Love Phobia (TV series)
| Love Phobia | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 러브포비아 |
| RR | Reobeu pobia |
| MR | Rŏbŭ p'obia |
| Genre | |
| Written by | Lee Se-ryeong |
| Directed by | Wang Hye-ryeong |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Production company | WeMad |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | February 19 – March 13, 2026 |
Love Phobia (Korean: 러브포비아) is a 2026 South Korean romantic comedy sci-fi television series written by Lee Se-ryeong and directed by Wang Hye-ryeong. The series centers on Yoon Bi-a (Yeonwoo), a CEO who's swapped human connection for AI comfort, and Han Seon-ho (Kim Hyun-jin) a hopelessly romantic novelist, as mysterious secrets unravel around them. It also stars Jo Yun-seo, Choi Byung-chan, and Im Ji-eun. It premiered on U+ Mobile TV and Lifetime on February 19, 2026, and airs every Thursday and Friday at 23:00 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Viu.
Synopsis
Yoon Bi-a, the CEO of the AI dating app "It's You", is haunted by a trauma that limits her connections to under an hour. Trapped in her own emotional storm, she pours her energy into developing a generative AI dating app with her trusted friend Jae-hee by her side. Han Seon-ho, South Korea's hottest author, sells out every book launch, but behind his idol-like charm lies a hidden pain. Bi-a's arrival sparks a life-altering crisis, leading Seon-ho to join "It's You" and flip his world upside down.
Cast and characters
Main
- the CEO of the AI dating app "It's You"
- Kim Hyun-jin as Han Seon-ho[1]
- Hottest author and Baek-ho's twins brother
- Jo Yun-seo as Seol Jae-hee[2]
- Bi-a's best friend.
- Choi Byung-chan as Han Baek-ho[2]
- Seon-ho's twins brother, who is the head of HAN Agency.
- Bi-a's mother.
Supporting
- Lee Ji-hae as Song Ji-young[3]
- Kim Ki-nam as Kim Kyung-tae[3]
- Han Kyu-min as Kang San[3]
- Hwang Ha-jung as Hong Ju-yeon[3]
- Kim So-ha as Shin Yoo-kyung[3]
Production and release
Wang Hye-ryeong, who helmed Season of Blossom (2022) and Let Me Off the Earth (2020–2021), was attached to direct, and the screenplay is written by Lee Se-ryeong, who wrote Please, Summer (2020). The production is handled by WeMad.[1]
In April 2025, Kim Hyun-jin, Yeonwoo, Jo Yun-seo, and Choi Byung-chan were confirmed to lead the series.[1][2] The next month, Im Ji-eun, Lee Ji-hae, Kim Ki-nam, Han Kyu-min, Hwang Ha-jung, and Kim So-ha were confirmed to appear as the supporting role.[3]
The release of Love Phobia was originally scheduled to premiere on U+ Mobile TV in June 2025, but was postponed.[1] By January 2026, the series was confirmed to premiere on U+ Mobile TV and Lifetime on February 19, 2026, at 23:00 (KST).[4] It is also available for streaming on Viu.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e Park, Soo-in (April 23, 2025). '러브포비아' 임지은→김소하, 묵직하거나 통통 튀거나..탄탄 조연 라인업 [Yeonwoo becomes CEO of an AI dating app... Will she overcome her trauma after meeting Kim Hyun-jin (Lovephobia)?]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ a b c Kim, Su-in (April 25, 2025). '만찢 조합' 조윤서X최병찬, '러브포비아' 출연 [공식] [Official: Jo Yoon-seo and Choi Byung-chan, the "manhwa-ripped combination," will appear on Love Phobia]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 20, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kang, Seo-jeong (May 22, 2025). '러브포비아' 임지은→김소하, 묵직하거나 통통 튀거나..탄탄 조연 라인업 [Love Phobia Im Ji-eun → Kim So-ha, a solid supporting cast lineup, whether substantial or bubbly]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ Park, Jung-sun (January 27, 2026). 연우·김현진 연애 세포 깨운다...새 드라마 '러브포비아' [Yeonwoo becomes CEO of an AI dating app... Will she overcome her trauma after meeting Kim Hyun-jin (Love Phobia)?]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ Kim, Hyo-jin (February 15, 2026). 연우♥김현진 케미 통했다 '러브포비아' 전 세계 38개국 선판매 쾌거 [Yeonwoo♥Kim Hyun-jin's chemistry shines, and Love Phobia achieves pre-sales in 38 countries worldwide]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved February 20, 2026.
External links
- Production website at WeMad (in English and Korean)
- Love Phobia at HanCinema