Hollywood Meets Hallyu in ‘My Anonymous Lovers’
What do you get when you pair Japan’s A-list heartthrob Shun Oguri with Korea’s beloved actress Han Hyojoo? A recipe for viral finger hearts and swoon-worthy storytelling. Netflix’s upcoming original ‘My Anonymous Lovers’ made its big debut on Day 3 of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, with Oguri and Han walking the red carpet together for the first time—and fans couldn’t get enough.
The Netflix Drama with Finger-Hearts and Feelings
Officially invited under the festival’s On-Screen section, the series screened its first two episodes in a world premiere that left an audience of 300 buzzing. At the post-screening event, the dynamic leads were joined by director Shō Tsukikawa to discuss the making of the show. The vibe? One part heartfelt Q&A, one part K-drama fever dream—complete with Shun Oguri cheekily saying “Saranghaeyo” (I love you) in Korean and flashing his first-ever finger heart to screaming fans.
Trauma, Chocolate, and Adult Romance
‘My Anonymous Lovers’ is anything but your typical rom-com. Oguri plays Sōsuke, a germ-wary CEO who can’t bear human touch, while Han’s character Hana is a brilliant yet socially anxious chocolatier unable to meet people’s gaze. Yes, these two are romantically cursed—but irresistibly drawn to each other.
Both actors dived deep into their roles. Han Hyojoo shared how Hana’s struggle mirrors her real-life nerves when appearing as herself rather than in character. Oguri revealed quirky on-set debates like “Would Sōsuke actually get into a hot spring?” Talk about character commitment.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration FTW
Behind the scenes, the series boasts top-tier creatives from both Korea and Japan—including production designer Lee Ha-jun, known for his work on the Oscar-winning Parasite. Han delivered most of her lines in Japanese, a challenge she took on with admirable tenacity. “It takes double or triple the energy when speaking in a foreign language,” she said, crediting the team and Oguri for their support. Oguri, in turn, was floored by the script’s depth and set design prep: “I was shown an incredibly detailed vision board before filming began—it was a first for me.”
Fan Reactions: Instant Obsession
Attendees came away smitten. One viewer confessed, “I was anxious about a Korea-Japan rom-com, but this was honestly amazing. Oguri-san’s performance was a masterclass in charm.” Another shared, “Han Hyojoo’s emotional detailing was so delicate—it warmed my heart. I’m totally recommending this to friends.”
During a surprise moment in the photo session, supporting cast members Manabu Yonemoto and Myung-Hwa joined onstage—delighting the crowd with a bit of drama-meets-reality synergy.
When and Where to Watch
‘My Anonymous Lovers’ drops exclusively on Netflix starting October 16. If you’re into charming characters, emotional slow burns, and aesthetically curated sets (with a lot of artisan chocolate), go ahead and set that reminder now.
Final Take
With transnational appeal, character-driven storytelling, and chemistry so good it transcends language barriers, ‘My Anonymous Lovers’ could be the next global Hallyu hit. Will Sōsuke and Hana overcome their fears and find love? Based on that Busan crowd’s reaction, we’re betting yes—with bonus finger hearts.
