Kim Yoo-jung Sheds 'Nation's Little Sister' Image with Daring 19+ Role in 'Dear X'

It's a complete transformation for the 'Nation's Little Sister.'

Actress Kim Yoo-jung (26) is receiving explosive praise for her 'acting of a lifetime' after delivering a daring performance as a sociopath in her first 'underage viewing prohibited' rated work, marking her first such role in her 23-year career.

In the TVING original series 'Dear X,' which premiered on the 6th, Kim Yoo-jung takes on the lead role of 'Baek Ah-jin,' revealing a side of herself never seen before. The series, based on a popular webtoon of the same name, chronicles the life of Baek Ah-jin, who cruelly tramples and exploits others to reach the highest echelons.

Baek Ah-jin is a character with exceptional looks and intelligence but suffers from antisocial personality disorder (sociopathy), lacking empathy for others' feelings. She is the epitome of a 'femme fatale,' intentionally seducing and manipulating men she deems useful for her own success.

Kim Yoo-jung, who debuted as a child actress at age 5 and built a bright and lovely image for a long time, had her transformation become a hot topic even before the release. The decadent atmosphere revealed in the trailer and her vacant eyes murmuring, 'I've never been unhappy,' delivered a fresh shock.

Once unveiled, her performance in the main series exceeded expectations. She portrayed the complex character of Baek Ah-jin with depth, delicately expressing the nuances beyond simply being an 'antagonist.' The horrific abuse and violence she experienced from her biological father and stepmother in her childhood shattered Baek Ah-jin's life, and this tragic backstory prevents viewers from purely hating her.

Notably, the scene in episode 3 where she is brutally assaulted by her father, only to smile through tears with a bloodied face, reportedly sent chills down viewers' spines.

At the press conference, Kim Yoo-jung stated, 'For Baek Ah-jin, I chose to act by conveying less and emptying out emotions rather than overexpressing them,' adding, 'My goal was to create a sense of subtle unease and tension, making viewers wonder what she's thinking even when her expression is still.' True to her intention, Kim Yoo-jung flawlessly commanded the center of the drama, expressing the coldness and emptiness hidden behind her beautiful face solely through her gaze.

Viewers are pouring out enthusiastic reactions such as, 'Kim Yoo-jung's visuals and acting are both insane,' 'Time flew by, I started watching casually but got completely immersed,' 'Baek Ah-jin's life is so pitiful it made me cry,' and 'Kim Yoo-jung's gaze is scary and chilling.'

Having successfully broken through the 'Nation's Little Sister' shell for a legendary acting transformation into a '19+ femme fatale,' all eyes are on what more Kim Yoo-jung will show in the remaining episodes.

Kim Yoo-jung is being recognized for successfully broadening her acting spectrum with 'Dear X.' She has shed her previous lovable image to perfectly embody a character with complex emotional layers, proving her limitless potential as an actress. Analyses suggest that her over 20 years of acting experience, since her debut as a child actress at age 5, truly shone in this production.