Why Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah Didn't Appear as Lovers in Our Blues?

K-Drama stars, Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah have been dating for seven years, but surprisingly they did not play as a couple in the latest K-Drama offering, "Our Blues", a rural romantic drama currently aired in South Korean television. 

And many are left wondering why. How did it happen? 

The reason was explained by "Our Blues" writer, Noh Hee-kyung. "I knew they would not accept the project if they were cast as a couple". 

Noh and the production team respected Woo-bin and Min-ah's wish to keep their relationship private, hoping no producers will exploit their real-life romance by casting them as a couple in any drama.

Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah

The two have been extremely private about their relationship, keeping it separate from their professional career, this is the primary reason why they did not appear as romantic partners in "Our Blues". 

Shin Min-ah

Kim Woo-bin

Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah met in 2015 when they collaborated on a fashion shoot for the Giordano brand. Shortly after, they became an item. Our Blues is Woo-bin's first acting job in six years after his last appearance in "Uncontrollably Fond" with Bae Suzy. 

Shin Min-ah in Hometown Cha-cha-cha

Shin Min-ah also stopped acting for two years to take care of Kim Woo-bin while he was undergoing treatment for his bout of nasopharyngeal cancer. She last appeared in "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha", a commercial K-drama hit in 2021.

Shin Min-ah and Lee Byung-hun

So you could feel how much they wanted to protect their relationship to keep it private after passing through difficult times. In "Our Blues" Kim Woo-bin's love interest is Han Jin-min while Shin Min-ah's partner is Lee Byung hun. 

Our Blues promotional poster

Our Blues plot:

Our Blues is a rural romantic drama set against the backdrop of the stunning Jeju island, of the most beautiful island destinations in South Korea. 

It chronicles the lives of different characters living on the island, but each component differs from the other, which means, the drama is told in an omnibus format, which is very rare in a K-drama series. But more importantly, it is a light romance drama.

Han Ji-min and Lee Byung-hun

Dong-seok (played by Lee Byung-hun), a truck merchant who was born in Jeju island, and Min Seon-ah (played by Shin Min-ah) a single parent with a child who came to Jeju island to work.

Park Jeong-joon (played by Kim Woo-bin), a captain with a warm nature who falls in love with Lee Young-ok (played by Han Ji-min), a first-year Haenyeo, which refers to female divers in Jeju island.

Then there's a love triangle between Choi Han-soo, portrayed by Cha Seung-won, who returns to Jeju island with a secret, Go Mi-ran played by Uhm Jung-hwa, and Jeong Eun-hee played by Lee Jung-eun, the owner of a fish store in the island.

The beautiful island of Jeju-do in South Korea

Crate-pocked Jeju Island, known locally as Jejudo, is South Korea's largest island, and the premier holiday destination in the country. Its appealing landscape, draping off South Korea's Southern province continues to stun tourists especially during summer and spring. 

green tea fields in Jeju island

The island is surrounded by volcanic crags, beaches, scenic countryside, green tea fields, and tropical scenery, making it a spectacular tourist destination. 

"Our Blues" will showcase this stunning side of a country living in Jeju island, which makes this drama an exciting series to watch.

It premiered on April 9, 2022 in tvN and available for streaming in NetFlix.