Kim Go Eun talks about Yumi's transformation in the third season of 'Yumi's Cells'

07 Apr 2026, 19:07 by K-Soul · allkpop

Kim Go Eun and Kim Jae Won are opening a new chapter in the upcoming third season.

"Yumi is still Yumi. She still cries, laughs, and lives," says director Lee Sang Yeob.

Four years have passed. Yumi (played by Kim Go Eun) has changed. Once someone who cried, laughed, and stumbled through life because of love, she now returns as a successful writer. She has gained both recognition and status—but when it comes to love, she remains the same.

It’s not just Yumi whose frozen “love cells” begin to awaken again. This time, Soon Rok (played by Kim Jae Won) enters the picture—a name long awaited by fans of the original. A principled homebody who operates in “low-power mode” outside, he finds himself shaken after meeting Yumi.

Yumi’s Cells still has plenty of stories left to tell.

On April 7, the production team of TVING’s new original series 'Yumi’s Cells' Season 3 (written by Song Jae Jung and Kim Kyung Ran, directed by Lee Sang Yeob) held a press conference at The Link Seoul Hotel in Guro District, Seoul. Cast members Kim Go Eun, Kim Jae Won, and director Lee Sang Yeob attended the event.

'Yumi’s Cells 3' is a romance drama that follows Yumi as she once again laughs, cries, and falls in love, triggered by an unexpected person who suddenly enters her otherwise uneventful life.

This season focuses on Yumi after achieving success as a writer. Though she has gained fame and status, she continues to struggle when it comes to love. The series maintains its signature cheerful and heartwarming tone.

However, it won’t strictly follow the storyline of the original webtoon. Director Lee Sang Yeob explained, “We adapted the story to reflect the emotions of today’s generation. It’s a story that young people living in the present can relate to more deeply.”

Season 3 will consist of eight episodes, offering a more condensed narrative compared to previous seasons. “As viewing habits have changed, we trimmed unnecessary elements and focused on the most entertaining parts,” the director added.

Kim Go Eun returns as Yumi. “I rewatched Seasons 1 and 2 to reflect on who Yumi is,” she said. “This season isn’t drastically different. Yumi is still Yumi.”

Now in its third season, Kim Go Eun admitted, “The volume of the script made it physically demanding,” but added, “There was never a dull moment on set. We had a lot of fun filming.”

Yumi is a character who grows the most through love. In every season, she has moved forward step by step despite worries, regrets, and fears. This season continues that journey, bringing yet another transformation.

Kim Go Eun also found similarities between herself and Yumi. “It feels like I’m entering the second chapter of my acting career,” she shared. “The experience and know-how I gained in my 20s are now something I can fully utilize in my 30s.”

Kim Jae Won newly joins the series as Soon Rok, a producing director in a publishing company’s editorial department. He is a rational, rule-abiding character and a homebody who lives in “low-power mode” outside.

However, after meeting Yumi, he begins to regain his vitality. His emotional “cells” are stirred, and unexpected changes follow. Their relationship also takes a new direction.

“When I heard about the casting, I thought, ‘An opportunity like this is coming to me too,’” Kim Jae Won said. “Since Soon Rok is a beloved character from the original, I felt pressure, but I tried my best to act like him.”

Director Lee explained his casting choice: “He fits the original character’s suit-and-glasses look well. More importantly, even when he’s nervous, he doesn’t show it—that’s very much like Soon Rok.”

Kim Jae Won added, “It was my first time taking on such a major role as a newcomer, so I felt a lot of pressure. But I trusted Kim Go Eun and followed her lead. I was able to learn and grow a lot.”

The two actors showcased natural on-screen chemistry despite their 10-year age gap. “The atmosphere on set was so comfortable that we didn’t feel the age difference at all. We trusted each other and had fun filming,” they said.

Their chemistry translated seamlessly on screen. Kim Go Eun confidently stated, “It was perfect. You’ll see all of it in Season 3.” Kim Jae Won added, “Based on what I learned on set, I wanted to portray those fluttering emotions as sincerely as possible.”

The beloved “cells” will also continue to play an active role. Kim Go Eun shared, “It was nice to see them again—it felt like reconnecting with old friends. Especially Soon Rok’s ‘naughty cell’ will play a big part,” she said with a laugh.

Finally, director Lee remarked, “Yumi’s growth is not over yet. There are still many stories left to tell. I hope viewers can enjoy a delightful spring alongside Yumi.”

'Yumi’s Cells' Season 3 will premiere on April 13 at 6 PM KST with Episodes 1 and 2. Two new episodes will be released every Monday. On tvN, the series will air one episode every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM KST.

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