The long-awaited return of Yumi’s Cells 3 has officially taken over the charts, claiming the No. 1 spot for paid subscribers on TVING immediately upon release. While fans were ready for the return of Kim Go-eun as the beloved writer Kim Yumi, they weren’t expecting the “Maltese War” started by her new leading man, Kim Jae-won.
The Maltese Controversy: Why Shin Soon-rok is “Public Enemy No. 1”
In a hilarious turn of events during the premiere, Shin Soon-rok (played by Kim Jae-won) managed to offend dog owners across South Korea. When discussing a “genius dog” character in Yumi’s writing, Soon-rok coldly suggested changing the breed from a Maltese.
- The Insult: Soon-rok claimed that Maltese dogs rank 59th in intelligence and bluntly asked, “Don’t they eat their own droppings?”
- The Backlash: Maltese owners flooded social media with hilarious “angry” comments, defending their pets’ intelligence.
- The Apology: The actor himself took to Instagram on April 15, posting a public apology: “I am sorry to all the Maltese owners across the country.”
Yumi vs. Soon-rok: A “Hate-to-Love” Romance Begins
Beyond the dog drama, Yumi’s Cells 3 delivers a masterful psychological battle. After a long period of professional success, Yumi’s “Love Cells” and “Emotion Cells” had been frozen in deep sleep. That all changed the moment she met her new PD, Shin Soon-rok.
The “Anger Fish” is Biting
Soon-rok’s blunt personality—from wearing earphones to avoid conversation on a bus to critiquing Yumi’s logic—has awakened Yumi’s “Anger Cell.” For the first time in years, her “Fishing Cell” caught a record-breaking amount of “Pakk-dom” (Anger Fish), signaling that her dormant emotions are finally roaring back to life.
A Fated Reunion: Kim Go-eun and Kim Jae-won
Fans are particularly excited about the chemistry between the leads. This marks the second time Kim Go-eun and Kim Jae-won have worked together, following their heartbreaking “first love” story in Eunjoo and Sang-yeon. While their previous characters met a tragic end, Yumi’s Cells 3 offers a refreshing “enemies-to-lovers” dynamic that is already generating massive buzz.
What’s Next: The Confrontation
The premiere ended on a massive cliffhanger. After Yumi discovers that Soon-rok reportedly requested to change authors, her “True Feelings Cell” shattered its frozen capsule. The episode closed with Yumi confronting him: “Is working with me not to your liking? Tell me exactly why!”
Read: Kim Go Eun and Kim Jae Won Sparks New Romance in Yumi’s Cells 3
