Known for her sweet and innocent roles, actress Kim Yoo-jung has taken on a character so chilling in the new thriller ‘Dear X‘ that it has unnerved her own inner circle. The actress recently revealed that her close friends and family have been joking about being frightened of her after witnessing her intense performance as the ruthless top actress Baek Ah-jin.
The TVING original series, which is based on a popular webtoon, tells the story of Baek Ah-jin, a woman who wears a mask to escape her traumatic past and climb to the top of the social ladder, and the individuals she cruelly tramples along the way. Kim Yoo-jung’s portrayal of this complex character has been widely praised, marking a significant and successful departure from her previous work.
Friends and Family React to the New Kim Yoo-jung
The dramatic change in Kim Yoo-jung’s on-screen persona has prompted strong reactions from those who know her best. She shared that her friends have been reaching out with playful yet genuine trepidation.
“Friends joke that they get scared when I look at them now,” Kim Yoo-jung said. “It makes me laugh because it means I portrayed Ah-jin well.”
She also noted that while her family usually finds it difficult to watch her projects because of the disconnect with her real personality, they told her they are truly enjoying ‘Dear X’. The positive response from those close to her has been a source of pride.
The Challenge of Playing a Sociopath
Taking on the role of Baek Ah-jin was a new challenge for the actress, who is best known for playing lovable characters. She described Ah-jin as a sociopath, a person who hides her true intentions behind a subtle aura. To capture this, Kim Yoo-jung focused on minimalism and control rather than overt emotion.
“Ah-jin has a subtle aura that hides her true intentions. I tried not to overplay anything,” she explained. “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 preparation involved meticulous attention to detail, even altering the way she delivered her lines. “I tried to find moments that would make those close to her feel uneasy,” she said, noting she worked on varying her tone and adding pauses to create a sense of unease.
Pushing to Physical and Emotional Limits
The role demanded an immense physical and emotional toll. Kim Yoo-jung revealed that she lost weight during filming because of the character’s psychologically draining nature, and she chose not to recover it as it helped portray Ah-jin’s deteriorating state.
One of the most difficult moments came during the filming of a violent scene with the actor playing her abusive father. The shoot spanned several days and was so grueling that she eventually fainted on set.
“During the final scene where I kill my father, I was so drained that I collapsed,” Kim Yoo-jung recalled. “I was so immersed in the moment that I felt dazed, as if I were somewhere else, and I couldn’t wake up easily.”
Her co-star, Kim Young-dae, who plays Yoon Joon-seo, witnessed her dedication firsthand. He expressed his deep respect for her, noting there were times after difficult shoots when she would be silent and still to the point of nearly fainting.
An Unexpected Response from Viewers
Despite Baek Ah-jin’s manipulative and often cruel actions, the character has evoked unexpected sympathy from some viewers. This reaction surprised Kim Yoo-jung, who initially did not think people would feel sorry for Ah-jin.
She believes this complexity stems from the character’s tragic backstory, which includes severe childhood abuse and neglect. This history makes her a figure that audiences can’t simply hate or wholeheartedly support, existing in a moral gray area.
“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 actress shared.
To ensure a responsible portrayal of such a dark character, Kim Yoo-jung and the production team consulted with psychology experts throughout the production.
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A Global Success Story
‘Dear X’ has proven to be a major hit. The series has topped TVING’s subscription charts in South Korea for multiple weeks and has achieved global success. It has ranked number one on platforms like Viki in the United States and Disney+ in Japan, reaching audiences in over 100 countries.
The series finale is set for December 4, 2025, and will be available on TVING, Viki, and HBO Max in selected regions.
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