My Absolute Boyfriend

 

My Absolute Boyfriend is a 2019 South Korean television series based on the eponymous Japanese manga series; starring Yeo Jin-goo, Bang Min-ah and Hong Jong-hyun. It aired on SBS TV's Wednesdays & Thursdays at 22:00 KST from May 15 to July 11, 2019.

 

Plot

Um Da-da (Bang Min-ah) is a special effects makeup artist. She is secretly dating the popular actor Ma Wang-joon (Hong Jong-hyun), who is on the rise. As Wang-joon gets busy because of work and tired of their relationship, their seven-year-long relationship ends. And that is when Zero Nine (Yeong-gu) (Yeo Jin-goo), a humanoid robot who is programmed to be in love with his one and only girlfriend, appears in her life. An accidental kiss activates Yeong-gu and he takes Da-da as his girlfriend. As Da-da and Yeong-gu get closer and fall for each other, a mystery man tries to harm Da-da by threatening her to break up with Wang-joon, who secretly wants her back. Meanwhile, Diana (Hong Seo-young), the original owner of Zero Nine, comes after them to take Yeong-gu back. In the end, My Absolute Boyfriend is about the love with a robot who is humane and unstinting. Throughout the series, Yeong-gu shows what true love is as he learns about love and becomes the absolute boyfriend.

 

Main Cast

Yeo Jin-goo as Zero Nine (Young-gu) An android programmed to become the perfect boyfriend. He takes Da-da as his girlfriend and gives his selfless love and dedication to her.

Bang Min-ah as Um Da-da A special effects makeup artist at Real, which she inherited from her late father. A recent break-up with her boyfriend Wang-joon left her insecure about love. Upon activating Young-gu, she slowly begins to learn more about true love from Young-gu.

Hong Jong-hyun as Ma Wang-joon later as Zero Ten A top actor whom in spite of his immense popularity, always seems to lose his cool around his girlfriend. He becomes jealous when Young-gu appears in his life and he tries to win back Da-da.

As Zero Ten As newer, more advanced anrdoid, also programmed to become the perfect boyfriend. Taking Diana as his girlfriend, he becomes the real Wang-joon's impersonator and tries to replace Young-gu as Da-da's absolute boyfriend.

 

Production

The series was previously titled Romantic Comedy King, and was in talks to air on OCN but was ultimately cancelled.

The lead roles of Um Da-da and Ma Wang-jun were previously offered to Song Ji-hyo and Chun Jung-myung respectively, but both declined.

The first script reading was held on June 22, 2018 and filming began in July.

Filming is complete and the series aired on SBS in May 2019. Originally scheduled to air for 40 episodes, the series was reduced by four episodes due to low ratings, as well as the suspension of the Monday-Tuesday drama timeslot that saw the following drama, Doctor Detective, move to the Wednesday-Thursday timeslot. The international broadcast remained at 40 episodes.

 

International Broadcasting

A TV representative said, "On May 23, the drama 'My Absolute Boyfriend' completed the transfer of broadcasting rights to 40 countries from 21 countries in Asia such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, etc. to the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. Signing a contract with Japan - one of the main markets for Hallyu content - will soon succeed and it is expected that the number of broadcast countries will increase even more."

Japan - Feb 2020 

Philippines - GMA News TV (September 14 - November 6, 2020)