Red Velvet’s Joy is preparing to return to the small screen with a new romantic drama, and the first look at the cast’s script reading has offered fans a glimpse of the chemistry behind the upcoming series.
Titled “One-of-a-Kind Romance,” the drama brings together Joy, Kim Hyun Jin, Shin Hyun Soo, and Kang Na Eon for a story that combines celebrity life, ordinary struggles, unexpected connections, and romance.
Based on a popular webtoon, the series follows Gong Yu Il, an ordinary woman searching for a job whose life changes dramatically after she unexpectedly becomes the manager of top star Tak Mu I.
Their relationship becomes even more meaningful when Yu Il discovers that Mu I is connected to a novel she wrote years earlier.
The story gradually develops into a romance between two people whose lives appear completely different on the surface.
The recently revealed script-reading photos show director Kim Jin Young, writer Jeon Hyun Mi, and the main cast coming together to bring their characters to life.
The actors reportedly demonstrated different sides of their characters during the reading, giving viewers an early indication of the relationships and tensions that will shape the drama.
For Joy, the project marks an especially notable return to acting.
She will portray Yu Il, a positive and resilient woman who continues moving forward despite difficulties in both her career and romantic life.
The drama is scheduled to premiere on November 9, 2026.
Joy and Kim Hyun Jin Bring Their Characters to Life
Joy transforms into Gong Yu Il, a job seeker who maintains her optimism despite repeatedly facing setbacks.
She works various part-time jobs while continuing to attend job interviews, hoping to build the ordinary life she has always wanted.
During the script reading, Joy reportedly conveyed Yu Il’s personality through subtle changes in her voice, posture, and expressions.
These details helped capture the character’s determination as well as her warmth and approachable personality.
Kim Hyun Jin takes on the role of Tak Mu I, a highly successful star whose confident public image hides the emotional scars left by a stalking incident.
At the reading, he reportedly balanced the character’s playful charm with quieter, more vulnerable moments.
Mu I’s connection to Yu Il forms the central romance of the story.
He discovers that she is the author of a novel that helped him during a difficult period in his life, creating an unusual connection between the seemingly ordinary job seeker and the famous star.
The drama’s premise was previously described as a “mutual fan romance,” with Yu Il and Mu I gradually discovering how deeply their lives have already intersected.
Shin Hyun Soo and Kang Na Eon Add New Layers to the Romance
Shin Hyun Soo plays Kang Hee Soo, a famous chef known for his warm smile, gentle personality, and impressive culinary skills.
However, beneath his friendly exterior is a more mysterious side.
His character is expected to introduce another dynamic into Yu Il’s story as she begins working at his restaurant.
Kang Na Eon portrays Joo Da Hong, a successful actress with a lively and straightforward personality.
She is also a devoted admirer of Tak Mu I and has maintained a special connection with him since their childhood acting days.
Da Hong’s feelings for Mu I eventually put her in an inadvertent rivalry with Yu Il, adding another source of tension to the central romance.
Her energetic personality is expected to bring a contrasting tone to the quieter emotional moments between the main characters.
With Joy returning to acting alongside Kim Hyun Jin, Shin Hyun Soo, and Kang Na Eon, “One-of-a-Kind Romance” is shaping up to be a romance centered on unexpected connections and the complicated lives behind celebrity fame.
The drama will premiere on November 9, 2026, giving viewers a new romantic story to look forward to later this year.
