Is Kim Yoo-jung a Sociopath? Bold Acting Transformation! Tving Original 'Dear X'

Actress Kim Yoo-jung is challenging herself with a sociopathic villain role, shedding her existing bright and pure image.

At the production presentation for the Tving original series 〈Dear X〉 held on the 30th at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul, Kim Yoo-jung stated, "I play a character, Baek Ah-jin, who is a devil with an angel's face, and it's a character that anyone who acts would be greedy for." She expressed that her synchronization with the character is "minus 100%."

In the drama, Baek Ah-jin is a top actress who gains popularity for her beautiful appearance but is portrayed as a cruel villain inside. This will be a significant image transformation for Kim Yoo-jung, who has been ingrained in the public's mind as a bright and unblemished figure since her childhood acting days.

Kim Yoo-jung explained, "I tried to exclude thoughts like 'this is a big challenge for me' because I was worried it would put too much pressure on me," adding, "I wanted to make it feel like you don't know what Ah-jin is thinking."

It seems that the immersion in the intense character was high. Kim Yoo-jung recalled, "While playing Ah-jin, there were moments when I was swept away, and at the Busan International Film Festival, after watching episodes 1 and 2, I had many moments where I thought, 'Oh, did I do that?' and couldn't remember."

Director Lee Eung-bok, who is in charge of directing, said, "I promised Kim Yoo-jung that I would protect her so that she wouldn't be consumed by Baek Ah-jin." This work is drawing attention as it is directed by PD Lee, who has directed 〈Sweet Home〉, 〈Mr. Sunshine〉, 〈Guardian: The Lonely and Great God〉, and 〈Descendants of The Sun〉.

PD Lee stated that this is the first drama he is directing with a villain as the protagonist, saying, "I directed it with the thought, 'Why did readers love such a bad protagonist?'" He explained, "I didn't just capture the feeling of being a villain but also included feelings like 'Could you live like this?' and 'What can you say about this choice?'"

Although it is based on a popular webtoon of the same name, an original story unique to the drama has also been added. PD Lee mentioned, "In the early to mid-part, we followed the original flow a lot, but the story after becoming an adult is filled with original (created) content, while still trying to maintain the feel of the original throughout."

In the drama, two men appear around the sociopath Baek Ah-jin. Kim Young-dae plays the role of Yoon Jun-seo, who tries to save Ah-jin, while Kim Do-hoon plays the role of Kim Jae-oh, who blindly follows Ah-jin.

Kim Young-dae explained the differences between the two men, saying, "Jun-seo, who loves someone wholeheartedly, was attractive," and added, "If Jae-oh is rough and emotional, Jun-seo is rational and calm," stating, "If Jae-oh helps upfront, Jun-seo feels like he is helping from behind."

Kim Do-hoon mentioned, "It was a character I had never seen before, so I was worried at first," but added, "The director said that I and Jae-oh matched well, which gave me the courage to act."

〈Dear X〉 will be released sequentially on Tving starting from the 6th of next month. It will be the first content that Tving services overseas through the HBO Max brand.

Kim Yoo-jung expressed her expectations, saying, "This work mainly tells the story of human relationships and the extreme emotional situations that humans feel, and I think it will be interesting for overseas viewers."