Daily TribuneHan Ji Min is a night person who loves tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), Park Sung Hoon is a morning person who enjoys sundae-guk (blood sausage), and Lee Ki Taek prefers morning energy and Korean spicy stir-fried pork.
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MAIN cast of ‘The Practical Guide to Love’: Lee Ki Taek, Han Ji Min and Park Sung Hoon.
Photographs courtesy of HBO MAX
The Practical Guide to Love, now premiering on HBO Max, giving viewers a fresh romantic comedy-drama to stream and enjoy. Ahead of its launch, the cast — including Han Ji Min, Park Sung Hoon, and Lee Ki Taek — sat down to share insights about their characters, dating advice and fun personal tidbits, giving fans a peek behind the scenes.
When asked for tips for someone going on their first date, Han Ji Min highlighted the importance of setting: “In my opinion, ambiance matters. Choose a place with soft lighting, it sets the mood for a relaxing and comfortable first date.” Park Sung Hoon emphasized appearance, advising, “What you wear plays a big part in making a strong first impression. Go for something effortlessly stylish — polished, but still comfortable and reflective of your true self.” Lee Ki Taek added, “Choose a fragrance that suits you. Scent can be a subtle yet powerful instrument to express your personality, and it often leaves a lasting impression.”
The actors also reflected on what advice they would give their own characters before starting a blind dating journey. Ji Min said, “I would tell Ui Yeong to dress comfortably and not overdo it — pace herself when it comes to drinks!” Sung Hoon added about Tae Seop, “While confidence is important, it doesn’t hurt to listen to advice from others before diving into the dating world.” Ki Taek shared, “Ji Su already has such a charming personality. My advice would be to stay true to himself and I’m sure love will follow naturally.”
For those struggling to find love in today’s world, the cast had encouraging words. Ji Min said, “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Being proactive and intentional can make a difference when it comes to finding the love you’re looking for.” Sung Hoon noted, “From my experience, I believe that you shouldn’t leave everything to fate. Nothing changes unless you take that first step — which is also a key message of our show. Even blind dating can lead to an unexpected connection.” Ki Taek added, “Keep putting yourself out there, and don’t be discouraged if things don’t work out right away. You are enough, and there’s someone out there who will appreciate you for who you are.”
The trio also opened up about their personal quirks. Ji Min is a night person who loves tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), Sung Hoon is a morning person who enjoys sundae-guk (blood sausage), and Ki Taek prefers morning energy and Korean spicy stir-fried pork. Musical tastes vary too: Ji Min currently has the OST “Perhaps Love” stuck in her head, Sung Hoon is a fan of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile,” and Lee Ki Taek loves “Butter-fly” by Ho Jun Young.
On set, the cast bonds over shared interests. Ji Min and Sung Hoon frequently trade restaurant recommendations, and Ki Taek adopted the same perfume as Sung Hoon after liking it. When asked what makes them smile, Ji Min replied, “Watching my nephews and nieces always makes me happy.”
Describing their characters, Ji Min called Ui Yeong “innocent, cute and honest,” Park Sung Hoon described Tae Seop as “respectful, considerate and steady,” and Ki Taek summarized Ji-su as “straightforward, bold and youthful.”
With its mix of romance, humor, and relatable life lessons, The Practical Guide to Love promises to charm viewers worldwide, and the cast’s candid insights give audiences plenty of reasons to tune in.
