‘Between Steps’ Brings Choo Young Woo and Kim So Hyun Together in a New Campus Romance on ENA

A new K-drama has arrived on ENA, and ‘Between Steps’ is drawing attention for both its leads and the circumstances surrounding its production. The series premiered on October 5 at 10 p.m. KST, pairing Choo Young Woo and Kim So Hyun in a romance set in a university robotics lab.

The story follows Park Min Jae, a former swimmer who lost his right leg to illness, and Im Yoo Jin, a graduate student who finds a new path after losing her way. It is also the latest and final project from the late director Ahn Pan Seok.

New K-Drama Premiere Sets a Romance Inside a Robotics Lab

Choo Young Woo plays Park Min Jae, a doctoral student who was a competitive swimmer in high school before losing one of his legs to illness. After the loss, he discovers the world of robotics and gradually begins forging a new path for himself.

Kim So Hyun plays Im Yoo Jin, a new member of Min Jae’s research lab who is approaching graduation with a degree in clothing and textiles. Her path to graduate school is blocked, so she decides to pursue a new direction.

The promotional material leans into a gentle, youthful tone. One poster shows the pair sitting side by side on campus eating ice cream, and its tagline describes the spicy, bitter, and sweet romance of two young people who are inexperienced at love. A separate teaser shows the two walking together in the rain beneath a shared umbrella.

A premiere preview from Dramabeans describes the early dynamic as one of push and pull. Yoo Jin expresses her feelings, but uncertain reciprocation leads to hurt, and it is unclear whether Min Jae is holding back over concerns about his leg or simply does not feel the same way.

Choo Young Woo and Kim So Hyun Lead a Warm Ensemble Cast

Choo Young Woo has described Min Jae as a character who studies robotics with hope for a new future, and he invited viewers to look forward to the character’s pain and growth as well as his relationship with Yoo Jin. The actor presents the role as a story about rebuilding rather than loss alone.

Kim So Hyun has spoken about what the project meant to her as a performer. She said the experience of making the drama led her to rebuild the foundation of her acting, though she did not elaborate on what changed. She also hopes the drama can offer viewers a little comfort, calling it a realistic portrait of the bittersweet journey of youth.

The ensemble extends beyond the lab. Park Hyuk Kwon and Seo Jeong Yeon play Yoo Jin’s parents, who run an auto shop, while Kim Min Seok plays her older brother, a mechanic who regularly gets into hair pulling fights with her. Those scenes suggest a grounded home life that contrasts with the academic pressure of the lab.

Writer Min Hyo Jung has said the drama is built on extremely realistic everyday stories, and that this is exactly why viewers should be able to empathize with the characters. The project marks her return to television writing after a hiatus of roughly twenty years.

Ahn Pan Seok’s Final Work Carries Added Weight

Ahn Pan Seok previously directed the popular romance dramas ‘Something in the Rain,’ ‘One Spring Night,’ and ‘The Midnight Romance in Hagwon.’ That track record is a large part of why this series was on many viewers’ radar well before its first episode.

Ahn died on August 12 while the show was in editing. The production confirmed his death and said the family wished to hold a private farewell, which made ‘Between Steps’ his posthumous work.

The cast has spoken warmly about working with him. Choo Young Woo said the director valued what the actors saw, heard, and felt on set, and called the freedom he was given a truly valuable experience as an actor.

The series also reunites Ahn with Min Hyo Jung, who previously collaborated with him on the drama ‘Say It with Your Eyes.’ For longtime followers of his work, that shared history adds another layer to the project.

Where to Watch ‘Between Steps’ and How the Premiere Performed

The drama airs on ENA on Mondays and Tuesdays, runs for twelve episodes, and streams globally on Disney+ and Hulu. Availability on Disney+ applies to select regions.

Early viewership was modest. According to Mediafine Global, the first episode recorded a nationwide rating of 1.762 percent, which the outlet described as a somewhat disappointing start given the expectations around it. It is a single data point, and the outlet noted the trend will need to be monitored in the weeks ahead.

The timing is not easy either. The premiere landed in a crowded Monday and Tuesday slot, and ENA has positioned the series as a character driven romance rather than a high concept thriller. A quiet, patient story like this one often depends on word of mouth to build.

If you watched the first episode, tell us in the comments whether Min Jae’s guarded response to Yoo Jin’s confession felt earned, and whether Ahn Pan Seok’s final drama has you rooting for the two of them to find their footing in that robotics lab.