'Nice to Not Meet You' delivered cheerful laughter and warm consolation until the end.
tvN's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Nice to Not Meet You' (directed by Kim Ga-ram, written by Jeong Yeo-rang, produced by Studio Dragon, Studio N, Artist Company) concluded on the 30th to enthusiastic response. Im Hyun-jun (played by Lee Jeong-jae) and Wi Jeong-shin (played by Lim Ji-yeon) savored special moments together amid the happiness of ordinary daily life. The stories of people who experienced meaningful growth in their respective places offered pleasant and warm laughter until the end, leaving a lingering impression.
The final episode of 'Nice to Not Meet You' recorded nationwide household ratings averaging 4.8% and peaking at 5.7%, and Seoul metropolitan area household ratings averaging 4.4% and peaking at 5.3%, securing first place in its time slot including cable and general programming and ending on a high note. (Nielsen Korea, paid platforms)
Im Hyun-jun and Wi Jeong-shin prepared thoroughly for a successful live broadcast. As Wi Jeong-shin revealed the truth to the world, Sports Eunseong submitted an article exposing Lee Dae-ho's (played by Kim Jae-chul) corruption, and Lee Dae-ho, trapped like a rat in a cage, flew into a rage. As expected, a world where all the truths were revealed became noisy. Im Hyun-jun could not be free from responsibility either. Posters of Im Hyun-jun, whose image as a righteous national detective had been damaged, disappeared from the streets, and he rushed around to pay penalties.
Wi Jeong-shin worried about Im Hyun-jun, whose life had changed overnight. Just then, seeing a recruitment notice for dispatched workers posted in Eunseong Ilbo and pondering it, Wi Jeong-shin volunteered for the dispatch to quell the dating rumors and calm the situation quickly. She confessed that after enjoying an ordinary date with Im Hyun-jun like anyone else, she left to go on the dispatch. Hurt and upset, Im Hyun-jun snapped and turned away from Wi Jeong-shin in anger. But because he knew that she cared for him more than anyone and understood the meaning behind her decision made for him, he said he would wait and accepted the brief separation.
The last day of filming for 'Good Detective Kang Pil-gu season 5' and the day Wi Jeong-shin was leaving approached. The Kang Pil-gu team wrapped up their long journey after Im Hyun-jun's storm of sobbing, whether acting or tears for Wi Jeong-shin. Just when relief and regret coexisted at the end, the exclusive story prepared by Wi Jeong-shin broke. It was an article saying that Im Hyun-jun and Kwon Se-na (played by Oh Yeon-seo) had already ended their relationship with Lee Dae-ho and that the agency's equity had been donated in full to a children's organization. As planned by Wi Jeong-shin, Im Hyun-jun's deteriorating image was reversed, and CEO Hwang (played by Choi Guy-hwa) also returned to his position.
'Good Detective Kang Pil-gu season 5' rebounded after an early slump. Everything began to return to its rightful place, but Im Hyun-jun keenly felt Wi Jeong-shin's absence. At the same time, Wi Jeong-shin, who had difficulty finding her lost phone at her dispatched work site, finally retrieved it and, upon belatedly reading Im Hyun-jun's affectionate messages that had consistently checked on her despite no replies, welled up with tears. She then accidentally found a listing for one Kang Pil-gu sock posted by 'melo artisan' on a secondhand trading app. 'Melo artisan' and 'soul present' set a meeting at Namsan with fluttering hearts. Reunited at the place that held special memories for Wi Jeong-shin due to an encounter with a fake 'melo artisan', Im Hyun-jun and Wi Jeong-shin embraced each other, savoring the happiness of their long-awaited reunion.
Im Hyun-jun, who dreamed of 'leaving Kang Pil-gu' and knocked on Hollywood's door, passed the final audition and realized his dream of entering Hollywood. He had grown into an actor who could accept detective roles with an open mind. Lee Jae-hyung (played by Kim Ji-hun) and Yoon Hwa-young (played by Seo Ji-hye) became true family after a long time, giving hope for their future together.
Just as warm change came to everyone, reports surfaced about Im Hyun-jun and Wi Jeong-shin's dating. Despite the exclusive story, Wi Jeong-shin recalled how she had once feared meeting Im Hyun-jun in the past as the world carried on much the same. And like Im Hyun-jun's words, 'Who said that? That dull daily life saves us,' the two enjoyed an ordinary but special daily life simply because they were together. Watching a film about their story, Im Hyun-jun and Wi Jeong-shin confidently enjoyed a public date, completing a perfect happy ending that makes viewers look forward to their next chapter.
'Nice to Not Meet You' captivated home audiences with the antagonistic chemistry between a top star and an entertainment reporter entangled in a spiteful fate amid a spectacular entertainment world where various incidents occur daily. From their first meeting through a series of extraordinary incidents, Im Hyun-jun and Wi Jeong-shin gradually became fans of each other and embraced change; their relationship was special. The squabbling of rivals who were quick to growl at each other provoked laughter, and conversations between 'melo artisan' and 'soul present' that comforted weary days provided healing to viewers as well. Above all, the two's growth as they discovered sides of themselves and new feelings they had not realized before meeting each other left a deep impression.
Especially notable were the diverse performances of actors including Lee Jeong-jae, Lim Ji-yeon, Kim Ji-hun and Seo Ji-hye. Lee Jeong-jae perfectly embodied the sometimes cheeky, sometimes petty top star Im Hyun-jun and shone. He received praise for comic acting that spared nothing and for flawlessly delivering the signature action scenes within the show-within-the-show 'Good Detective Kang Pil-gu.'
Lim Ji-yeon drew strong responses by vividly portraying the mercurial emotional line of entertainment reporter Wi Jeong-shin, who has convictions and resolve. The synergy between the two actors who completed Im Hyun-jun and Wi Jeong-shin's delightfully exasperating mutual coming-of-age was also impeccable. Kim Ji-hun amplified the sweet and tender charm of Lee Jae-hyung, who holds an unwavering love for his ex Yoon Hwa-young, and Seo Ji-hye's presence achieved high synchronicity with Yoon Hwa-young, who hides a tsundere-like side behind her perfection. Also noteworthy were the seasoned performances that brought to life the colorful characters of the noisy entertainment industry from actors such as Choi Guy-hwa, Jeon Seong Woo, Oh Yeon-seo, Kim Jae-chul, Na Young-hee and Jeon Soo-kyung.
[photo] tvN 'Nice to Not Meet You' final episode broadcast capture
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