Dear Hongrang star Jo Bo Ah reveals nickname she gave to Lee Jae Wook, shares why she keeps distance from male co-stars

Jo Bo Ah on the filming of Dear Hongrang

In Dear Hongrang, Jo Bo Ah plays Jae Yi. The story begins with the disappearance of Hong Rang (Played by Lee Jae Wook), the son of a powerful merchant family in the Joseon era. After 12 years, he returns with no memory of his childhood, but Jae Yi is convinced the person is an impostor. What follows is a long wave of deceit, mystery, and evil intentions. “We wrapped filming around May last year, and after nearly a year, it’s finally out,” Jo said of the eight-month shoot. The K-drama ended on a bittersweet note that left many reeling with its open ending, but fans praised the chemistry between the lead stars as worth the hype. Jo Bo Ah, who is no stranger to the fantasy genre, having starred in shows like Destined With You, also praised her co-star Lee Jae Wook for being reliable, comforting and easy to work with. “He has a great personality,” she shared. “If someone’s awkward when I try to talk, I hold back too. But Jae Wook was really open, so we clicked fast. I even started calling him ‘angel’ by the end,” she laughed.

However, despite sharing a good friendship off-screen and beautiful chemistry on screen, Jo made it clear that her bond with her male co-stars has become more reserved in recent years. Opening up about this on Shin Dong Yup’s YouTube show Jjanhan Hyung, she recalled an incident where she “once messaged a co-star, ‘See you that day♥’ and thought nothing of it,” she said. “But the heart emoji sparked unexpected dating rumours.” The host chimed in, saying people with natural habits like this don’t always realise how it comes across. Jo nodded in adding, “In our industry, people don’t like seeing you act cute with the opposite sex. So naturally, I started keeping more distance.”

Also read: Dear Hongrang Review: K-trauma hits again as Jo Bo Ah–Lee Jae Wook follow Netflix’s heartbreak streak post Twenty Five Twenty One

Actor Park Byung Eun poked fun adding, “I misunderstood too! She’d say, ‘Love you, sunbae~’ and leave. And then suddenly—bam—she’s married?” Jo Bo Ah surprised everyone with unexpected marriage plans back in October. There were no dating rumours, and Jo has kept her relationship extremely private. Speaking of the same, the actor revealed how she always dreamed of getting married and always had romantic ideas about it, but kept delaying it because of work. “I’ve always had romantic ideas about marriage,” she said. “But I was so focused on work, I kept pushing it back. I try to keep work and personal life separate.”

Jo is married to a non-celebrity, and without revealing further about him, she simply said, “He looks really good to me. Honestly… I think he’s too good for me.” The K-drama star was also asked about expanding her family. She said, “My parents gave me such a warm home. I’ve always wanted to build that kind of family myself.” As for a honeymoon? “We haven’t planned one yet.”