Ji Chang-wook's latest romantic comedy, 'Merry Berry Love', is off to a strong start internationally. According to Flixpatrol, the drama ranked No. 2 on the worldwide Disney+ TV show chart during its first week of release, and it entered the TOP 10 in 73 countries and regions.

What happened

Episode 1 was released on October 7. Episode 2 was scheduled for release on October 14, which means it is already out as of today, October 15. The series streams on Disney+ and also airs on Japan's Nippon TV every Wednesday.

In the new stills for Episode 2, Ji Chang-wook's character appears in a very different look from the polished city man of the first episode. He wears a casual T-shirt and a straw hat, like a farm worker, and gives a cheerful thumbs-up. Another still shows him carrying a large suitcase, soaked in sweat and visibly worn out.

Background for newcomers

'Merry Berry Love' is a global project by CJ ENM. The story centers on Yubin, a Korean space planner whose career has collapsed, and Karin, a Japanese female farmer played by Imada Mio. Their cross-border romance unfolds on a beautiful island.

In Episode 1, Yubin goes from a top-tier space planner to unemployed overnight after a friend's betrayal. He travels to Charo Island hoping for one last chance at a comeback. There, Karin mistakes him for a strawberry thief, so the two get off to a tangled start.

The production team said Episode 2 shows Yubin's new life after he suddenly loses his job, and that his connection with Karin, which began with a misunderstanding, will enter a new phase. The team asked viewers to watch to find out why Yubin chose to work as a laborer and what happens between the two.

It is also the first romantic comedy Ji Chang-wook has chosen in three years, according to the report, which describes him as a 'master of romantic comedy'. Earlier in his career, he led the MBC drama 'Empress Ki' to a peak viewership rating of 29.2%.

For international fans

Because the series is a Korea-Japan co-production, it is being distributed on both a global streaming platform and a Japanese terrestrial network. Viewers outside Japan can look for it on Disney+, where it has been charting. Availability can differ by country, so check your local Disney+ catalog.

If you enjoy Ji Chang-wook's work, 'Empress Ki' is a good point of comparison, since it was the historical drama that reached the 29.2% peak rating mentioned above. 'Merry Berry Love' takes a much lighter, rom-com approach, built around a city worker adjusting to rural life.