The first eason was released on TVING from September 17, to October 30, 2021, and aired on tvN every Friday and Saturday at 22:50 (KST).[3][4] The second season was released on TVING from June 10, to July 22, 2022, releasing two episodes every Friday at 16:00 (KST).[5][6] It was later aired on tvN from November 16, to December 29, 2022, every Wednesday and Thursday at 22:30 (KST).[7] The third season premiered on TVING on April 13, 2026, releasing two episodes every Monday at 18:00 (KST); it also airs on tvN every Monday and Tuesday at 20:50 (KST).[8]
On September 8, 2021, TVING announced that the drama had sold broadcast rights in more than 160 countries around the world, including Europe, North America and Southeast Asia.[9][10] On September 15, 2022, it was announced that season 2 had been sold to Amazon Prime Video for broadcasting in Japan.[11]
The drama tells the story of an ordinary office worker from the perspective of the brain cells in her head that control her every thought, feeling and action.[15]
Season 1
edit
Yumi (Kim Go-eun) is an ordinary woman whose Love Cell has fallen into a coma following the shock of a failed relationship. When she meets Goo Woong (Ahn Bo-hyun), a game developer, his simple and honest personality wakes up Yumi's Love Cell.
Season 2
edit
After parting with Goo Woong, Yumi starts a new relationship with her co-worker Babi (Jinyoung). In the meantime, she rekindles her dream of becoming a writer.
Season 3
edit
Yumi, now in her mid-30s, has become a renowned romance novelist, but she feels a sense of emptiness. The arrival of Shin Soon-rok (Kim Jae-won) plunges her life into a new mix of joy and despair.[16]
Kim Jae-won as Shin Soon-rok, employee of a publishing company in charge of Yumi's works and her boyfriend.[20]
Choi Daniel as Kim Joo-ho, the lead writer at Julie Publishing.[21]
Yumi's cells
edit
Love Cell (voice: Ahn Soi)
Yumi's prime cell that represents the people. It's the driving force behind Yumi's actions. Other cells wear blue, but it wears pink.
Emotional Cell (voice: Park Ji-yoon)
Emotional cell, responsible for emotion. It has a nocturnal temperament, so at night, it flutters blue leaves and gets wet with sensitivity.
Rational Cell (voice: Shim Kyu-hyuk)
The opposite cell responsible for ideal thinking. When working or having an important conversation, this is Yumi's busiest cell from the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes to sleep.
Hungry Cell (voice: Lee Jang-won)
Cell responsible for appetite and cravings. When this cell wakes up, Yumi's appetite explodes.
Naughty Cell (voice: Ahn Young-mi)
Clumsy sexuality cell that promotes racy thoughts. It spits out obscene words from time to time, most of which are muted.
Shin Ye-eun as Yoo Da-eun, part-time worker at Jeju branch of Daehan Noodles.[34]
Pyo Ji-hoon as Control Z, an illustrator who works with Yumi.[35]
Jeon Seok-ho as Ahn Dae-young, editor-in-chief of Julie's Literature History.[36]
Production
edit
Casting
edit
On December 31, 2020, it was reported that webtoon Yumi's Cells published on Naver by Lee Dong-gun from 2015 to 2020 with 3.2 billion accumulated views was being made into a television series and Kim Go-eun was confirmed as the female lead.[37][38] On March 10, 2021, media reported that Ahn Bo-hyun had received an offer for the part of Yu-mi's first boyfriend, Goo Woong,[39] which was confirmed on April 27 with the final line-up, which also included Lee Yu-bi, Park Ji-hyun and Choi Min-ho.[40][41]
On July 22, 2021, Jinyoung joined the cast,[42] appearing from episode 8 onwards as Yoo Babi;[43] in the second season the character was promoted to male lead.[44] The second season also features special appearances by Shin Ye-eun,[34]P.O,[35] and Jeon Seok-ho.[36]
Kim Go-eun and Park Jin-young filming the second season
The first two seasons started production simultaneously.[40] Filming began in April 2021[49] and ended the following December.[44] While the first season wanted to faithfully adapt the webtoon, with the second one the director and the writers took a different approach, given the polarization of opinions on Babi by the readers of the original work.[50][51] As Babi flirts with another woman while he is dating Yumi, Jinyoung commented that one of his sisters had asked him if he was really sure about accepting the part and that, with the help of the director and Kim Go-eun, he had tried to show Babi's infinite love for Yumi to try to make people hate him less.[51][52] Since the third season had not yet been confirmed at the time of filming and wanting to highlight Lee Dong-gun's creativity, the scenes of Yumi's third boyfriend, Shin Soon-rok, were therefore adapted for Babi.[50]
Filming of the third season took place from June to October 2025.[53][54]
Animation
edit
Yumi's Cells was produced using a new format which combined live-action and 3D animation. It was the first time such a format was used to produce a TV series while using the Unreal Engine as its source.[55] The 3D animation was produced by Locus Corporation (also known as Sidus Animation Studios), the producer of Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs.[56][57]
"Dark Hearts Will Pass Away Tonight" (어두운 마음은 오늘 밤 지나갈거야; Inst.)
Kim Yoon-ju
3:20
Total length:
6:40
Reception
edit
Critical reception
edit
Yumi's Cells has been praised for its refreshing and humorous depiction of the daily life of an ordinary office worker.[78] The first season was praised for its casting, the actors' performances, the faithful adaptation of the webtoon, and the use of 3D animation to depict the cells, although some critics stated that the relatively new attempt to integrate live action and animation could be a barrier for those who were not already fans of the original work.[79][80][81][82] This latter reason was cited as the likely cause of the ratings, which were considered disappointing for its quality.[80]
After the release of the first two episodes of the second season, TVING recorded the highest number of paying subscribers of any of its original dramas, quadrupling the number of subscribers since the premiere of the previous season.[83]Yumi's Cells 2 was praised for its greater maturity and evolution in the actors' performances,[84] and was ranked 7th in the best series of 2022 by Cine21, who praised it for not losing its momentum and for realistically weaving together character growth and romance.[85]Indiatoday applauded the chemistry between Kim Go-eun and Jinyoung, but felt that Babi's character had been poorly handled, especially in the second half.[86]
The release of the second season on June 10 saw the number of TVING's paid subscribers increasing by more than 60% from the first to the second week,[87] and the series took first place among all the platform original contents for five weeks in a row.[88]
Viewership
edit
Yumi's Cells : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
This drama airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
N/A denotes that ratings were not known.
This drama airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
This drama airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).
Awards and nominations
edit
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
^Due to some ratings not recorded, the exact average rating is unknown.
^National winners automatically compete with the winners from other countries for the Grand Award.[98]
References
edit
^ abcdYoon Hyo-jeong (September 8, 2021). '유미의 세포들' 제작진 "김고은, 우리 주변에 있을 것 같은 유미 그렸다" ['Yumi's Cells' crew "Kim Go-eun drew Yumi who seems to be around us"] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee Jung-hyun (April 27, 2021). 드라마 '유미의 세포들' 티빙과 tvN에서 만나요 [See you on tvN with tvN in the drama 'Yumi's Cells']. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
^Hwang Hye-jin (August 9, 2021). '유미의 세포들' 김고은X안보현 포스터 공개, 웹툰 빼닮은 비주얼 ['Yumi's Cells' Kim Go-eun X Ahn Bo-hyun poster released, webtoon-like visuals]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
^Jo Hye-jin (April 27, 2021). 김고은X안보현X이유비X박지현 '유미의 세포들', 티빙‧tvN 동시공개 [공식입장] [Kim Go-eun X Ahn Bo-hyun X Lee Yu-bi X Park Ji-hyun's 'Yumi's Cells', Simultaneous Release of TVING and tvN [Official Position]] (in Korean). X-sports News. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jang, Seo-hee (September 16, 2022). '유미의 세포들' 日도 사로잡는다…아마존 손잡고 일본 진출 ['Yumi's Cells' captures Japan too... Entering Japan with Amazon] (in Korean). spoTV News. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2022 – via Naver.
^김, 세훈 (September 17, 2021). 티빙 드라마 '유미의 세포들', 매력 넘치는 인물 관계도…바비ㆍ구웅ㆍ우기 캐스팅→성우 열연 예고 [The TVing drama 'Yumi's Cells' and the charming character relationship...Bobby, Gooong, Yuqi Casting → Seongwoo's performance is announced]. 비즈엔터. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
^Choi Bo-ran (December 31, 2020). 김고은, 웹툰 원작 '유미의 세포들' 여주인공 캐스팅 확정(공식) [Kim Go-eun confirmed for the female lead in the webtoon original 'Yumi's Cells' (official)]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
^Yoo Ji-hye (March 10, 2021). [단독] 안보현, '유미의 세포들' 주연…김고은과 호흡 [[Exclusive] Ahn Bo-hyeon, starring in 'Yumi's Cells'... Breathing with Go-eun Kim]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
^Moon Ji-yeon (April 20, 2021). [단독] 박진영, '유미의 세포들' 합류..김고은 남친 유바비役 [[Exclusive] Jinyoung Park joins 'Yumi's Cells'.. Kim Go-eun's boyfriend Yubabi]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
^ abLee Mi-ji (May 19, 2025). '김재원, '유미의 세포들3' 순록役 합류..김고은과 연상연하 케미(공식) [Kim Jae-won joins 'Yumi's Cells 3' as Soon Rok.. Kim Go-eun and the chemistry between the older and younger generations(Official)]. Naver News (in Korean) – via Naver.
^Choi Ji-yoon (July 3, 2025). 김재원·최다니엘…'유미의 세포들3' 김고은 남자 [Kim Jae-won, Choi Daniel… 'Yumi's Cells 3' Kim Go-eun's Man]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
^Lee Se-bin (June 16, 2022). 유세윤·강유미 '유미의 세포들2' 혀세포 성우 등판…"자신 있는 분야 [Yoo Se-yoon and Kang Yu-mi's 'Yumi's Cells 2' tongue cell voice actors debut... "A field of confidence] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Kyung-ho (April 18, 2021). [단독]박지현, '유미의 세포들'로 안방 컴백..질투 폭발 서새이役 [[Exclusive] Ji-hyun Park, comeback with 'Yumi's Cells'..Explosion of Jealousy as Seo Sae-i]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
^Noh Gyu-min (April 5, 2021). 이유비, '조선구마사' 차기작 결정…'유미의 세포들' 출연 [Lee Yu-bi, 'Joseon Gumasa' next project decided... Appeared in 'Yumi's Cells']. TenAsia (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
^Kim Soo-jin (June 22, 2021). 정순원, 티빙 오리지널 '유미의 세포들' 출연 확정 [공식] [Jung Soon-won confirmed to appear in Teabing's original 'Yumi's Cells' [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
^Eun-mi Jo (September 1, 2021). 신예 김차윤, '유미의 세포들' 캐스팅..톡톡 튀는 매력+분위기 메이커 역할[공식] [Rookie Kim Cha-yoon, cast in 'Yumi's Cells'..]. Herald Muse (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ha Ji-won (September 15, 2021). 미람, '유미의 세포들' 출연...김고은과 절친 호흡 [공식입장] [Miram to appear in 'Yumi's Cells'... Kim Go-eun and best friend [official position]]. EXports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via Naver.
^Yoo Ji-hye (June 30, 2025). [단독] 조혜정, '유미의 세포들3' 합류…3년 공백 끝 [[Exclusive] Jo Hye-jeong joins 'Yumi's Cells 3'… End of 3-year hiatus]. JTBC (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
^Choi Jae-wook (July 3, 2025). 김고은 김재원 주연 '유미의 세포들3' 최강 라인업 공개 ! [Kim Go-eun and Kim Jae-won's strongest lineup for 'Yumi's Cells 3' revealed!]. Eyes ize (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
^Shin Young-eun (April 28, 2021). 샤이니 민호 '유미의 세포들' 특별출연 [공식] [SHINee's Minho's 'Yumi's Cells' Special Appearance [Official] [Official]]. Maeil Business Newspaper Star (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
^Baek Seung-hoon (August 30, 2021). 안영미, '유미의 세포들' 출격…19금 '응큼세포' 목소리 [Ahn Young-mi, 'Yumi's Cells' scramble... 19 Gold 'Num Cell' Voice]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kang Hyo-jin (August 31, 2021). [단독]이상이, '유미의 세포들' 특별출연…김고은과 인연 [[Exclusive] Lee Sang-yi to make a special appearance in 'Yumi's Cells'... Relationship with Kim Go-eun]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abJang Woo-young (November 27, 2021). 신예은, '유미의 세포들2' 다은 役 특별 출연 [공식입장] [Shin Ye-eun to make a special appearance as Da-eun in 'Yumi's Cells 2' [Official Position]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abPark Soo-in (December 2, 2021). 피오 측 "'유미의 세포들2' 특별출연" 컨트럴 役(공식입장) [P.O's "Special appearance in 'Yumi's Cells 2'" Controlp (official position)] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abShin Young-eun (June 30, 2022). 유미의 세포들2' 신예은·전석호·표지훈 특별출연 [Shin Ye-eun, Jeon Seok-ho, and Pyo Ji-hoon make special appearances in 'Yumi's Cells 2'] (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang Seon-ae (December 31, 2020). '유미의 세포들' 드라마화…여주인공 유미는 배우 김고은 [Dramatization of 'Yumi's Cells'... The female lead is Yumi and actress Kim Go-eun.]. SBS Entertainment News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
^ abYoon, Hyo-jeong (April 27, 2021). 김고은·안보현·이유비·박지현 '유미의 세포들' 주연 확정 [Kim Go-eun, Ahn Bo-hyun, Lee Yu-bi, and Park Ji-hyun confirmed as the lead roles in 'Yumi's Cells']. News 1 (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
^Moon Ji-yeon (July 1, 2021). 김고은, 역대급 '공감캐' 변신..'유미의 세포들' 하반기 공개 [Go-eun Kim, transforming into an all-time 'sympathetic character'...'Yumi's Cells' released in the second half of the year]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
^Jang Ah-reum (July 29, 2021). 김고은, 역대급 '공감캐' 변신..'유미의 세포들' 하반기 공개 [What's going on in Kim Go-eun's head... Lovely teaser poster for 'Yumi's Cells' released]. News 1 (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
^Lee, Hyo-seok (June 19, 2020). 네이버웹툰 '유미의 세포들' 극장용 장편 애니로 만든다 [Naver Webtoon 'Yumi's Cells' to be made into a feature film for theaters]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
^유미의 세포들 OST Part 1 [Yumi's Cells OST Part 1] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. September 17, 2021. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021 – via Melon.
^유미의 세포들 OST Part 2 [Yumi's Cells OST Part 2] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. September 18, 2021. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021 – via Melon.
^유미의 세포들 OST Part 3 [Yumi's Cells OST Part 3]. Melon. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
^유미의 세포들 OST Part 4 [Yumi's Cells OST Part 4]. Melon. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
^유미의 세포들 OST Part 5 [Yumi's Cells OST Part 5]. Melon. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
^유미의 세포들 OST Part 6 [Yumi's Cells OST Part 6]. Melon. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
^유미의 세포들 OST Part 7 [Yumi's Cells OST Part 7]. Melon. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
^유미의 세포들 OST Part 8 [Yumi's Cells OST Part 8]. Melon. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
^유미의 세포들 OST Part 9 [Yumi's Cells OST Part 9]. Melon. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
^유미의 세포들 시즌2 OST Part 1 [Yumi's Cells Season 2 OST Part 1] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. June 10, 2022. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022 – via Melon.
^유미의 세포들 시즌2 OST Part 2 [Yumi's Cells Season 2 OST Part 2] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022 – via Melon.
^유미의 세포들 시즌2 OST Part 3 [Yumi's Cells Season 2 OST Part 3] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. June 24, 2022. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022 – via Melon.
^유미의 세포들 시즌2 OST Part 4 [Yumi's Cells Season 2 OST Part 4] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 1, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022 – via Melon.
^유미의 세포들 시즌2 OST Part 5 [Yumi's Cells Season 2 OST Part 5] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 2, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022 – via Melon.
^유미의 세포들 시즌2 OST Part 6 [Yumi's Cells Season 2 OST Part 6] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 8, 2022. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022 – via Melon.
^유미의 세포들 시즌2 OST Part 7 [Yumi's Cells Season 2 OST Part 7] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 15, 2022. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Melon.
^유미의 세포들 시즌2 OST Part 8 [Yumi's Cells Season 2 OST Part 8] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 16, 2022. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Melon.
^Myung, Hee-sook (September 29, 2022). 안보현·한선화, OTT 부문 우수 연기상 [에이판스타어워즈] [Ahn Bo-hyun and Han Seon-hwa, Outstanding Acting Award in OTT Category [Apan Star Awards]] (in Korean). MyDaily. Retrieved September 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hyo-yi (September 6, 2022). 강태오-박은빈'·'손석구-김지원'·'이준호-이세영' 베스트커플상은? [Best Couple Award for 'Kang Tae-oh - Park Eun-bin', 'Son Seok-gu-Kim Ji-won', 'Lee Jun-ho-Lee Se-young'?] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Ahn Byung-gil (April 11, 2022). 58회 백상예술대상 후보 공개…영광의 주인공은? [58th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations revealed... Who is the hero of glory?]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
^Moon Ji-yeon (July 6, 2022). 제1회 청룡시리즈어워즈 후보 공개..'오징어 게임'·'SNL코리아' 최다노미 [The 1st Blue Dragon Series Awards nominees revealed.. Most Nominees for 'Squid Game' and 'SNL Korea'] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2022 – via Naver.
around Kim Yumi, a 32-year-old office worker, and her brain cells, tiny blue-hooded cells that control her every mood, thought, and action. Yumi's Block Pang
office worker Yumi and the myriad of cells inside her brain – such as Rational Cell, Emotional Cell, Anxiety Cell, Love Cell, Naughty Cell, and more – each
in the Trap (2016), Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017), Yumi's Cells (2021–2026), and Little Women (2022), as well as the films Coin Locker
role of Shin Soon-rok, love interest of Kim Yumi (Kim Go-eun) in the third season of the drama Yumi's Cells. On February 2, 2026, it was announced that
He won the Excellence Award, Actor in an OTT Drama for his roles in Yumi's Cells and My Name at the 8th APAN Star Awards on September 29, 2022. Ahn was
Hi-Five (2025), as well as the television series The Devil Judge (2021), Yumi's Cells (2021–2022), The Witch (2025), and Our Unwritten Seoul (2025). He is
the 2021 TVING series Yumi's Cells. In the show, Park played Seo Sae-yi, a programmer who serves as a love rival to protagonist Yumi (played by Kim Go-eun)
..김고은과 인연 [[Exclusive] Lee Sang-yi to make a special appearance in 'Yumi's Cells'... Relationship with Kim Go-eun]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Archived from