Absolute Value of Romance

Absolute Value of Romance
Promotional poster
Hangul
로맨스의 절댓값
RRRomaenseuui jeoldaetgap
MRRomaensŭŭi chŏltaekkap
Genre
Written byLee Min-joo
Directed by
  • Lee Tae-gon
  • Kim Jun-hyung
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16
Production
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCoupang Play
ReleaseApril 17 (2026-04-17) –
May 29, 2026 (2026-05-29)

Absolute Value of Romance (Korean: 로맨스의 절댓값) is a 2026 South Korean television series written by Lee Min-joo and directed by Lee Tae-gon and Kim Jun-hyung. Starring Kim Hyang-gi, Cha Hak-yeon, Kim Jae-hyun, Son Jeong-hyeok, and Kim Dong-gyu, the series follows a high school girl who writes BL romance novels featuring her handsome teachers, only to find herself unexpectedly entangled with them in real life. It premiered on Coupang Play on April 17, 2026, at 20:00 (KST) and is also available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video internationally.

Synopsis

Yeo Eui-ju is an ordinary high school sophomore. Secretly, she is also a failed BL web novel writer. Across 100 serialized episodes, her story gets at most two views. One day, her life changes with the arrival of four attractive teachers who inspire her stories: Ga Ui-su, a math genius scarred by past trauma; Noh Da-ju, a charismatic polyglot and Ui-su's close friend since third grade; Jung Gi-jeon, a kind former athlete who recognizes Eui-ju's athletic talent; and Yoon Dong-ju, a Korean literature expert with a calm and respectful demeanor. She includes all four of them in her new novel, which, to her surprise, finally becomes a hit. But her math teacher, Ui-su, her worst enemy, discovers her secret. She accepts the deal he offers in exchange for his silence, but while gaining popularity, she must also face the challenge of finishing her math homework and managing her personal life.

Cast and characters

Main

A student by day and a BL writer by night. Passionately writing BL web novels under the pen name Imuk, while dreaming of literary success. Though she’s dedicated, her stories initially go unnoticed. Eui-ju is observant and empathetic, yet when it comes to love, she’s inexperienced and often insecure in real life. She effortlessly blurs the lines between reality and imagination, with her own distinctive flair. Her identity as a BL novel writer is kept hidden from others; only her brother knows.
A cold, brilliant math prodigy born into a family of renowned mathematicians, he abandoned his plans to study abroad after a life-changing incident nearly blinded him.
A polyglot. He is a mischievous Japanese teacher from a wealthy family, who is U-su's longtime friend.
A PE teacher, who recognizes Eui-ju’s exceptional running talent and sees her as his next prodigy. He became the first Korean athlete to place fourth in the league at the Winter Games.
  • Kim Dong-gyu as Yoon Dong-ju[1]
A Korean literature teacher, who treats students with courtesy, uses honorifics without fail, and keeps his temper no matter what. Often mistaken for the youngest due to his youthful looks, he’s in fact the oldest of the four teachers.

Supporting

  • Kim So-hee as Choi Go-ya[2]
Eui-ju's best friend, who is a talented art student.
  • Yoon Hye-rim as Choi Ji-ah[3]
Eui-ju's classmate with emotional scars from her life.
  • Jung Da-on as Na Deu-rim[4]
A Mathematics teacher in Eui-ju's school, she is the first Korean Fields Medalist.
  • Jang Jae-young as Kim Dan-ji[5]
Eui-ju's friend.
  • Han Se-hee as Kim Young-jae[6]
Eui-ju's friend.
  • Noh Joo-eun as Eun Ha-soo[7]
Eui-ju's classmate who is also a Mathematics genius.
  • Gladys Bay as Jenny[8]
Eui-ju's friend, who is an exchange student from Singapore.
  • Yang So-min as Yun-ju[9]
Eui-ju's mother.

Production

In late 2025, Kim Hyang-gi, Kim Jae-hyun, and Cha Hak-yeon were reportedly cast, and filming commenced.[10][11][12] By February 2026, Kim Hyang-gi, Cha Hak-yeon, Kim Jae-hyun, Son Jeong-hyeok, and Kim Dong-gyu were officially confirmed to lead the drama Absolute Value of Romance. Lee Tae-gon, who helmed Hello, My Twenties! (2017) and True to Love (2023), was attached to co-direct with Kim Jun-hyung, and the screenplay is written by Lee Min-joo. The production is handled by Good Wave, Inc. and Borderless Film, with co-production by Singaporean broadcasting company Mediacorp.[1][12][13]

Release

Absolute Value of Romance premiered on Coupang Play on April 17, 2026, at 20:00 (KST) and is also available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video internationally.[14][15]

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Released on April 17, 2026 (2026-04-17)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Real Fantasy"Mao
  • Song Hyeon-jong
  • Viola
  • Naiv
Viola3:02
2."Real Fantasy" (Inst.) 
  • Song Hyeon-jong
  • Viola
  • Naiv
 3:02
Total length:6:04

Part 2

Released on April 25, 2026 (2026-04-25)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Sweet & Sour"16
  • 16
  • Do.ne
Say My Name3:24
2."Sweet & Sour - Male Version" 
  • 16
  • Do.ne
163:26
3."Sweet & Sour" (Inst.) 
  • 16
  • Do.ne
 3:24
4."Sweet & Sour - Male Version" (Inst.) 
  • 16
  • Do.ne
 3:26
Total length:13:41

Part 3

Released on May 1, 2026 (2026-05-01)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Why the Night"Viola
  • Viola
  • Son Hyeon-jong
5:09
2."Why the Night" (Inst.) 
  • Viola
  • Son Hyeon-jong
 5:08
Total length:10:19

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Park, Jin-young (February 10, 2026). 김향기·차학연·엔플라잉 김재현, '로맨스의 절댓값' 캐스팅...4월 공개 [Kim Hyang-gi, Cha Hak-yeon, and N.Flying's Kim Jae-hyun cast in Absolute Value of Romance (released in April)]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  2. ↑ Son, Bong-seok (April 15, 2026). 신예 김소희, 하이틴 시리즈 '로맨스의 절댓값' 김향기 친구 최고야 역 낙점 [Rookie Kim So-hee Cast as Kim Hyang-gi's Friend Choi Go-ya in Teen Series Absolute Value of Romance]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  3. ↑ Kim, Soo-jin (April 16, 2026). 신인 연기자 윤혜림, 쿠팡플레이 '로맨스의 절댓값' 출연 [Rookie actress Yoon Hye-rim appears in Coupang Play's Absolute Value of Romance]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  4. ↑ Park, Yang-soo (April 15, 2026). 정다온, 배우를품다 전속계약+‘로맨스의 절댓값’ 캐스팅 겹경사 [Jung Da-on Signs Exclusive Contract with 'Embrace the Actor' + Cast in Absolute Value of Romance: Double Celebration]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  5. ↑ Song, Bong-seok (April 14, 2026). 신예 장재영, ‘로맨스의 절댓값’ 김단지 역 낙점 [Rookie Jang Jae-young Cast as Kim Dan-ji in Absolute Value of Romance]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  6. ↑ Song, Bong-seok (April 10, 2026). 한세희, ‘로맨스의 절댓값’ 김영재 역 [Han Se-hee, playing the role of Kim Young-jae in Absolute Value of Romance]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  7. ↑ Ha, Ji-won (April 9, 2026). 노주은, 교사 차학연 향한 열혈 추종 예고‥‘로맨스의 절댓값’ 합류 [Noh Joo-eun Teases Fierce Admiration for Teacher Cha Hak-yeon... Joins Absolute Value of Romance]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Star Search 2024's Gladys Bay stars in K-drama Absolute Value of Romance, recalls something considered disrespectful because of cultural differences". AsiaOne. April 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ Song, Bong-seok (April 10, 2026). 양소민, ‘로맨스의 절댓값’ 김향기 엄마로 변신! [Yang So-min transforms into Kim Hyang-gi's mother in Absolute Value of Romance]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  10. ↑ Park, Jin-young (November 21, 2025). [단독] 김향기, '로맨스의 절대값' 캐스팅...'믿보배'의 눈부신 열일 [[Exclusive] Kim Hyang-gi cast in Absolute Value of Romance... The dazzling performance of a 'trustworthy treasure']. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  11. ↑ Park, Jin-young (November 21, 2025). [단독] 엔플라잉 김재현, 커리어 하이 찍고 배우로...'로맨스의 절대값' 캐스팅 [[Exclusive] N.Flying's Kim Jae-hyun, reaching career highs, becomes an actor... Cast in Absolute Value of Romance]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Park, Jin-young (November 26, 2025). [단독] 차학연, 청춘 로코 주인공 됐다...'로맨스의 절대값' 캐스팅 [[Exclusive] Cha Hak-yeon to star in a youth romantic comedy... Cast in Absolute Value of Romance]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Mediacorp and Coupang Play join forces in landmark Korean series production, Absolute Value of Romance". Mediacorp. December 3, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  14. ↑ Kim, Kyung-hee (March 20, 2026). '로맨스의 절댓값' 김향기, 낮에는 여고생 밤에는 BL 작가? '아슬아슬 이중생활' [Absolute Value of Romance Kim Hyang-gi, High Schooler by Day, BL Author by Night? 'A Risky Double Life']. iMBC (in Korean).
  15. ↑ "Korean series Absolute Value of Romance gets release date". SunStar Cebu. Cebu City: SunStar Publishing Corporation. March 23, 2026. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
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