Actress Kim You-jung, widely recognized for her wholesome image from childhood roles, is set to undergo a dramatic transformation in the upcoming thriller-romance series "Dear X." The highly anticipated Tving original series will premiere on November 6 and marks a significant milestone as Tving's first production to stream globally via HBO Max across 17 Asia-Pacific regions, generating considerable excitement among international audiences.
The series is helmed by acclaimed director Lee Eung-bok, whose impressive portfolio includes hit productions such as "Sweet Home" (2020), "Mr. Sunshine" (2018), and "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" (2016). Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, "Dear X" promises to deliver a compelling blend of psychological thriller elements and dark romance that challenges viewers' perceptions of good and evil.
The storyline centers around Baek Ah-jin, portrayed by Kim You-jung, a complex character who conceals her true nature behind a carefully crafted public persona while ruthlessly pursuing fame and success. In her relentless climb to the top of the entertainment industry, she leaves behind what the series refers to as "Xs" – the broken and discarded individuals who become casualties of her ambition. The narrative explores themes of deception, sacrifice, and the dark underbelly of Korea's celebrity culture.
The drama delves deep into the eventual downfall of Korea's top actress, who hides a merciless reality beneath her stunning exterior beauty. Alongside her story unfolds the tragic romance of Yoon Jun-seo, played by Kim Young-dae, a devoted man willing to sacrifice everything and "descend into hell" to protect the woman he loves. Adding another layer to the complex relationship dynamics is Kim Jae-oh, portrayed by Kim Do-hoon, who serves as Ah-jin's loyal shadow, connected to her through shared traumatic experiences and emotional scars.
During a press conference held at CGV Yongsan IPark Mall on Thursday, director Lee Eung-bok shared his creative vision and what initially drew him to the project. "When I read the original webtoon, I immediately thought of the theme of angels and demons. It struck me as a dark romantic thriller about a demon with the face of an angel, born under a cruel fate, and the two guardian angels who try to protect her," Lee explained, reflecting on his first encounter with the source material.
The director revealed that Jun-seo's internal struggle, particularly his haunting question "Why do I love a wicked person?" served as a major catalyst for his involvement in the project. "I wondered why readers loved a webtoon with such a bad protagonist and wanted to explore that phenomenon," Lee said. "Rather than worrying about intensity or boundaries, I wanted to capture the aching tenderness of the two people who try to love and protect Ah-jin. People see her in all kinds of ways – not just as a villain. I want to make viewers ask themselves, 'What would I do?' or 'Could I live like this?'"
For Kim You-jung, who built her career on family-friendly dramas and maintained a clean, wholesome image throughout her transition from child actor to leading lady, "Dear X" represents her most challenging and darkest role to date. She embraces the complex character of top star Ah-jin, who conceals a ruthless and merciless nature behind her dazzling appearance – essentially becoming what she describes as "a devil with the face of an angel."
Discussing her approach to this transformative role, Kim You-jung revealed her mental preparation strategy. "If I thought of this role as a huge challenge, I might have become too tense, so I tried to let that go," she explained. "I closely analyzed the webtoon and script, and as I read, I realized how intertwined all the characters are and how much the story conveys through those entanglements. Through conversations with the director, I gained both trust and courage, and that helped me overcome my fear."
"Dear X" positions itself as far more than a simple revenge narrative or typical thriller. With its visually stunning cinematography, psychologically twisted romantic dynamics, and sharp, unflinching critique of Korea's entertainment industry, the series carefully balances on a tightrope between horror and heartbreak, promising to deliver an emotionally complex viewing experience.
The actress also elaborated on the unique challenges of adapting a webtoon format to live-action television. "Because the webtoon uses still images, it does a good job of emphasizing each character's essence. The emotionless expressions and unreadable thoughts in those images were well portrayed. I thought hard about how to bring that to life in acting," Kim You-jung explained. "I tried to strip away unnecessary expressions and leave space for subtlety. There are many scenes where the emotions are conveyed through the eyes – I wanted the audience to feel that sense of mystery, of not quite knowing what she's thinking."
