Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
'Single's Inferno' star Dex to make acting debut through 'Tarot'
From left, actor Cho Yeo-jeong, Dex and Ko Kyu-pil will star in the new horror series "Tarot." Courtesy of High Entertainment, Kthd Studio and Big Boss Entertainment
By Lee Gyu-lee
Dex, a TV personality, who shot to stardom with Netflix’s dating show “Single’s Inferno,” will make his acting debut with the new horror anthology series “Tarot,” next month.
The series’ production company and distributor, LG Uplus' STUDIO X+U, announced Monday that it will release the first three episodes of "Tarot" in theaters in June, prior to releasing all episodes.
The thriller mystery series, consisting of seven episodes, follows ordinary people facing ominous fates after stumbling across tarot cards that predict the future. Each episode unfolds with different stories and separate protagonists, all beginning with them discovering a tarot card.
Dex played the lead role in one of three episodes, titled “Throw It Away” (direct translation), that will roll out in theaters next month. The other two episodes are “Santa’s Visit,” starring “Parasite” actor Cho Yeo-jeong, and “Going Home,” starring actor Ko Kyu-pil from the action film “The Roundup: No Way Out.”
“The three episodes set to first premiere in theaters will deliver distinctive thrills and mysteries with each one. With the everyday themes as a backdrop that anyone can relate to, these episodes will feature unique stories with imaginative creativity and striking characters,” the distributor said in the press release.
“[The] Perfect harmony of these elements and gripping realistic mystery horror stories will make the audience’s hearts pound.”
The series is directed by Choi Byeong-gil, who previously helmed the 2021 mystery series “High Class” and the 2017 drama series “Missing 9,” and is written by scriptwriter Kyung Min-sun, whose previous work includes the period short series “Joseon Beauty Pageant.”
The series was invited to the Cannes International Series Festival, holding its world premiere earlier last month. It became the first Korean series to compete in the festival’s short-form competition section.
“(LG Uplus) will expand our business model to discover and secure high-quality intellectual property (IP) like 'Tarot' to boost their value and maximize additional revenue," said Lee Sang-jin, head of content business at LG Uplus.
"By establishing a firm infrastructure that covers the whole range, from production to distribution, and by expanding our IP, we will build a self-sustaining cycle that enhances the unique brand value of STUDIO X+U.”
Dex, a former soldier-turned-YouTuber, garnered enormous fame after starring in season 2 of “Single’s Inferno” in 2023. Since then he has been featured in various reality shows, including the travel show “Adventure by Accident” and even becoming the host of the third season of “Single’s Inferno.”