The anticipation is mounting for KBS2’s new weekend melodrama, Not You, But Another Love, as the production team recently unveiled a behind-the-scenes look at the drama’s first script reading. Held in March 2026, the session brought together the main cast—including Seo Kang-joon, Ahn Eun-jin, Lee Joo-an, and Jo Ah-ram—alongside directors Hwang Seung-ki and Lee Ga-ram, and screenwriter Yoo Soo-ji. The drama is set to premiere on September 12, 2026, at 9:20 PM KST on KBS2, with a simultaneous global release via Amazon Prime Video in over 240 countries, according to multiple sources including KBS, Dispatch, and Star News.
Not You, But Another Love promises to deliver an authentic and relatable take on modern romance. The story centers on Namgung-ho and Lee Mi-do, a couple who have been together for a decade and now find themselves navigating the unfamiliar terrain of changing emotions within a once-comfortable relationship. As reported by Dispatch, the drama will explore the intricacies of long-term love, the comfort of routine, and the unsettling arrival of new feelings that threaten to disrupt the status quo.
Seo Kang-joon steps into the role of Namgung-ho, a deputy manager on the TF Snack 3 team at Hunmin Confectionery. His character is described as both warm and complex, embodying the delicate balance between love and trust. For ten years, Namgung-ho has focused solely on his partner, Lee Mi-do, yet finds himself increasingly caught between affection and doubt. The production team praised Seo Kang-joon’s performance during the script reading, noting his ability to portray the character’s inner turmoil with subtlety and depth. According to Star News, "Seo Kang-joon perfectly expressed the warmth of Namgung-ho, as well as the complex emotions that arise between love and trust."
Ahn Eun-jin takes on the role of Lee Mi-do, a film director who has achieved her dreams but now faces the harsh realities of life. Mi-do’s character is shaken by professional setbacks and personal uncertainties, and Ahn Eun-jin’s portrayal has been lauded for its nuanced depiction of a woman struggling to maintain balance between her career and her long-term relationship. As Topstar News described, "Ahn Eun-jin delicately conveyed the character’s inner struggles, using dialogue, gaze, and breath to bring Mi-do’s reality to life."
The chemistry between Seo Kang-joon and Ahn Eun-jin is one of the drama’s most anticipated elements. Their characters, Namgung-ho and Lee Mi-do, are portrayed as a couple who know each other better than anyone else—sometimes even better than their own families. The script reading reportedly revealed a natural, lived-in dynamic between the two leads, echoing the comfort and candor of a real-life couple who have shared both triumphs and hardships over the years.
Adding tension to the central relationship are two key supporting characters: Han Tae-seung, played by Lee Joo-an, and Park Soo-ah, played by Jo Ah-ram. Han Tae-seung is a lawyer at a film company who delivers a sudden dismissal to Lee Mi-do, creating professional and emotional upheaval. Despite his initial coldness, Han Tae-seung develops complex feelings for Mi-do, injecting a sense of unpredictability and ambition into the story. Jo Ah-ram’s Park Soo-ah is a junior colleague at Hunmin Confectionery who unexpectedly enters Namgung-ho’s life. Though she appears aloof at first, Soo-ah’s hidden warmth and surprising charm add another layer to the intricate web of relationships. According to KBS, "Jo Ah-ram vividly expressed the contrast between Soo-ah’s cold impression and her warm inner side, creating a character full of unexpected appeal."
The interplay among these four characters forms the core of the drama, setting the stage for a realistic exploration of love, jealousy, ambition, and personal growth. The production team emphasized that the actors seamlessly immersed themselves in their roles from the very first rehearsal. "All the actors naturally blended into their characters from the first practice, bringing the flavor of a true-to-life melodrama to the work," the team shared, as reported by Dispatch.
Rounding out the cast are several notable supporting actors who further enrich the drama’s world. Kim Mi-kyung plays Ma Sook-hee, Lee Mi-do’s mother, whose presence anchors the family storyline with both warmth and sharp insight. Kim Nam-hee and Lee Min-jae appear as Mi-do’s siblings, bringing a sense of everyday humor and sibling rivalry to the mix. Lee Jun-hyuk portrays Um Ho-sik, Namgung-ho’s boss at Hunmin Confectionery, contributing both relatable workplace challenges and a dose of light-hearted energy to the narrative.
The creative team behind Not You, But Another Love is led by directors Hwang Seung-ki and Lee Ga-ram, with a script penned by Yoo Soo-ji and production by Unichem. Their collective vision is to present a melodrama that resonates with viewers by highlighting the ordinary yet profound moments that define long-term relationships. As the production team confidently stated, "Viewers will be drawn into the drama’s charm, thanks to the actors’ outstanding performances and the story’s focus on the comfort and excitement of a 10-year relationship, the warmth of family, and the realities of workplace dynamics."
What sets this drama apart is its commitment to realism. The script reading session was reportedly filled with laughter, intense focus, and a palpable sense of engagement among the cast. The actors’ ability to infuse their characters with authentic emotion promises to make the series both relatable and emotionally compelling. As Topstar News put it, "The atmosphere at the script reading felt like peering into the daily lives of people in love, with the actors’ performances breathing life into each character."
With its September 12 premiere fast approaching, excitement is building among fans of Korean dramas and international audiences alike. The decision to release the series on Amazon Prime Video ensures that Not You, But Another Love will reach viewers in more than 240 countries, reflecting the growing global appetite for nuanced, character-driven storytelling from South Korea.
As the cast and crew prepare for the show’s debut, expectations are high that this new KBS2 melodrama will offer a fresh and heartfelt perspective on love, change, and the everyday realities that shape our most important relationships. The stage is set for a series that promises to tug at the heartstrings while offering a mirror to the complexities of modern romance.