“Dear X” marks Kim Yoo-jung’s return to darker territory with this psychological thriller. The upcoming TVING series promises intense drama and complex characters. Significantly, it reunites Kim Yoo-jung with Kim Young-dae in a completely different setting. Therefore, fans can expect a departure from typical romantic storylines.
The Plot
The story centers on Baek A-jin, who endured domestic violence as a child. To survive, she learned to hide her emotions and manipulate others by looking into their hearts. She is normally generous and kind to people. However, she reveals her devilish side if someone angers her or for her own purposes.
With her beautiful appearance and mastered talents, she becomes a top actress. Furthermore, she has Yoon Joon-seo by her side throughout her life. He is willing to do anything for her. Additionally, he is the only one she can rely on and feel comfortable with. Meanwhile, their relationship becomes increasingly complicated as the story unfolds.
The series explores themes of survival, manipulation, and the masks people wear. Moreover, it examines how childhood trauma shapes adult behavior. Therefore, viewers can expect psychological depth alongside thriller elements.
Cast and Crew
Kim Yoo-jung takes on the challenging role of Baek A-jin. She transforms from her usual innocent image to portray a manipulative actress. Additionally, this role showcases her range as a performer. Moreover, she brings complexity to a morally ambiguous character.
Kim Young-dae plays Yoon Joon-seo, A-jin’s devoted companion. He essays the role of someone willing to do anything for the woman he cares about. Furthermore, his character provides emotional anchor in the story. Meanwhile, their dynamic drives much of the series’ tension.
Choi Ja-won wrote the screenplay. She won the grand prize at the 2018 KBS One-Act Drama Script Contest. Furthermore, she adapted the story from the popular Naver webtoon by Vanziun. Therefore, the series maintains connection to its original source material. While Lee Eung-bok and Park So-hyun co-direct this psychological thriller. Lee Eung-bok brings experience from acclaimed series like “Descendents of the Sun” and “Goblin.” Additionally, his expertise in handling complex narratives suits this project. Meanwhile, Park So-hyun adds her directorial vision to the collaboration.
Studio Dragon planned the project. Monster Union and Siwoo Company produced the series. Additionally, TVING provides the streaming platform. Moreover, this collaboration ensures high production values and wide distribution.
Adaptation
The series is based on a popular Naver Webtoon of the same title by Vanziun. The webtoon gained significant following for its psychological complexity. Additionally, it explores dark themes through compelling character development. Moreover, the adaptation promises to maintain the source material’s intensity.
The story of “Baek Ah-jin who wore a mask to get out of hell” resonates with many readers. Furthermore, the webtoon’s visual storytelling translates well to screen adaptation. Therefore, fans of the original work have high expectations for this drama version.
Release and Broadcasting Details
“Dear X” will stream exclusively on TVING. The series consists of 12 episodes, each running approximately 60 minutes. The series was initially scheduled for November 2024 but will now premiere in 2025.
