South Korean actor Lee Jae-wook is stepping into uncharted territory with his first-ever dual role in KBS's upcoming romance drama "Last Summer," where he portrays twin brothers in a story about childhood love and personal healing. The 12-episode series, set to premiere this weekend and also available on Netflix, follows a pair of childhood friends whose long-buried first love resurfaces against the backdrop of nostalgic summer memories.
Lee takes on the challenging task of playing both Baek Do-ha, a brilliant architect haunted by memories of lost love, and his twin brother Do-young. Both characters have been shaped by family trauma and separation, creating distinct personalities despite their identical appearance. Do-ha's visits to Korea during his youth were limited to just 21 fleeting days each summer, leading to bittersweet reunions with his neighbor Song Ha-gyeong, played by Choi Sung-eun. However, after a life-changing incident two years ago, the childhood friends have become more estranged than ever.
"It was my first time playing a dual role, so I felt a lot of pressure," Lee explained during a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday. "It's challenging to express distinct personalities in characters who look so similar. For Do-ha, I focused on impulsive, physical gestures; for Do-young, I portrayed a more emotional and calm persona. Watching the final cut, I was quietly pleased by how well the differences came through."
Lee praised his co-star Choi Sung-eun's performance, noting her strong screen presence and natural fit for the role. "I saw many of Choi Sung-eun's previous works and was struck by her strong presence. She has such a lovable aura that fits this character perfectly," he said. "Audiences will see many transformations – she's truly charming in many ways." Choi, who is taking on her first romance lead role, described the drama's appeal as lying in its "subtle, human warmth and simple kindness."
"I trusted the power of the script," Choi shared during the press conference. "I hope viewers can feel the allure, the taste of summer and find comfort and strength in our story." The actress emphasized how the drama focuses on gentle emotions rather than dramatic plot twists, making it a comforting viewing experience for audiences.
Director Min Yeon-hong, who gained recognition for his 2020 hit series "Missing: The Other Side," brings his distinctive storytelling approach to "Last Summer." He describes the drama as a story about people whose fates become intertwined through summers spent together, exploring how personal traumas are reflected in their living spaces and how those environments can be transformed into places of healing. "It's not so much actual architecture as it is the architecture of the heart," the director explained, highlighting emotional transformation as the drama's core theme.
The director acknowledged the unusual timing of the production and release, noting how they ended up telling a summer story during winter months. "By chance, we ended up telling a summer story in the middle of winter. I hope viewers feel a renewed sense of warmth through our drama, even in the cold season," Min said. He characterized the series as gentle and kind, designed to radiate warmth that gradually builds rather than shocking viewers with intense plot twists.
"The characters approach problems in unpredictable ways, so it's a fun, puzzling journey following their choices," the director added. "Instead of a dramatic punch, 'Last Summer' offers a subtle warmth that accumulates over time." This approach reflects the show's focus on emotional depth and character development rather than high-stakes drama.
Global audiences will have the opportunity to join this bittersweet journey of youth and rediscovered love when "Last Summer" becomes available on Netflix starting Saturday. The drama promises to offer viewers a nostalgic escape filled with the warmth of summer memories, complex family relationships, and the possibility of healing through human connection.
