹성우, 자연광에서 더 빛나는 수려한 외모". TV Report (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  10. ^ Lee, Kyung-ho (June 26, 2020). "김동준, '경우의 수' 제주도 촬영 출발~ "출장 느낌" [영상]". Star News (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  11. ^ Kim, Mi-hwa (August 20, 2020). "[단독]김희정, 김원해 접촉→코로나19 검사..'경우의 수' 촬영 중단". Star News (in Korean). Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  12. ^ Yeon, Hwi-sun (August 7, 2020). "Ong Seong Wu and Shin Ye Eun melt fans with sweet moments in "Number of Cases" first trailer". Osen. V Live. Retrieved August 7, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ Kim, Han-na (August 21, 2020). "'경우의 수', 신예은에 백마 탄 왕자 김동준 등장...옹성우, 질투 폭발?". Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  14. ^ Shin, Ji-won (September 4, 2020). "'경우의 수' 옹성우X신예은 설레는 눈맞춤, '우수커플' 2차 포스터 공개". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  15. ^ "Nielsen Korea". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Retrieved September 25, 2020.
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