‘Dear X’ star Kim You-jung says hardest part of role was hiding her emotions
Actor Kim You-jung / Courtesy of Awesome ENT
Actor Kim You-jung unveils a striking transformation in the new Tving original series “Dear X,” taking on a character far removed from any role she has played before.
Released on Nov. 6, the 12-episode drama follows Baek Ah-jin (Kim You-jung), a woman who hides her ruthless nature behind a carefully crafted mask as she claws her way out of her personal hell. The story also traces the lives of the people she steps on along the way — represented by the “X” in the title. The series stars Kim You-jung, Kim Young-dae and Kim Do-hoon.
In an interview at a cafe in Seoul on Nov. 25, Kim You-jung said she has been deeply moved by the public’s reaction. “I put a lot of work into this project, so it feels great to see people responding positively,” she said. “Friends joke that they get scared when I look at them now. It makes me laugh because it means I portrayed Ah-jin well.”
“Dear X” is adapted from a widely followed webtoon, which made her wary of disappointing longtime fans. “The original fandom is huge, so I was nervous,” she said. “I focused on capturing the essence of Ah-jin from the webtoon.”
Her biggest challenge was expressing the character’s unreadable emotion. “Ah-jin has a subtle aura that hides her true intentions. I tried not to overplay anything. By stripping away expressions and relying less on visible emotion, I hoped viewers would feel the same uncertainty I felt while reading the webtoon.”
Her icy, unsettling gaze has drawn particular praise. She said, “For certain scenes, I practiced making my eyes appear sharper, even ghostly. I wanted every character around Ah-jin to feel tension.”
Co-star Kim Young-dae said her stare was “terrifying, even though I knew it was acting.”
Tving said the series has ranked No. 1 in new subscriber contribution for three consecutive weeks since its release, underscoring its strong buzz.
A scene from "Dear X" / Courtesy of Tving
Understanding a character not meant to be understood
At the heart of the drama is Kim You-jung’s performance. Ah-jin, beautiful yet brutal, becomes an oddly sympathetic figure through her portrayal.
“She’s difficult to understand — and in some ways, I didn’t want to understand her,” Kim said. “As an actor, emotion often rises naturally, but Ah-jin wouldn’t reveal hers. Hiding those emotions was the hardest part.”
Kim gradually found her footing. “Once I accepted Ah-jin’s mindset, it became easier. Her desperation to protect herself felt painfully real.”
She expected the character to draw criticism, not affection. “I thought viewers would never root for her, but many people said they felt sorry for Ah-jin. That was surprising and a new experience for me.”
The drama also demanded intense physical scenes. “The fight with my character’s father took three to four days to film. It drained me physically and mentally,” she said. “By the end, I was so exhausted I could hardly stand.”
Actor Kim You-jung as Baek Ah-jin in "Dear X" / Courtesy of Tving
What ‘Dear X’ taught Kim You-jung
Playing Ah-jin pushed Kim into an emotional and philosophical exploration. “I thought a lot about what humanity even means,” she said. “It made me reflect on my relationships, my morals and my life. Saying it now, I realize how attached I’ve become to this project.”
Kim debuted as a child actor in a 2003 Crown Confectionery commercial and has built a 22-year career spanning films and television. Now a recognized actor who successfully transitioned from child star to adult lead, she said she still feels she has much to prove.
“There is a long road ahead,” she said. “Being an actor means constantly showing and proving yourself. I’m grateful for the positive response, but I want to stay grounded. I’m trying to lower my expectations and approach the next step with a fresh mind.”
“Dear X” releases its final episode on Dec. 4.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.