Joy, Choo Young-woo, and Baek Sung-chul in KakaoTV’s Unexpected Country Diary

by solstices

If you’re looking for a feel-good drama to tide you through the summer heat, this looks like it may be the one for you. KakaoTV’s upcoming romantic comedy Unexpected Country Diary has released its first stills, featuring Red Velvet’s Joy (The One and Only), Choo Young-woo (School 2021), and Baek Sung-chul (Inspector Koo).

Choo Young-woo plays Han Ji-yul, a veterinarian who resides in Seoul. One day, he receives a phone call from his grandfather, who beckons him to the village of Huidong. Ji-yul thinks it’s just a one-off visit, which means he’s taken aback when he realizes that his grandfather has just set off for a half-year trip around Europe.

That means Ji-yul has to take over his grandfather’s veterinary clinic in his absence, thus marking the start of his new life in Huidong Village. For a Seoulite like Ji-yul, who’s used to only looking out for himself, the warm and affable village community is a 180-degree change. Flustered by the inquisitive villagers and their attempts to befriend him, Ji-yul simply can’t wait to escape the village.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. Ji-yul soon crosses paths with police officer Ahn Ja-young (played by Joy), who has lots of love for the village that’s her hometown. Whenever a villager is in need of a helping hand, Ja-young’s always the first one on the scene with her jack-of-all-trades skills.

Fumbling newcomer Ji-yul finds himself struggling to adapt to the countryside, which is where Ja-young comes into the picture. As she helps him out of sticky situations and guides him through village life, the pair start to spend more time together, and before long they’re catching feelings for each other.

Last but not least, there’s fellow villager Lee Sang-hyun, played by Baek Sung-chul. He’s Ja-young’s best friend, and he’s described as a young and handsome agriculturalist. With his bright energy and refreshing visuals, Sang-hyun is the perfect candidate to revitalize the village and carry on his father’s peach farming legacy.

Directed by Kwon Seok-jang (Bossam: Steal the Fate, Buam-dong Revenge Club) and written by newcomer Baek Eun-kyung, Unexpected Country Diary is based on a web novel by Park Ha-min. The drama is slated for a September 5th premiere, and will air on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays for 12 episodes.