Based on the original Japanese drama with the same name, Tell Me That You Love Me or Aishiteiru to Itte Kure from 1995 is a peculiar yet sweet love story on Disney+.

Tell Me That You Love Me is a timeless drama of longing, loneliness, courage and love between two characters; Cha Jin Woo (by Jung Woo Sung) a hearing-impaired painter who later meets an aspiring actress Jung Mo Eun (by Shin Hyun Bin) on Jeju Island. Jin Woo was later surprised as she was able to communicate in sign language when they met again in Seoul months later.

Director Kim Yoon Jin explained that the love story was different from his previous project, My Beloved Summer which is a coming-of-age romantic drama. The current project stars Woo Sung and Hyun Bin from the perspective of a mature romantic love story. Director Kim hopes that the drama resonates with viewers who are in their thirties to forties.

Woo Sung adores the Japanese drama and acquired the intellectual property (IP) rights to produce the show. He plays a dual role as producer and leading actor in this latest Disney+ drama. Unlike any other Korean drama in this current times that deals with special needs in the storytelling process, audience like you and me has profoundly accepted them and simply can’t get enough of them!

Jung Mo Eun looked flustered as Cha Jin Woo called her a 배우 (baeu) or actress using sign language when they met in Jeju. She shared with him that it was among the first few (sign language) words and phrases she remembered and both reconnected that night. As a struggling actress, Jung Mo Eun felt discouraged at times juggling between her day job and auditions. On the other hand, Jin Woo who looks seemingly tranquil and grounded, harbours a traumatic past.

The slow-burning romance between the leads creates a warm chemistry as they express themselves differently. The actors had a stress-free time on set as they helped each other convey raw emotions with sign language through the space. They tried to stay true to the original drama while adapting to a more appropriate generation set in Korea. I honestly took my time to focus on a few sign languages while watching the first two episodes that have been available on streaming, enjoying it as the plot thickens.

Catch Tell Me That You Love Me streaming on Disney+ now!