Actor Kim Yoo-jung returned to a definitive "role of a lifetime" in Dear X.
The TVING original Dear X (written by Choi Ja-won·Ban Ji-woon, directed by Lee Eung-bok·Park So-hyun) has received a heated response since its release on the 6th. On the first weekend after release (Nov. 7–9) it ranked first in TVING paid subscriber contributors, and according to OTT ranking aggregator FlixPatrol, it took first place in the HBO Max TV show category in seven countries including Hong Kong·Indonesia·the Philippines·and Taiwan. It also dominated global charts by reaching as high as third on Japan's Disney+ and the U.S. Viki.
At the center of that is Kim Yoo-jung, who successfully transformed into Baek A-jin, a woman who put on a mask to survive. Baek A-jin is a villain character with a reason, hiding a cruel nature beneath her beautiful appearance, and Kim Yoo-jung emitted a magnetic presence that instantly captivated domestic and international viewers. Above all, she proved her accumulated acting depth once again by delivering overwhelming immersion with a wide range of emotions swinging between emptiness and insanity. Since the release, various SNS and online communities have poured out enthusiastic responses such as "Kim Yoo-jung's acting wire-show," "dark Kim Yoo-jung feels good," "Kim Yoo-jung, she totally changed her face," "this level is like she swallowed Baek A-jin," and "Dear X looks set to become Kim Yoo-jung's signature work."
Released photos capture moments of Kim Yoo-jung's passionate acting. First, Kim Yoo-jung's sunny smile before filming lights up the surroundings, and her habit of not letting go of the script until just before shooting shows her thorough preparation and hidden effort. But the moment filming begins, from her eyes to her expressions she becomes Baek A-jin herself. Even after the cut sign, immersed in Baek A-jin's emotions, her serious face as she concentrates on the monitor suggests why she receives praise.
In episodes 1–4 of Dear X, released on the 6th, the dark past and dangerous secrets hidden behind top star Baek A-jin's dazzling success were portrayed. To break free from the shackles of her father Baek Seon-gyu (played by Bae Soo-bin), who subjected her to abuse and neglect in childhood, she gambled away her life by using cafe owner Choi Jeong-ho (played by Kim Ji-hoon) as a sacrifice. After leaving Yoon Jun-seo (played by Kim Young-dae), Baek A-jin entered the entertainment industry by joining hands with Seo Mi-ri (played by Kim Ji-young), the head of Longstar Entertainment, and attention is focused on her future moves.
Episodes 5–6 of Dear X will be released on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. <
[Photo] Provided by TVING.
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