[TF Focus] 'Make Me Tremble', Warm Comfort in a Daring Subject

Nam Ji-hyun's Bold Choice... Her Insight Proves True AgainBeyond the Talk of Sex, It Delivers Laughter and HealingThe TVING original series 'Is It Love?' is receiving rave reviews for its warm comfort, despite its somewhat audacious subject matter. / TVING[Reporter Kim Saet-byul] Actress Nam Ji-hyun's insight has not gone astray this time. TVING's 'Is It Love?', with its somewhat audacious and unconventional subject matter, offers unexpected fun while also making viewers confront the standards they've confined themselves to at least once. And at the end, there remains a warm comfort that it's okay to choose one's own life.The TVING original series 'Is It Love?' (written by Ahn Sae-bom, directed by Kim Ye-ji), which concludes on the 5th, is a romantic comedy depicting the growth of Gong Soo-yeon (Nam Ji-hyun), a woman who doesn't do relationships without love, and Dok Go-dal (Kim Jae-young), a man who is good at relationships even without love. It tells the story of two people with different views on relationships who become entangled as an advertiser and an agency.The work is bold from the start in that it views sex not as something to be hidden or taboo, but as a part of everyday life. In particular, through Gong Soo-yeon's conservative values, raised in a traditional family, and the characters surrounding her, it starkly reveals the lingering prejudices and double standards about sex in our society.However, the work does not force a specific ideology or merely push the message that prejudices about sex must be broken. Rather, it shows people with different backgrounds and values living their lives in their own ways. Like the work's attitude, "Protecting privacy doesn't mean being reclusive," it points out that respecting private spheres and considering them shameful or something to be hidden are different issues.The part that shows how many standards and restrictions are attached to how women approach their bodies, through Gong Soo-yeon's upbringing, is realistic. It makes menstruation feel like a sin and demands careful behavior from that moment on. Gong Soo-yeon's appearance, who learns to "take good care and protect" before even knowing what it means to be a woman, leaves a profound thought.Of course, it's not a heavy work. The conversations between Gong Soo-yeon and Dok Go-dal have an unexpected wit, and the absurd situations that arise between the characters bring about small laughs. Although there are scenes that are sometimes embarrassing and sometimes ridiculous, their honesty becomes the work's unique charm.The actors' chemistry is also indispensable. Nam Ji-hyun naturally portrays Gong Soo-yeon's gradual transformation as she encounters unfamiliar relationships and situations, having lived within the principles she set for herself. Kim Jae-young plays Dok Go-dal, the CEO of a sex toy startup who values not only emotional but also physical connection.Their romantic chemistry is beyond expectations. Although they showed great chemistry when they met as siblings in tvN's '100 Days My Prince,' this time, as lovers, they create another kind of excitement.The performances of the supporting characters also enrich the work. Jung In-ji, as Gong Mi-young, Gong Soo-yeon's aunt, delivers both laughter and resonance with her impressive words and actions every time she appears. She skillfully brings her comical acting to life and plays various roles at the right moments. Kim Shin-bi, as Gong Nam-soo, Gong Soo-yeon's younger brother, also adds vitality to the drama with his cheeky charm.Actors Nam Ji-hyun and Kim Jae-young, who are working together again after '100 Days My Prince,' have once again shown great chemistry and led the work. / TVINGAbove all, the message conveyed by 'Is It Love?' goes beyond prejudice about sex and raises another topic. We all live by drawing our own lines and standards. We are afraid to deviate from familiar ways and hesitate, fearing that new choices might lead us down the wrong path. However, the work says there is no need to fear those choices."Life is about ups and downs, salty and sad, but to be less sad, I have to choose my own life." "If you see a new path, you can step on it once in a while. It's your life anyway." "Aren't you going to stumble if you go down a new path? So what. Don't you fall on the familiar path?"The lines in the work are spoken to Gong Soo-yeon, but they also reach the viewers. It means that the familiar path is not always safe, and even if you fall once on an unfamiliar path, that choice is ultimately yours. Therefore, this work is not merely a romantic comedy with an audacious subject matter. It provides laughter, sometimes makes you emotional, and offers a little courage to those who hesitate to take a step forward.Watching 'Is It Love?', you can also understand why Nam Ji-hyun chose this project. She has consistently shown transformations by challenging new genres and characters in every project she has appeared in, and has achieved high box office success by leading them to good results.The subject matter of this work is even bolder compared to Nam Ji-hyun's previous projects, making her choice somewhat surprising at the casting stage. However, the growth of the characters and the warm message contained within align with the direction of her consistent project choices.'Is It Love?' grabs attention with its audacious story and moves hearts with its relatable comfort. Therefore, anyone who has ever hesitated before the standards of their own life is recommended to lend an ear to the story in 'Is It Love?'.[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]sstar1204@tf.co.kr