Kim Go-eun Reflects on 5 Years as Yumi Ahead of 'Yumi's Cells 3', and the New Lead Admits He's Nervous Too

Five years into playing Yumi, Kim Go-eun still sounds genuinely moved by the role. "It's already been five years since I became Yumi," she said at the Yumi's Cells 3 press conference held April 7 at The Link Seoul in Guro, Seoul. "I think Yumi's Cells is the work that opened the second chapter of my acting career."

The actress noted that the series holds a particular place in her filmography: it was her first time headlining a drama as the sole lead. "The wisdom and know-how I fought hard to earn as an actress in my twenties, I feel like I finally know how to use them now that I'm in my thirties," she said. "And this show is where I get to put all of that to work."

Based on the beloved webtoon of the same name, Yumi's Cells follows ordinary office worker Yumi and her inner world of emotion-personified "cells" through her daily life and relationships. The Tving original debuted its first season in 2021 and returned with Season 2 in 2022, earning a devoted fanbase for its inventive blend of live-action drama and 3D animated cell characters, a first for Korean television.

Season 3 picks up with a new chapter of Yumi's life: she has left her corporate job and found success as a published author. But Kim Go-eun was quick to point out that success hasn't fundamentally changed her character. "Yumi has achieved a certain level of success, but honestly, Yumi is still Yumi," she said with a laugh. "Watching her made me feel even more strongly that people stay the same no matter how old they get."

Joining the cast as the season's male lead is actor Kim Jae-won, playing Shin Sun-rok, an editor at a literary publisher called Julie Books. Sun-rok is the third, and final, romantic partner in Yumi's journey, following Gu-woong (Ahn Bo-hyun) in Season 1 and Yu Ba-bi (Park Jin-young) in Season 2. Among fans of the original webtoon, Sun-rok has long been considered Yumi's endgame love interest, which made casting for the role a high-stakes affair.

Kim Jae-won was candid about the weight of stepping into the part. "It would be a lie to say I felt no pressure taking on a role that has received such enormous love and support from the original fans," he admitted. "But I'm truly honored to be joining a series that has touched so many people."

To close the gap between himself and the character, the actor paid particular attention to two defining details: hairstyle and glasses. "I think those are Sun-rok's biggest visual signatures," he explained. "At work, I wanted to show a sharp, composed side with a half-up style and glasses. At home, I let the curls fall loose, more like a puppy, to create a contrast." He also teased that viewers could look forward to the "younger man" dynamic Sun-rok brings to the relationship.

The series' signature animated cells return once again, and Kim Go-eun drew laughs at the press conference when she named Sun-rok's "Sly Cell" as her personal favorite among all the characters' inner cells. Kim Jae-won leaned into it: "Sun-rok's Reason Cell is cute, but his Sly Cell is on another level compared to everyone else's. Just enormous."

Director Lee Sang-yeop, who has helmed all three seasons, offered a warm send-off for fans ahead of the premiere. "Yumi's growth isn't over yet, there are still many stories left to tell," he said. "She still struggles, cries, laughs, and loves. I hope everyone gets to enjoy a happy spring together with Yumi."

Yumi's Cells 3 premieres on Tving on April 13, with two episodes dropping every Monday at 6 p.m. KST. It will also air on tvN every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 p.m. KST.