Premiere Watch: Lovephobia
by stroopwafel
Time slot: Thursday & Friday
Broadcaster: LG U+
Genre: Rom-com
Episode count: 8
Global streamer: Viu
Reasons to watch: Can virtual romance substitute for the real thing? LG U+’s new drama is diving headfirst into that question with their new drama Lovephobia. Starring Yeonwoo and Kim Hyun-jin, Jo Yoon-seo and Choi Byung-chan join as second leads.
Yeonwoo is the co-founder of an AI dating app that offers its users a chance at love without any of the pesky complications that come with trying to date actual people (rejections, heartbreak, and so on). Due to a traumatic experience that has left her unable to interact comfortably with most people, Yeonwoo worked with best friend Jo Yoon-seo to create a way for people to find romance virtually.
Kim Hyun-jin is on the opposite side of the spectrum, and a total romantic to his core. He’s successfully channeled this worldview into a writing career, and after becoming a best-selling romance novelist, the co-founders of a certain app come calling for a collaboration. Despite having different mindsets, our leads end up realizing that, though they weren’t looking for love, their hearts have something else in mind for them.
I’ve been seeing articles about the rise of ChatGPT-fueled romances lately, so an AI app doesn’t feel far off in terms of what the tech can offer. While I’m very skeptical of the merits of these actual AI partners, I’m intrigued about a dramaland take on the concept. One thing that I appreciate about dramas is how they always manage to bring us back to very human feelings. The desire to love and be loved is a universal one, so this could be a fun, light take on a modern issue.
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