Wild Romance
Wild Romance is a hilarious and heartfelt K-Drama that brings together romance, sports, and action in the most unexpected way. The story follows Park Moo Yeol (played by the charismatic Lee Dong Wook), a star right fielder for a professional baseball team, who ends up in a public scuffle with Yoo Eun Jae (portrayed by the dynamic Lee Si Young), a passionate judo-trained bodyguard and a die-hard fan of a rival team. When the incident causes a media frenzy, Moo Yeol is forced to hire Eun Jae as his personal bodyguard—sparking a love-hate relationship full of tension and comedy. Despite their clashing personalities and constant bickering, the duo slowly begins to open up to one another. As Moo Yeol deals with fame, public scrutiny, and hidden traumas from the past, Eun Jae becomes an unexpected source of support. Their relationship evolves from professional annoyance to genuine affection, giving rise to a slow-burn romance that’s both awkward and endearing. Supporting the main cast are vibrant characters such as Kang Jong Hee (played by Jessica Jung), Moo Yeol’s mysterious ex-girlfriend, whose reappearance complicates everything, and Jin Dong Soo (Oh Man Suk), a former athlete who adds both wisdom and emotional depth. The drama cleverly balances comedy with suspense as a stalker subplot emerges, threatening Moo Yeol’s safety and adding a layer of mystery to the love story. Wild Romance stands out as a unique romantic comedy K-Drama with action-packed moments, emotional surprises, and unforgettable character chemistry. With a strong cast, witty dialogue, and unexpected plot twists, it’s a must-watch for fans of sports dramas, bodyguard love stories, and enemies-to-lovers dynamics. Whether you're into baseball or just love a good rom-com, Wild Romance will keep you cheering for love until the final inning.
Details
🙂 Native Title: 난폭한 로맨스
🌎 Also Known As: Aggressive Romance, Nanpokhan Romaenseu
🎭 Genres: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Sports
🏷 Tags: Baseball Player ⚾, Bodyguard 💼, Enemies to Lovers ❤️🔥, Bickering Couple 😤💘, Stalker Subplot 🔍
✍ Screenwriters: Park Yeon Seon
🎬 Directors: Bae Kyung Soo
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 16
🗓️ Aired: January 4, 2012 – February 23, 2012
📅 Airing Days: Wednesday & Thursday
📺 Original Network: KBS2
⏰ Duration: 60 minutes
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older
Best Scenes
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Baseball Stadium Fight Scene
The hilarious and chaotic public brawl between Yoo Eun Jae and Park Moo Yeol at the stadium sets the stage for their fiery relationship. -
First Day as a Bodyguard
Eun Jae’s awkward but determined start protecting Moo Yeol gives viewers comedy gold and sparks their classic enemies-to-lovers tension. -
Rainy Night Confession
One of the drama’s most emotional scenes where Moo Yeol opens up to Eun Jae during a vulnerable, rain-soaked moment of honesty and closeness. -
Jessica Jung’s Appearance as Kang Jong Hee
The dramatic return of Moo Yeol’s ex adds emotional complexity and tension, especially in confrontations with Eun Jae. -
The Stalker Reveal Scene
A plot-twisting moment that shifts the series from light-hearted comedy to suspense, surprising viewers with its darker edge.
Filming Locations
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Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Seoul
Used for multiple game scenes and public events, enhancing the realism of Moo Yeol’s professional baseball career. -
Seoul City Streets
Street scenes with fast-paced chases and character banter were filmed in bustling urban areas, reflecting real Korean city life. -
Luxury Apartment Sets
Moo Yeol’s modern bachelor pad provides a slick, high-end look and mirrors his celebrity lifestyle. -
Bodyguard Training Gym Set
The gym setting highlights Eun Jae’s strength and judo skills, grounding her tough yet relatable character. -
Café and Restaurant Backdrops
Cozy cafes were used for pivotal one-on-one scenes, offering intimate settings for relationship development.
Visual Design and Costumes
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Sporty and Casual Fashion
Lee Si Young’s character Eun Jae wears athletic gear and sporty jackets, reflecting her active and bold personality. -
Celebrity Styling for Moo Yeol
Lee Dong Wook’s stylish casual wear mirrors his image as a national baseball star with fame and charisma. -
Monochrome Color Schemes
Moo Yeol’s wardrobe often features blacks and greys to emphasize his cool, guarded exterior. -
Pop of Color in Eun Jae’s Outfits
Her colorful hoodies and bold sneakers bring visual energy and contrast to Moo Yeol’s more subdued tones. -
Costume Shift with Emotional Growth
Both characters’ clothing styles subtly evolve throughout the series, reflecting their internal transformation and growing connection.
Themes and Messages
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Opposites Attract
The drama explores how two clashing personalities can unexpectedly find common ground and emotional intimacy. -
Trust Built Over Time
Initially hostile, Moo Yeol and Eun Jae develop trust slowly—emphasizing that loyalty and love are earned, not instant. -
Love and Personal Boundaries
Through the bodyguard-client dynamic, the show explores respecting personal space and growing affection in unusual circumstances. -
Dealing with Fame and Public Pressure
Moo Yeol’s life as a celebrity athlete highlights the cost of fame, privacy invasion, and how it affects relationships. -
Healing from Past Relationships
The presence of Moo Yeol’s ex-girlfriend Jong Hee adds emotional weight, showing how old wounds can shape new connections.
Interesting Facts
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Jessica Jung’s K-Drama Return
The former Girls’ Generation member made a memorable appearance as Moo Yeol’s emotionally fragile ex-girlfriend. -
Lee Dong Wook’s First Baseball Role
Though not a real-life athlete, he trained to convincingly portray a pro baseball player. -
Judo-Trained Lead Actress
Lee Si Young is a real-life amateur boxer and delivered her stunts with minimal doubles, bringing authenticity to Eun Jae’s fight scenes. -
Genre-Bending Format
The drama starts as a rom-com but gradually incorporates suspense and mystery through the stalker subplot. -
Cult Following for its Quirky Tone
Though not a mainstream hit, Wild Romance developed a loyal fanbase who appreciated its unpredictable storyline and bold character dynamics.
Awards
The 2012 Korean drama Wild Romance received the following award nominations:
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2012 KBS Drama Awards:
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Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries: Lee Dong-wook was nominated for his portrayal of Park Moo-yeol.
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Best New Actress: Hwang Sun-hee received a nomination for her role as Oh Soo-young.
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While the series did not secure wins in these categories, these nominations highlight the recognition of the cast’s performances.
Real-Life Loves on Set
There was no confirmed real-life romance between the cast members of Wild Romance.
While Lee Dong Wook and Lee Si Young displayed great chemistry on screen as Park Moo Yeol and Yoo Eun Jae, their relationship remained strictly professional. Despite fans speculating due to their playful interactions and romantic tension in the drama, both actors did not have any romantic involvement off-screen.
No dating rumors or behind-the-scenes reports ever suggested a real-life relationship stemming from Wild Romance. Their connection was purely part of their acting performances.
Trailer
Music / OST
Gallery
