How would you feel if we told you that there is an app that helps you find true love? Enter Love Alarm (좋아하면 울리는).
Based on the webtoon series of the same name, the storyline delves into a world where the “Love Alarm” app notifies the user of a potential love interest within a 10m radius. Imagine a world where no one can hide their feelings. Does that seem appealing to you?
Here are 7 fun facts about the 8-episode series on Netflix:
1. The inspiration behind “Love Alarm”
Comic book legend Chon Kye-young (천계영) is famed for the publications of “Unplugged Boy” (1997) and “Audition” (1998). According to the 48-year-old, “Love Alarm” is set in a technology transforming world, “where a new invention is introduced that can turn invisible things like feelings into something visible just like X-rays or microscopes”.
The story came to fruition when the question “How would humans adapt to a world where romantic feelings are made visible and how would that change the way we love?” first popped up.
2. Creating an actual app for “Love Alarm”
“We invested a lot of time and effort in creating an app that actually works collaborating with app development specialists, designers, and sound designers so that the audience can immerse themselves in the story watching the characters feeling various emotions looking at the screen of the Love Alarm app. Author Chon Kye-young participated in this process to personally contribute to the overall concept and design of the app. In addition to the app, we also decided to present various emotions related to Love Alarm by using computer graphics to visually create the app’s ring on the ground—beyond the small phone screens—in critical moments that are related to the app,” said director Lee Na-jeong.
She added, “Our aim for the design of the app was to ensure that the app doesn’t look too
technical or fake. And we were also cautious not to make the app look too feminine as the
app is used by men as well and they also need to feel real emotions looking at the app—so
we made sure that the design of the app feels romantic for both men and women.”
P/s: The app is only available for download for Android users.
3. Meet the cast
The 3 main leads are played by:
- Kim So-hyun (김소현) as Kim Jojo – a girl who hides her feelings under the surface of a lively girl.
- Jung Ga-ram (정가람) as Lee Hye-young – Sun-oh’s buddy who’s willing to give up his first love for his friend.
- Song Kang (송강) as Hwang Sun-oh – falls in love with Jojo at first sight.
The supporting cast include:
- Shin Seung-ho as Il-sik – a Judo student who also likes Jojo.
- Go Min-si as Park Gool-mi
- Lee Jae-eung as Cheong Duk Gu – developer of the love app.
- Song Geon-hee as Marx – an idol star.
4. Ahn Hyo Seop was initially offered one of the male leads
Ahn Hyo Seop (안효섭) was originally set to serenade So-hyun’s Jojo in “Love Alarm”. For reasons undisclosed, he turned down the offer. The 24-year-old South Korean actor and singer (who is from the K-pop group One o One) was recently seen in tvN’s fantasy-romance series titled “Abyss” (어비스).
Who do you think he could’ve played?
5. Love triangle: team Hye-young vs team Sun-oh
Much like “Twilight” where everyone either sided with team Edward or team Jacob, Kdrama fans will probably be split between the 2 men vying for Jojo’s heart. Hye-young has long develop feelings for Jojo, but when his bestie Sun-oh professes his love for the leading lady, Hye-young takes a step back. How gentleman of him…
6. Will there be a season 2?
“If season 1 is well-received, we’ll produce season 2. So, season 2 really depends on how
well season 1 does. For slightly over half of season 1, you’ll get to see the high school years of the characters, followed by the adult years in the later part of the season where we get to ask ‘What’s Jojo’s choice?’ when she grows up,” Na-jeong told us.
She continued, “This is my first time directing the end of a season. Usually for Korean TV series, once you’re done with the series, you’re done for good, but for this Original Series, we had to make the ending in a way that makes the audience want to watch the next season. So, this season will end with the question about Jojo’s choice. You’ll get to see the characters in their adult years as well. Of course, you’ll see Sun-oh, Hye-young, and Jojo in their school uniforms, but you’ll also see a lot of them in their adult years.”
7. Experience the “Love Alarm” attractions in Seoul
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We kid you not! In conjunction with the debut of “Love Alarm”, Netflix has organised an attraction event with various zones inspired by the series. For those curious, it is located near to Seokchon Lake behind the Lotte World Tower.
- Date: Now till 1st September 2019 (Sunday)
- Time: 4pm – 10pm
- Entrance fee: Free!
“Love Alarm” is now streaming on Netflix.
