Yumi's Cells (2021)
A heartwarming Korean comedy-drama where one ordinary woman's inner brain cells take center stage, guiding her through love, work, and life's small wonders.
Yumi's Cells - Series Information
- Original Title: 유미의 세포들
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: Song Jae-jung, Kim Yoon-joo
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (64 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 36
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: September 17, 2021 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: tvN, TVING
- Alternative Titles: 유미의 세포들2 (KR), 柔美的細胞小將 (HK)
- Production Companies: Studio Dragon, Merrycow, Studio N, TVING
- Production Countries: South Korea
Yumi's Cells - Plot
Yumi is a 30-year old, ordinary woman who struggles with expressing her feelings. Told from the perspective of the many brain cells in her head, she experiences growth in both her love life, her career, and finds happiness in the small joys of everyday life.
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Yumi's Cells - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Song Jae-jung
- Kim Yoon-joo
Main Cast
- Kim Go-eun
- Mi Ram
- Jinyoung
- Ahn Bo-hyun
- Joo Jong-hyuk
- Lee Yu-bi
- Kwon Seung-woo
- Park Ji-hyun
- Shin Ye-eun
- Pyo Ji-hoon
Writers
- Kim Yoon-joo
- Song Jae-jung
- Kim Kyung-ran
Executive Producers
- Jay J Yang
Yumi's Cells - FAQs
Is Yumi's Cells based on a webtoon or comic?
Yumi's Cells is adapted from a hugely popular Korean webtoon of the same name by Dong-gun Lee, serialized on Naver Webtoon from 2015 to 2020. The original comic amassed a massive following for its witty, relatable portrayal of a woman's inner emotional world rendered as animated brain cells.
What makes Yumi's Cells visually unique among K-dramas?
The series blends live-action drama with charming CGI animation sequences that bring Yumi's inner brain cells to life on screen. Each cell — from Love Cell to Hunger Cell — has its own personality and voice, creating a playful visual language that sets the show apart from conventional Korean romantic dramas.
Where can you stream Yumi's Cells?
Yumi's Cells is available to stream on Rakuten Viki, both with a subscription and with ads. For a full breakdown of viewing options available in your region, JustWatch is a handy resource to check current platform availability.
Who plays the lead role in Yumi's Cells?
Kim Go-eun leads the cast as Kim Yu-mi, the relatable and emotionally complex protagonist. Known for her acclaimed work in Goblin and The King: Eternal Monarch, she brings warmth and nuance to Yumi's journey through romance, professional ambition, and personal growth across all three seasons.
How many seasons and episodes does Yumi's Cells have?
The series spans three seasons: Season 1 and Season 2 each contain 14 episodes, while Season 3 consists of 8 episodes, bringing the total to 36 episodes. Each season follows a distinct chapter of Yumi's emotional and romantic life, giving the story a satisfying sense of progression.
How was Yumi's Cells received by critics and audiences?
The series earned warm praise for its inventive storytelling format and Kim Go-eun's endearing performance. Critics highlighted the show's refreshing blend of animation and live action, while audiences connected deeply with Yumi's relatable struggles. It became one of tvN's standout romantic comedies of 2021 and 2022.
What themes does Yumi's Cells explore?
At its heart, the series explores emotional vulnerability, self-expression, and personal growth. Through Yumi's brain cells, the show examines how love, ambition, friendship, and fear shape everyday decisions. It celebrates the small joys of ordinary life while honestly portraying the messy, often funny reality of modern romance and career pressures.
What are similar shows to watch after Yumi's Cells?
If you enjoyed Yumi's Cells, you might love Be Melodramatic for its slice-of-life warmth, Extraordinary You for its meta-narrative charm, or What's Wrong with Secretary Kim for its breezy workplace romance. Jealousy Incarnate and Backstreet Rookie also share the show's playful tone and emotionally grounded storytelling.
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