Lee Sun-bin and Kang Tae-oh unfold a more exciting romance because they are different.

The production team of tvN‘s new Sat-Sun drama ‘Potato Research Institute’ (directed by Kang Il-soo and Shim Jae-hyun, written by Kim Ho-soo) released a comprehensive trailer video on the 14th showing the explosive bickering romance between Kim Mi-kyung (played by Lee Sun-bin) and So Baek-ho (played by Kang Tae-oh).

‘Potato Research Institute’ depicts a healing comic romance where Baek-ho, a cold-hearted man of principle, appears in front of Mi-kyung, for whom potatoes are her whole life, and they swirl around like a whirlwind of potatoes. It is a work in which Director Kang Il-soo and Writer Kim Ho-soo of ‘Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung’ and ‘Solomon’s Perjury’ joined forces. The acting synergy of Lee Sun-bin and Kang Tae-oh, who will complete the romance of baking, frying, and boiling against the backdrop of the potato research lab in a mountain valley, is drawing attention.


The trailer released by the production team begins with the cheering “Potatoes! Potatoes!” from researchers Kim Mi-kyung, Jae-jung (played by Yoo Seung-mok), Go Jeong-hae (played by Kwak Ja-hyung), Joo Seung-hee (played by Woo Jung-won), Lee Chung-hyun (played by Yoon Jung-seop), Kwon Hee-dong (played by Nam Hyun-woo), and Jang Seul-gi (played by Kim Ji-ah). The peace of the potato research lab, where people think about potatoes day and night and are absorbed in their research, is shattered by the shout of Manager Jae-jung, “The research lab is gone?” The story is that Seonnyeo Foods and Wonhan Retail, which the potato research lab is a part of, have merged, and So Baek-ho, the director of the strategic planning office, has appeared with a plan. Even just standing there, his great looks naturally draw attention, but So Baek-ho, who exploits the lab‘s weaknesses at every turn, is a so-called ‘capitalist grim reaper’ whose principles and efficiency are his top priorities. The phrase ‘This man rolled into my life, which was full of potatoes’ foreshadows the extraordinary ‘growling’ first meeting between Mi-kyung and Baek-ho, who are complete opposites.

So Baek-ho’s formidable entry into the potato lab also adds to the laughter. He hides behind Kim Mi-kyung‘s back in panic to avoid a flying chicken, and he is often startled by the spicy hands of the affectionate potato family. So Baek-ho’s daily life, which is a reversal of his ‘XX core’ sloppiness, is interesting. In particular, “Don‘t underestimate our lab. Kim Mi-kyung’s fiery warning, “I‘ll show you what hell is,” raises expectations for the dynamic incidents she will face at the Potato Research Institute.


However, the ‘heart-fluttering’ moment between Kim Mi-kyung and So Baek-ho in the following video hints at an exciting change. The two’s eyes lock as they get closer, as if the sparks of love have spread from their bickering. Kim Mi-kyung‘s close friend Lee Ong-ju (played by Kim Ga-eun) predicts their romance, saying, “Just wait and see. If this continues, your heart will definitely flutter.” Also interesting is the scene where she says, “I found it! The narration, “My Destiny’s Potato,” makes us even more curious about the relationship between So Baek-ho and “Gamchinja (a person crazy about potatoes)” Kim Mi-kyung, who will be newly exploring the topic.

Meanwhile, the “Potato Research Institute” will air the special entertainment show “Potato Meals” on tvN on the 22nd and 23rd at 10:30 PM. Lee Sun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Lee Hak-joo, Kim Ga-eun, Yoo Seung-mok, and Nam Hyun-woo will appear and tell colorful stories about the delicious potato research of people who fell in love with potatoes while filming the potato drama.

“Potato Research Institute” will first air on March 1st at 9:20 PM.

Hong Se-young, Donga.com reporter projecthong@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.