TVING’s upcoming original series Dear X marks a new chapter for acclaimed director Lee Eung Bok, known for Sweet Home, Mr. Sunshine, Goblin, and Descendants of the Sun.
The series, based on the hit webtoon of the same name, follows Baek Ah Jin (Kim Yoo Jung), a woman who hides cruelty behind a beautiful façade as she claws her way from hell to the top, and Yoon Joon Seo (Kim Young Dae), who walks through hell itself out of love for her.
Lee said he was drawn to the project by the complex ties between Ah Jin, Joon Seo, and Kim Jae Oh (Kim Do Hoon). “Ah Jin conceals her darkness behind beauty, Joon Seo is a chaebol heir who knows nothing about the world, and Jae Oh calls himself trash,” he explained. “I was moved by Joon Seo’s helpless love and Jae Oh’s blind devotion. And Ah Jin—who can shift from devil to angel with a single smile—was utterly captivating.”
Calling it his first villain-centered drama, Lee said, “Ah Jin is unreadable—you can’t tell what she’s thinking from her words or expressions. The key was keeping viewers emotionally invested without turning to pity or melodrama.” He added that Ah Jin’s struggles were heightened for the adaptation: “She faces deeper pain both physically and mentally. The question is whether anyone can reach her frozen heart—that’s a major turning point later in the story.”
The director also shared high praise for his cast. Of Kim Yoo Jung, he said, “I’ve always wanted to work with her, and she was perfect in every moment. Even in the toughest conditions, she threw herself completely into the role—it was moving to watch.” On Kim Young Dae, he commented, “There’s a childlike purity to him that was inspiring.”
“From the youngest actors to the villains, everyone delivered incredible work,” he added. “Kim Yoo Jung’s acting feels almost possessed—you’ll find yourself both condemning and rooting for Baek Ah Jin. And if you think her schemes are shocking, that’s just the mild version. Watch without spoilers for the full effect.”
Dear X premieres with Episodes 1–4 on November 6th at 6 PM KST exclusively on TVING.
>> Kim Yoo Jung Falls From Grace in Seductive, Sinister ‘Dear X’ Trailer
Source: TVING
