Lee Jung Jae is stepping into the world of romantic comedy with Lim Ji Yeon by his side.
The actor, known globally for Squid Game, stars in tvN’s upcoming Monday–Tuesday series Nice to Not Meet You, a lighthearted rom-com. The series follows a man and woman who can’t seem to get along yet keep finding themselves drawn together—with hilariously chaotic results.
At the press conference held on October 28th, Lee Jung Jae revealed with a laugh, “Ji Yeon’s the one who got me the part. Thanks to her, I ended up joining such a wonderful project.”
He added, “After doing something as heavy and genre-driven as Squid Game, I wanted to take on something lighter and more playful. This opportunity came along thanks to Ji Yeon, and I grabbed it right away.” When asked what nickname he’d like to earn from the show, he quipped, “I want to be called the ‘annoyingly charming guy.’”
Lee also shared that his on-screen bickering with Lim Ji Yeon carried over into real life. “We teased each other constantly on set. Sometimes I wondered if she added me to the project just so she could mess with me,” he joked. “I’d ask, ‘Why do you keep bullying me?’ and she’d just say, ‘Because it’s fun!’ I guess that’s why she picked me. The age difference didn’t matter at all—she still scolded me just fine.”
Lim Ji Yeon, meanwhile, admitted she had indeed recommended Lee Jung Jae for the role. “I recommended him. I found the script hilarious and immediately thought of him as the perfect fit for the character Im Hyun Joon,” she said. “I texted him, saying I’d love for us to work together, and now he keeps saying I ‘got him the role.’ That’s not the case. He was easier to work with than most actors my age. The age gap wasn’t something to overcome; it never felt like one.”
Director Kim praised the two stars’ dynamic, saying, “The casting was so perfect it felt like a burden. I just told myself, ‘I can’t mess this up.’ Lee Jung Jae will surprise you—his character is unexpectedly adorable—and Ji Yeon is absolutely lovable.” He continues with the praising, “Once the cameras roll, they completely disappear into their roles. When we stop filming, I find myself asking, ‘Where did they go?’”
Nice to Not Meet You premieres on November 3rd.
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