TVING's 'Dear X' Tops Paid Subscribers in Opening Weekend, Dominates 7 Countries Globally

TVING's original series 'Dear X' has proven its potential as a highly anticipated hit for the latter half of the year, capturing the attention of international viewers right from its premiere.

Released on November 6th, 'Dear X' is based on the popular Naver webtoon of the same name. The series has been reborn as an intense and unconventional drama, thanks to the synergy between its direction, script, and the cast's performances. With a rapid plot development and unpredictable twists, the flawless acting by Kim Yoo-jung and the rest of the cast creates a nail-biting level of suspense.

Notably, Kim Yoo-jung, who portrays 'Baek Ah-jin,' a villain disguised as an angel, has delivered a performance that elicits complex emotions. As described by creator Choi Ji-woon, "a protagonist who cannot be simply loved or supported, nor hated," Kim Yoo-jung's portrayal of Baek Ah-jin, who acts inexplicably with a broken emotional state, sparks a wide range of feelings. The subtle fear, tension, thrilling excitement, and pleasure delivered by Baek Ah-jin offer a unique dramatic enjoyment never experienced before.

Thus, 'Dear X,' which splendidly opened the prelude to its destructive melodrama suspense, ranked first in paid subscriber numbers during its opening weekend (November 7th-9th), just four days after its release.

It has captivated not only domestic but also international audiences. Released as one of the first original Korean productions on HBO Max and Japan's Disney+, 'Dear X' topped the TV Show category on HBO Max in 7 countries including Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, according to global OTT content ranking site FlixPatrol. It also jumped to 3rd place on Japan's Disney+ and the US's Viki, instantly becoming a global trending topic.

The first four episodes, released on November 6th, depicted the tumultuous past of top South Korean actress Baek Ah-jin. Flashbacks revealed her childhood marked by parental abuse, her school days with saviors and supporters Yoo Jun-seo (played by Kim Young-dae) and Kim Jae-o (played by Kim Do-hoon), and her ruthless gambit using Choi Jeong-ho (played by Kim Ji-hoon) as a sacrifice to break free from the chains of resentment and hatred towards her father.

Facing the crisis of all truths being revealed, Baek Ah-jin joins forces with Seo Mi-ri (played by Kim Ji-young), the CEO of Long Star Entertainment. She declares, "I will climb to a place where no one can easily touch me. I want to be reborn at the very top," foreshadowing her solo ascent to the pinnacle and heightening anticipation for the next chapter.

Korean netizens are flooding social media with praise, commenting, "Kim Yoo-jung's acting is insane," "The immersion is incredible, can't wait for the next episode," and "Even more stimulating and fun than the webtoon!"