Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
'My Royal Nemesis' becomes bold new contender in rom-com genre
Actor Lim Ji-yeon is seen in scenes from SBS drama "My Royal Nemesis." Courtesy of SBS
By Park Jin-hai
Lim Ji-yeon carries time-slip beyond cliche
SBS’ new drama "My Royal Nemesis" centers on Kang Dan-sim, a Joseon-era "villainess" executed by poison who wakes up 300 years later in the body of a struggling actress, Shin Seo-ri.
While the premise risked being dismissed as just another derivative time-slip trope, the series has instead debuted as a bold and cheeky romantic comedy. Actress Lim Ji-yeon’s performance is the show's true anchor, as she effortlessly pivots between slapstick comedy and poignant romance to strike a perfect balance of comedy, angst and romantic chemistry.
Driven by Lim’s powerhouse performance and a narrative that outpaces the typical fantasy rom-com formula, the show has already captivated audiences. By its second episode, it hit a 5.4 percent nationwide rating, according to Nielsen Korea, and clinched the top spot on Netflix Korea.
The drama opens with a haunting sequence: Kang Dan-sim (Lim), a royal concubine branded a villainess, collapses after drinking poison. Her final cry — "My only crime was struggling to survive in a palace where everyone sought my head" — is cut short as a total lunar eclipse warps the fabric of time.
Scenes from SBS drama "My Royal Nemesis" / Courtesy of SBS
She awakens in the middle of modern Seoul, finding herself on a historical drama film set. Dan-sim, now inhabiting the body of an unknown actress, has to navigate a bewildering, unfamiliar world. The plot thickens when she crosses paths with Se-gye (Heo Nam-jun), a third-generation chaebol notorious for his "power-tripping" behavior, marking the start of a volatile "enemies-to-lovers" arc.
Unlike most time-slip dramas that spend episodes on the protagonist’s slow adjustment to the modern world, "My Royal Nemesis" opts for a high-speed evolution. Using Seo-ri’s diary to understand her circumstances, Dan-sim quickly adapts to her cramped goshiwon (dormitory-style single room accommodation) life.
The tension peaked at the end of the second episode with the thrilling revelation that Seo-ri, Se-gye and his older cousin, Mun-do (Jang Seung-jo), were already intertwined 300 years ago, sparking intense curiosity regarding their past life narrative.
The world Dan-sim finds herself in — driven by social media clout and capital — is just another battlefield. Much like her past life, where she rose from low status to royal favor only to become a scapegoat due to power struggles, the modern Seo-ri faces constant discrimination for being a "nobody."
Lim’s portrayal of Dan-sim draws on the "Jang Hui-bin" archetype. But rather than conforming to the contemporary system, she bends it to her will. Standing on a rooftop, she declares, "Even if I must crawl through animal poop, this is preferred to the afterlife. And so if this is my life, I'll hold onto it with a tiger's claw."
The wits, speech and quick reflexes Dan-sim honed to survive the palace have become her modern-day competitive edge. In a series of comedic highlights, she becomes a "home shopping ace" by using her royal kitchen knife skills to sell out kitchenware, uses her mastery of the 14th century novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" to dominate educational textbook sales in fluent Chinese and exhausts the stock of vitamin drinks through a flawless martial arts demonstration.
When the sight of black goat stew — a home shopping product — triggers a traumatic flashback to the agony of the royal poison and leaves her paralyzed with fear, Se-gye steps in to save her, leaving her with the words, "There you are, Shin Seo-ri."
The ending reaches a fever pitch as Mun-do, who bears the face of the Joseon King responsible for her death, approaches them. Seo-ri turns to Se-gye, pleading, "Just be my shield for a moment," as she seeks cover in his arms. This final sequence not only sets the stage for a heart-fluttering romance but also heightens the mystery of the trio's past life connections, leaving viewers desperate for the next episode.
While she seamlessly transitions between her traditional "sageuk" (epic drama) speech and modern-day comedy, the character’s emotional core never wavers. It is the actor's skill that anchors a premise — which could easily feel like a cartoon if overplayed — within a layer of grounded, realistic emotion. The commanding screen presence she demonstrated in "The Glory" (2022) and "The Tale of Lady Ok" (2024) is once again in full force here.