tvN's 'Dear X' Captivates Viewers in Just Two Episodes with Star-Studded Cast and Hilarious Chemistry

tvN's new Monday-Tuesday drama 'Dear X' has ignited viewer interest, garnering a fervent response from its very first broadcast.

The drama is a masterful blend of Director Kim Ga-ram's stylish direction and Writer Jung Yeo-rang's witty script, known for her previous hit 'Doctor Cha'. This synergy has instantly captivated the audience.

Furthermore, the performances of the reliable cast, including Lee Jung-jae, Lim Ji-yeon, Kim Ji-hoon, and Seo Ji-hye, have been met with high praise. Director Kim Ga-ram had previously stated, “In ‘Dear X,’ we aimed to show a new side of our actors,” and their unique character portrayals have certainly delivered.

Unreleased and behind-the-scenes photos, released amidst the buzz, further enhance the genre's appeal and showcase the actors' passionate performances that are drawing viewers in. Lee Jung-jae, in particular, proves his veteran skills by embodying 'Im Hyun-joon,' a national treasure actor making a comeback through the fictional drama 'Tough Cop Kang Pil-gu.' He delivers a fearless comedic performance, unashamed to portray himself in less-than-glamorous moments, showcasing his range from his humble beginnings running a printing shop to his current stardom, while also exploring his hidden struggles to break free from his 'detective actor' image and grow as a performer.

Director Kim Ga-ram highlighted the signature action scenes of 'Tough Cop Kang Pil-gu' as a key viewing point, stating, “We filmed in various locations, and I hope viewers will fall in love with the charm of Kang Pil-gu’s action as much as we worked hard.” Lee Jung-jae's portrayal of the 'national detective' Kang Pil-gu, complete with thrilling action sequences against injustice, was truly spectacular. Unreleased stills capturing Kang Pil-gu’s intense gaze as he confronts wrongdoing are particularly eye-catching.

Lim Ji-yeon makes a perfect transformation into 'Wi Jeong-shin,' a former political ace reporter who is now a rookie in the entertainment division. Known for her boldness in pursuing stories, even resorting to undercover work, Wi Jeong-shin finds herself entangled in a massive corruption case, leading her to leave politics for a new career in entertainment.

Lim Ji-yeon hilariously depicts Wi Jeong-shin's evolving emotions as she goes from constantly bickering with Im Hyun-joon to becoming a dedicated fan of 'Tough Cop Kang Pil-gu' while trying to understand him better, hinting at a potential career-defining role.

Im Hyun-joon and Wi Jeong-shin, whose first meeting was anything but smooth, cross paths again through a bizarre twist of fate. At a star-studded red carpet event, Im Hyun-joon suffers the humiliation of falling down the stairs, broadcast live to the nation, all thanks to Wi Jeong-shin.

Their fated, antagonistic encounters continue relentlessly. However, by the end of the episode, with Wi Jeong-shin developing a crush on Kang Pil-gu, the future of her fiery frenemy dynamic with Im Hyun-joon, Kang Pil-gu’s real-life counterpart, becomes a major point of intrigue.

Kim Ji-hoon embodies 'Lee Jae-hyung,' the charismatic president of Sports Eunseong, showcasing a sweet and affable side. His smile upon seeing the employee ID card dropped by Wi Jeong-shin during their chaotic first encounter at the airport promises an exciting 'heart-fluttering' performance from Kim Ji-hoon.

Seo Ji-hye seamlessly embodies 'Yoon Hwa-young,' the beautiful and capable head of the entertainment division. Her commanding presence leading junior reporters, coupled with her subtly supportive, tsundere-like advice to Wi Jeong-shin, is amplified by Seo Ji-hye's signature gentle yet powerful 'girl crush' aura.

The production team shared, “In episodes 3 and 4, Im Hyun-joon and Wi Jeong-shin will become even more entangled in a fated, antagonistic relationship. Their rivalry will escalate with an upgraded level of chemistry,” heightening anticipation for the upcoming episodes.

Netizens are flooding social media with praise, commenting things like 'Lee Jung-jae's comedic acting is insane!' and 'Lim Ji-yeon's character is so charming!' Many are eagerly anticipating the next episodes, especially curious about how the 'frenemy' dynamic between the leads will unfold.