Long Vacation: Warm Romance of Lee Se Young & Choo Young Woo

Lee Se Young and Choo Young Woo star in Long Vacation.
A devil’s seaside holiday turns into an unexpected love story.
Netflix talks and early fan buzz keep growing.

Good news comes from the Korean drama world. Lee Se Young, an actress who has been active since the legendary Dae Jang Geum era, is returning with a new project titled Long Vacation. According to the latest reports, this series is a heartwarming fantasy romance about a devil discovering the meaning of love. It is penned by screenwriter Jung Hyun Jung, known for Lovestruck in the City, and directed by Lee Jung Hyo, the hitmaker behind Crash Landing on You and Romance Is a Bonus Book. For Lee Se Young, this marks her first drama since leaving Prain TPC after a decade and her debut project under her new agency, Fantagio.

A warm fantasy romance

Long Vacation centers on Devil No. 3375 (Choo Young Woo), a demon granted a holiday in a small seaside village in southern Korea. There he meets Lee Deul Pan (Lee Se Young), an optimistic and sincere hotel room attendant. Their unexpected encounter turns his vacation into a journey of self-discovery: the devil begins to feel human emotions, wrestles with his identity, and slowly surrenders to love. Early synopses describe their story as a gentle exploration of humanity, healing, and confronting a dark past. Some Indonesian netizens even joked that it feels like a modern twist on the legendary sea goddess Nyi Roro Kidul.

Fans also shared and discussed a post on X that nicely sums up the premise. The viral tweet described Long Vacation as “a warm and romantic story about Devil No. 3375, who comes to a seaside village in the south of Korea on a reward vacation. There, he meets a human woman named Lee Deul Pan, falls in love, and discovers the beautiful emotions within.” The post included dreamy illustrations and romantic visuals that fit the fantasy vibe, helping the drama gain early attention internationally.

Behind the scenes, the production reunites two well-known creatives. Director Lee Jung Hyo is recognized for Romance Needs a Manual 2012, The Good Wife, Crash Landing on You and Doona!, while writer Jung Hyun Jung created hits like I Need Romance, Discovery of Love and Lovestruck in the City. Pairing them with rising actor Choo Young Woo, who was reported in March 2025 to still be reviewing the offer, has fans excited. While What’s on Netflix previously predicted filming might only begin in the first half of 2026 and the release could come as late as 2027, fresh updates say the drama is now in intense negotiations with Netflix. That means viewers might get to watch it sooner than expected.

Career journey and online reactions

Lee Se Young is no stranger to the spotlight. She debuted as a child actress in River of Brothers (1997) and gained early fame through Dae Jang Geum. Over the years, she proved her versatility across genres: family comedy (The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop), dark fantasy (A Korean Odyssey), sageuk (The Crowned Clown), and time-twisting thriller (Kairos). Her popularity skyrocketed with the historical melodrama The Red Sleeve and the romantic comedy Marriage Contract with Chaste Lady Park. Last year, she starred in streaming series What Comes After Love; this year, she is busy filming Motel California and preparing to debut on Disney+ with The Remarried Empress. Joining Fantagio, home to stars like Cha Eun Woo and Kim Seon Ho, marks a significant new chapter in her career.

Casting news sparked mixed but lively reactions online. Some fans celebrated Lee’s return with excitement, while others expressed curiosity or even skepticism about the pairing. Several highlighted the fantasy concept as refreshing, while a few brought up past controversies surrounding the male lead. Below are some of the most talked-about netizen responses that have circulated widely on social media:

“So the actor didn’t get canceled, huh…”

“Nyi Roro Kidul khh??”

“I’m not that interested in the male lead. Not because of the rumors; just not drawn at first. But if the genre fits, I might give it a try.”

“OMG, noona-dongsaeng again.”

“Cuyoung is everywhere lately.”

For Choo Young Woo, known for Mercy for None and The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, this role offers a chance to explore fantasy as Devil No. 3375. Netizens call him “in demand” thanks to his packed schedule. Meanwhile, Lee Se Young takes on a warm and hopeful character, a softer contrast to her strong roles before. With a top-tier creative team, growing social media buzz, and fans already sharing dreamy concept art and teasers, Long Vacation could become one of the most anticipated K-dramas in the coming years.

Source: Soompi, Zapzee, What’s on Netflix