The new Korean psychological thriller Dear X has taken the international streaming world by storm, captivating viewers with its intense story and a career-defining performance from its lead actress. The series, which began streaming in November 2025, presents a chilling portrait of a top actress whose beautiful public image hides a deeply manipulative and damaged soul. Fans and critics are hailing it as one of the most gripping and talked-about K-dramas of the year.
A Star’s Chilling Reinvention
Kim Yoo-jung, an actress long celebrated for her pure and innocent roles, completely shatters that image with her portrayal of Baek Ah-jin. In Dear X, she transforms into a complex sociopath who uses her charm and intelligence as weapons to climb the ladder of success. The role requires Kim Yoo-jung to display a haunting duality, shifting seamlessly between a glamorous, kind-hearted star and a cold, calculating manipulator. Her performance has become the show’s biggest talking point, with many praising her ability to convey cruelty and control through subtle expressions and an unsettling stillness.
At the show’s press conference, Kim explained her approach to the complex character.
“I wanted to play a character who gives you tension even when she’s not showing any expression,” she said. “Instead of displaying emotions overtly, I tried to empty them out to make viewers feel a subtle, eerie unease.”
This restrained intensity is on full display in one of the drama’s most powerful early scenes, where Baek Ah-jin, bloodied after a brutal beating by her father, smiles through her tears—a moment that perfectly captures her fractured psyche.
The Story of Survival and Manipulation
Dear X is based on a popular Naver Webtoon and follows the rise and fall of Baek Ah-jin. The story delves into her traumatic childhood, marked by severe domestic violence and abuse at the hands of her parents. To survive, she learns to hide her true emotions and master the art of manipulating those around her. As an adult, she becomes a top actress, but the ghosts of her past and her ruthless methods of destroying anyone in her path threaten to bring her carefully constructed world crashing down.
The drama explores the toxic relationships that define her life. She is surrounded by two key men: Yoon Jun-seo, played by Kim Young-dae, is her childhood friend and stepbrother who is so obsessively in love with her that he is willing to bear the consequences of her crimes. The other is Kim Jae-oh, portrayed by Kim Do-hoon, a man from a similarly broken past who finds his reason for living in Baek Ah-jin and becomes fiercely devoted to protecting her. The dynamic between these three characters creates a tense and emotionally charged narrative.
Global Recognition and Fan Praise
Since its release, Dear X has generated an explosive response from a global audience. The series quickly reached the number one spot in the TV Show category on HBO Max across several countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It also ranked high on Disney+ in Japan, proving its widespread appeal.
On social media, fans have been sharing their enthusiastic reactions. One viewer noted the power of Kim Yoo-jung’s silent acting, writing, “She doesn’t even need to speak, her eyes say it all. That’s acting at its finest.” Another fan commented on the lead character’s brutal survival instincts, stating, “Ajin was so done with her abusive father that she staged everything… The way she manipulates people is scary and brilliant.” The compelling performances from the child actors portraying the younger versions of the characters have also received widespread appreciation for laying a strong emotional foundation for the story.
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Where and When to Watch
Dear X officially premiered on November 6, 2025, on the Korean streaming service TVING. The first four episodes were released immediately, with the plan to release two new episodes every subsequent Thursday. The series is also available for international audiences on platforms including HBO Max in select regions and on Viki. In Japan, the drama is streaming via Disney+ as part of a special “TVING Collection.”
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