Winners for the 31st Shanghai TV Festival Magnolia Awards unveiled
Director Lee Eung Bok reveals the highlights to watch for in TVING's upcoming original series Dear X .
Dear X tells the story of Baek Ah Jin (Kim You Jung), a woman who, having endured domestic violence in childhood, wears a mask to hide her emotions and escape a hellish life, and climbs to the top by manipulating people.
Anticipation is also high as it marks director Lee Eung Bok's (Mr. Sunshine, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, and Descendants of the Sun) first collaboration with TVING.
Director Lee Eung Bok cited the characters and their relationships — Baek Ah Jin (Kim You Jung), Yun Jun Seo (Kim Young Dae), and Kim Jae Oh (Kim Do Hoon) — as the reason he decided to take on the project.
He commented, "Baek Ah Jin, who hides her true feelings behind her dazzling beauty; Yoon Jun Seo, a young man from a rich family who knows little of the ways of the world; and Kim Jae Oh, who calls himself trash — these three characters were interesting, and their relationships were intriguing."
"I was drawn to Yun Jun Seo's helplessly kind heart that asks, 'Why do I love such a wicked girl?' and was moved by Kim Jae Oh's unconditional devotion as he says, 'What do you want me to do?' and does everything Baek Ah Jin desires. And Baek Ah Jin herself — a devil whose thoughts are impossible to read, yet who can instantly transform into an angel with armed with a beautiful smile — was really captivating."
He remarked, "This is my first time directing a drama where the villain is the main character, so I'm very curious to see how viewers will respond. Baek Ah Jin is a character whose true intentions can't be read through her smile, tone, or behavior. The most important thing was whether viewers could immerse themselves in the protagonist's emotions. I devoted great effort to making Baek Ah Jin's journey feel thrilling and evoke curiosity, rather than leaning toward simple pity or melodrama."
He added, "Compared to the original webtoon, I made Baek Ah Jin's suffering more intense — both physically and psychologically. Can the people who are unaware of the true nature of Baek Ah Jin, armed with her enchanting smile, move her stone-cold heart? That will become one of the most intriguing points to watch in the latter half of the drama."
Director Lee spoke highly of Kim Yoo Jung, saying, "She has been an actress I had always wanted to work with, and when we finally met, every moment was perfect. I was deeply moved by how she unhesitatingly devoted herself to her performance, even in difficult circumstances."
About Kim Young Dae, he shared, "I was captivated by his childlike innocence. It gave me great inspiration in shaping the character of Yun Jun Seo."
He also praised Kim Do Hoon and Lee Yeol Eum, who plays Re Na, saying, "Kim Do Hoon was recommended by actor Kim Nam Hee, and from our very first meeting, he exuded a cheerful and lively vibe. He has since become a source of happiness for everyone on set. As for Lee Yeol Eum, I was delighted to see her again after she auditioned for a project long ago. I was impressed by how much more unique and mature her acting has become. Though she may appear fragile on the outside, she has an exceptional ability to express delicate emotions."
Lastly, Director Lee Eung Bok expressed confidence: "From the child actors to the villains, everyone delivered the best acting ensemble. Kim You Jung's performance, in particular, was transcendent — like she was possessed. Baek Ah Jin's sly words and ruthless actions keep the audience swinging between condemnation and support. There will be plenty of thrill in riding the emotional rollercoaster brought by Baek Ah Jin's charm."
He added, "The fun of watching Baek Ah Jin torment others can, when you think about it, feel like 'mild,' so for those craving the 'spicy' thrill, the less you know going in — without spoilers — the more immersive the experience will be."
Dear X is set to premiere this November. The K-drama is coming on HBO Max.
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