Romantic Anonymous netflix drama

Han Hyo-joo, one of South Korea's top actresses, is garnering significant attention as the lead in the 8-episode Japanese Netflix series Romantic Anonymous. The drama has generated considerable buzz even before its release, as it pairs her with renowned Japanese actor Oguri Shun. Her past appearances on Korean variety shows, where she demonstrated her fluent Japanese skills, are being revisited. Her ability to carry natural conversations with native speakers, rather than just listing words, gives a glimpse into the immense effort she must have dedicated to this role. A Korean actor taking a leading role in a Japanese drama and performing in the local language is a significant challenge and a symbolic event showcasing the elevated status of K-content.

Along with this casting news, an interesting point of comparison that has recently resurfaced is the pay gap for actors in Korea and Japan. According to reports from Japanese media, there is a structural limit that makes it difficult for even top-tier Japanese actors to earn above a certain amount per episode. In contrast, Korea has formed a market where star actors can receive enormous sums, sometimes amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode. This disparity has led some Japanese actors to express sentiments seemingly envious of the Korean system in interviews. It is a clear example of the structural differences in the content industries of both countries, their market sizes, and their different ways of acknowledging star power.

The background for this pay gap lies in the explosive global growth of Korean dramas, or K-dramas. Just a decade ago, the Asian market was predominantly led by Japanese dramas, but the situation has now completely reversed. Riding on global OTT platforms like Netflix, K-content has built a fandom not only in East Asia but also in the Americas, Europe, and South America, leading to a dramatic rise in its status. Naturally, the value of Korean actors has also skyrocketed, which in turn has led to an increase in production costs. For those who remember the glory days of Japanese dramas, the current situation must truly feel like a world of change.

This shift in the status of K-content has also brought changes to the way Korean actors expand overseas. In the past, it was often about challenging the local market; now, there are increasing cases where they confidently secure leading roles as global stars. Actress Shim Eun-kyung entered the Japanese market early on and was fully recognized for her acting skills, winning Best Actress at the Japan Academy Prize for her role in the movie The Journalist. Following such successful precedents, the news that Han Hyo-joo, already firmly established as a top-tier actress in Korea, would star in a Japanese drama was surprising enough. This is interpreted as more than just one actor's entry into Japan; it is a signal heralding a new flow of cultural exchange between the two nations.

What's fascinating is that this trend isn't limited to just actors. The soaring production costs for dramas in Korea in recent years have forced production companies to seek new avenues. One of the alternatives that has emerged is Japan. A new trend is developing where Korean production companies directly produce dramas in Japan, which has relatively lower production costs but boasts a solid infrastructure and domestic market. Romantic Anonymous itself was produced by 'Yong Film,' a famous Korean film production company. This is seen as a strategic move to reduce production costs while simultaneously targeting the Japanese market directly through localization, and further aiming for the global market.

Romantic Anonymous is based on a solid original work. The original title is the French novel Les Émotifs anonymes (Anonymous Romantics), which was adapted into a French film of the same name in 2010 and received much love. This film was proven for both its artistic quality and popular appeal, winning the Audience Award at the 2011 French Film Festival. Based on this already-proven success story, expectations are high for the synergy that will be created when Korean planning meets Japanese local sensibilities. In Korea, the first two episodes were pre-screened in the 'On Screen' section of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience.

At the center of the drama are two protagonists who are charming but have critical weaknesses. First, 'Fujiwara Sosuke,' played by top Japanese actor Oguri Shun, is the heir to a historic confectionery company. However, due to past trauma, he suffers from mysophobia, extremely avoiding skin contact with others. His sensitive and wounded inner self, hidden behind a seemingly perfect appearance and specs, adds depth to the character and sparks curiosity about how he will overcome this trauma.

'Lee Ha-na,' played by Han Hyo-joo, is a person who suffers from an opposite affliction. She is a chocolatier with a genius-level talent for chocolate that is second to none. However, she lives a reclusive life, cut off from the world due to a crippling social anxiety, especially her inability to make eye contact with others. Her talent was coincidentally discovered by the owner of the chocolate shop 'Le Sauveur,' allowing her to continue her craft by secretly making chocolates and delivering them covertly.

The fateful meeting of these two begins with one unexpected event. The owner of 'Le Sauveur,' who was Ha-na's only connection to the world, suddenly passes away, putting her in danger of being forced back out into the world. Meanwhile, 'Sosuke' takes over the shop as the new CEO to continue the family business. Ha-na, having lost her job, happens to visit 'Le Sauveur' and applies for a job, thinking they are hiring for a hall staff position (when they were actually looking for a chocolatier). Sosuke, who desperately needed staff, hastily hires her.

Following their dramatic first meeting, the drama is expected to portray the process of the two healing each other's wounds. A scene where they accidentally fall and end up holding hands is a pivotal moment in the drama. Sosuke, who extremely avoids contact with others, and Ha-na, who cannot meet others' gaze, strangely don't seem to have their respective weaknesses triggered by each other. Like the title, Romantic Anonymous, it is anticipated to be a warm depiction of two people, unable to express their feelings to the world, becoming each other's sole remedy and nurturing a sweet love. Furthermore, actor Song Joong-ki is confirmed for a special appearance, further heightening anticipation from drama fans.