After earning worldwide recognition for his intense portrayal of Seong Gi-hun in Netflix's hit series "Squid Game," acclaimed actor Lee Jung-jae is making a dramatic genre shift by taking on a lighthearted romantic comedy role in tvN's upcoming drama "Nice to Not Meet You." The series marks a significant departure from the darker, more serious projects that have defined much of Lee's recent career.
In the new romantic comedy, Lee Jung-jae plays Lim Hyeon-jun, a popular A-list actor who has become synonymous with his detective character in the fictional blockbuster franchise "Good Detective Kang Pil-gu." Despite achieving tremendous fame and success in action-packed roles, Hyeon-jun yearns to break free from his typecast image as a tough guy and demonstrate his acting range through more emotionally nuanced melodramatic performances. Lee is expected to bring both comedic timing and emotional vulnerability to this character as he navigates the glamorous yet ruthlessly competitive world of South Korea's entertainment industry.
During an online press conference held on Tuesday, Lee Jung-jae explained his motivation for choosing this project, stating, "My previous works were quite genre-heavy, so I wanted to try something lighter, more vibrant and fun. At just the right moment, actor Lim Ji-yeon reached out and I jumped at the chance." The collaboration between the two stars came about through an unconventional approach, with Lim Ji-yeon taking the initiative to contact Lee directly about the project.
Lim Ji-yeon, who is best known for her chilling and memorable performance as the antagonist Park Yeon-jin in Netflix's revenge drama "The Glory," shared the amusing story of how she personally recruited Lee for the role. "After reading the script, I instantly thought Lee Jung-jae would be perfect for Hyeon-jun, so I shyly sent him a text suggesting we work together," Lim revealed during the press conference. Like her co-star, Lim was also eager to explore a completely different type of character after her recent darker roles.
In "Nice to Not Meet You," Lim Ji-yeon portrays Wi Jeong-sin, a talented and ambitious political journalist who finds herself unexpectedly reassigned to cover the entertainment industry. Jeong-sin was previously considered a rising star in political journalism and had achieved the distinction of being the youngest reporter ever to win a prestigious journalism award. However, her promising career takes an unexpected turn when she becomes involved in a major political corruption scandal, forcing her superiors to transfer her to the entertainment beat as a form of professional exile.
The character of Jeong-sin represents someone who initially has little interest in or respect for pop culture and celebrity news, viewing her new assignment as beneath her journalistic standards. However, as Lim Ji-yeon explained, "The most meaningful transformation in this story is watching Jeong-sin – someone who once had no interest in pop culture – gradually open her heart to a new world after meeting a top star and being exposed to the chaos of media and fame." Lim was particularly drawn to this role because she wanted to portray "someone bright and optimistic, after portraying many characters burdened by hardship."
The central premise of the drama revolves around the complex and evolving relationship between the top actor Hyeon-jun and the sharp-tongued entertainment reporter Jeong-sin. Set against the backdrop of South Korea's fast-paced showbiz world, where new scandals and controversies seem to emerge almost daily, the series promises to explore the love-hate dynamic between these two characters who are brought together by what the production describes as "an exasperating twist of fate." Their relationship is expected to provide both comedic moments and genuine emotional depth as they navigate their professional and personal conflicts.
Director Kim Ga-ram, who previously helmed successful dramas including "Nevertheless" in 2021 and "Good Partner" in 2024, described the new series as fundamentally "a story that breaks down prejudice." Kim elaborated on the show's central theme, explaining, "It begins with dislike between the leads, but evolves into understanding and love. This show offers a refreshing and accessible dose of comedy, showcasing sides of Lee and Lim audiences have never seen before. It's a drama you can enjoy easily – just sit back, relax and get ready to laugh."
The 16-episode romantic comedy series is scheduled to premiere on November 3rd and will be available to international audiences through Amazon Prime Video. New episodes will be released following a regular weekly schedule, with fresh content dropping every Monday and Tuesday. This distribution strategy ensures that global viewers will have consistent access to the show alongside its domestic Korean broadcast, reflecting the growing international appetite for Korean romantic comedies and the star power of both lead actors.
