Gong Yoo and Song Hye-Kyo’s Much-Awaited Collaboration in ‘Slowly and Intensely’
The actors star in the period drama—a glimpse into the dynamic world of media and entertainment at a crucial period in Korean history
Gong Yoo (left) and Song Hye-kyo (right). Photo: courtesy of Netflix.
Gong Yoo and Song Hye-kyo sharing screen time in a K-drama is a collaboration of a kind per se—a pairing aimed at connecting with K-drama fans who invariably seek more from the genre.
A nostalgic glimpse into the dynamic world of media and entertainment at a crucial period in Korean history is given by Slowly and Intensely—the actors’ upcoming period drama—which is set against the backdrop of post-Korean War society. Traveling back in time, it documents the cultural shift in time and the emergence of greats in entertainment, exploring not only the hardships and victories of the artists but also their lives and the committed people who worked hard behind the scenes to influence their careers.
While details about Gong Yoo and Song Hye-kyo’s characters in the show remain under wraps, there’s much speculation surrounding their relationship and how it will play out throughout the drama. I’m looking for engaging interactions and moments of romantic tension between the leads. It might be a case of a slow-burning romance, especially considering the title Slowly and Intensely.
The drama is written by Korean screenwriter and essayist Noh Hee-kyung, noted for her dramas, including That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013), It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014), Dear My Friends (2016), Live (2018), and Our Blues (2022), within a diverse collection of her works spanning film, television series, theatre, and books. People, their lives, and sufferings, as well as subjects that speak to reality, are the distinctive characteristics of Noh’s stories. In keeping with that, Slowly and Intensely is expected to emphasize those elements again, providing insight into the broader changes in society that accompanied the 1960s and 70s in Korea.
According to recent media reports, the drama is under production and may be released in early 2025. Directed by Lee Yoon-jung, best known for helming the classic K-drama Coffee Prince (2007), starring Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-hye alongside Lee Sun-kyun and Chae Jung-an, this new series brings Gong and Lee back together after more than a decade. Lee’s work centers on women, the theme of identity, and character development, with female characters standing out, implying Song Hye-kyo’s strategic role in Slowly and Intensely.
The drama follows Song’s role in the supernatural thriller film The Priests 2: Dark Nuns (2025), where she plays Nun Yunia, who uses a taboo ritual to exorcise a demon-possessed boy alongside Nun Mikaela (Jeon Yeo-been). Likewise, it’s Gong’s upcoming drama appearance after starring in the mystery melodrama The Trunk (2024) as a melancholic music producer and reprising his role as the enigmatic recruiter in search of prospective players for the deadly game in Squid Game Season 2 (2024).
Gong Yoo and Song Hye-kyo’s collaboration in Slowly and Intensely is one of the most awaited K-drama pairings of the year. The drama is likely to be accessible for streaming on Netflix.
