TVING original Dear X heated up the Busan International Film Festival.
TVING original Dear X (directed by Lee Eung-bok and Park So-hyun, written by Choi Ja-won and Ban Ji-woon, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Monster Union and Siwoo Company, provided by TVING, based on the Naver Webtoon "Dear X" [writer Ban Ji-woon]) was invited to the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) On Screen institutional sector and successfully completed its three-day official schedule from the opening ceremony red carpet event held on the 17th to the GV (audience talk) screenings and outdoor stage greetings held from the 18th to the 19th.
At the red carpet event held on the 17th at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center, Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae, Kim Do-hoon and Lee Yul-eum attended. In response to the audience's enthusiastic cheers and flurry of camera flashes, the actors returned the energy with bright smiles and waves, heating up the venue.
The next day, the 18th, episodes 1 and 2 of the 12-episode series were screened for the first time. Studio Dragon CP Kim Ryun-hee and the actors attended the first GV screening held at Lotte Cinema Centum City. Immediately after the screening, they had a meaningful time talking with the audience about the work. First, CP Kim Ryun-hee raised curiosity by saying about the charm of Dear X, "You will be able to see the actors' acting feat," and added, "You will feel a guilty pleasure in which you can neither fully support nor fully hate Baek Ah-jin in the drama."
Kim Yoo-jung, who made a striking transformation as Baek Ah-jin, revealed her affection for the work, saying, "Not only because it's different from the characters I played before, but I felt a very strong charm throughout the work. Watching extreme emotions and tangled complex relationships, I felt empathy as if looking into a mirror, and I also had expectations that I could convey a silent message through this work." Kim Young-dae, who renewed his career-best role as Yoon Jun-seo, said, "Although there is still time before the official release, it was an honor to meet the audience first at the Busan International Film Festival. I think Dear X is a work that will inevitably draw you in. Please give it a lot of interest and love," sharing his impressions and request.
Kim Do-hoon, who drew attention by taking on the role of Kim Jae-oh, said, "The character Kim Jae-oh felt the most difficult among the characters I have played so far. I pondered how to portray a person who moves straight ahead without hesitation and tried various attempts, so it was an equally challenging experience," revealing the efforts behind his passionate performance. Lee Yul-eum, who hinted at the appearance of Rena after episode 2, expressed her sincere hope, "I am truly happy to greet you through Dear X this time. As I cried and laughed through Baek Ah-jin as well, I hope many people can empathize and love it together."
On the final day, the 19th, they met more viewers by appearing on the outdoor stage at the Busan Cinema Center along with the second GV screening. Actor Kim Yi-kyung, who gave a passionate performance as Shim Seong-hee, also joined the outdoor stage greetings that day, drawing attention. Kim Yi-kyung added expectations for her early dramatic contributions, saying, "Shim Seong-hee is a character who meets Baek Ah-jin in high school, causing conflict and joining the beginning of the story. Unlike the original, you will meet a richer character, so please look forward to it."
Meanwhile, Dear X depicts the story of Baek Ah-jin (Kim Yoo-jung), a woman who puts on a mask to escape hell and climb to the highest place, and the Xs who were brutally trampled by her. It portrays the downfall of Korea's top actor Baek Ah-jin, who hides a cruel true nature behind a beautiful face, and Yoon Jun-seo's (Kim Young-dae) desperate love, who chose hell to protect her, promising the birth of an unprecedented tragic-melo suspense. After its first screening at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, it has received a shower of praise for its stylish direction and visuals, intense subject matter and story, and actors' bold acting transformations.
TVING original Dear X will be released on TVING on Nov. 6.
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