Ji Chang-wook's Korea-Japan Drama 'Merry Berry Love' to Premiere in October

The Korean‑Japanese co‑produced romance series "Merry Berry Love" will debut in October, streaming worldwide on Disney+ and airing on Nippon TV in Japan. It marks the first joint drama between South Korea's CJ ENM and Japan's Nippon TV. The eight‑episode series stars Ji Chang‑wook as Lee Yu‑bin, a Korean space planner who loses everything overnight, and Mio Imada as Karin Shirahama, a Japanese strawberry farmer. Their chance meeting on Japan’s Chairo Island sets the stage for a cross‑cultural love story. Supporting cast includes Nam Yoon‑su as Park Gu‑nam, Rinka Kumada as tarot‑reading friend Mari Mizuno, and Rinka Kumada. Ji Chang‑wook said he had long wanted to work on a Japan collaboration and is excited about the bright, cheerful project. The drama is part of a broader wave of multinational productions as Korean studios seek new audiences beyond domestic markets.

The series reflects growing industry trends toward cross‑border partnerships, combining talent, financing, and distribution platforms to reach global viewers.