The long-awaited reveal of Yumi’s Cells 3’s final male lead has sparked massive online buzz, with Korean netizens doing a complete 180 on their initial reactions.
The hit tvN K-Drama, based on the popular webtoon, follows heroine Yumi through her journey of love and self-discovery. Fans have been anticipating the appearance of her “endgame” love interest, Shin Soon-rok, ever since the second season concluded in 2022. Rookie actor Jeung-hoon briefly portrayed the character, but viewers speculated endlessly about who would officially take on the role in the final chapter.
Now it’s been confirmed: 24-year-old Kim Jae-won will play Shin Soon-rok. The rising star, who earned recognition for his role in King the Land (2023), is already generating buzz thanks to his 187cm height, sharp visuals, and striking resemblance to the webtoon illustrations.
While some fans initially hoped for actors like Gong Myung (Be Melodramatic), many have now embraced Kim Jae-won as the perfect match for Yumi, played by Kim Go-eun. In the webtoon, Shin Soon-rok is three years younger than Yumi — and in real life, Kim Jae-won and Kim Go-eun share a 10-year age gap, which fans say adds intriguing chemistry.
This newfound enthusiasm is a sharp contrast to earlier in the year, when Kim Jae-won’s casting drew skepticism. At the time, many netizens dismissed him as too inexperienced or unknown for such a pivotal role. But opinions shifted dramatically after Kim Jae-won’s recent appearance in Netflix’s You and Everything Else. While the series struggled internationally, Korean audiences praised his portrayal of Cheon Sang-hak, with some admitting they were “won over” by his performance.
With expectations now soaring, Kim Jae-won’s upcoming role in Yumi’s Cells 3 could mark the true turning point of his career — and finally give fans the Shin Soon-rok they’ve been waiting years to see.
Sources: Koreaboo
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