Will the 17.5% Hit Phenomenon Emerge? ‘Spooky in Love’ Launches Simultaneously on tvN and Netflix

Will tvN’s highly anticipated new drama carry on the baton of success from its predecessor, which recorded a peak viewership rating of 17.5%?

tvN’s upcoming Saturday-Sunday drama “Spooky in Love” has finally unveiled itself ahead of its highly anticipated premiere. Starring Park Eun Bin—who became a household name through the global hit Extraordinary Attorney Woo—the series premieres on the 18th at 9:10 PM. “Spooky in Love” is an occult romantic comedy that follows a chaebol heiress who can see ghosts and a passionate prosecutor who is absolutely terrified of them.

While based on the movie of the same name, the drama adaptation introduces fresh characters and settings not present in the original. With a stellar main cast featuring Park Eun Bin, Yang Se Jong, and Ong Seong Wu, public attention is focused on this unique genre mashup that combines romance, horror, and crime investigation.

Park Eun Bin’s New Face: The Heiress Who Sees Ghosts

Park Eun Bin steps into the shoes of Cheon Yeo-ri, the head of the Reina Hotel and a wealthy chaebol heiress.

On the surface, Cheon Yeo-ri has it all: wealth, honor, beauty, and talent. However, she harbors a dark secret—she can see and hear ghosts. To make matters worse, physical contact is her biggest curse; anyone she touches is temporarily granted the ability to see ghosts as well.

Because of this, she builds emotional walls and isolates herself from ordinary relationships. While the world sees her as a cold, flawless hotel CEO, she secretly endures a lonely life, using her curse to soothe the grievances of the deceased.

“I found the gap between her persona as a hotel CEO and the vulnerable side she must hide from others to be deeply appealing,” Park Eun Bin stated. “I was drawn to her resilience in overcoming an isolated life, despite her deep desire to live normally.”

Park Eun Bin, known for her incredible character transformations in Hot Stove League, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Castaway Diva, and Hyperknife, is expected to bring a brand-new charm to this occult romantic comedy.

Yang Se jong’s Unexpected Character: A Prosecutor Afraid of Ghosts

Yang Se Jong transforms into Ma Kang-wook, a star prosecutor at the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office.

Ma Kang-wook is a passionate, uncompromising prosecutor who remains unwavering despite political pressure. He is a tenacious investigator who tracks down suspects to the very end. However, he has one fatal flaw: he is more afraid of ghosts than anything else in the world.

This premise serves as the core comedic and romantic engine of Spooky in Love. As a woman who sees ghosts and a man who fears them join forces to solve crimes, their relationship takes an unpredictable turn.

Regarding his character, Yang Se Jong shared:

“I found it intriguing to see how the bond between Cheon Yeo-ri and Ma Kang-wook evolves as they help each other overcome their respective traumas.”

Yang Se Jong, who has previously showcased his romantic flair in Temperature of Love, Still 17, and Doona!, is set to display a new side of his acting within this horror-comedy-mystery hybrid.

An Occult Romance That Begins with a Touch

The teasers for Spooky in Love heavily highlight the unique, high-stakes relationship between the two leads. Knowing that her touch brings paranormal chaos, Cheon Yeo-ri chooses self-isolation, vowing, “I will never be able to hold anyone’s hand again.”

However, her resolve wavers when she meets Ma Kang-wook. Desperate for her help with a complex investigation, Kang-wook persistently intrudes into her life, pleading, “Just give me your hand.”

Their initial dynamic is filled with bickering rather than sweet romance. After an accidental high-five, Kang-wook bluntly says, “You’re not my type,” to which Yeo-ri retorts, “I’m not curious about your style.” This hilarious “zero confessions, one rejection” dynamic sets a refreshing tone for the romantic comedy.

Furthermore, the trailers have already piqued curiosity with a shocking scene showing the two waking up in the same bed, leaving viewers eager to discover how their ghost-entangled relationship develops.

The Voice of the Dead Meets Public Authority

Spooky in Love goes beyond the tropes of a traditional romance by introducing a captivating investigative element.

Cheon Yeo-ri listens to the stories of the deceased to gather supernatural clues, while Ma Kang-wook uses public authority and legal expertise to chase down the culprits in the real world. This collaboration between spiritual power and the justice system creates incredible narrative tension.

The psychological battle between the two also anchors the drama. While Yeo-ri’s ability is the key to solving cold cases, it is also the secret she desperately wants to hide. Park Eun Bin noted that the core focus of the series is “the emotional growth and internal changes the characters undergo as they clash and face each other.”

Ong Seong Wu’s First Villain Role: A Key Factor for Success

To differentiate itself from the original movie, Spooky in Love introduces brand-new characters, most notably played by Ong Seong Wu.

Taking on his first-ever villain role, Ong Seong Wu plays Kang Min-hwan, a dangerous man who hides a ruthless ambition behind a gentle smile. Driven by a burning desire for recognition from his parents and his company, he stops at nothing to get what he wants, masterfully manipulating the emotions of those around him.

“Given the immense popularity of the original film, I had high expectations for the remake,” Ong Seong Wu shared. “I felt that the character of Kang Min-hwan, who is entirely new to this adaptation, would inject a fresh layer of tension into the storyline.”

Conclusion: Will It Be the Next Big K-Drama Hit?

Ultimately, the success of Spooky in Love rests on three pillars: Park Eun Bin’s character immersion, her romantic chemistry with Yang Se Jong, and how seamlessly the production blends occult horror with crime drama.

As it prepares for a simultaneous release on tvN and Netflix, anticipation is sky-high. Will Spooky in Love replicate the 17.5% viewership magic of its predecessor and dominate the global K-drama market in the second half of the year?

Find out when “Spooky in Love” airs its first episode on the 18th at 9:10 PM KST.