'Misa' Director Discusses Condensed 2024 Version: 'Fast-Paced Yet Preserving Iconic Scenes'

On November 27, 2024, director Lee Hyung-min shared insights about the newly released OTT version of the beloved drama 'I'm Sorry, I Love You' (미안하다, 사랑한다) during an interview at the Wavve headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. He explained that the original 16-episode series has been restructured into a more rapid 6-episode format, while ensuring that all the iconic scenes remain intact.

Originally aired in 2014, 'I'm Sorry, I Love You' tells the poignant story of Mu-hyuk (So Ji-sub), who was adopted to Australia as a child and grew up as a street kid, and his intense love for Eun-chae (Lim Soo-jung), which transcends even the fear of death. Two decades later, it continues to be celebrated as a 'legendary melodrama' and has garnered a dedicated fanbase known as 'Misa addicts.'

The 2024 director's cut was recently unveiled on Wavve as part of the 'New Classic Project' on November 22. A notable change in this version is the reduction from 16 episodes to just 6.

Director Lee remarked, "We maintained every single frame of the iconic moments between Eun-chae and Mu-hyuk. The original series had minimal dialogue and a lot of narration, almost resembling a music video due to the heavy use of music. I believe that even non-verbal expressions carry significant weight, so I meticulously checked to ensure that no iconic scene was cut short."

He continued, "However, the pacing has definitely quickened. Some scenes were removed, particularly those involving family dynamics or repetitive setups. In the past, the show was almost live, and there was pressure to extend episodes to boost ratings. We made bold cuts to eliminate unnecessary length."

Despite these changes, he expressed concern, saying, "I’ve heard that the 'Misa addicts' enjoy those longer segments, so I worry about their absence."

Lee also noted, "We should view this differently. Now, viewers can enjoy both the 6-episode version and revisit the original 16 episodes. Given that audience attention spans have shortened, perhaps a condensed version will be more appealing."

Curiosity arose regarding which scenes he considers iconic. He highlighted a particular moment where Eun-chae shouts 'I love you' on the subway, emphasizing that while 'Misa' is also a story about a mother and son, the love story takes precedence. Notably, Mu-hyuk remains silent in that scene.

He shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote, revealing that the scene was filmed early on the day of its broadcast. Initially, they planned to shoot outdoors, but unpredictable snowfall forced them to adapt. They ended up filming at a subway station in Yeouido at 2 AM. While location is important, he stressed that the actors' performances and emotions are what truly matter. He had no idea that this scene would become one of the most memorable moments.

Lee added, "As you will see, while we condensed the series from 16 to 6 episodes, Mu-hyuk's backstory in Australia was largely preserved. There were some disagreements, but Wavve respected my vision. I wanted to faithfully depict Mu-hyuk's journey from being a street kid in Australia to saving Eun-chae and the enduring nature of their love."

He concluded, "I had many thoughts during the original broadcast of 'Misa.' I believed it would be beneficial to focus on the Mu-hyuk and Eun-chae storyline, but the network required a longer format. This feels like a chance to address unfinished business. If viewers find it lacking, the original version is still available for them to enjoy."