JOURNAL 2

I Love Yoo is adapted into a Netflix series and becomes one of the platform’s highest-budget original productions. Thanks to the webtoon’s immense popularity and a storyline beloved by a wide audience, the series quickly rises to become one of the most-watched shows on Netflix. Some even predict that it will become an iconic series in the years to come.

The adaptation remains faithful to the original plot, with only minor modifications. Overall, longtime readers are satisfied with how the story is carefully crafted and brought to life on screen.

I take on the role of Shin-Ae Yoo after successfully passing the audition. My co-stars portray Nolan and Kousuke, and together we become an iconic trio. As the series gains worldwide recognition, I achieve international fame. My acting skills—and my identity as an actress—become constant topics of discussion. I grow so well-known that people instantly recognize me wherever I go.

Portraying another character comes naturally to me. I know Shin-Ae by heart, and I embody her effortlessly, as if I have truly become her.

I still can’t believe it sometimes. I Love Yoo has been adapted into a Netflix series — and not just any series, but one of the platform’s biggest original productions. When the news first broke, everything felt surreal. The webtoon that I’ve cherished for so long is now alive on screen.

The show quickly becomes one of the most watched on Netflix. People everywhere are talking about it. Some even say it might become an iconic series in the future. Seeing how much love it receives makes my heart full.

The production team stays loyal to the original story, with only a few small changes. As a longtime reader, that means everything to me. It feels like they truly respect the heart of the story.

And somehow… I’m Shin-Ae.

I still remember the day I passed the audition. My hands were shaking. Now I stand beside the actors who play Nolan and Kousuke, and together we’re called an iconic trio. Sometimes, when I look at them during filming, I forget that we’re acting. It feels real.

As the series gains popularity around the world, my life changes completely. People recognize me wherever I go. My acting is constantly discussed online. It’s overwhelming at times, but also deeply humbling.

Playing Shin-Ae feels natural to me. I’ve known her for years. I understand her pain, her strength, her quiet resilience. When the cameras start rolling, I don’t feel like I’m pretending. I feel like I’m simply living as her.

Some nights, I lie in bed and wonder how all of this happened. But maybe… some dreams really do come true.

I passed the audition purely because of my acting skills. I know I don’t physically resemble the Shin-Ae Yoo that existed in the author’s imagination. I’m not a perfect visual copy of her — and I’m aware of that.

But I was chosen anyway.

The director, the screenwriter, and even Quimchee herself saw something in me. They didn’t just see an actress. They saw their Shin-Ae. The one who could breathe life into her. The one who could carry her emotions, her wounds, her quiet strength. They believed I could make it feel as though Shin-Ae wasn’t just a character — but another soul living inside me.

I still remember the conversation I had with Quimchee. She told me she trusted me. She said she believed in my ability to bring her Shin-Ae to life. Hearing that from the very person who created her… it meant more than I can explain.

It was comforting. Reassuring. Almost grounding.

Knowing that the author I’ve admired for so long placed her faith in me gave me the courage I needed. Whenever doubt creeps in, I remind myself of her words.

If she believes I can be Shin-Ae… then I will be.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Netflix series I Love Yoo.

Through this project, I formed meaningful friendships with the other actors in the series. They come from different countries, speak different languages, and represent diverse cultural backgrounds. This cultural diversity has significantly broadened my perspective and enriched my personal and professional growth.

I became particularly close to the actor who plays Nolan. He is from Ireland and a natural redhead, bearing a striking resemblance to Nolan in the original webtoon. It is amusing how closely he matches the character’s appearance, while I, in contrast, do not physically resemble Shin-Ae as she was originally illustrated.

Some people even say that I am “too pretty” to portray Shin-Ae, comparing my appearance to renowned Korean actresses or K-pop idols. While I take it as a compliment, I believe that embodying a character goes far beyond physical resemblance.

Kousuke is portrayed by a Canadian-Japanese actor. Before this series, the three of us had relatively limited fame. However, after the show achieved overwhelming global popularity, we gained international recognition and began receiving numerous acting offers from around the world.

With the global success of the series, we pave the way for the title of “international actors.” The setting of the story is entirely fictional, taking place in a country called the “United States of Asia.”

As a Vietnamese actress, I do not confine myself to one country or industry. Although my primary working language is English — which means I often act in English-speaking films and television series — I am open to performing in productions of other languages as well. I see myself as an actress without borders, willing to take on diverse roles across different cultures and industries.