Fan-Favorite K-Drama’s “Controversial” Couple Reunited After Two Decades

Actors Kim Ha Neul and Kim Jae Won delighted longtime fans after reuniting more than 20 years after starring together in the beloved 2002 MBC K-Drama, Romance.

On February 28, 2026 (KST), Kim Ha Neul shared a series of photos on her social media account, captioned, “Romance reunited.” The post included several solo shots of the actress, followed by warm snapshots of her standing beside Kim Jae Won, marking their first public reunion in 24 years since the show originally aired.

The reunion quickly drew attention online, with many fans noting that the two stars appear virtually unchanged despite the decades that have passed. Their chemistry, which once made them a fan-favorite on-screen couple, seemed effortlessly intact in the photos they shared.

Kim Ha Neul and Kim Jae Won reunited for a special program held at a Japanese satellite network to commemorate the rebroadcast of Romance, one of the representative K-Dramas that helped fuel the early Hallyu wave in Japan. During the program, the two actors reflected on the show, revisiting memories from the set and discussing the impact the series had on their careers and international popularity.

Originally broadcast in 2002, Romance became widely loved for its emotional storyline and the undeniable on-screen pairing of Kim Ha Neul and Kim Jae Won—though the romantic plot involving a teacher and a student became increasingly controversial over time. The series played a significant role in expanding Korean television’s reach overseas, particularly in Japan. More than two decades later, their reunion serves as both a nostalgic throwback and a reminder of the enduring impact of early 2000s K-Dramas—and the couples that fans never forgot.

Watch this highlight of Kim Ha Neul and Kim Jae Won’s scenes from Romance, including their best-known and most “meme-d” scene of Kim Ha Neul telling Kim Jae Won that their relationship won’t work because she’s a teacher and he’s her student: